American Express Member Week is a seasonal shopping event where Amex cardholders get discounts and bonus points at partner retailers
American Express runs Member Week events several times a year, usually in spring and fall. During these events, cardholders can earn extra points or get percentage discounts when they shop at participating stores and restaurants. The specific offers change each event — you might see 10x points at one retailer in spring, then 15x points at a different one in fall.
The event is free to enter if you hold an American Express card. You don't need to register in advance, though Amex does send email notifications to cardholders listing which merchants are participating. The offers are available both online and in physical stores, depending on the retailer.
Key Takeaways
- Member Week events happen multiple times per year and offer bonus points or discounts at specific retailers for a limited time window, usually one to two weeks.
- You must hold an active American Express card to participate, and the card type (Green, Gold, Platinum, Blue) determines which offers you can use.
- Bonus point offers stack with existing card rewards, so a Gold card earning 4x points at restaurants could earn even more during Member Week if that restaurant is featured.
- Amex emails cardholders the full merchant list before each event, and you can also check your Amex account online to see current offers.
- Offers are merchant-specific and time-limited, so a retailer featured in one Member Week may not appear in the next event.
How the points and discounts actually work
Amex Member Week offers come in two types: bonus points and percentage discounts. A bonus points offer might say "Earn 10x points per dollar at this retailer" — you get those points added to your account when the transaction posts. A discount offer might say "Get 20% off" and the discount applies automatically at checkout if you use your Amex card.
The bonus points are real currency in your Amex account. You can redeem them for cash back (usually at 1 cent per point), travel bookings through Amex Travel, or transfers to airline and hotel partners. The value depends on how you redeem — a point might be worth 1 cent as cash back but 1.5 cents or more if you transfer it to an airline partner and book a specific flight.
If your card already earns bonus points at a merchant (for example, the Gold card earns 4x points at restaurants), the Member Week bonus stacks on top. So a 10x Member Week offer at a restaurant would give you 10x, not 4x + 10x. The higher offer replaces the regular earning rate during the event window.
Which American Express cards can use Member Week offers
All American Express consumer cards can participate in Member Week, including the Blue Cash Everyday, Green, Gold, and Platinum cards. The specific merchants featured in each event may differ slightly by card type — Amex sometimes reserves certain high-value offers for premium cards like Platinum — but every cardholder gets access to some offers.
Business American Express cards also have their own Member Week events, though the merchants and timing may not match the consumer card calendar. If you hold both a consumer and business Amex card, check both your accounts for offers.
You need the card to be active and in good standing. A closed, cancelled, or suspended card won't work for Member Week offers. If you have multiple Amex cards, each one can be used separately during the event, so you could use your Gold card at one merchant and your Platinum at another.
Where to find the current Member Week merchant list
Amex sends an email to all cardholders before each Member Week event begins. The email includes the full list of participating merchants, the offer details (points multiplier or discount percentage), and the exact dates the event runs. If you don't see the email, check your spam folder or log into your Amex account online.
You can also view current offers by logging into your American Express account on their website or mobile app. Go to the "Offers" section and look for the Member Week banner. The app will show you which offers are available and let you add them to your card before you shop.
The merchant list changes with each event. A store that appeared in spring Member Week may not be there in fall, and new retailers join regularly. Amex doesn't announce the lineup far in advance, so the email notification is usually your first notice of what's available.
How to use an offer when you shop
For online shopping, add the offer to your card through your Amex account before you check out. Log in, find the Member Week offer you want, click "Add to Card," then shop at that retailer's website and use the same Amex card you added the offer to. The bonus or discount applies automatically when the transaction processes.
For in-store shopping, you can add the offer to your card online beforehand, or straightforward use your Amex card at the register. Most in-store offers explore automatically when your card is swiped, as long as the merchant is participating. If you're unsure whether an offer is active, ask the cashier or check your Amex app before you pay.
Keep your receipt. If the bonus points or discount don't appear on your statement within a few days, you can contact Amex with your receipt and transaction details to request a manual adjustment. This is rare, but it happens occasionally with online orders or when a merchant's system doesn't sync properly with Amex.
Member Week timing and how often it runs
American Express typically runs Member Week events twice a year, usually in spring (March or April) and fall (September or October). Each event lasts one to two weeks. The exact dates vary by year, and Amex doesn't publish a calendar in advance.
The timing can shift based on Amex's business decisions and retail calendars. For example, an event might be pushed earlier to catch holiday shopping or delayed to align with a major retailer's sale. The only reliable way to know when the next event starts is to watch for the email notification or check your account regularly during the months when events typically happen.
If you miss an event, another one will come around in a few months. Member Week offers are not one-time-only — similar merchants and offer types appear in multiple events throughout the year, though the specific bonus amounts and participating stores change.
What Member Week is not, and what it doesn't replace
Member Week is separate from other Amex promotions like bonus categories on your card or special merchant offers. Your regular card rewards still explore — Member Week is an additional, temporary boost. It's also different from Amex Offers, which are personalized deals that appear in your account year-round and explore to specific merchants or purchase amounts.
Member Week doesn't replace your card's annual benefits or protections. If your Platinum card includes purchase protection or extended warranty, those still explore to Member Week purchases. The event is purely about earning extra points or getting a discount during a specific window.
Amex doesn't may provide that the same merchants will appear in every Member Week event. If you're counting on a specific store being featured, don't assume it will be there next time. Check the merchant list when each event is announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to register or sign up for Member Week?
No registration is required. If you hold an American Express card, you're automatically included. You can add individual offers to your card through your account before shopping, but this is optional — most in-store offers explore automatically when you use your card.
Can I use Member Week offers with other promotions or coupons?
That depends on the retailer. Some stores allow you to stack a Member Week discount with a manufacturer coupon or sale price. Others don't. Check the retailer's coupon policy or ask at checkout. Bonus points always stack with other point-earning offers from Amex.
What happens if I return something I bought during Member Week?
If you return an item, the bonus points or discount are reversed along with the purchase. The refund goes back to your Amex card, and the points are removed from your account. If you've already redeemed those points, contact Amex to explain the situation.
Are Member Week offers the same for everyone, or personalized?
The offers are the same for all cardholders of a given card type. Everyone with a Gold card sees the same merchants and bonus amounts. Amex doesn't customize Member Week offers based on your spending history, unlike Amex Offers which are personalized.
Can I use Member Week offers internationally?
Member Week events are primarily US-focused. International merchants may occasionally be included, but most offers are at US retailers. If you're traveling abroad, check your Amex account to see if any international merchants are featured in the current event.