RevPoints vs Amex Membership Rewards: The 2026 Verdict

If you are sitting on a massive pile of American Express Membership Rewards, the clock is ticking. On 30 June 2026, Amex officially severs its transfer partnership with Etihad Guest. The following day, the first-half £150 UK dining credit on the Platinum card vanishes for anyone who hasn’t spent it.

We are in a transition period for UK travel rewards. For years, Amex Membership Rewards (MR) was the undisputed king of flexible points. HSBC Premier offered a Mastercard alternative, but the steep income requirements kept it out of reach for many. Now, Revolut’s RevPoints ecosystem has matured from a novelty into a heavy hitter. Readers constantly ask us if they can finally ditch their expensive Amex cards and run everything through Revolut.

The short answer is no. The long answer is that you probably need both. Here is exactly how RevPoints and Amex Membership Rewards compare as of mid-2026, and where you should put your everyday spend.

Why June 2026 forces a strategy rethink

Amex is actively tightening its belt. The loss of Etihad Guest on 30 June is a direct blow to premium cabin optimisers who relied on the Middle Eastern carrier for long-haul redemptions. If you have a specific Etihad First Class Apartments booking in mind, check availability today. Do not transfer speculatively. Etihad’s dynamic pricing can be punishing in 2026. If the seat is there, move your points immediately. Otherwise, keep your balance flexible. You can still book Qatar Qsuites via British Airways Avios.

The 1 July Amex dining credit reset

Another immediate deadline is the Amex Platinum dining credit. The £150 UK portion expires on 1 July 2026. If you have not used your January to June allocation, the balance will be wiped. Book a restaurant for this weekend. Revolut Ultra attempts to compete with Amex on lifestyle perks, but it completely lacks these heavy-hitting statement credits.

Earning rates: The pay-to-play reality of RevPoints

Revolut forces you to pay for the privilege of earning points at a competitive rate. You cannot beat Amex on a free or low-cost tier.

Base earning comparisons

Revolut Ultra costs £540 a year and earns 1 RevPoint per £1 spent. This matches the base earning rate of the Amex Platinum and Amex Gold cards. Revolut Metal drops to 1 point per £2. If you are on the Standard or Plus plans, the earning rate is a dismal 1 point per £10.

Honestly, I am not convinced the maths works for RevPoints unless you hold the Ultra tier. Buying into Ultra makes sense if you travel constantly and use the fee-free foreign exchange, but casual users will struggle to justify the upfront cost.

The sign-up bonus gap

Amex absolutely dominates the new customer acquisition game. You can routinely secure 40,000 to 60,000 MR points during a Platinum sign-up promotion. Revolut relies on gamified app challenges to drip-feed small bursts of points. If your strategy involves earning enough points for a long-haul business class flight within three months, Amex is the only logical choice.

Transfer partners and the Avios baseline

Both currencies share the most critical UK transfer partner: British Airways Executive Club. You can transfer Amex MR or RevPoints to Avios at a 1:1 ratio. In most cases, RevPoints to Avios transfers are instantaneous in 2026. This matches Amex’s speed for securing last-minute reward flight availability.

Airline network differences

RevPoints gives you access to Flying Blue (Air France/KLM), which is excellent for Transatlantic redemptions. Amex counters with a much wider roster, including Virgin Atlantic and Singapore Airlines. The loss of Etihad hurts Amex, but its overall airline network remains superior.

Hotel integrations

Following the recent IHG and Revolut updates, RevPoints has a solid footprint in the hotel space. Amex still wins this category easily. The 2:3 transfer ratio from Amex to Hilton Honors and 2:3 to Marriott Bonvoy provides consistent value for hotel loyalists. Revolut simply does not have the depth of hotel partnerships to compete.

The Section 75 trap: Why Revolut cannot replace Amex

This is the part I keep coming back to when people suggest cancelling their Amex cards entirely. Revolut is a debit vehicle. It offers zero Section 75 protection.

Amex credit cards provide strict UK Section 75 legal protection on purchases between £100 and £30,000. If an airline goes bust or a travel agency defaults, UK law holds the credit card provider equally liable. You get your money back. With Revolut, you are relying entirely on voluntary chargeback rules. Never book a £2,000 cash flight on Revolut. The risk is simply too high.

Practical strategies for your summer 2026 travel

You need to split your spending based on the transaction type. Amex is terrible for overseas spend because it charges a steep 2.99% foreign exchange fee. Revolut offers fee-free FX up to your plan limits and earns points on that foreign spend.

Use Revolut for FX, Amex for flights

Put your flights and major hotel deposits on your Amex before you travel to secure Section 75 protection. When you land, switch entirely to Revolut. Pay for your local transport and dining with RevPoints to dodge the Amex FX fee while still building your points balance.

The spare change multiplier trick

If you are on a lower Revolut tier with poor base earning, activate the RevPoints spare change round-up feature with a multiplier. It is a highly effective passive way to buy flexible points at roughly 1p to 1.5p per point. This works brilliantly for topping up an account when you are just a few thousand points short of a redemption.

Honest verdict: Which flexible currency wins in 2026?

Amex Membership Rewards remains the undisputed king of flexible points in the UK. The massive sign-up bonuses, the robust transfer partners, and the vital Section 75 protection make it indispensable.

RevPoints is an exceptional sidekick. Operating on the Mastercard and Visa networks means you can earn points at the estimated 20 to 30 percent of UK merchants that still reject Amex in 2026. Your local tradespeople and independent shops will happily take Revolut. If you pair an Amex Gold or Platinum with a Revolut Ultra account, you cover every possible spending scenario while dodging foreign transaction fees.

For more strategies on maximising your Avios and hotel statuses, explore more guides on Points Uncovered.