The page covers some U.S. Consumer and Business Cards; rewards vary by Card
This page explains how additional rewards can be earned on some American Express U.S. Consumer and Business Cards, with separate links near the top for Personal Cards and Business Cards. Whether your Card has a rewards program, and which base and additional rewards it earns, varies by Card; the page directs you to your Card Member Agreement or the Membership Rewards program terms to find yours. The page itself applies to business as well as consumer Cards, so not every statement on it is limited to consumer Cards.
Details
Who
American Express
What it covers
additional rewards on some U.S. Consumer and Business Cards
Condition
rewards vary by Card
Supporting quotations
Take a look at the additional rewards on your:
This page provides information about how you can earn additional rewards on some American Express® U.S.
Both the base-level reward and additional rewards vary by Card.
You can learn which rewards you can earn on your Card by referring to your Card Member Agreement or the Membership Rewards® program terms and conditions.
Qualifications & exceptions
The page says "some" Cards, not all, and does not list which Cards earn additional rewards.
Not stated here
Which specific Cards have a rewards program, and which have additional-reward categories, is not listed in this document.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Company commitment
Eligible purchases earn a base reward, typically 1 point or 1% cash back; some Cards earn more in categories
If your Card has a rewards program, you can earn a base reward, typically 1 point or 1 percent cash back, for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases. With some Cards you may also earn "additional rewards" for purchases in certain categories, for example U.S. Supermarkets or Transit. Both kinds vary by Card. Eligible purchases made outside the United States earn rewards, but some categories, such as U.S. Supermarkets, give additional rewards only for purchases made in the United States.
Details
What it does
earn a base reward and, with some Cards, additional rewards in categories
Condition
for eligible purchases; the Card must have a rewards program
Where
some categories give additional rewards only for purchases made in the United States
Supporting quotations
If your Card has a rewards program, you can earn a base level reward, typically 1 point or 1 percent cash back, for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
With some Cards, you may also earn additional rewards for purchases in certain categories.
Your Card may also earn “additional rewards” for purchases in certain categories such as U.S. Supermarkets or Transit.
Are purchases made outside the United States eligible for additional rewards?
Eligible purchases made outside the United States will earn rewards. However, some reward categories, such as U.S. Supermarkets, provide additional rewards only for purchases made in the United States.
Qualifications & exceptions
"Typically" means the base reward is not guaranteed to be 1 point or 1 percent for every Card.
The category names given (U.S. Supermarkets, Transit) are examples, not a full list.
Not stated here
The base reward and additional categories of any particular Card are not stated in this document.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Eligible purchases exclude fees, interest, transfers, cash advances, P2P, gift cards, prepaid cards and cash equivalents
For earning rewards, eligible purchases are purchases of goods and services minus returns and other credits. They do not include fees or interest charges, balance transfers, cash advances, person-to-person transactions, purchases of gift cards, purchases of traveler’s checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, or purchases of other cash equivalents.
Details
What it covers
eligible purchases for earning rewards
Exception
fees, interest, balance transfers, cash advances, person-to-person transactions, gift cards, traveler’s checks, prepaid cards and other cash equivalents
Supporting quotations
What purchases are eligible to earn rewards?
Eligible purchases are purchases for goods and services minus returns and other credits.
Eligible purchases do NOT include fees or interest charges, balance transfers, cash advances, person-to-person transactions, purchases of gift cards, purchases of traveler’s checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, or purchases of other cash equivalents.
Qualifications & exceptions
Returns and other credits reduce what counts as an eligible purchase.
Not stated here
The text does not say how rewards are adjusted if a return or credit happens after rewards have posted, or what counts as an "other cash equivalent".
Qualifying purchases show on the Bonus Rewards Detail page; allow 8-12 weeks for rewards to post
To see which transactions qualified for additional rewards, you can visit the Bonus Rewards Detail page in your online account at americanexpress.com, or open a current or previous statement under Statements & Activities and use the Bonus Details link at the bottom of the page. The site asks you to allow 8-12 weeks after a purchase is charged to your Card Account for rewards to post.
Details
What it does
visit the Bonus Rewards Detail page or the Bonus Details link on statements
When
allow 8-12 weeks after the purchase is charged for rewards to post
Supporting quotations
To view transactions that qualified for additional rewards, visit the Bonus Rewards Detail page within your online account at americanexpress.com.
You can view your current or previous statements within Statements & Activities to see the Bonus Details link at the bottom of the page.
Please allow 8-12 weeks after a purchase is charged to your Card Account for rewards to post.
To view transactions that qualified for additional rewards, visit the Bonus Rewards Detail page in your online account at americanexpress.com. Please allow 8-12 weeks after a purchase is charged to your Card Account for rewards to post.
Qualifications & exceptions
The 8-12 week window is stated as a request to allow time for rewards to post, counted from when the purchase is charged to the Card Account.
Not stated here
What happens if rewards have not posted after 8-12 weeks is not stated in this passage.
The site has travel, consumer and business category pages with standard definitions and named merchant lists
The Rewards Information site is split into Travel-Related, Consumer and Business category pages. It says it offers standard definitions of eligible purchases and additional-reward categories, examples of eligible merchants, and named lists for car rental, department stores, drugstores and computer hardware/software/cloud computing, and it points to FAQs for questions about how merchants are categorized and whether purchases made through third parties are eligible. This saved document contains the index, Travel-Related Categories and Consumer Categories pages; the Business Categories page is linked but is not part of it.
Details
What it covers
category pages, standard definitions and named merchant lists
Click below to access our standard definitions of eligible purchases, additional rewards categories, examples of eligible merchants, named lists for car rental, department stores, drugstores, and computer hardware/software/cloud computing.
For questions about how merchants are categorized or whether purchases made with third parties are eligible for additional rewards, see FAQs below.
Qualifications & exceptions
The Business Categories page is described as covering office supplies, shipping, advertising, wireless phone services and computer hardware/software/cloud computing purchases.
Not stated here
The content of the Business Categories page, including its named list for computer hardware/software/cloud computing, is not supplied in this saved document.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Procedure
See qualifying purchases on Bonus Rewards Detail; call the number on your Card if you think you missed rewards
The FAQ repeats that you can see the purchases that qualified for additional rewards on the Bonus Rewards Detail page in your online account at americanexpress.com, and that rewards can take 8-12 weeks after the charge to post. If you have questions about whether you should have received additional rewards on a purchase, it tells you to call the number on the back of your Card.
Details
What it does
visit the Bonus Rewards Detail page; call the number on the back of your Card with questions
When
allow 8-12 weeks after the charge for rewards to post
Supporting quotations
Where can I see my purchases that qualified for additional rewards?
To view the purchases that qualified for additional rewards, visit the Bonus Rewards Detail page in your online account at americanexpress.com.
Please allow 8-12 weeks after a purchase is charged to your Card Account for rewards to post.
To view transactions that qualified for additional rewards, visit the Bonus Rewards Detail page within your online account at americanexpress.com.
Please allow 8-12 weeks after a purchase is charged to your Card Account for rewards to post.
I think I should have earned additional rewards on a purchase, what should I do?
If you have questions about whether you should have received additional rewards, please call the number on the back of your Card.
If you have questions about whether you should have received additional rewards for a purchase, please call the number on the back of your Card.
Qualifications & exceptions
The 8-12 week window is counted from when the purchase is charged to your Card Account.
Not stated here
No deadline for raising a question, no other channel than the phone number on the Card, and no promise of a particular result is stated here.
A purchase "made in the United States" includes the 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and U.S. territories
When the site says a purchase made in the United States (or the U.S.) will earn a reward, it means purchases made in the 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories.
Details
Where
the 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories
Supporting quotations
How do you define a purchase made in the United States?
When we say a purchase made in the United States (or in the U.S.) will earn a reward, we mean purchases made in the 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories.
Qualifications & exceptions
This is the site’s own definition of "made in the United States" for rewards; it does not define where a merchant is "located" for category rules that say so.
Not stated here
The "other U.S. territories" are not listed.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Purchases outside the U.S. earn rewards, but some categories pay additional rewards only for U.S. purchases
Eligible purchases made outside the United States earn rewards. However, some reward categories, such as U.S. Supermarkets, provide additional rewards only for purchases made in the United States. The site refers you to its category pages, or to the terms of your Card’s reward program, to learn each category’s rule.
Details
Where
purchases made outside the United States
Exception
some categories, such as U.S. Supermarkets, give additional rewards only for U.S. purchases
Supporting quotations
Are purchases made outside the United States eligible for additional rewards?
Eligible purchases made outside the United States will earn rewards. However, some reward categories, such as U.S. Supermarkets, provide additional rewards only for purchases made in the United States.
Please visit the reward category pages on this website or review the terms of your Card’s reward program to learn more.
Qualifications & exceptions
The location limit differs by category; the category pages later in this document state their own location rules.
Not stated here
Which categories are U.S.-only for your Card is found on the category pages or in the reward program terms, not in this FAQ answer.
Check your Cardmember Agreement or Membership Rewards terms to learn if your Card has additional-reward categories
In answer to how you find out whether your Card has categories where you earn additional rewards, the site refers you to your Cardmember Agreement or the Membership Rewards program terms and conditions. It does not list the Cards that have such categories.
Details
What it does
refer to the Cardmember Agreement or Membership Rewards program terms
Supporting quotations
How do I find out if my Card has categories where I earn additional rewards?
To learn more about how you earn additional rewards on your Card, please refer to your Cardmember Agreement or to the Membership Rewards® program
Not stated here
The Cardmember Agreement and Membership Rewards terms are linked, not supplied in this saved document.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Company practice
Merchant codes decide whether a purchase earns additional rewards; an ineligible code earns none
American Express determines whether purchases qualify for additional rewards by using merchant codes. Each merchant is typically assigned a code based on what it primarily sells, and a purchase will not earn additional rewards if the merchant’s code is not eligible. As an example, a purchase at a restaurant located inside a hotel may be recognized as a hotel purchase rather than a restaurant purchase, so you would not earn the additional rewards for the restaurant category.
Details
Who
American Express
What it does
determines category eligibility using merchant codes
Condition
the merchant’s code must be eligible
Supporting quotations
What determines the rewards category in which a merchant falls?
We determine if purchases qualify for additional rewards by using merchant codes. Each merchant is typically assigned a code based on what they primarily sell. A purchase will not earn additional rewards if the merchant’s code is not eligible.
For example, purchases made at a restaurant located within a hotel may be recognized as a purchase at a hotel, not a restaurant. In that case, you would not earn additional rewards in the restaurant category.
Qualifications & exceptions
"Typically" and "may be recognized" signal that coding follows the merchant’s assigned code and is not always what the purchase appears to be.
Not stated here
The merchant codes themselves, which codes are eligible for which category, who assigns a merchant’s code and how a merchant that sells several things is coded are not stated in this document.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
You may not earn additional rewards if data is inaccurate or unclear, including some third-party and wallet purchases
Even in an eligible category, you may not receive additional rewards if American Express receives inaccurate information or is otherwise unable to identify the purchase as eligible. The examples given are: a merchant uses a third party to process or submit your transaction (for example a mobile or wireless card reader); you make the purchase using a third party payment account; or you make the purchase using a mobile or digital wallet, with details for Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay and Amazon One given in the next answer.
Details
Condition
American Express receives inaccurate information or cannot identify the purchase as eligible
Exception
third-party processing, third party payment account, mobile or digital wallet
Supporting quotations
Are there instances when I may not earn additional rewards even though the purchase is in an eligible category?
You may not receive additional rewards if we receive inaccurate information or are otherwise unable to identify your purchase as eligible for a reward category. For example:
You may not earn additional rewards if a merchant uses a third party to process or submit your transaction to us (e.g., when the merchant uses a mobile or wireless card reader)
You may not earn additional rewards if you choose to make a purchase using:
A third party payment account
A mobile or digital wallet (for details on Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Amazon One, see below)
Qualifications & exceptions
The wording is "may not", so these are risks of losing additional rewards, not a flat rule, and the list is introduced as examples.
Not stated here
What counts as a "third party payment account" is not defined, and the page does not say when these situations do or do not lose rewards.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Company commitment
Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay and Amazon One earn rewards the same way as using your Card with the merchant
The site says that if you use Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay or Amazon One, you earn rewards in the same way as you would if you used your Card with the merchant. This answers the earlier caution that using a mobile or digital wallet may mean no additional rewards, but only for these four named wallets.
Details
What it covers
Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay and Amazon One purchases
Condition
same as using the Card with the merchant
Supporting quotations
Will I earn rewards for purchases if I use Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Amazon One?
If you use Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Amazon One, you will earn rewards in the same way as you would if you used your Card with the merchant.
A mobile or digital wallet (for details on Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Amazon One, see below)
Qualifications & exceptions
It names only four wallets; the earlier caution covers "a mobile or digital wallet" generally.
For the U.S. Online Retail category, the Consumer Categories section separately says in-store payments with a mobile or digital wallet are not online purchases.
Not stated here
How any other mobile or digital wallet is treated is not stated beyond the earlier "may not earn" caution.
The sentence says you earn "rewards" in the same way; it does not say in so many words whether that includes additional-category rewards.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Purchases on an online marketplace with multiple retailers will not receive additional rewards
Purchases made on an online marketplace (with multiple retailers) will not receive additional rewards. Unlike the neighboring "may not" examples, this is stated flatly. The site does not define "online marketplace" or name any.
Details
What it covers
purchases on an online marketplace with multiple retailers
Supporting quotations
Purchases made on an online marketplace (with multiple retailers) will not receive additional rewards.
Qualifications & exceptions
The sentence concerns additional rewards; it does not say whether the base reward is affected.
Not stated here
Which merchants count as an "online marketplace" is not defined.
Spend categories on your statement and Year End Summary do not match the additional-rewards categories
The spend categories shown on your online statement and Year End Summary are not the same as the categories where you can earn additional rewards. They might be similar in some cases but will not match exactly: some types of merchants are not in additional-rewards categories, and other merchants may be eligible for additional rewards even if they appear in a different category on your statement or Year End Summary. The site points to its specific sections for more.
Details
What it covers
statement and Year End Summary spend categories versus additional-rewards categories
Supporting quotations
Are the additional rewards categories the same as the spend categories on my online statement or Year End Summary?
The spend categories on your online statement and Year End Summary are not the same as the categories where you can earn additional rewards. They might be similar in some cases but they won’t match exactly. Some types of merchants aren’t included in additional rewards categories, and other merchants may be eligible for additional rewards even if they appear in a different category on your online statement or Year End Summary.
Not stated here
Which merchants differ between the two sets of categories is not listed here.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Travel purchases need an eligible merchant or location code; some non-U.S. codes may not be recognized
The Travel-Related Categories page says merchants are typically assigned codes and categorized by what they primarily sell. A purchase will not earn additional points if the merchant, or the particular merchant location, uses a code that is not eligible. Codes assigned to merchants in some countries outside the U.S. may not be recognizable as eligible, and purchases at those merchants will not earn additional points, even though eligible purchases made outside the United States otherwise earn rewards.
Details
Condition
the merchant or merchant location must use an eligible code
Where
codes assigned in some countries outside the U.S. may not be recognized
Supporting quotations
IMPORTANT NOTE: Merchants are typically assigned codes and categorized based on what they primarily sell.
A purchase will not earn additional points if the merchant, or particular merchant location, uses a code that is not eligible for additional points.
Codes assigned to merchants in some countries outside the U.S. may not be recognizable as eligible, and purchases at these merchants will not earn additional points.
What determines the rewards category in which a merchant falls?
We determine if purchases qualify for additional rewards by using merchant codes.
Are purchases made outside the United States eligible for additional rewards?
Eligible purchases made outside the United States will earn rewards.
Qualifications & exceptions
The code test applies to the merchant location as well as the merchant.
"Some countries" is not narrowed to named countries.
Not stated here
Which countries or codes are affected, and which codes are eligible, is not stated in this document.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Airfare earns additional rewards only if a scheduled passenger flight is bought directly from the airline
To earn additional rewards, airfare must be for a scheduled flight on a passenger carrier and purchased directly from the airline; charter flights and private jet flights are excluded here. You earn additional rewards when you buy directly from a passenger airline that accepts the Card, such as Delta, JetBlue or British Airways. You will NOT earn additional rewards on airfare purchased as part of a vacation package, and you may not earn them if you buy airfare through a third party.
Details
What it covers
airfare for a scheduled flight on a passenger carrier
Condition
purchased directly from the airline
Exception
charter and private jet flights; airfare in a vacation package; possibly third-party purchases
Supporting quotations
Airfare
To earn additional rewards, airfare must be for a scheduled flight on a passenger carrier and purchased directly from the airline.
(Charter flights and private jet flights are excluded)
You will earn additional rewards if you purchase your flight directly from a passenger airline that accepts the Card, such as Delta, JetBlue or British Airways.
You will NOT earn additional rewards on airfare purchased as part of a vacation package.
You may not earn additional rewards if you purchase airfare with a third party.
Qualifications & exceptions
"Will NOT" for vacation packages; "may not" for third-party purchases, so a third-party purchase is not flatly excluded (see the Airfare FAQs).
Subject to the page’s merchant-code note: a merchant or merchant location whose code is not eligible earns no additional rewards.
Not stated here
The page does not say which Cards use this Airfare category; the broader "Travel" section lists charter and private jet flights as earning, so the two sections differ.
contrast (model-proposed): Additional Delta miles require buying directly from Delta or Delta.com — Delta vacation packages purchased from Delta earn additional miles, while airfare purchased as part of a vacation package does not earn additional rewards in the general Airfare section. The Delta text concerns additional miles and a direct Delta purchase.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Additional Delta miles require buying directly from Delta or Delta.com
In the Delta Purchases section, to earn additional miles the purchase must be made directly with Delta or Delta.com. This includes Delta vacation packages purchased from Delta. You will NOT earn additional miles on Delta airfare purchased as part of a vacation package with a third party, and you may not earn additional miles if you purchase airfare with a third party.
Details
What it covers
additional Delta miles on airfare and Delta vacation packages
Condition
purchase made directly with Delta or Delta.com
Exception
Delta airfare in a vacation package with a third party; airfare through a third party
Supporting quotations
Delta Purchases
To earn additional miles the purchase must be made directly with Delta or Delta.com.
You will earn additional miles when you purchase directly from Delta or Delta.com. This includes Delta vacation packages purchased from Delta.
You will NOT earn additional miles on Delta airfare purchased as part of a vacation package with a third party.
You may not earn additional miles if you purchase airfare with a third party.
Qualifications & exceptions
Delta vacation packages bought from Delta are included here, while the general Airfare section excludes airfare bought as part of a vacation package.
Subject to the page’s merchant-code note: a merchant or merchant location whose code is not eligible earns no additional rewards.
Not stated here
The page does not say which Cards earn "additional miles" under this section.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Additional Hilton Honors Bonus Points need a direct purchase with a participating Hilton property
To earn additional Hilton Honors Bonus Points, the purchase must be made directly with a participating property within the Hilton portfolio. Banquets, events and vacation packages are not included, and neither are hotel rooms paid in advance to a travel agent or travel website. You do earn the points when you pay the Hilton hotel property directly (for example at check-in or check-out) for a stay that was reserved with a third party such as an online travel agent. You will NOT earn additional rewards if you prepay for your hotel with a third party, or prepay the hotel as part of a vacation package.
Details
What it covers
additional Hilton Honors Bonus Points
Condition
purchase made directly with a participating Hilton property
Exception
banquets, events, vacation packages, rooms prepaid to a travel agent or website
Supporting quotations
Hilton Purchases
To earn additional Hilton Honors™ Bonus Points the purchase must be made directly with a participating property within the Hilton portfolio.
(Banquets, events, and vacation packages are NOT included. Hotel rooms paid in advance to a travel agent or travel website are NOT included.)
You will earn additional Hilton Honors Bonus Points when you pay the Hilton hotel property directly (e.g., upon check-in or check-out) for a hotel stay that was reserved with a third party, such as an online travel agent.
You will NOT earn additional rewards if you prepay for your hotel with a third party, such as an online travel agent, or prepay the hotel as part of a vacation package.
Qualifications & exceptions
What decides eligibility is who you pay and when: paying the property directly earns, prepaying a third party does not.
Subject to the page’s merchant-code note: a merchant or merchant location whose code is not eligible earns no additional rewards.
Not stated here
Which properties are "participating" is not listed, and the page does not say which Cards earn Hilton Honors Bonus Points.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Hotel stays earn additional rewards only when bought directly from the hotel, not prepaid through a third party
To earn additional rewards on hotels, the purchase must be for a hotel stay and made directly with the hotel. Timeshares, banquets, events and vacation packages are not included, nor are rooms paid in advance to a travel agent or travel website. You do earn additional rewards when you pay the hotel directly (for example at check-in or check-out) for a stay reserved with a third party such as an online travel agent. You will NOT earn them if you prepay a third party or prepay as part of a vacation package, and you may not earn them for meeting room bookings within a hotel. The Hotels FAQ states the prepay rule more softly, saying that in most cases you will not be eligible if you prepay a third party.
Details
What it covers
hotel stays
Condition
purchase made directly with the hotel; paying the hotel directly for a third-party reservation earns
To earn additional rewards on hotels, the purchase must be for a hotel stay and must be made directly with the hotel.
(Timeshares, banquets, events, and vacation packages are NOT included. Hotel rooms paid in advance to a travel agent or travel website are NOT included.)
You will earn additional rewards on hotels if you purchase your hotel stay directly from a hotel that accepts the Card, such as Sheraton or Westin.
You will earn additional rewards when you pay the hotel directly (e.g., upon check-in or check-out) for a hotel stay that was reserved with a third party, such as an online travel agent.
You will NOT earn additional rewards if you prepay for your hotel with a third party, such as an online travel agent, or prepay the hotel as part of a vacation package.
You may not earn additional rewards for meeting room bookings within a hotel.
In most cases you will not be eligible for additional rewards if you prepay for a hotel stay with a third party, such as an online travel agent or tour operator.
Qualifications & exceptions
The Hotels section says "will NOT" for prepaying a third party; the FAQ says "In most cases", so the exact strength of the third-party prepay rule is not uniform in the source.
Meeting rooms: "may not", not a flat exclusion.
Subject to the page’s merchant-code note: a merchant or merchant location whose code is not eligible earns no additional rewards.
Not stated here
Which Cards use this Hotels category is not stated; the broader Travel section lists timeshare rentals, vacation rentals and vacation packages differently.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Additional Marriott Bonvoy points need direct purchases from participating Marriott properties, stores or online stores
To earn additional Marriott Bonvoy points, the purchase must be made directly with participating Marriott Bonvoy properties (excluding home share properties), stand-alone Marriott branded retail establishments, and Marriott branded online stores (including online purchases of Marriott branded gift cards) that, in each case, are owned or managed by Marriott International, Inc. and its affiliates. Banquets, events and vacation packages are not included, nor are hotel rooms paid in advance to a travel agent or travel website. You earn additional points when you pay the Marriott Bonvoy hotel property directly for a stay reserved with a third party, but not if you prepay a third party such as a tour operator or online travel channel, or prepay as part of a vacation package. The site refers you to marriottbonvoy.com for more details.
Details
What it covers
additional Marriott Bonvoy points
Condition
purchase made directly with participating Marriott properties or Marriott branded stores owned or managed by Marriott International and affiliates
Exception
home share properties, banquets, events, vacation packages, prepaid third-party rooms
Supporting quotations
Marriott Bonvoy™ Purchases
To earn additional Marriott Bonvoy points, the purchase must be made directly with participating Marriott Bonvoy properties (excluding home share properties), stand-alone Marriott branded retail establishments, and Marriott branded online stores (including online purchases of Marriott branded gift cards) that, in each case, are owned or managed by Marriott International, Inc. and its affiliates.
(Banquets, events and vacation packages are NOT included. Hotel rooms paid in advance to a travel agent or travel website are NOT included.) You will earn additional points when you pay the Marriott Bonvoy hotel property directly (e.g., upon check-in or check-out) for a hotel stay that was reserved with a third party, such as an online travel agent.
You will NOT earn additional points if you prepay for your hotel stay with a third party, such as a tour operator or an online travel channel, or prepay the hotel as part of a vacation package
For more details on points you can earn as a Marriott Bonvoy member, please visit marriottbonvoy.com.
Qualifications & exceptions
Online purchases of Marriott branded gift cards are named as eligible here, whereas the general eligible-purchases definition excludes purchases of gift cards.
Subject to the page’s merchant-code note: a merchant or merchant location whose code is not eligible earns no additional rewards.
Not stated here
How the Marriott gift-card wording fits with the general gift-card exclusion is not explained in the source.
Marriott Bonvoy program rules at marriottbonvoy.com are referenced but not supplied; which Cards earn Marriott Bonvoy points is not stated.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Transit needs a merchant whose primary business is transit; airfare, car rental, cruises and trams are not transit
To earn additional rewards on transit purchases, the purchase must be made at a merchant whose primary business is transit. Examples given are trains, taxi cabs, ride share services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses and subways, and the list is not complete. Airfare, car rental, cruises and trams are not considered transit.
Details
Condition
merchant’s primary business is transit
Exception
airfare, car rental, cruises and trams are not transit
Supporting quotations
Transit
To earn additional rewards on transit purchases, the purchase must be made at a merchant whose primary business is transit. Some examples of transit are the following:
Trains
Taxi cabs
Ride share services
Ferries
Tolls
Parking
Buses
Subways
This is not a complete list. Airfare, car rental, cruises, and trams are not considered transit.
Qualifications & exceptions
Subject to the page’s merchant-code note: a merchant or merchant location whose code is not eligible earns no additional rewards.
Not stated here
Merchants outside the listed examples are not decided by the list; "primary business" is not further defined here.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
The Travel category covers merchants whose primary business is travel, including charter flights and timeshare rentals
In the Travel section, the purchase must be made at a merchant whose primary business is travel. It lists airfare for a scheduled flight on a passenger carrier, chartered flights and private jet flights; hotel stays, timeshare rentals and vacation rentals; and car rentals (but not truck or moving van rentals). Within that, you will not earn additional points for purchases of timeshare properties, you will not earn additional rewards for banquets or events held at a hotel, and you may not earn additional rewards for meeting rooms booked at a hotel. This list is broader than the separate Airfare and Hotels sections, which exclude charter and private jet flights, timeshares and vacation packages.
Details
Condition
merchant’s primary business is travel
What it covers
airfare including charter and private jet flights; hotel stays, timeshare rentals, vacation rentals; car rentals
Exception
timeshare property purchases, banquets or events at a hotel, truck and moving van rentals; meeting rooms (may not)
Supporting quotations
Travel
To earn additional rewards on travel purchases, the purchase must be made at a merchant whose primary business is travel. You will earn additional rewards for purchases of:
Airfare for a scheduled flight on a passenger carrier, chartered flights and private jet flights.
Hotel stays, timeshare rentals, and vacation rentals. You will not earn additional points for purchases of timeshare properties. You will not earn additional rewards for banquets or events held at a hotel and you may not earn additional rewards for meeting rooms booked at a hotel.
Car rentals. You will not earn additional rewards for truck rentals or moving van rentals.
Qualifications & exceptions
Timeshare rentals are listed as earning while timeshare property purchases are not.
Subject to the page’s merchant-code note: a merchant or merchant location whose code is not eligible earns no additional rewards.
Not stated here
The page does not say which Cards use the Travel category rather than the narrower Airfare, Hotels and Select Car Rental sections.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Permission or license
The Travel category also lists car rentals and other travel purchases, including tours, cruises and vacation packages
The Travel section’s list of earning purchases also includes car rentals (but not truck rentals or moving van rentals) and other travel purchases, including cruises, tours, vacation packages, and travel purchases made through tour operators and travel agencies (including online). That is broader than the separate Airfare, Hotels and Select Car Rentals sections, which exclude vacation packages and many third-party purchases.
Details
What it covers
car rentals and other travel purchases including cruises, tours, vacation packages and agency purchases
Exception
truck rentals and moving van rentals
Supporting quotations
Car rentals. You will not earn additional rewards for truck rentals or moving van rentals.
Other travel purchases including cruises, tours, vacation packages,and travel purchases made through tour operators and travel agencies (including online).
Qualifications & exceptions
The Travel section applies only to merchants whose primary business is travel.
Subject to the page’s merchant-code note: a merchant or location whose code is not eligible earns no additional rewards.
Not stated here
The page does not say which Cards use the Travel category rather than the narrower Airfare, Hotels and Select Car Rentals categories, so it cannot be said which rule applies to a given Card.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Select car rental rewards apply only to direct purchases from 12 named companies, not packages or third parties
To earn additional rewards on select car rentals, the purchase must be made at a car rental company on the list of "select major car rental companies" that accept the Card, and you earn ONLY when you purchase directly from one of them. The named companies are Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, E-Z, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt and Thrifty. You will NOT earn additional rewards if the car rental is purchased as part of a vacation package or through a third party, such as an online travel agent.
Details
Condition
purchase made directly from a listed car rental company that accepts the Card
Exception
vacation packages and third parties such as online travel agents
Supporting quotations
Select Car Rentals
To earn additional rewards on select car rentals, the purchase must be made at a car rental company that is included on our list of "select major car rental companies".
You will earn additional rewards ONLY when you purchase directly from a company on this list of select major car rental companies that accept the Card:
Alamo
Avis
Budget
Dollar
Enterprise
E-Z
Fox
Hertz
National
Payless
Sixt
Thrifty
You will NOT earn additional rewards if a car rental is purchased as part of a vacation package or purchased through a third party, such as an online travel agent.
Qualifications & exceptions
The list is closed ("ONLY"), unlike the Travel section’s broader car rental wording.
Subject to the page’s merchant-code note: a merchant or location whose code is not eligible earns no additional rewards.
Not stated here
The page does not say which Cards earn in the Select Car Rentals category.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Company commitment
Airfare booked through American Express Travel earns additional rewards, unless it is part of a vacation package
In the Airfare FAQs, the site says you will earn additional rewards when you book airfare with American Express Travel, but not if the airfare purchase is part of a vacation package.
Details
What it does
book airfare with American Express Travel
Exception
airfare that is part of a vacation package
Supporting quotations
Airfare FAQs
Do I earn additional rewards when I book airfare through American Express Travel?
You will earn additional rewards when you book airfare with American Express Travel. You will NOT earn additional rewards if the airfare purchase is part of a vacation package.
Qualifications & exceptions
The package exclusion applies even when booking through American Express Travel.
Subject to the page’s merchant-code note: a merchant or location whose code is not eligible earns no additional rewards.
Not stated here
The page does not say whether American Express Travel counts as a "third party" under the Airfare rules, or which Cards this covers.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Airfare bought from a travel agent or online travel site may be eligible depending on how the third party operates
The site says some purchases for scheduled flights made with third parties such as Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz may be eligible for additional rewards depending on how the third party operates; for example, with some third parties the airline charges the airfare directly to your Card account. A third party in the travel category is a business that books or purchases travel on your behalf, such as an online travel agent or traditional travel agent.
Details
Condition
depends on how the third party operates, for example the airline charging your Card directly
What it covers
scheduled-flight purchases made with third parties
Supporting quotations
Are there times when I will earn an additional reward if I book through a third party, like an online travel agent?
Some purchases for scheduled flights made with third parties such as Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz may be eligible for additional rewards depending on how the third party operates. For example, with some third parties airfare is charged directly to your Card account by the airline.
What is a third party in the travel category?
A third party in the travel category is a business that books or purchases travel on your behalf, such as an online travel agent or traditional travel agent.
Qualifications & exceptions
The answer is "some" and "may be eligible" and turns on how the third party operates; it is not a guarantee.
Compare the Airfare section’s "may not earn" wording for airfare bought through a third party.
Subject to the page’s merchant-code note: a merchant or location whose code is not eligible earns no additional rewards.
Not stated here
The page does not say which third parties operate in an eligible way beyond the example of the airline charging your Card directly.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Vacation-package airfare is not eligible; earning needs a scheduled passenger flight bought directly from the airline
The Airfare FAQs say airfare purchased as part of a vacation package will NOT receive additional rewards because airfare is typically not purchased directly from an airline in those cases. To earn additional rewards on airfare, it must be for a scheduled flight on a passenger carrier and purchased directly from the airline.
Details
Condition
scheduled flight on a passenger carrier purchased directly from the airline
Exception
airfare purchased as part of a vacation package
Supporting quotations
If I book airfare as part of a vacation package, is that airfare eligible for additional rewards?
Airfare purchased as part of a vacation package will NOT receive additional rewards because airfare is typically not purchased directly from an airline in these cases.
How do I earn additional rewards on an airfare purchase?
Airfare must be for a scheduled flight on a passenger carrier and must be purchased directly from the airline.
Qualifications & exceptions
The reason given is that airfare is "typically" not bought directly from the airline in a package.
Subject to the page’s merchant-code note: a merchant or location whose code is not eligible earns no additional rewards.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Company commitment
Hotel stays bought directly from the hotel earn additional rewards whether you prepay or pay at the end of the stay
The Hotels FAQs say that hotel stay purchases made directly with the hotel are eligible for an additional reward, whether you prepay or pay at the end of your stay.
Details
Condition
purchase made directly with the hotel, whether prepaid or paid at the end of the stay
Supporting quotations
Hotels FAQs
How do I earn additional rewards for a hotel stay?
Hotel stay purchases made directly with the hotel are eligible for an additional reward, whether you prepay or you pay at the end of your stay.
Qualifications & exceptions
"Directly with the hotel" is the condition; prepaying a third party is treated differently.
Subject to the page’s merchant-code note: a merchant or location whose code is not eligible earns no additional rewards.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Hotel stays prepaid to a third party (in most cases), in packages, or timeshares, banquets and events do not earn
The Hotels FAQs say that in most cases you will not be eligible for additional rewards if you prepay for a hotel stay with a third party such as an online travel agent or tour operator. Hotel stays purchased as part of a vacation package are NOT eligible, and timeshares, banquets and events are also NOT included. You will NOT earn additional rewards for hotel rooms purchased as part of a vacation package.
Details
Exception
prepaying a third party (in most cases), vacation packages, timeshares, banquets, events
Supporting quotations
Will I receive additional rewards on all hotel stays?
In most cases you will not be eligible for additional rewards if you prepay for a hotel stay with a third party, such as an online travel agent or tour operator. Hotel stays purchased as part of a vacation package are NOT eligible. Timeshares, banquets and events are also NOT included.
What if I book my hotel as part of a vacation package?
You will NOT earn additional rewards for hotel rooms purchased as part of a vacation package.
Qualifications & exceptions
Third-party prepay is stated as "in most cases"; vacation packages, timeshares, banquets and events are stated without that hedge.
Subject to the page’s merchant-code note: a merchant or location whose code is not eligible earns no additional rewards.
Not stated here
The FAQ does not say what the exceptions to "in most cases" are.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Select car rental rewards apply to direct rentals from the 12 listed companies, at U.S. or international locations
The Select Car Rental FAQs repeat that you earn additional rewards ONLY when you rent directly from a car rental company on the list of select car rental companies that accept the Card (Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, E-Z, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt and Thrifty). You earn additional rewards when you rent from a listed company at either a U.S. or an international location.
Details
Condition
rent directly from a listed company that accepts the Card
Where
U.S. or international rental location
Supporting quotations
Select Car Rental FAQs
Which car rental companies are included in your select major car rental list?
Car rental companies included are Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, E-Z, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt and Thrifty.
Will I earn additional rewards on international car rental purchases?
You will earn additional rewards when you rent a car from our list of select major car rental companies whether you rent a car from a US or international location.
How do I earn additional rewards on select car rental purchases?
You will earn additional rewards ONLY when you rent directly from a car rental company on this list of select car rental companies that accept the Card:
Qualifications & exceptions
Subject to the page’s merchant-code note: a merchant or location whose code is not eligible earns no additional rewards.
Not stated here
The page does not say which Cards earn in the Select Car Rentals category.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Vacation packages, third-party rentals and car sharing services such as Zip Car do not earn select car rental rewards
The Select Car Rental FAQs say you will NOT earn additional rewards in the select car rental category for vacation packages booked through a car rental company, even a listed one, or if you rent a car as part of a vacation package or with a third party, because those rentals are not made directly with the car rental company. Car sharing services like Zip Car are NOT eligible for an additional reward.
Details
Exception
vacation packages, third-party rentals, car sharing services
Supporting quotations
If I book a vacation package through a car rental company on your named list, will I earn additional rewards?
No, you will NOT earn additional rewards in the select car rental reward category for vacation packages booked through a car rental company (even if the car rental company is on our named list of select major car rental companies).
What if I book a car rental as part of a vacation package?
You will NOT earn additional rewards if you rent a car as part of a vacation package or with a third-party because these rentals are not made directly with the car rental company.
Are local car sharing services, like Zip Car, eligible in the select car rental category?
Car sharing services, like Zip Car, are NOT eligible for an additional reward.
Qualifications & exceptions
The exclusion covers packages even when sold by a listed car rental company.
Subject to the page’s merchant-code note: a merchant or location whose code is not eligible earns no additional rewards.
Not stated here
Car sharing services other than the one named as an example are not listed.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Procedure
If you think you missed additional rewards on airfare, hotel or car rental purchases, call the number on your Card
In each of the Airfare, Hotels and Select Car Rental FAQs, the site tells you that if you think you should have earned additional rewards on a purchase, or have questions about whether you should have received them, you should call the number on the back of your Card.
Details
What it does
call the number on the back of your Card
Supporting quotations
I think I should have earned additional rewards on a purchase, what should I do?
If you have questions about whether you should have received additional rewards, please call the number on the back of your Card.
I think I should have earned additional rewards on a purchase, what should I do?
If you have questions about whether you should have received additional rewards, please call the number on the back of your Card.
I think I should have earned additional rewards on a purchase, what should I do?
If you have questions about whether you should have received additional rewards, please call the number on the back of your Card.
Not stated here
No deadline, other channel or outcome is stated in these answers.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Answer: select car rental rewards require renting directly from a listed company that accepts the Card
The final answer in the Select Car Rental FAQs says you will earn additional rewards ONLY when you rent directly from a car rental company on the list of select car rental companies that accept the Card, naming Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, E-Z, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt and Thrifty. This is the same direct-rental rule and the same list as the Select Car Rentals section and the earlier FAQ answers.
Details
Condition
rent directly from a listed company that accepts the Card
Supporting quotations
How do I earn additional rewards on select car rental purchases?
You will earn additional rewards ONLY when you rent directly from a car rental company on this list of select car rental companies that accept the Card: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, E-Z, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt and Thrifty.
Car rental companies included are Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, E-Z, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt and Thrifty.
Qualifications & exceptions
Subject to the page’s merchant-code note: a merchant or location whose code is not eligible earns no additional rewards.
Not stated here
The page does not say which Cards earn in the Select Car Rentals category.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Gas station rewards need a U.S. gas station whose primary business is selling gasoline, not a superstore or club
To earn additional rewards on gas purchases, the gas station where you buy gasoline must be located in the U.S. A gas station is a merchant whose primary business is selling gasoline to consumers; it may sell other convenience items, but selling gasoline must be its primary business. Superstores, supermarkets and warehouse clubs that sell gasoline are NOT considered gas stations.
Details
Where
the gas station must be located in the U.S.
Condition
merchant’s primary business is selling gasoline to consumers
Exception
superstores, supermarkets and warehouse clubs that sell gasoline
Supporting quotations
U.S. Gas Stations
To earn additional rewards on gas purchases, the gas station where you purchase gasoline must be located in the U.S.
A gas station is defined as a merchant that is in the primary business of selling gasoline to consumers. Gas stations may sell other convenience items, but its primary business must be selling gasoline to consumers.
(Superstores, supermarkets, and warehouse clubs that sell gasoline are NOT considered gas stations)
A gas station is a merchant that is in the primary business of selling gasoline to consumers. A gas station may sell other convenience items, but its primary business is selling gasoline. Superstores, supermarkets, and warehouse clubs that sell gasoline are not considered gas stations.
Qualifications & exceptions
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Not stated here
Which Cards have a U.S. Gas Stations category is not stated on this page.
Examples of gas stations that earn include Gulf, Murphy USA, Murphy Express, Exxon, Mobil, Hess and Shell
The page gives Gulf, Murphy USA, Murphy Express, Exxon, Mobil, Hess and Shell as examples of merchants that accept the Card and where you can earn additional rewards on gas purchases. It says this is not a complete list, so absence from the list does not mean a gas station is excluded, and presence on it does not override the U.S.-location and primary-business rules.
Details
What it covers
example gas station merchants
Supporting quotations
Examples of merchants* that accept the Card and where you can earn additional rewards include:
Gulf
Murphy USA
Murphy Express
Exxon
Mobil
Hess
Shell
*This is not a complete list.
Qualifications & exceptions
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
No gas rewards at supermarket or club gas stations, marinas or commercial fuel; convenience-store stations may earn
You will NOT earn additional rewards for gas stations that are part of supermarkets or warehouse clubs, unless specifically stated; the examples given are Target and Walmart. You will NOT earn additional rewards for marina fuel or any type of commercial fuel (for example jet fuel). You may earn additional rewards if the gas station is also a convenience store.
Details
Exception
gas stations that are part of supermarkets or warehouse clubs; marina and commercial fuel
Condition
a convenience store that is also a gas station may earn
Supporting quotations
You will NOT earn additional rewards for gas stations that are part of supermarkets or warehouse clubs, unless specifically stated. Examples of merchants where you will NOT earn additional rewards include:
Target
Walmart
You may earn additional rewards if the gas station is also a convenience store.
You will NOT earn additional rewards for marina or any type of commercial fuel (e.g.,- jet fuel).
Qualifications & exceptions
"Unless specifically stated" leaves room for stated exceptions; the convenience-store sentence is "may earn", not a promise.
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Not stated here
What would be "specifically stated" to make a supermarket or warehouse club gas station eligible is not given.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
U.S. Online Retail needs a U.S. merchant of physical goods, paid online and coded as an internet transaction
To earn additional rewards on online retail purchases, the purchase must be made on a website or in an app from a U.S. retail merchant that sells physical goods or merchandise directly to consumers, and American Express relies on information the merchant provides to identify eligible purchases. Purchases at restaurants, supermarkets, gasoline stations or automotive dealers, and purchases of travel, entertainment or other services, are not retail purchases. Payment must be made online and categorized by the merchant as an internet transaction. No additional rewards for purchases ordered online but paid for in store; payments in store with a mobile or digital wallet or contactless device are not online purchases; and none for purchases by phone or mail, or through a third party "buy now pay later" installment program.
Details
Condition
U.S. retail merchant selling physical goods directly to consumers, paid online and categorized as an internet transaction
Exception
ordered online but paid in store; in-store wallet or contactless payments; phone or mail; third party buy now pay later programs
Supporting quotations
U.S. Online Retail Purchases
To earn additional rewards on online retail purchases, the purchases must be made on a website or a digital application (an app) from a U.S. retail merchant that sells physical goods or merchandise directly to consumers. To identify eligible online retail purchases, we rely on information provided to us by the merchant.
The following are not considered retail purchases: purchases made at restaurants, supermarkets, gasoline stations, or automotive dealers, as well as purchases of travel, entertainment, or other services.
Payment must be made online and categorized as an internet transaction by the merchant for purchase to be eligible.
You will not receive additional rewards for purchases ordered online but paid for in store.
Payments made in store using a mobile or digital wallet or a contactless payment device are not considered online purchases.
You will not receive additional rewards for purchases made by phone or mail, or by using a third party “buy now pay later” installment program.
To earn additional rewards on online retail purchases, the purchase must be made on a website or a digital application (an app) from a U.S. retail merchant that sells physical goods and/or merchandise directly to consumers.
Purchases made at restaurants, supermarkets, gasoline stations, or automotive dealers, as well as purchases of travel, entertainment, or other services are NOT eligible for additional rewards.
Qualifications & exceptions
Eligibility turns on how the merchant categorizes the transaction, which the cardmember does not control.
The FAQ version says the merchant sells physical goods "and/or" merchandise; the section text says "or".
Not stated here
How the merchant’s internet-transaction classification is determined is not described here, and which Cards have the category is not stated.
Online retail examples that earn: major retailers and pet, furniture, drug, book, apparel and sporting goods stores
The page lists examples of purchases that will earn additional rewards in the U.S. Online Retail category, "include, but are not limited to": major retailers (for example Amazon.com, Walmart.com), pet stores (Chewy.com), furniture stores (Wayfair.com), department stores, drug stores, book stores, auto and home supply stores, personal and household care, toy and hobby stores, computer and electronic stores, apparel, footwear and accessories stores, and sporting goods stores. It says this is not a complete list. Examples do not override the online-payment and merchant-classification requirements.
Details
What it covers
example online retail merchant types
Supporting quotations
Examples* of purchases that will earn additional rewards include, but are not limited to:
Major retailers (e.g., Amazon.com, Walmart.com)
Pet stores (e.g., Chewy.com)
Furniture stores (e.g., Wayfair.com)
Department stores
Drug Stores
Book stores
Auto & home supply stores
Personal and household care
Toy & Hobby stores
Computer & Electronic stores
Apparel, Footwear, and Accessories stores
Sporting goods stores
*This is not a complete list.
Qualifications & exceptions
Department stores and drug stores also have their own named-list categories later on the page.
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Not stated here
How the online retail examples for department stores and drug stores interact with the separate named-list categories is not explained.
Cross-references
contrast (model-proposed): Purchases on an online marketplace with multiple retailers will not receive additional rewards — Purchases on an online marketplace with multiple retailers are said not to receive additional rewards, while Amazon.com is given as an example of a major retailer whose online purchases earn in the Online Retail category. The page does not say how a marketplace is distinguished from such a retailer.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Airline tickets, concert tickets, food delivery, online grocery, rideshare, streaming and wireless are listed as no-earn
Within the U.S. Online Retail Purchases section, the page gives an additional list of categories where you will NOT earn additional rewards: airline tickets, concert ticket purchases, food delivery platforms, online grocery orders, rideshare services, streaming services and wireless cellular providers.
Additional list of categories where you will NOT earn additional rewards include:
Airline tickets
Concert ticket purchases
Food delivery platforms
Online grocery orders
Rideshare services
Streaming services
Wireless cellular providers
Qualifications & exceptions
The list sits inside the Online Retail section and is introduced as an "additional list of categories", so it reads as excluding these purchases from that category.
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Not stated here
The section does not say whether these purchases could earn additional rewards under another category (for example Airfare, Transit or Select U.S. Streaming Subscriptions); it states only that you will not earn here.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
U.S. restaurant rewards cover restaurants located in the U.S., not bars, convenience stores or embedded restaurants
You earn additional rewards in the U.S. restaurant category when you purchase at restaurants located in the U.S. You will NOT earn them at a restaurant owned by a U.S. company but located outside the U.S. (for example Hard Rock Café in Paris), and you will not earn at bars, nightclubs, convenience stores, supermarkets, grocery stores, cafeterias, caterers, theatre clubs, breweries, bakeries and meeting venues. You may not earn at a restaurant located within another establishment (for example inside a hotel, casino, event venue, food court or campus building), since the purchase may be recognized as one at a hotel rather than a restaurant.
Details
Where
restaurants located in the U.S.; U.S.-owned restaurants outside the U.S. excluded
restaurants inside another establishment may not earn
Supporting quotations
U.S. Restaurants
You will earn additional rewards in the U.S. restaurant category when you make a purchase at restaurants located in the U.S.
You will NOT earn additional rewards for purchases made at a restaurant owned by a U.S. company but located outside the U.S. (e.g., Hard Rock Café in Paris).
You also will NOT earn additional rewards at bars, nightclubs, convenience stores, supermarkets, grocery stores, cafeterias, caterers, theatre clubs, breweries, bakeries and meeting venues.
You may not earn additional rewards at a restaurant located within another establishment (e.g., a restaurant inside a hotel, casino, event venue, food court, or campus building). For example, purchases made at a restaurant located within a hotel may be recognized as a purchase at a hotel, not a restaurant.
Qualifications & exceptions
"May not" for restaurants inside another establishment, so those are not flatly excluded; the other exclusions use "will NOT".
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Not stated here
Which Cards have the U.S. Restaurants category is not stated here.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Global restaurant rewards cover restaurants in the U.S. and worldwide, with the same venue exclusions
In the Global Restaurants category you earn additional rewards when you purchase at restaurants located in the U.S. and worldwide. You will NOT earn at bars, nightclubs, convenience stores, supermarkets, grocery stores, cafeterias, caterers, theatre clubs, breweries, bakeries and meeting venues. You may not earn at a restaurant located within another establishment (for example inside a hotel, casino or event venue) or for purchases made through third-party food delivery services outside of the U.S.; a restaurant inside a hotel may be recognized as a hotel purchase rather than a restaurant purchase.
Details
Where
restaurants located in the U.S. and worldwide
Exception
bars, nightclubs, convenience stores, supermarkets and similar venues
Condition
restaurants within another establishment and outside-U.S. third-party delivery may not earn
Supporting quotations
Global Restaurants
You will earn additional rewards in this category when you make a purchase at restaurants located in the U.S. and worldwide.
You will NOT earn additional rewards at bars, nightclubs, convenience stores, supermarkets, grocery stores, cafeterias, caterers, theatre clubs, breweries, bakeries and meeting venues.
You may not earn additional rewards at a restaurant located within another establishment (e.g. a restaurant inside a hotel, casino, or event venue) or for purchases made through third-party food delivery services outside of the U.S.
For example, purchases made at a restaurant located within a hotel may be recognized as a purchase at a hotel, not a restaurant
Qualifications & exceptions
The delivery limit is worded as outside of the U.S.
"May not" for embedded restaurants and outside-U.S. delivery.
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Not stated here
The wording does not say how third-party food delivery services within the U.S. are treated, and which Cards have the Global Restaurants category is not stated.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Department store rewards apply only in the U.S. at named "select major department stores"; the list starts with five
To earn additional rewards on department store purchases, the purchase must be made at a department store on the list of "select major department stores" located in the United States, and you earn ONLY for purchases made in the U.S. at listed department stores that accept the Card and have these specific names. The list begins Bealls, Belk, Bloomingdale’s, Bon Ton Stores and Boscov’s, and continues with Century 21 Department Stores and further names in the next part of the list.
Details
Where
located in the United States
Condition
department store on the list of select major department stores with a listed name
Supporting quotations
U.S. Select Major Department Stores
To earn additional rewards on department store purchases, the purchases must be made at a department store that is included on our list of "select major department stores" and is located in the United States.
You will earn additional rewards ONLY for purchases made in the U.S. at the following list of department stores that accept the Card and have these specific names:
Bealls
Belk
Bloomingdale's
Bon Ton Stores
Boscov's
Century 21 Department Stores
Qualifications & exceptions
The store must have one of the specific listed names.
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Not stated here
Which Cards have the department store category is not stated here.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Department store list continues from Century 21 to Stein Mart; in-store and online purchases both count
The department store list continues after Boscov’s with Century 21 Department Stores, Dillard’s, J.C. Penney (JCP), Kohl’s, Lord & Taylor, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sears and Stein Mart. The FAQ repeats the sixteen names (Bealls through Stein Mart), says the stores must have these specific names, accept the Card and be in the United States, and says eligible purchases include those made in store and online.
Details
What it covers
purchases at the listed department stores
Condition
in store and online purchases are eligible
Supporting quotations
Boscov's
Century 21 Department Stores
Dillard's
J.C. Penney (JCP)
Kohl's
Lord & Taylor
Macy's
Neiman Marcus
Nordstrom
Saks Fifth Avenue
Sears
Stein Mart
Eligible purchases include those made in store and online.
Bealls, Belk, Bloomingdale’s, Bon Ton Stores, Boscov's, Century 21 Department Stores, Dillard’s, J.C. Penney (JCP), Kohl's, Lord & Taylor, Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sears and Stein Mart.
Qualifications & exceptions
The store must have the specific listed name and be located in the United States.
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Not stated here
Which Cards have the department store category is not stated here.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Drugstore rewards apply only in the U.S. at CVS Pharmacy, DUANEreade, Rite Aid and Walgreens
To earn additional rewards on drugstore purchases, the purchase must be made at a drugstore on the list of "select major drugstores" and located in the United States. You earn ONLY for purchases made in the U.S. at the listed drugstores that accept the Card: CVS Pharmacy, DUANEreade, Rite Aid and Walgreens. The FAQ adds that eligible purchases include those made in store and online.
Details
Where
located in the United States
Condition
drugstore on the select major drugstores list
What it covers
purchases at CVS Pharmacy, DUANEreade, Rite Aid and Walgreens
Supporting quotations
U.S. Select Major Drugstores
To earn additional rewards on drugstore purchases, the purchases must be made at a drugstore that is included on our list of "select major drugstores" and must be located in the United States.
You will earn additional rewards ONLY for purchases made in the U.S. at the following list of drugstores that accept the Card:
CVS Pharmacy
DUANEreade
Rite Aid
Walgreens
Eligible purchases include those made in store and online.
Qualifications & exceptions
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Not stated here
Which Cards have the drugstore category is not stated here.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Streaming rewards need a provider on the select U.S. list; bundled or third-party-billed subscriptions may not qualify
To earn additional rewards on streaming subscription purchases, the purchase must be made from a provider on the list of Select U.S. Streaming Subscriptions. The list begins with Amazon Music Unlimited, AMC+, Apple Music, Apple TV+, Audible, Britbox, DirecTV Stream (formerly known as AT&T TV or AT&T TV NOW), Discovery+, Disney+, ESPN, Fubo TV and HBO Max, and continues alphabetically. If your subscription is bundled with another product or service, or billed by a third party such as a digital platform, a cable, telecommunications or internet provider, or a car manufacturer, your purchase may not be eligible.
Details
Condition
provider is on the Select U.S. Streaming Subscriptions list
Exception
subscriptions bundled with another product or service or billed by a third party may not be eligible
Supporting quotations
Select U.S. Streaming Subscriptions
To earn additional rewards on streaming subscription purchases, the purchase must be made from a provider that is included on our list of Select U.S. Streaming Subscriptions:
Amazon Music Unlimited
AMC+
Apple Music
Apple TV+
Audible
Britbox
DirecTV Stream (formerly known as AT&T TV or AT&T TV NOW)
Discovery+
Disney+
ESPN
Fubo TV
HBO Max
If your subscription is bundled with another product or service or billed by a third party (such as a digital platform, a cable, telecommunications, or internet provider, or a car manufacturer), your purchase may not be eligible.
Qualifications & exceptions
"May not be eligible" for bundled or third-party-billed subscriptions, so they are not flatly excluded.
The streaming list is described only as "our list"; the text does not say the list is closed or that it will not change.
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Not stated here
How a bundle or third-party billing is determined for a particular subscription is not described, and which Cards have the streaming category is not stated.
Select U.S. streaming list, second part: Hulu through Prime Video
The Select U.S. Streaming Subscriptions list continues with Hulu, iHeartRadio, Kindle Unlimited, Luminary, MGM+, MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, Netflix, Pandora, Paramount+, Peacock and Prime Video. As with the rest of the list, the purchase must be made from a listed provider, and a subscription bundled with another product or service or billed by a third party may not be eligible.
Details
What it covers
listed streaming providers Hulu through Prime Video
Supporting quotations
Hulu
iHeartRadio
Kindle Unlimited
Luminary
MGM+
MLB.TV
NBA League Pass
Netflix
Pandora
Paramount+
Peacock
Prime Video
If your subscription is bundled with another product or service or billed by a third party (such as a digital platform, a cable, telecommunications, or internet provider, or a car manufacturer), your purchase may not be eligible.
Qualifications & exceptions
The streaming list is described only as "our list"; the text does not say the list is closed or that it will not change.
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Select U.S. streaming list, third part: Sling TV through YouTube TV
The Select U.S. Streaming Subscriptions list ends with Sling TV, SiriusXM Streaming and Satellite, Spotify, Starz, TIDAL Music, YouTube Music Premium, YouTube Premium and YouTube TV. The same condition applies: a subscription bundled with another product or service, or billed by a third party, may not be eligible.
Details
What it covers
listed streaming providers Sling TV through YouTube TV
Supporting quotations
Sling TV
SiriusXM Streaming and Satellite
Spotify
Starz
TIDAL Music
YouTube Music Premium
YouTube Premium
YouTube TV
If your subscription is bundled with another product or service or billed by a third party (such as a digital platform, a cable, telecommunications, or internet provider, or a car manufacturer), your purchase may not be eligible.
Qualifications & exceptions
The streaming list is described only as "our list"; the text does not say the list is closed or that it will not change.
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Supermarket rewards need a U.S. supermarket; superstores, clubs, convenience stores and meal-kit services are excluded
To earn additional rewards on supermarket purchases, the supermarket must be located in the U.S. A supermarket offers a wide variety of food and household products such as meat, fresh produce, dairy, canned and packaged goods, household cleaners, pharmacy products and pet supplies. Superstores, convenience stores, warehouse clubs and meal-kit delivery services are NOT considered supermarkets. Examples of merchants where you will NOT earn are specialty stores (such as bakeries, butchers, cheese shops, fish markets, liquor stores and wine shops), superstores (Target, Walmart), warehouse clubs (BJ’s Club), convenience stores (7Eleven) and meal-kit services (Blue Apron, Freshly, Hello Fresh). More generally, some categories such as U.S. Supermarkets pay additional rewards only for purchases made in the United States.
Details
Where
the supermarket must be located in the U.S.
Condition
merchant offers a wide variety of food and household products
To earn additional rewards on supermarket purchases, the supermarket must be located in the U.S.
A supermarket offers a wide variety of food and household products such as meat, fresh produce, dairy, canned and packaged goods, household cleaners, pharmacy products and pet supplies.
(Superstores, convenience stores, warehouse clubs, and meal-kit delivery services are NOT considered supermarkets.)
Examples of merchants where you will NOT earn additional rewards include:
Specialty stores (e.g., bakeries, butchers, cheese shops, fish markets, liquor stores, wine shops, and other specialty food stores)
Superstores (e.g., Target, Walmart)
Warehouse clubs (e.g., BJ's Club)
Convenience stores (e.g., 7Eleven)
Meal-kit delivery services (e.g., Blue Apron, Freshly, and Hello Fresh)
Are purchases made outside the United States eligible for additional rewards?
However, some reward categories, such as U.S. Supermarkets, provide additional rewards only for purchases made in the United States.
Qualifications & exceptions
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Not stated here
Which Cards have a U.S. Supermarkets category is not stated in this section.
Examples of supermarkets that earn include ALDI, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, ShopRite, Meijer and Stop & Shop
The page gives ALDI, FreshDirect, Gelson’s, Hy-Vee, Kings Food Markets, Meijer, ShopRite, Smart & Final, Stop & Shop, Trader Joe’s, Vons, Whole Foods and Winn-Dixie as examples of merchants that accept the Card and where you can earn additional rewards in the supermarket category. It says this is not a complete list; the examples do not override the U.S.-location rule or the exclusions.
Details
What it covers
example supermarket merchants
Supporting quotations
Examples of merchants* that accept the Card and where you can earn additional rewards include:
ALDI
FreshDirect
Gelson's
Hy-Vee
Kings Food Markets
Meijer
ShopRite
Smart & Final
Stop & Shop
Trader Joe's
Vons
Whole Foods
Winn-Dixie
*This is not a complete list.
Qualifications & exceptions
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Gas station FAQ: a gas station is a merchant whose primary business is selling gasoline to consumers
In answer to how a gas station is defined, the FAQ says a gas station is a merchant in the primary business of selling gasoline to consumers; it may sell other convenience items, but its primary business is selling gasoline. Superstores, supermarkets and warehouse clubs that sell gasoline are not considered gas stations.
Details
Condition
merchant’s primary business is selling gasoline to consumers
Exception
superstores, supermarkets and warehouse clubs that sell gasoline
Supporting quotations
U.S. Gas Stations FAQs
How do you define a gas station where I earn additional rewards?
A gas station is a merchant that is in the primary business of selling gasoline to consumers. A gas station may sell other convenience items, but its primary business is selling gasoline. Superstores, supermarkets, and warehouse clubs that sell gasoline are not considered gas stations.
A gas station is defined as a merchant that is in the primary business of selling gasoline to consumers.
Qualifications & exceptions
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
If you think you missed additional rewards on a gas purchase, call the number on the back of your Card
In the gas station FAQs, the site tells you that if you think you should have earned additional rewards on a purchase, or have questions about whether you should have received them, you should call the number on the back of your Card.
Details
What it does
call the number on the back of your Card
Supporting quotations
I think I should have earned additional rewards on a purchase, what should I do?
If you have questions about whether you should have received additional rewards, please call the number on the back of your Card.
Not stated here
No deadline, other channel or outcome is stated.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Online retail FAQ repeats the requirements: U.S. goods merchant, online payment, no phone, mail or in-store payment
The Online Retail FAQs repeat that the purchase must be made on a website or in an app from a U.S. retail merchant that sells physical goods and/or merchandise directly to consumers. Purchases at restaurants, supermarkets, gasoline stations or automotive dealers, and purchases of travel, entertainment or other services, are not eligible. Payment must be made online and categorized by the merchant as an internet transaction; there are no additional rewards for purchases ordered online but paid for in store, made by phone or mail, or made through a third party "buy now pay later" installment program, and in-store wallet or contactless payments are not online purchases.
Details
Condition
U.S. retail merchant selling physical goods and/or merchandise; payment made online and categorized as an internet transaction
Exception
paid in store, phone or mail, third party buy now pay later, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, automotive dealers, travel, entertainment, services
Supporting quotations
U.S. Online Retail Purchases FAQs
How do I earn additional rewards on online retail purchases?
To earn additional rewards on online retail purchases, the purchase must be made on a website or a digital application (an app) from a U.S. retail merchant that sells physical goods and/or merchandise directly to consumers.
What isn’t included in the U.S. Online Retail Purchases category?
Purchases made at restaurants, supermarkets, gasoline stations, or automotive dealers, as well as purchases of travel, entertainment, or other services are NOT eligible for additional rewards. Payment must be made online and categorized as an internet transaction by the merchant for purchase to be eligible. You will not receive additional rewards for purchases ordered online but paid for in store. Payments made in store using a mobile or digital wallet or a contactless payment device are not considered online purchases. You will not receive additional rewards for purchases made by phone or mail, or by using a third party “buy now pay later” installment program.
Qualifications & exceptions
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
A retail merchant with stores is not disqualified, but only its online purchases count as Online Retail
The Online Retail FAQs say an otherwise eligible retail merchant is not disqualified because it has brick and mortar locations: eligible retail merchants can have both in-store and online presence, but only the online purchases at those merchants qualify as a U.S. Online Retail purchase.
Details
Condition
only the online purchases at eligible retail merchants qualify
Supporting quotations
Is an otherwise eligible retail merchant disqualified if it has brick and mortar locations?
No. Eligible retail merchants can have both in store and online presence; however, only the online purchases at these eligible retail merchants will qualify as a U.S. Online Retail purchase.
Qualifications & exceptions
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Answer: retail merchants with stores stay eligible, but only their online purchases count as Online Retail
In answer to whether an otherwise eligible retail merchant is disqualified because it has brick and mortar locations, the FAQ says no: eligible retail merchants can have both in-store and online presence, but only the online purchases at them qualify as a U.S. Online Retail purchase.
Details
Condition
only online purchases at eligible retail merchants qualify
Supporting quotations
Is an otherwise eligible retail merchant disqualified if it has brick and mortar locations?
No. Eligible retail merchants can have both in store and online presence; however, only the online purchases at these eligible retail merchants will qualify as a U.S. Online Retail purchase.
Qualifications & exceptions
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Online supermarket purchases are not Online Retail; Blue Cash Everyday has a supermarket category with online grocery
The FAQ says online purchases at U.S. supermarkets are not included in the U.S. Online Retail Purchases category. It states that the Blue Cash Everyday Card has a separate rewards category for purchases at U.S. supermarkets, which includes online grocery orders. The answer names that one Card, and the Online Retail section separately lists online grocery orders among purchases that do not earn in that category.
Details
What it covers
online purchases at U.S. supermarkets
Condition
Blue Cash Everyday Card’s separate supermarket category includes online grocery orders
Supporting quotations
Are online purchases at U.S. supermarkets included in category?
No. The Blue Cash Everyday Card has a separate rewards category for purchases at U.S. supermarkets, which includes online grocery orders.
Qualifications & exceptions
The online grocery statement is made about the Blue Cash Everyday Card’s supermarket category.
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Not stated here
Whether online grocery orders count in the supermarket category for other Cards is not stated.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Online orders paid for online and picked up in store can count if the merchant classifies them as online
The FAQ says eligible retail purchases that are paid for online and picked up in store are included in the U.S. Online Retail category if the merchant classifies the purchase as an online purchase. This is different from purchases ordered online but paid for in store, which do not earn.
Details
Condition
paid for online, picked up in store, and classified by the merchant as an online purchase
Supporting quotations
Are my online orders that I pick up in store included in the U.S. Online Retail Purchases category?
Yes, eligible retail purchases that are paid for online and picked up in store are included in the category if the merchant classifies it as an online purchase.
Qualifications & exceptions
Both conditions apply: paid for online, and classified by the merchant as an online purchase.
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Reasons an online purchase may not earn: not retail, paid in store, phone or mail, buy now pay later, or coded in-store
If a purchase was made online but you did not receive 3% cash back, the FAQ lists potential reasons: the purchase is not considered a retail purchase (it must be from a U.S. retail merchant that sells physical goods or merchandise directly to consumers); it was ordered online but paid for in store; it was made by phone or mail, or through a third party "buy now pay later" installment program; or the merchant classified it as an in-store purchase. Elsewhere the page also says purchases on an online marketplace with multiple retailers will not receive additional rewards.
Details
Condition
the purchase must be a retail purchase from a U.S. retail merchant, paid online, not by phone, mail or buy now pay later, and classified as online by the merchant
Exception
online marketplace purchases with multiple retailers
Supporting quotations
Why didn’t I receive additional rewards on my online purchase?
If a purchase was made online but you did not receive 3% cash back, here are potential reasons why this may have happened:
The purchase is not considered a retail purchase. To be eligible, your purchase must be made from a U.S. retail merchant that sells physical goods or merchandise directly to consumers.
The purchase was ordered online but paid for in store.
The purchase was made by phone or mail, or by using a third party “buy now pay later” installment program.
The merchant classified the purchase as in-store purchase.
Purchases made on an online marketplace (with multiple retailers) will not receive additional rewards.
Qualifications & exceptions
The list gives "potential reasons"; it is not an exhaustive account of why a purchase did not earn.
The 3% cash back figure is the rate the FAQ refers to; the page does not say which Card earns 3% in this category.
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Not stated here
The page does not reconcile the online marketplace statement with the Online Retail example that names Amazon.com, so whether a purchase on a marketplace site counts as a purchase from a retail merchant selling directly to consumers is not stated.
If you think you missed additional rewards on online retail, restaurant or drugstore purchases, call your Card number
In the Online Retail, U.S. Restaurants, Global Restaurants and Select Major Drugstores FAQs, the site repeats that if you think you should have earned or received additional rewards on a purchase, or have questions about whether you should have, you should call the number on the back of your Card.
Details
What it does
call the number on the back of your Card
Supporting quotations
If you think you should have received additional rewards for a purchase, please call the number on the back of your Card.
I think I should have earned additional rewards on a purchase, what should I do?
If you have questions about whether you should have received additional rewards, please call the number on the back of your Card.
I think I should have earned additional rewards on a purchase, what should I do?
If you have questions about whether you should have received additional rewards, please call the number on the back of your Card.
I think I should have earned additional rewards on a purchase, what should I do?
If you have questions about whether you should have received additional rewards, please call the number on the back of your Card.
I think I should have earned additional rewards on a purchase, what should I do?
If you have questions about whether you should have received additional rewards, please call the number on the back of your Card.
I think I should have earned additional rewards on a purchase, what should I do?
If you have questions about whether you should have received additional rewards, please call the number on the back of your Card.
Not stated here
No deadline, other channel or outcome is stated in these answers.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
U.S. restaurant FAQ: fast food is included; restaurants must be in the U.S., not U.S.-owned ones abroad
The U.S. Restaurants FAQs say fast food restaurants are included in the restaurant rewards category. To earn additional rewards, purchases must be made at restaurants located in the United States; purchases at a restaurant owned by a U.S. company but located outside the U.S. (for example Hard Rock Café Paris or TGI Fridays London) are NOT eligible.
Details
Where
restaurants located in the United States
What it covers
fast food restaurants are included
Supporting quotations
U.S. Restaurants FAQs
Are fast food restaurants included in the U.S. restaurant rewards category?
Yes, fast food restaurants are included in the restaurant rewards category.
How do I earn additional rewards for restaurant purchases?
To earn additional rewards, purchases must be made at restaurants located in the United States. Purchases made at a restaurant owned by a U.S. company but located outside of the U.S. (e.g., Hard Rock Café Paris, TGI Fridays London) are NOT eligible for additional rewards.
Qualifications & exceptions
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
U.S. restaurant FAQ: an ineligible merchant code, missing information, or a restaurant inside another establishment
Merchants are assigned codes based on what they primarily sell. A purchase will not qualify for additional points if the merchant’s code is not eligible or if American Express does not receive information that identifies the purchase as qualifying. If a U.S. restaurant is located within another establishment (for example inside a hotel, casino, event venue, food court or campus building) it may not be coded as a restaurant and therefore is NOT eligible for an additional reward.
Details
Condition
the merchant’s code is eligible and the information identifies the purchase as qualifying
Exception
restaurants inside another establishment
Supporting quotations
Are there other times when I will not earn additional rewards on a U.S. restaurant purchase?
Merchants are assigned codes based on what they primarily sell. A purchase will not qualify for additional points if the merchant’s code is not eligible or if we do not receive information that identifies your purchase as qualifying for additional points.
If a U.S. restaurant is located within another establishment (e.g., a restaurant inside a hotel, casino, event venue, food court, campus building) it may not be coded as a restaurant and therefore is NOT eligible for an additional reward.
Qualifications & exceptions
The embedded-restaurant sentence says "may not be coded", then "therefore is NOT eligible", so eligibility follows the coding.
Not stated here
Which codes are eligible is not stated in this document.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Company commitment
Global restaurant FAQ: fast food restaurants are included in the Global Restaurants category
The Global Restaurants FAQs say fast food restaurants are included in the global restaurants rewards category.
Details
What it covers
fast food restaurants
Supporting quotations
Global Restaurants FAQs
Are fast food restaurants included in the global restaurants rewards category?
Yes, fast food restaurants are included in the global restaurants rewards category.
Qualifications & exceptions
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Global restaurant FAQ: an ineligible merchant code, missing information, or a restaurant inside another establishment
In the Global Restaurants FAQs, merchants are assigned codes based on what they primarily sell, and a purchase will not qualify for additional points if the merchant’s code is not eligible or if American Express does not receive information that identifies the purchase as qualifying. If a restaurant is located within another establishment (for example inside a hotel, casino, event venue, food court or campus building) it may not be coded as a restaurant and therefore is NOT eligible for an additional reward.
Details
Condition
the merchant’s code is eligible and the information identifies the purchase as qualifying
Exception
restaurants inside another establishment
Supporting quotations
Are there times when I will not earn additional rewards on a restaurant purchase?
Merchants are assigned codes based on what they primarily sell. A purchase will not qualify for additional points if the merchant’s code is not eligible or if we do not receive information that identifies your purchase as qualifying for additional points.
If a restaurant is located within another establishment (e.g., a restaurant inside a hotel, casino, event venue, food court, or campus building) it may not be coded as a restaurant and therefore is NOT eligible for an additional reward.
Qualifications & exceptions
The FAQ does not repeat the Global Restaurants section’s outside-the-U.S. food delivery limit.
Not stated here
Which codes are eligible is not stated in this document.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Department store FAQ: named stores in the U.S. only, with in-store and online purchases eligible
The Department Stores FAQs say purchases must be made at department stores on the list of "select major department stores" that accept the Card and are located in the United States, and the stores must have the specific listed names. Eligible purchases include those made in store and online. The included stores are Bealls, Belk, Bloomingdale’s, Bon Ton Stores, Boscov’s, Century 21 Department Stores, Dillard’s, J.C. Penney (JCP), Kohl’s, Lord & Taylor, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sears and Stein Mart.
Details
Where
located in the United States
Condition
listed name, accepts the Card; in-store and online purchases both eligible
Supporting quotations
U.S. Select Major Department Stores FAQs
How do I earn additional rewards on department store purchases?
To earn additional rewards, purchases must be made at department stores included on our list of “select major department stores” that accept the Card and are located in the United States.
The department stores must have these specific names:
Eligible purchases include those made in store and online.
Which department stores are included in your select major department store list?
Bealls, Belk, Bloomingdale’s, Bon Ton Stores, Boscov's, Century 21 Department Stores, Dillard’s, J.C. Penney (JCP), Kohl's, Lord & Taylor, Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sears and Stein Mart.
Qualifications & exceptions
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Drugstore FAQ: the select list is the U.S. locations of CVS Pharmacy, DUANEreade, Rite Aid and Walgreens
The Drugstores FAQs identify the select major drugstore list as the U.S. locations of CVS Pharmacy, DUANEreade, Rite Aid and Walgreens, in answer to which drugstores are included.
Details
Where
U.S. locations
What it covers
CVS Pharmacy, DUANEreade, Rite Aid and Walgreens
Supporting quotations
U.S. Select Major Drugstores FAQs
Which drugstores are included in your select major drugstore list?
The U.S. locations of CVS Pharmacy, DUANEreade, Rite Aid and Walgreens.
How do I earn additional rewards on drugstore purchases?
Qualifications & exceptions
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Drugstore rewards need a listed drugstore in the U.S.; in-store and online purchases both count
In answer to how to earn additional rewards on drugstore purchases, the FAQ says purchases must be made at drugstores on the list of "select major drugstores" that accept the Card and are located in the United States. The U.S. drugstore list is CVS Pharmacy, DUANEreade, Rite Aid and Walgreens, and eligible purchases include those made in store and online.
Details
Where
located in the United States
Condition
listed drugstore that accepts the Card; in-store and online purchases eligible
Supporting quotations
How do I earn additional rewards on drugstore purchases?
To earn additional rewards, purchases must be made at drugstores included on our list of “select major drugstores” that accept the Card and are located in the United States.
The U.S. drugstore list is: CVS Pharmacy, DUANEreade, Rite Aid and Walgreens.
Eligible purchases include those made in store and online.
The U.S. locations of CVS Pharmacy, DUANEreade, Rite Aid and Walgreens.
Qualifications & exceptions
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Supermarket FAQ: specialty, corner, gourmet, natural food and liquor stores, superstores and meal kits are not eligible
The Supermarkets FAQ says that specialty food stores, small corner grocery stores, gourmet shops, natural food stores, liquor stores and large superstores (including online superstores such as Amazon), warehouse clubs (such as BJ’s Club), big box stores (such as Walmart) and meal-kit delivery services (such as Hello Fresh) are examples of merchants that are NOT eligible for additional rewards.
What isn’t included in the U.S. Supermarket category?
Specialty food stores, small corner grocery stores, gourmet shops, natural food stores, liquor stores and large superstores including online superstores (e.g., Amazon), warehouses clubs (e.g., BJ's Club), big box stores (e.g., Walmart), and meal-kit delivery services (e.g., Hello Fresh) are examples of merchants that are NOT eligible for additional rewards.
Qualifications & exceptions
These are given as examples of merchants that are not eligible.
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
Not stated here
The supermarket examples elsewhere on the page include Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, while this FAQ names "natural food stores" as not eligible; the page does not say how a particular store is classified.
Supermarket FAQ: a supermarket offers a wide variety of food and household products
The FAQ defines a supermarket where you earn additional rewards as one that offers a wide variety of food and household products such as meat, fresh produce, dairy, canned and packaged goods, household cleaners, pharmacy products and pet supplies. This repeats the definition given in the Supermarkets section earlier on the page.
Details
Condition
offers a wide variety of food and household products
Supporting quotations
How do you define a Supermarket where I earn additional rewards?
A supermarket offers a wide variety of food and household products such as meat, fresh produce, dairy, canned and packaged goods, household cleaners, pharmacy products and pet supplies.
A supermarket offers a wide variety of food and household products such as meat, fresh produce, dairy, canned and packaged goods, household cleaners, pharmacy products and pet supplies.
Qualifications & exceptions
Subject to merchant coding: a purchase earns only if the merchant is coded and identified as eligible for the category.
If you think you missed additional rewards on a supermarket purchase, call the number on the back of your Card
In the Supermarkets FAQs, the site tells you that if you think you should have earned additional rewards on a purchase, or have questions about whether you should have received them, you should call the number on the back of your Card.
Details
What it does
call the number on the back of your Card
Supporting quotations
I think I should have earned additional rewards on a purchase, what should I do?
If you have questions about whether you should have received additional rewards, please call the number on the back of your Card.
I think I should have earned additional rewards on a purchase, what should I do?
If you have questions about whether you should have received additional rewards, please call the number on the back of your Card.