Amex ends automatic Membership Rewards pooling for new products
New enrolled products receive separate rewards accounts, but cardholders can still consolidate points through Manage Connections.
TL;DR
Amex’s October 2026 U.S. Membership Rewards terms create a separate Rewards Account when you open a new enrolled product. To consolidate points with your other products, use Manage Connections online or in the Amex App, or call the number on your card.
- The amendment takes effect immediately; the October document does not name a specific day.
- Manual linking remains available, so separate accounts do not prevent points consolidation.
- The notice does not announce a forced breakup of existing pooled balances.
What changed
American Express has changed the default setup for newly opened products enrolled in its U.S. Membership Rewards program. Instead of assuming a new product will feed an existing pooled balance, cardholders should check which Rewards Account it uses.
The controlling language is the amendment on page 19 of the October 2026 terms. It says a new Rewards Account is created for a new product and allows cardholders to connect some or all eligible products to one account. The amendment replaces conflicting language earlier in the document.
Key details
The change adds an account-management step. It does not remove the ability to bring points together.
- Timing: the amendment says it applies immediately, without giving a calendar day.
- Linking: use Manage Connections on the website or in the Amex App; calling the number on the back of the card is another option.
- Result: points earned on products linked to the same Rewards Account are consolidated into one balance.
- Redemption access and point values can depend on the products connected to that account.
Who should care
This matters most if you recently opened another Membership Rewards product, are preparing to redeem points, or are reviewing a card before closing it. A separate balance can look like missing rewards when it is simply held in a different Rewards Account. Check the connection rather than assuming all cards under one login share a points balance.
What to do next
Review the new product’s rewards setup before relying on a combined balance for a planned redemption.
- Check the rewards balance and linked products shown for each Rewards Account.
- Use Manage Connections if you want eligible products to contribute to one balance.
- Confirm the consolidated balance and available redemption options after linking.
- Before closing a product, ask Amex how closure affects its rewards account and any remaining points.
Sources
Official: October 2026 Membership Rewards terms, page 19. The notice establishes the new default and the manual linking process; it does not announce a new transfer-ratio reduction.
Discovery: Doctor of Credit’s report, published October 15, 2026. Sources reviewed October 16, 2026.
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Before you act
- Account eligibility and the products linked to your Rewards Account determine available redemption options. Confirm account-specific questions with Amex.
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