American Express is adding a Membership Rewards option to the Apple Pay checkout flow, letting eligible U.S. cardholders apply points directly to online and in‑app purchases. When the Amex card appears in the Apple Pay selector, a “Use Rewards” button lets users choose how many points to cover all or part of the transaction, eliminating a separate redemption step in seconds.

The feature rolls out only for digital checkout; in‑store Apple Pay payments remain unsupported. Consumers can now stay within the payment interface, tap “Use Rewards,” enter a point amount, and complete the purchase without switching to the Amex app or website, making the process smoother for the shopper. This streamlines the redemption experience and may encourage higher point utilization among frequent online shoppers.

By embedding points redemption in the checkout flow, American Express aligns its rewards program with Apple’s frictionless payment ecosystem, a move that could boost card engagement and transaction volume. Retailers that already accept Apple Pay gain an extra incentive for Amex users, while the lack of in‑store support leaves a gap for merchants hoping to tap the full benefits across the digital marketplace.