Amex Membership Rewards adds Fanatics FanCash as a transfer partner: 1,000 points for $10

Short answer: since 9 November 2026, US American Express Membership Rewards points can be transferred to Fanatics FanCash at 1,000 points for $10, which is a flat 1 cent per point. Fanatics is the first Membership Rewards transfer partner outside travel. For most cardholders it is a poor use of points, because airline and hotel partners can return more, but it is a simple option if you were going to buy sports gear anyway.

Fanatics announced the transfer in its own press release on 9 November, which says it is open to "eligible U.S. Membership Rewards Card Members with American Express-issued Cards". Doctor of Credit, Yahoo Finance and Plane 'n Simple report the same ratio. Doctor of Credit adds that Amex has put Fanatics in a new "Lifestyle" category on its transfer page, where it is the only entry.

What changes

Is 1 cent per point a good deal?

Mostly no. A fixed 1 cent is the floor for a transferable point, not the ceiling. Upgraded Points values a Membership Rewards point at 2.2 cents when moved to travel partners, more than double what Fanatics gives. Yahoo Finance's writer reaches the same view: there are generally better transfer partners.

Three more things reduce the value further:

• FanCash only works at Fanatics. Plane 'n Simple notes it can be used only on eligible purchases at Fanatics sites, cannot be cashed out and cannot be moved to another account.
• FanCash can expire. Under the FanCash terms as summarised by Plane 'n Simple, regular FanCash expires 365 days after your last qualifying activity. The terms do not say how FanCash from an Amex transfer is classed.
• You cannot undo it. Once points leave Membership Rewards, every airline and hotel partner is closed to those points.

Who is affected

Anyone in the US with a card that earns Membership Rewards points. In our catalog that is the Amex Gold, Amex Platinum, Amex Business Gold and Amex Business Platinum. Nothing is taken away: every existing partner and ratio is unchanged, so this is one more option, not a cut.

The new Fanatics American Express Card

The same press release unveiled the Fanatics American Express Card. It runs on the Amex network but is issued by First Electronic Bank, not by American Express, and it earns FanCash, not Membership Rewards points. It is not open for applications yet: US fans can join a waitlist, and Fanatics says invitations go out "starting later this year".

One wrinkle in the release: the body says 8% or more in the app, while its footnote describes the app bonus as an additional 3% or more on top of 5%. Those add up to the same figure, but read the final terms when applications open. The card is not in the CardPolo catalog, because it has no application page yet.

What to do now

1. Do not move points speculatively. Transfers are one way, and FanCash has an expiry clock.
2. If you want Fanatics gear, transfer only the amount you need, close to checkout, and allow up to 48 hours.
3. Compare first. Check what the same points would buy as flights or hotel nights before you settle for 1 cent each.
4. Wait on the card. There is nothing to apply for until invitations start.

Common questions

How many Amex points do I need for $50 of Fanatics FanCash? 5,000 Membership Rewards points. The ratio is fixed at 1,000 points to $10, and transfers move in 1,000-point steps.

Can I transfer FanCash back to Amex points? No. Amex's transfer page says redemptions are final and cannot be reversed, as reported by Plane 'n Simple.

Is the Fanatics Amex card an American Express card? It uses the American Express network, but Fanatics' press release says it is issued by First Electronic Bank. It earns FanCash, not Membership Rewards points.

Want to see what your points are worth with every partner we track before you spend them on a jersey? Open the transfer partners map or run your balance through the points calculator.