How to Apply for the Amex Membership Rewards Credit Card (MRCC) in 2026

The Amex Membership Rewards Credit Card (MRCC) is a lifetime-free entry-level card for the Amex ecosystem. It offers 1,000 bonus Membership Rewards points on the first ₹20,000 spent within 90 days, 5X on Amazon, 5X on Flipkart, 1X on all other spends, and a milestone benefit of 4,000 bonus points on ₹4 lakh in a year. The card is the cheapest way to enter the Amex Membership Rewards universe.

Why this matters

MRCC is the only lifetime-free Amex card. The Membership Rewards points are valuable — they can be transferred to airline partners (Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, Delta) at a 1:1 ratio, making the effective reward rate 2.5% on Amazon and Flipkart spends. The card is a stepping stone to Amex Gold and Platinum Travel.

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How to Apply for the Amex Membership Rewards Credit Card (MRCC) in 2026

Common mistakes to avoid

MRCC is only accepted at merchants that accept Amex — not all merchants do, especially in smaller towns. The 5X is capped at 5,000 points per month on Amazon and Flipkart separately. The card does not earn accelerated points on Swiggy, Zomato, or other food delivery apps.

Pro tips

• Use MRCC for Amazon and Flipkart to maximise 5X
• Transfer Membership Rewards points to airline partners for maximum value
• Pair with the Amex Gold Card for premium benefits
• Track the 5,000+5,000 points/month cap in the Amex app

Frequently asked questions

Is Amex MRCC lifetime free?

Yes. The card has no joining or annual fee. There is no fee waiver target.

What is the welcome bonus?

1,000 bonus Membership Rewards points on ₹20,000 spent within 90 days of card issuance.

How do I redeem Membership Rewards points?

Points are redeemable for flight bookings via the Amex Travel portal, transferred to airline partners (Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, Delta), or used for product vouchers at a rate of 1 point = ₹0.40.