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

Renish Mithani's profile photo Renish Mithani
4 min read
Reviewed by Darshil Chauhan Last reviewed 5 September 2026 Data verified 5 September 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.

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

How to apply Total time: 10 min · You’ll need: PAN, Aadhaar, mobile, salary slips (if required)

Apply for the Amex MRCC with 1,000 bonus Membership Rewards points and 5X on Amazon. Eligibility, benefits, and step-by-step walkthrough.

  1. Check MRCC eligibility — You must be 18–70 years old, a resident Indian, with a minimum monthly income of ₹20,000. CIBIL score of 720+ is preferred. NRIs cannot apply for MRCC.
  2. Apply online via Amex website — Visit americanexpress.com/in → Cards → Membership Rewards Credit Card. Click Apply Now. The form is pre-filled if you are an existing Amex customer.
  3. Complete the application — Provide your name (as on PAN), PAN, Aadhaar, mobile, email, address, employment details, and monthly income.
  4. Complete Aadhaar eKYC — Authorize Aadhaar OTP eKYC. Verification completes within 60 seconds.
  5. Submit and track — Submit the form. The 12-digit application reference is shown. Track status in the Amex app or on the Amex website. Approval takes 5–10 working days.
  6. Receive the card and activate — Once approved, the card is delivered within 5 working days. Activate via IVR or the Amex app by setting a 4-digit PIN.
  7. Spend ₹20,000 in 90 days for the welcome bonus — Spend ₹20,000 within 90 days to earn 1,000 bonus Membership Rewards points. The points are credited within 30 days of meeting the spend target.
  8. Use on Amazon and Flipkart for 5X — Use the card on Amazon and Flipkart to earn 5 Membership Rewards points per ₹100. The 5X is capped at 5,000 points per month on each platform.

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.

Disclosure: FinWiz24 may earn a commission when you apply through links on this page. This does not influence our editorial independence — every card is scored against the same rubric.

Sources

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