Targeted Amazon Deal: Up to 50% Off When You Use $0.01 in Amex Rewards (Max $80 Off)

October 27, 2025 | The Cards Guy Editorial Team

If you’ve got an Amex card, Amazon might quietly owe you up to $80.

Amazon and American Express are once again running targeted “Shop with Points” style promos. The top-tier version gives 50% off (capped at $80) when you use as little as $0.01 worth of Amex rewards at checkout. Other common variants are 30% off (max $30), 40% off (max $40/$50), or even a basic 10% off up to $10.

These offers keep coming back in waves, and they’re live again through the end of 2025 for many people. Some readers are seeing the big 50%/up to $80 version; others are getting lower percentages. It’s all account-targeted.

Here’s how it works, which cards qualify, and the tricks people use to squeeze this on gift cards.

 

The Short Version

• Some Amex cardholders are getting 50% off Amazon orders, up to $80 off, in exchange for using literally one cent of rewards.

• Other people are seeing smaller offers like 30% off (up to $30) or 10% off (up to $10).

• You MUST activate the promo on your Amazon account first.

• You MUST apply a tiny amount of Amex rewards at checkout to “unlock” the discount.

• These deals often work on third-party gift cards sold by Amazon (Uber, Southwest, Airbnb, etc.), but usually not Amazon gift cards.

Two flavors of this deal currently exist:

1. Amex Membership Rewards version (Platinum, Gold, Green, etc.)

2. Amex cash back / Reward Dollars version (Blue Cash, etc.)

The percentage, cap, and eligibility vary by which flavor you’re in and whether Amazon has targeted you.

 

Step 1: Link Your Amex to Amazon

If you’ve never linked your Amex rewards to Amazon, you won’t see the promo yet.

Do this first:

1. Sign in to Amazon on desktop or in browser.

2. Go to “Shop with Points” or “Manage Payment Methods.”

3. Add your Amex card(s).

4. Enable that card for “use points / Reward Dollars at checkout.”

For Membership Rewards cards, Amazon calls it “Use Membership Rewards points.”
For Blue Cash / Cash Magnet / Blue Cash Preferred / Blue Cash Everyday, etc., Amazon calls it “Use Reward Dollars.”

⚠️ Important: If you JUST linked it today, you may not be instantly targeted. Historically it can take a day or two before Amazon decides you’re eligible and shows the banner.

 

Step 2: Check Your Offer

After your card is linked, head to the targeted promo page (Amazon usually gives you a unique link, or it may show a banner at checkout). You’ll see language like one of these:

• “Get 50% off, up to $80 off, when you use at least $0.01 in Membership Rewards points.”

• “Get 30% off, up to $30 off, when you use at least $0.01 in Reward Dollars.”

• “Get 10% off, up to $10 off, when you use at least $0.01 in Reward Dollars.”

If you see “You’re not eligible,” that just means your account wasn’t included in this wave (or hasn’t fully synced yet).

Different accounts in the same household can see totally different offers. One reader gets 50%/$80, the next gets 30%/$30, and someone else gets a sad little 10%/$10.

 

Step 3: Activate It

Most of these promos require you to click an “Activate” or “Apply to my account” button before checkout.

No click = no discount.

After you click activate, add items to your cart and head to checkout.

 

Step 4: Trigger the Discount with a Penny

This is the fun part.

At checkout:

1. Choose the eligible Amex card as your payment method.

2. On the payment screen, you’ll see a box that lets you apply points (Membership Rewards) or Reward Dollars.

3. Manually type in the minimum — literally $0.01 worth of rewards.

Do NOT pay for the whole purchase in points. The redemption value is almost always terrible compared to transferring points to travel partners. The goal is to sacrifice one cent to unlock the 30–50% discount on the rest of the order.

When you do that, you should see the discount appear before you place the order.

Example:

• Cart subtotal: $160

• Offer: 50% off, max $80

• You apply $0.01 in points/rewards

• Amazon takes off $80 instantly

• You pay $80 (plus tax), mostly in cash — but you “spent” only a penny’s worth of points

That’s the play.

 

Eligible Cards (and Why There Are Two Different Promos)

1. Membership Rewards cards

These are the classic Amex points cards:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express

• American Express® Gold Card

• American Express® Green Card

• Some business versions that earn Membership Rewards

These usually get language like: “Save up to 50%, max $80, by using Membership Rewards at checkout.”

Historically that’s the “headline” offer most travel points people talk about.

2. Amex cash back cards (Reward Dollars)

This group includes cards that earn “Reward Dollars” instead of Membership Rewards:

• Blue Cash Everyday®

• Blue Cash Preferred®

• Cash Magnet®

• Some legacy Blue Cash / Blue Cash for Business / Business Cash Rebate-type cards

These offers are newer, and the landing page often says things like: “Save 30%, up to $30 max, when you use Reward Dollars.” Sometimes people get 40% up to $40 or $50.

Functionally it’s the same mechanic — but instead of Membership Rewards points, you’re burning a penny of Reward Dollars to unlock the deal.

Either path can be extremely good if you’re targeted. You just need to know which lane you’re in.

 

Does It Work on Gift Cards?

Usually:

• Works on third-party gift cards that are sold and shipped by Amazon (Southwest, Airbnb, Uber, DoorDash, Best Buy, etc.).

• Does not work on Amazon gift cards.

That said, this changes. Sometimes Amazon tightens terms to say “eligible items sold and shipped by Amazon,” which technically excludes third-party sellers even if they’re fulfilled by Prime. Recent waves have still allowed many people to check out with 3rd-party gift cards and trigger the promo. Other times (especially on Membership Rewards versions) Amazon quietly limits it.

Best move:

1. Test with a single $50–$100 third-party gift card first.

2. Confirm the discount appears at checkout before you place a monster order.

If the % comes off and you see the “Promo Applied” line, you’re good.

 

Limits, Caps, and Fine Print You Shouldn’t Ignore

• There’s always a cap.
  Common caps:
  • 50% off, max $80

  • 40% off, max $40 or $50

  • 30% off, max $30

  • 10% off, max $10

• You’re targeted by account.
  These are invite-only and can’t be “shared.”

• Quantity-limited.
  The offers typically say “valid through [date] OR until X customers redeem.” Recent language has mentioned expiration dates like 12/31/2025 or when a certain number of redemptions hits.

• It’s usually one promo per Amazon account.
  Once you burn it, it’s gone.

• Amazon allocates the discount proportionally.
  If you return one of several items, your refund will back out the share of the discount tied to that item.

• Digital content often excluded.
  Kindle books, Prime Video rentals, etc., rarely qualify.

• Some waves say “sold and shipped by Amazon only.”
  If an item is “Ships from and sold by Amazon.com,” you’re good. “Sold by XYZ Electronics LLC, Fulfilled by Amazon” usually won’t count.

 

Why Am I Only Seeing 10% Off $10?

Because Amazon is petty. 😅

Seriously, there are tiers:

• Some accounts land the “wow” version (50% off up to $80).

• Some accounts get “pretty good” (30% off up to $30).

• Others get the “participation trophy” (10% off up to $10 after using $0.01 in rewards).

A few notes from reports:

• If you just used a big version (like 50%/$80) recently, you’re more likely to see a weaker offer next time.

• If you weren’t targeted at all, link your Amex to Shop with Points and check again in a couple days. People regularly pop into eligibility after a short delay.

• If you have multiple Amazon accounts (spouse, business, etc.), check them all.

 

Can I Stack This With Other Promos?

Sometimes:

• You can often still apply a regular Amex credit card to pay the remaining balance after you trigger the penny-of-points.

• You can usually apply existing Amazon gift card balance to the leftover total.

• You can sometimes layer an Amex Offer (like “Spend $150 at Amazon, get 1,200 Membership Rewards points”) if you’ve added that to your card.

Just make sure your checkout page still shows the big % discount after you start applying other promos. If it disappears, undo that thing.

 

The Cards Guy Playbook

Here’s how to actually do this without wasting rewards:

1. Link your Amex and enroll in Shop with Points / Reward Dollars.

2. Activate the targeted promo in your Amazon account.

3. Add eligible items — ideally high-value stuff you were buying anyway, or third-party gift cards you can use later.

4. At checkout, apply $0.01 in Membership Rewards points or Reward Dollars to trigger the promo.

5. Confirm the discount hits (30%, 40%, or 50%, up to the max).

6. Pay the rest with your Amex (or gift card balance, if allowed).

Do NOT redeem all your Membership Rewards points for Amazon purchases. That’s almost always a bad redemption rate. You’re only sacrificing a single penny to unlock way more savings.

Also: once you burn the offer, it’s done. Don’t waste it on paper towels and a spatula. Use it on something you actually care about — or gift cards you’ll definitely use.

FAQs: Targeted Amex × Amazon “Use $0.01 in Rewards” Deal

How long is this live?

Different versions have different clocks. Current rounds have shown end dates like December 31, 2025, or “until X thousand redemptions are claimed,” whichever comes first. If you see it in your account: assume it’s real now and not guaranteed later.

Is this only for Membership Rewards cards like Amex Platinum / Gold?

No. There are two tracks.
Track A: Membership Rewards cards (Platinum, Gold, Green, etc.).
Track B: Amex cash back / Blue Cash-style cards that earn Reward Dollars. Each track has its own targeted offers.

Do I really only need to use $0.01 in points?

Yes. Manually enter $0.01 worth of rewards at checkout. Using more rewards does not increase the max discount. Using more rewards just burns points at a weak cash value.

Why am I not eligible?

It’s targeted. You may need to:

• Link your Amex card to Amazon’s Shop with Points

• Wait a day or two

• Check again
  Some people never get the 50%/$80 version, but do get 30%/$30.

Will this work on gift cards?

Often yes for third-party brand gift cards sold directly by Amazon (Uber, Southwest, Airbnb, Best Buy, etc.). Almost never for Amazon gift cards. Always test your cart before finalizing.

Does this affect my Amex statement or my rewards balance?

You’ll see one cent of rewards deducted (either from your Membership Rewards balance or your Reward Dollars balance), and then you’ll see a promo discount line. The rest of the charge goes through normally to your Amex.

Can I stack this with Subscribe & Save or other Amazon coupons?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. The only rule is: if the big % discount disappears when you add another code, back out and try another combo.

Bottom Line

If you’re targeted, this is one of the easiest wins in the game:

• Use one cent of Amex rewards at checkout.

• Get up to 50% off — capped at $80 in savings.

• Works on normal Amazon stuff and often on third-party gift cards.

• Can trigger again in future waves, but each wave is once per account.

It’s not guaranteed for everyone, and not everyone gets the same version. But if you see it, activate it and line up something you actually want. One penny of points for $80 off is about as close to free money as Amazon ever gets.