For years, I’ve been earning points with American Express. It became part of my daily routine. Using my Amex card, watching my Membership Rewards grow, and redeeming them for flights. But in the past few years, things have started to change. More and more financial products now offer their own reward systems, even debit cards. And one of the most interesting new options is Revolut.
Revolut has introduced RevPoints, a simple and accessible way to earn points without needing a credit card. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think. Could a debit-based rewards program really compete with the value I get from American Express? After testing it, learning how RevPoints work, and using it in daily life, I realised that Revolut offers a surprisingly strong alternative, especially for people who don’t want or can’t get a credit card.
This guide explains everything in an easy, clear way: what RevPoints are, how they work, the benefits, the limitations, and how Revolut compares to American Express Membership Rewards. I’ll also share how to get the Revolut welcome bonus (around €90 right now) and what steps you need to take to unlock it.
What Are RevPoints?
RevPoints are Revolut’s own reward points. You earn them simply by using your Revolut card or certain features inside the app. Once you have enough points, you can exchange them for rewards like flights, hotels, experiences, or even airline miles. The idea is simple, and that is one of the biggest advantages. Unlike credit card reward programs with complicated rules or bonus categories, Revolut keeps things easy. You spend, you earn points — that’s it.
And since Revolut is a debit account, everyone can participate. No credit checks, no financial background requirements, no annual fees if you stay on the Standard plan. It’s one of the few ways to earn meaningful travel rewards without having to use a credit card.
How You Earn RevPoints
The primary way to earn RevPoints is pretty straightforward: pay with your Revolut debit card. Every time you make a purchase, you earn points. The exact amount depends on the plan you have. Users with premium plans like Ultra earn points at a faster rate, while Standard users earn at a lower rate — but still enough to make it worthwhile.
Revolut also has a “round-up” feature. Whenever you make a purchase, Revolut can round your transaction up to the nearest euro and use that difference to buy RevPoints for you. This is a clever way to passively build points without doing anything extra. Still, it’s good to check your settings occasionally so you know exactly how much is being rounded up.
You can also earn extra points by booking hotels or certain experiences through Revolut Stays in the app. Revolut sometimes offers special challenges or promotions where you earn bonus RevPoints for completing small tasks. Another useful feature is the Points Pocket. If you put money into this special savings pocket and keep it above the required amount, Revolut rewards you with extra points every day for simply holding your money there. In everyday use, RevPoints accumulate naturally, through spending, saving, booking, and taking advantage of Revolut’s features.
What You Can Do With RevPoints
Once your RevPoints balance grows, you can redeem those points for different rewards. Revolut gives you several ways to use them, depending on what is most valuable to you.
One of the best features is the ability to convert RevPoints into airline miles. This is a big benefit because it lets you participate in frequent-flyer programs without needing a travel credit card. Revolut partners with many frequent flyer programs like Flying blue of Air France-KLM and the British Airways Club. The conversion rate is often easy to remember: 1 RevPoint typically equals 1 airline mile.
If you prefer hotels, you can use your RevPoints for stays through Revolut Stays. You simply choose your hotel in the app, and you can pay partly or fully with your points. Sometimes this gives you great value, though hotel redemptions can vary depending on the date and location.
There are also options for experiences, activities, and occasionally gift cards or discounts. Everything happens inside the Revolut app, so redemption is always simple. Note that RevPoints can’t be converted back into cash, and they expire after three years. This is more than enough time to use them, but it’s still good to plan ahead.
How Valuable Are RevPoints?
The value of RevPoints depends on how you use them. If you convert them into airline miles and redeem those miles for a long-distance flight or a flight upgrade, the value can be very good. Some redemptions offer more value than others, so it’s smart to compare before choosing.
Hotel redemptions are convenient, but the value can be weaker when room prices are high during busy travel periods. Still, Revolut makes it easy to compare the cash price and the points price, so you can always see if you’re getting a good deal.
One thing to pay attention to is round-ups. Some users say that the round-ups moved more money than they expected. This is easy to fix — just check your round-up settings occasionally so you stay in control.
RevPoints are not meant to replace premium credit-card reward systems. Instead, they are designed to add value to your everyday spending without requiring a credit card. And for that purpose, they are excellent.
RevPoints Compared to American Express Membership Rewards
RevPoints are easy to use, and they work as a great extra rewards system alongside your American Express Membership Rewards. I’m very happy collecting Amex points — they remain my main and most valuable reward currency — but there are still plenty of places where American Express isn’t accepted. That’s where RevPoints come in. Every time I can’t use my Amex card, I simply pay with Revolut instead, and I still earn something useful.
One of the best ways to spend RevPoints is by converting them into airline miles through Revolut’s travel partners. In many cases, the conversion rate is 1 RevPoint = 1 airline mile, which keeps things simple. Depending on how you redeem those miles, you typically get around €0.01 to €0.02 in value per RevPoint. Flights, upgrades, and award promotions usually offer the highest value.
You can also use RevPoints for hotel stays through Revolut Stays. Here, the value is usually around €0.01 per RevPoint, which is predictable and easy to understand. Experiences and activities inside the app provide similar value, and Revolut always shows the exact worth before you confirm a redemption.
Compared to American Express, RevPoints are more limited but much simpler. Amex points can sometimes deliver incredible value when transferred to the right airline at the right time — but you need to understand the programs and plan carefully. RevPoints don’t require strategy. They give you solid, straightforward value, especially for flights and hotels, and they’re perfect for those moments when Amex isn’t available.
In short: Amex remains the best for premium travel value, but RevPoints are the ideal backup — making sure you never miss out on earning rewards, even when a shop doesn’t take American Express.
Why Revolut Is Great Even Beyond RevPoints
RevPoints are a nice extra, but they’re not the only reason Revolut has become so popular. Revolut offers a lot of features that traditional banks simply don’t provide. For travelers, the biggest advantage is the excellent exchange rates and low fees for international payments. You can hold multiple currencies, send money abroad easily, and pay overseas without hidden costs.
The app’s budgeting features are also strong. Revolut categorises your spending, sends instant notifications, and helps you set limits or goals. It gives you a much clearer view of where your money goes. Other features include virtual cards for safe online shopping, travel insurance on some plans, airport lounge access, stock and crypto trading options, and tools for families or business accounts. Revolut is truly an all-in-one financial app. This means even if RevPoints didn’t exist, Revolut would still be a great account for anyone who travels, shops online, or wants to manage their money better.
How to Join Revolut
Joining Revolut is actually really simple. You can just create an account using this link. Download the Revolut app and create an account. You’ll need to verify your identity with a photo ID. Add some money to your Revolut account and add it to Apple or Google Pay. Don’t forget to activate RevPoints and from then on you start earning points with each transaction.
If you want RevPoints to grow efficiently, the following habits help a lot: Use your Revolut card for everyday purchases like groceries, restaurants, and online shopping. This is where most of your points will come from. Check your round-up settings from time to time. Round-ups are useful, but it’s good to know how much is being rounded. Book hotels or experiences through Revolut when possible. This often earns extra points and sometimes gives you discounts.
Consider using a Points Pocket if you have savings. It rewards you with extra points daily. Redeem your points for airline miles when you want maximum value. This is where RevPoints shine. Stay aware of your points’ expiration date. Three years is generous, but it’s still good to plan.
Bottom Line: Are RevPoints Worth It?
After years of earning American Express Membership Rewards, I didn’t expect a debit-card program to impress me. But Revolut’s RevPoints are genuinely useful simple, easy to earn, and surprisingly valuable when used well. You don’t need a credit card. You don’t need complex strategies. You just use your Revolut account, and the points grow automatically.
RevPoints won’t replace Amex for premium travel, but they’re a fantastic addition for everyday banking. And when you combine them with Revolut’s strong travel features, cheap international payments, and easy app experience, Revolut becomes one of the best financial tools available — especially for travellers. With the current welcome bonus, it’s also a perfect time to try it.
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