You'll get more value out of travel (transferring points).
However, if you have a personal trip you can just pay with points via the Amex travel portal. It's not as good value but a way to use the points. You can also use pay with points on Amazon, Uber, and other sites keep popping up. Again, not as good value.
And yes, gift cards are a good option. A wide variety: Home Depot, Gap, Saks Fifth Avenue. Certain brands are sometimes "on special" especially closer to Thanksgiving/Christmas (where you need less points than normal to get a gift card).