American Express credit cards are known for their rewards and benefits such as cash back, travel points, and exclusive access to events.
They also offer a range of credit cards for different types of spending, including personal credit cards, small business credit cards, and corporate credit cards.
However, because they have such impressive bonuses and benefits, they also often have higher fees, interest rates, and credit requirements than other types of credit cards.
In this article, we’ll help you to find the best American Express credit card for you!
Best American Express Credit Cards
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: 120,000 bonus points
- Hilton Honors American Express Card: 100,000 bonus points
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: 80,000 bonus points
- American Express® Gold Card: 60,000 bonus points
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: $250 bonus
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: $200 bonus
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: 70,000 bonus miles
- The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express: 15,000 bonus points
1. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express comes with a new cardmember offer that can see you earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $15,000 within the first three months.
You also get a whole host of other annual perks including up to $400 back per year toward U.S. purchases with Dell Technologies, up to $150 back per year for select business subscription purchases with Adobe, a $200 airline fee credit and more! Enrollment required.
This is in addition to the lounge access and 5x points on airline and hotel purchases through amextravel.com. Terms Apply. Keep in mind, these perks come at a price, as there's a $695 annual fee.
Plus, use your Membership Rewards to Pay with Points for a first class or business class flight with any airline available through American Express Travel and you receive 35% of the points back. Or get 35% of the points back when you book a flight in any class with your pre-selected qualifying airline. *up to 1 million points back per calendar year.
The American Express Business Platinum Card comes with a hefty annual fee, but the luxury card is well worth it for businesses that travel frequently and spend big, with high rewards, credits, and elite hotel and lounge benefits.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express - 120,000 bonus points
The The Business Platinum Card® from American Express offer requires you to make purchases using the account's card in order to earn the 120,000 bonus points. Full requirements to receive this bonus are:
- Apply for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express using the link below.
- Within 3 months, spend $15,000 using your new card.
- Bonus will be credited within 8-12 weeks of meeting the requirements in the form of Membership Rewards points.
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2. Hilton Honors American Express Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Card comes with a new cardmember offer that can see you earn 100,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $2,000 in the first six months.
This is in addition to the $0 annual fee, the solid reward categories, and the card's other perks. This is solid deal on this card compared to recent offers. *terms apply.
If you’re looking for Hilton benefits without shelling out money for an annual fee, the Hilton Honors American Express Card delivers. While the card doesn’t offer all the perks of higher tier travel cards, it provides cardholders with automatic Silver Status.
Hilton Honors American Express Card - 100,000 bonus points
The Hilton Honors American Express Card offer requires you to make purchases using the account's card in order to earn the 100,000 bonus points. Full requirements to receive this bonus are:
- Apply for a new Hilton Honors American Express Card using the link below.
- Within 6 months, spend $2,000 using your new card.
- Bonus will be credited within 8-12 weeks of meeting the requirements in the form of Hilton Honors points.
Learn more about the Hilton Honors American Express Card 100,000 bonus points offer
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3. The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with a new cardmember offer that can see you earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 within the first six months.
You also get a whole host of other annual perks including a $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, (requires a minimum two-night stay), a $240 digital entertainment credit, a $200 Uber Eats credit, a $200 airline fee credit and more! Enrollment required.
This is in addition to the lounge access and 5x points on airline purchase (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year) and hotel purchases through amextravel.com. Terms Apply.
The Platinum Card from American Express is the original luxury card. While its annual fee is high at $695, so are its luxurious rewards, including Amex Membership Rewards, extensive travel points, and annual statement credits.
The Platinum Card® from American Express - 80,000 bonus points
The The Platinum Card® from American Express offer requires you to make purchases using the account's card in order to earn the 80,000 bonus points. Full requirements to receive this bonus are:
- Apply for The Platinum Card® from American Express using the link below.
- Within 6 months, spend $6,000 using your new card.
- Bonus will be credited within 8-12 weeks of meeting the requirements in the form of Membership Rewards points.
Learn more about the The Platinum Card® from American Express 80,000 bonus points offer
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4. American Express® Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card comes with a new cardmember offer that can see you earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $4,000 within the first six months on eligible purchases.
You also get $10 in Uber Cash each month, and up to $120 in annual statement credits at participating restaurants, enrollment required. (*terms apply)
The American Express Gold Card is a solid choice for foodies and travelers, offering competitive rewards on restaurant and supermarket buys. The annual fee is well worth it for diners who spend a lot on takeout, restaurants, and groceries; just note the rewards can get a bit complicated.
American Express® Gold Card - 60,000 bonus points
The American Express® Gold Card offer requires you to make purchases using the account's card in order to earn the 60,000 bonus points. Full requirements to receive this bonus are:
- Apply for a new American Express® Gold Card using the link below.
- Within 6 months, spend $4,000 using your new card.
- Bonus will be credited within 8-12 weeks of meeting the requirements in the form of Membership Rewards® Points.
Learn more about the American Express® Gold Card 60,000 bonus points offer
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5. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
American Express has quite a few welcome offers on their credit cards, starting with their Blue Cash Preferred Card. Here you can earn $250 back as a statement credit after making $3,000 worth of purchases within the first six months.
The card offers 6% back at U.S. super markets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% on U.S. transit and gas stations, and 1% on all other eligible purchases. *terms apply.
Once you've earned at least $25, you can choose to receive your rewards as statement credits, gift cards or merchandise. The card does come with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Families with large grocery bills can rack up some serious cash back rewards with the American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card. The card is also also great for rewards on streaming services, gas, and transit costs.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express - $250 bonus
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offer requires you to make purchases using the account's card in order to earn the $250 bonus. Full requirements to receive this bonus are:
- Apply for a new Blue Cash Preferred® Card using the link below.
- Within 6 months, spend $3,000 using your new card to earn $250 as a statement credit.
- Bonus will be credited within 8-12 weeks of meeting the requirements in the form of statement credits.
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6. Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Everyday® Card is another personal credit card from American Express, offering new members the ability to earn a $200 welcome offer.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a rewards credit card that offers 3% back on groceries at U.S. supermarkets (on first $6,000 per year, then 1%), 3% at U.S. gas stations (on first $6,000 per year, then 1%), 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases (on first $6,000 per year, then 1%), and 1% on every other eligible purchase. Terms Apply.
Your cash back is credited as Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits.
If you don’t want to deal with a steep annual fee, the American Express Blue Cash Everyday Card is an excellent starter card for rewards on groceries, gas, and retail purchases.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express - $200 bonus
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offer requires you to make purchases using the account's card in order to earn the $200 bonus. Full requirements to receive this bonus are:
- Apply for a new Blue Cash Everyday® Card using the link below.
- Within the first 6 months, spend $2,000 using your new card to earn $200 as a statement credit.
- Bonuses will be credited within 8-12 weeks of meeting the requirements.
Learn more about the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express $200 bonus offer
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7. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is an entry level card Delta flyers, offering a welcome bonus of 70,000 miles when spending $2,000 within the first six months of getting the card.
You also get additional perks with the card such as free first checked bag when flying with Delta, annual $100 in Delta flight credit when making $10,000 worth of purchases in a calendar year, and up to $50 off the cost of a flight with every 5,000 miles you redeem. *terms apply
New: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card - 70,000 bonus miles
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offer requires you to make purchases using the account's card in order to earn the 70,000 bonus miles. Full requirements to receive this bonus are:
- Apply for a new Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card using the link below.
- Within 6 months, spend $2,000 using your new card.
- Bonus will be credited within 8-12 weeks of meeting the requirements in the form of Delta SkyMiles frequent flyer miles.
Learn more about the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card 70,000 bonus miles offer
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8. The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express comes with a new cardmember offer that can see you earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $3,000 within the first three months on eligible purchases.
You'll also earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. (*terms apply)
The Blue Business Plus Card from American Express is a great pick for smaller business owners looking for a balance of affordability and benefits, with solid rewards and a range of business perks. Just note that there is a rewards spending cap, which may not be the best fit for larger businesses with bigger budgets.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express - 15,000 bonus points
The The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express offer requires you to make purchases using the account's card in order to earn the 15,000 bonus points. Full requirements to receive this bonus are:
- Apply for The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express using the link below.
- Within 3 months, spend $3,000 using your new card.
- Bonus will be credited within 8-12 weeks of meeting the requirements in the form of Membership Rewards® Points.
Learn more about the The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express 15,000 bonus points offer
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How to Choose the Best American Express Credit Card for You
While it can be very tempting to go straight for the fancier options of American Express Gold or Platinum, it’s always a good idea to spend some time checking out the various alternatives.
Whether you’re looking for something to use for travel, everyday usage, getting the most out of the rewards, receiving cash back, or even one which has zero fees, there’s plenty to choose from.
However, finding the best American Express card ultimately comes down to you and your particular needs.
About American Express
American Express, also known as Amex, is a financial services corporation headquartered in New York City. It was founded in 1850, and it is one of the oldest and most respected financial services companies in the world.
American Express provides a variety of financial products and services, including credit cards, charge cards, personal loans, and high-yield savings accounts. They also offer a range of small business and corporate financial products and services.
Additionally, American Express operates a global network of merchant services, including the acceptance of American Express-branded credit cards and charge cards by merchants around the world.
The company is known for its excellent customer service and ability to resolve issues quickly. They are also well-regarded for their rewards and benefits for cardholders, such as cash back, travel points, and exclusive access to events and experiences.
Where is American Express Accepted?
American Express is accepted through millions of outlets and merchants around the world. Their cards are accepted at a wide range of retailers, including department stores, gas stations, restaurants, hotels, and online merchants.
Amex also has partnerships with a number of major retailers and merchants, which allows cardholders to earn additional rewards and benefits when shopping with those partners.
American Express is also accepted at many ATMs around the world, which allows cardholders to withdraw cash and check their available credit balance wherever they might be.
It’s important to note that acceptance of Amex cards may vary by country and region. While American Express is widely accepted in the United States and other developed countries, acceptance may be more limited in some developing countries.
It’s always a good idea to check with merchants or service providers beforehand to confirm that they accept American Express.
Types of American Express Cards
American Express offers a wide range of credit cards, catering to different types of consumers and their needs. Some of the types of credit cards American Express offers include:
Personal Credit Cards
These credit cards are intended for personal use, and are typically used for everyday expenses such as groceries, gas, and other purchases. They often offer rewards such as cash back, travel points, and other perks.
Small Business Credit Cards
These credit cards are intended for small business owners and offer rewards and benefits tailored to the needs of small businesses, such as the ability to track employee expenses and to earn rewards on business-related purchases.
Corporate Credit Cards
These credit cards are intended for use by larger companies, and offer features such as detailed expense reporting and the ability to set spending limits for employees.
Premium Credit Cards
American Express offers a range of premium credit cards such as the Platinum and Centurion cards, which offer exclusive perks such as airport lounge access, 24/7 concierge service, and higher rewards on flights.
Charge Cards
American Express charge cards do not have a pre-set spending limit, meaning charges are approved based on your spending, financial history, credit record, and account history. While these cards offer more flexible spending and have tons of benefits, they require the balance to be paid in full each month.
Amex has two charge cards to compare, the American Express® Platinum Card and the American Express® Gold Card.
Co-branded Credit Cards
American Express also partners with various companies and brands to offer co-branded credit cards like the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card or the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. These co-branded cards offer rewards and perks specific to that brand.
It’s important to note that each card has its own set of terms and conditions and rewards structure, so it’s a good idea to compare the features and benefits of each card before making a decision.
American Express Membership Rewards Program
The American Express Rewards Program is arguably one of the most valuable rewards programs offered by any credit card company.
While the number of points you earn depends on the particular card you have, once you have those points, they have a pretty impressive redemption power — particularly in terms of travel.
You can transfer your American Express points to any of 16 airline partners, as well as three hotel chains. The rate of transfer is typically one-to-one, though there are some exceptions.
American Express also regularly runs promotions through your American Express rewards account, which offers bonuses of anywhere between 10%–50% when you convert your points to the promotion partner.
You can also book travel through the American Express travel portal, which offers some travel discounts and can help you earn extra rewards points, flight upgrades, and lounge passes.
If you’re not a traveler, then American Express Membership Rewards isn’t quite as lucrative a program to be a part of.
You can also use points as cash back through Cover Your Card Charges — where you can pay for some of your credit card bill with rewards points. However, each point is only worth 0.6 cents when you do this– which is both worse than transferring your points to travel partners or booking in the travel portal, and less valuable than plenty of other credit card rewards and cash back options from other providers.
Pros & Cons of Amex Credit Cards
Pros
- Wide Range of Cards- With cards for hotels, airlines, cash back, general travel, groceries, businesses and more, American Express provides plenty of options for all types of consumers.
- Excellent Rewards Program for Travel- American Express has connections with more than a dozen of the top airlines and hotel chains in the world.
Cons
- High Fees- Some of American Express’s best credit cards come with a steep annual fee. Although the rewards available with these cards can make it worthwhile, you might find you’re paying far more than you need to if you’re not the jet-setting type.
- High APR- The interest rate on many American Express cards are significantly higher than similar cards from other providers. Much like with the higher-than-usual fees, whether this is a concern for you will depend on your income and whether you’re able to pay off your bill in full each month.
- Requires Good to Excellent Credit- American Express doesn’t really come with a “starter” credit card, so unfortunately you’re out of luck if your credit score is less than stellar. If that’s you, your best option is likely to go for a charge card!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does American Express approve everyone?
No, American Express is actually one of the harder card providers to get approval for.
Since they have so many visually distinctive cards, it might seem like everyone has an Amex card. In fact, you’ll need a credit rating that is in either the good or excellent range — a FICO Score of roughly 700 and higher.
What is the easiest American Express card to get approved for?
The easiest American Express card to get approval for is the American Express Blue Card.
This is a basic card with no fees and a low rewards return rate. Even though it is the closest thing that American Express has to a starter card, it still requires a credit score that is at the very least the high end of above-average.
If you have a credit score somewhere in the 650-670 range — slightly lower than you might need to qualify for one of the American Express cards with better returns rates — there are probably other credit cards out there which will get you more bang for your credit card spend.
Is it hard to get an American Express card?
In a word: Yes.
American Express requires a credit rating in the good or excellent categories — meaning you need to have a score of at least 670. Depending on the other factors in your application, you may need to be up above 700.
This is particularly high, which reflects the emphasis American Express puts on their perks and benefits.
What does American Express look at for approval?
Like every other credit card company, American Express will look at your credit score first and then check out your income, expenses, and how many other cards you have.
They’ll also look at how much you’re using your cards, and whether you’ve been “churning” cards or not — that is, opening a lot of accounts to get the initial sign-up perks and then, once those perks are over, never using the card again.
Why is the American Express card not accepted everywhere?
While American Express is widely accepted at outlets and on websites in the United States, if you venture outside of North America you may find that there are a lot of retailers who won’t accept American Express as opposed to Visa or Mastercard.
This is because of the different fees that are charged by each credit card provider — not just to users, but also to retailers who accept the cards.
So, if you’re a frequent traveler, check to make sure you’re not heading to areas where American Express isn’t accepted! You might want to have a back-up card as well– just in case.
Does American Express offer a secured credit card?
No, American Express doesn’t offer a secured credit card. So, if you are hoping to be able to use them to build your credit rating, that unfortunately isn’t an option.
You will still need to have a decent credit score to qualify for the basic American Express Everyday Blue card.
The best option for someone who doesn’t qualify for an American Express credit card is an American Express charge card. These will build your credit score when you pay them off diligently each month, although they do so more slowly.
Are American Express Credit Cards Worth It?
American Express is one of the best-known cards in the world.
While the increased competition from other banks and credit card providers might have diminished some of the luster from an American Express Platinum card, there’s still enough allure for plenty of people.
Whether an American Express card is worth it for you will be very much a personal question: Do the rewards and perks make up for what can be a high-fee, high-interest account?
It’s important to compare the benefits and fees of American Express credit cards with other types of credit cards, and to consider your own financial goals and habits before applying.
You might also want to look at your own travel habits. Given that travel is where American Express really stands out in terms of rewards, you’ll want to give more consideration to these cards if you’re anticipating a few more plane trips in your future!
