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Best American Express Credit Cards of March 2024

Review Updated
Brittney Myers
By: Brittney Myers

Our Credit Cards Expert

Nathan Alderman
Check IconFact Checked Nathan Alderman
Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

American Express is one issuer of choice if you're looking for some of the best rewards credit cards we've seen. But that's not all it offers. American Express -- Amex for short -- is often ranked at the top of any list of top credit card companies, offering high-rated customer service, a great user experience, and a highly rated mobile app that helps manage your credit card needs on the go. Any credit card aficionado may want at least one or two American Express cards in their collection.

The Platinum Card® from American Express
Apply Now for The Platinum Card® from American Express

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Great for: Travel rewards and airport lounges

Apply Now for The Platinum Card® from American Express

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for The Platinum Card® from American Express

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: n/a

Balance Transfers: n/a

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.

1X-5X Membership Rewards® Points

Annual Fee

$695

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

80,000

  • The high annual fee is justifiable for frequent travelers who can take full advantage of a deep bench of valuable perks, including the big welcome offer, robust rewards, and lucrative annual travel credits. Read Full Review

    • Big welcome offer
    • Substantial spending credits
    • Airport lounge access
    • Hotel benefits
    • Flexible travel points
    • Annual fee
    • Limited bonus categories
    • Spending credits can be complicated to manage
    • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
    • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
    • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
    • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
    • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
    • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
    • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
    • $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
    • $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
    • $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
    • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
    • $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
    • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
    • $695 annual fee.
    • Terms Apply.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip delay and cancellation insurance and cell phone protection underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Extended warranty, purchase protection, car rental insurance, and baggage insurance underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Award Icon 2024 Award Winner

Great for: Cash back at U.S. supermarkets

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: 0%, 12 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 months

Regular APR

19.24%-29.99% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations. 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more). 1% Cash Back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

1%-6% Cash Back

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.

$250

  • This card offers market-leading cash back at U.S. Supermarkets. The welcome bonus and intro APR offer just sweeten the deal. Terms apply. If you spend at least $500 per month on groceries (excluding wholesale clubs like Costco), this card is worth considering. Read Full Review

    • Big welcome offer
    • U.S. supermarkets rewards
    • U.S. gas stations rewards
    • Streaming subscription rewards
    • Travel and purchase protections
    • Annual fee
    • Foreign transaction fee
    • Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
    • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
    • Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
    • Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%. Variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
    • 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
    • 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
    • 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
    • 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
    • 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
    • Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
    • Get up to $120 in statement credits annually when you pay for an auto-renewing subscription to Equinox+ at equinoxplus.com with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. That’s $10 in statement credits each month. Enrollment required.
    • Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. Enrollment required.
    • Terms Apply.

Great for: U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: 0%, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months

Regular APR

19.24%-29.99% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%. 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

1%-3% cash back

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.

$200

  • One of the highest rewards-earning U.S. gas and U.S. supermarkets cards we've seen with no annual fee. The lucrative welcome offer and intro APR round out a diverse feature set. Read Full Review

    • U.S. supermarkets and online retail rewards
    • U.S. gas stations cash back
    • Big welcome offer
    • No annual fee (see rates and fees)
    • Foreign transaction fee
    • High spend requirement for welcome offer
    • Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
    • No Annual Fee.
    • Balance Transfer is back! Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
    • 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
    • 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
    • 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
    • Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
    • Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
    • Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card.
    • Terms Apply.

Great for: Dining, travel, and transit

Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: n/a

Balance Transfers: n/a

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. 3X Membership Rewards® Points on Restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery. 3X Membership Rewards® points on all eligible travel, from subway swipes and window seats to hotel stays and city tours. The 1x points on other purchases.

1x - 3x points

Annual Fee

$150

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your American Express® Green Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

40,000 Membership Rewards® Points

  • Packs in a big welcome offer, lucrative credits, and premium points for travel and restaurants. These perks justify the annual fee for many new cardholders.

    • Restaurant rewards
    • Travel and transit rewards
    • Welcome offer
    • Useful travel points
    • Travel credits
    • Annual fee
    • Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your American Express® Green Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
    • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on travel including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals.
    • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® Points on transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.
    • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US.
    • $189 CLEAR Plus Credit: Receive up to $189 per calendar year in statement credits when you pay for your CLEAR Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the American Express® Green Card.
    • $100 LoungeBuddy: No airport lounge membership? No problem! Purchase lounge access through the LoungeBuddy app using the American Express® Green Card and receive up to $100 in statement credits annually.
    • Payment Flexibility: When it comes to paying your bill, you have options. You can always pay in full. You also have the flexibility to carry a balance with interest or use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly payments with a fixed fee, up to your Pay Over Time Limit. You may be able to keep spending beyond your limit – you’ll just need to pay for any new purchases in full when your bill is due.
    • Trip Delay Insurance: If a round-trip is paid for entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason delays your trip more than 12 hours, Trip Delay Insurance can help reimburse certain additional expenses purchased on the same Eligible Card, up to $300 per trip, maximum 2 claims per eligible account per 12 consecutive month period. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees: No matter where you’re traveling, when you use your American Express® Green Card there are no foreign transaction fees.
    • $150 annual fee.
    • Terms Apply.
The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by The Ascent and not provided by the issuer. Therefore, some terms may be out of date. Visit the issuer's website for more information.
Award Icon 2024 Award Winner

Great for: Restaurants and U.S. supermarkets

Apply Now for American Express® Gold Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for American Express® Gold Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: n/a

Balance Transfers: n/a

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

1X-4X Membership Rewards® Points

Annual Fee

$250

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

60,000

  • This card offers considerable value, as it earns 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X) and 4X points at restaurants. Plus, earn 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on American Express Travel. Meanwhile, $120 in annual dining credits and $120 in Uber cash can offset almost the entire $250 annual fee. (Terms apply.) Overall, it’s an incredibly lucrative card for those who spend a lot in those categories. Read Full Review

    • Impressive welcome offer
    • Restaurant rewards
    • U.S. supermarket rewards
    • Travel and dining credits
    • High-value rewards points
    • Annual fee
    • Inflexible spending credits
    • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
    • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
    • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
    • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
    • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
    • Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
    • Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
    • Annual Fee is $250.
    • Terms Apply.

Great for: Regular Delta flyers

Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: n/a

Balance Transfers: n/a

Regular APR

20.99%-29.99% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

1X-3X Miles

Annual Fee

$350

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

90,000 bonus miles

  • The welcome offer, bonus miles categories, and Delta perks make this card's annual fee worth it if you fly on the carrier regularly. Read Full Review

    • Welcome offer
    • Free checked bag
    • Companion certificate
    • Travel credit
    • Annual fee
    • No complimentary airport lounge access
    • Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
    • ENHANCED! Receive a Companion Certificate on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
    • NEW! Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
    • Card 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.
    • NEW! Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $20 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving elevated Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
    • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
    • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
    • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
    • NEW! $120 Resy Credit: With the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Resy Credit, earn up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
    • NEW! $120 Rideshare Credit: You can earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Enrollment Required.
    • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
    • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive $100 back for Global Entry or $85 back for TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Official Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
    • NEW! Not a Medallion Member? Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members. Ticket must be purchased on or after February 1, 2024 to be eligible to receive a complimentary upgrade.
    • NEW! $150 Delta Stays Credit: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members can earn up to $150 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com.
    • NEW! Transform your car rental experience with Hertz Five Star® Status, compliments of your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Enrollment in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program is required. To receive the benefit, you must add your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Account number to your SkyMiles Account associated with your Eligible Card, register at delta.com/mypromos/eligible, and “Enroll in Promotion” at delta.com/hertz.
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
    • Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
    • $350 Annual Fee.
    • Terms Apply.

Great for: Casual Delta flyers

Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

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4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

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Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: n/a

Balance Transfers: n/a

Regular APR

20.99%-29.99% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.

1X-2X Miles

Annual Fee

$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

70,000 bonus miles

  • An excellent option for most Delta travelers, given the balance of a nice welcome offer, premium rewards program, and a low annual fee. Read Full Review

    • Welcome offer
    • Free checked bag
    • Priority boarding
    • Earn a Flight Credit
    • Annual fee
    • No premium travel benefits
    • Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
    • Enjoy a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $150.
    • Card 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.
    • ENHANCED! $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases in a year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.
    • Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
    • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
    • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
    • Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
    • NEW! $100 Delta Stays Credit: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Members can earn up to $100 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com.
    • Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
    • Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
    • With Send & Split®, you can send money and split your Card purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Enroll today.
    • Terms Apply.
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
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= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: n/a

Balance Transfers: n/a

Regular APR

20.99%-29.99% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.

2X-6X points

Annual Fee

$650

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points

  • It's one of the most expensive hotel cards we've seen, but the benefits could be worth thousands for the right type of cardholder. Read Full Review

    • Big Marriott Bonvoy bonuses
    • Travel credits
    • Free night award
    • Automatic Gold Elite status
    • Airport lounge access
    • Expensive annual fee
    • Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
    • $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
    • With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
    • Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
    • Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
    • Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
    • $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
    • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
    • Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
    • Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
    • With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
    • $650 Annual Fee.
    • Terms Apply.

Great for: Frequent Hilton guests

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

20.99% to 29.99%, variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. 14 points per $1 at Hilton properties, 7 points per $1 on flights booked directly with the airline, rental cars booked through certain agencies, and dining in eligible U.S. restaurants, 3 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases

3X - 14x points

Annual Fee

$550

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. 150,000 Hilton Honors points by spending $6,000 in the first six months of card opening

150,000 Hilton Honors points

  • This card comes with a high annual fee, but if you travel frequently and love to stay with Hilton, the benefits of the card can easily outweigh the fee.

    • Big hotel rewards
    • Generous travel credits
    • Automatic Diamond status
    • Annual free night award
    • Airport lounge access
    • Credits can be hard to use
    • Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors points by spending $6,000 in the first six months of card opening.
    • Earn 14 points per $1 spent at Hilton properties.
    • Earn 7 points per $1 spent on flights booked directly with the airline, rental cars booked through certain agencies, and dining in eligible U.S. restaurants.
    • Earn 3 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
    • Earn up to $600 in statement credits.
    • Complimentary airport lounge access
    • Complimentary Diamond status

The information for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Ascent. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

What is the best American Express credit card?

While the best credit cards for you will depend on what you need out of your card, there are a few American Express cards that hit the top of most rewards card lists.

First, The Platinum Card® from American Express is hands-down one of the best travel rewards cards, offering bonus rewards on hotel and airline purchases, as well as more than a dozen valuable travel perks like airport lounge access and Uber credits (select enrollment required, terms apply). Check out the benefits of The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Similarly, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is one of the top cash back credit cards, offering bonus rewards in everyday categories that are hard to beat (terms apply).

Overview of the best American Express credit cards

American Express is a haven for rewards credit cards, so dividing them up comes down mostly to the types of rewards you earn. Most American Express cards earn Membership Rewards points, while a few earn cash back rewards. The rest are cobranded hotel and airline cards that earn loyalty points with their respective brands.

Choose from:

  • American Express is home to some top-shelf travel rewards cards that come jam-packed with travel perks and benefits like lounge access and trip insurance. It has a number of cards to choose from that earn lots of bonus points on hotel, airline, and transit purchases. But American Express gives you the option to earn high-value transferable travel rewards on your everyday purchases, too.

    That's because Amex cards that earn rewards points earn American Express Membership Rewards points, a transferable currency that can be turned into hotel points or airline miles with more than a dozen travel partners. So, you can choose a card that offers 3x or 4x Membership Rewards points per dollar on expenses like U.S. supermarkets and restaurants, allowing you to save for your next trip without needing to leave home.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Great for: Travel rewards and airport lounges

The Platinum Card® from American Express is a truly top-of-the-line travel card packed full of perks, welcome offers, and statement credits. (Terms apply, select enrollment required, see rates and fees)

Read the full The Platinum Card® from American Express review

American Express® Green Card

Great for: Dining, travel, and transit

The American Express® Green Card is a mid-level travel rewards card that offers premium rewards on restaurant, transit, and travel purchases. While it's not as packed with perks as its more-expensive Platinum sibling, it does come with valuable statement credits. (All information about the American Express® Green Card has been gathered independently by The Ascent. Terms apply, select enrollment required, see rates and fees)

Read the full American Express® Green Card review

American Express® Gold Card

Great for: Restaurants and U.S. supermarkets

The American Express® Gold Card is a foodie's best friend with its premium rewards at restaurants. The hefty annual fee is offset by the lucrative credits, as well as the large welcome offer. (Terms apply, select enrollment required, see rates and fees)

Read the full American Express® Gold Card review

  • American Express's cash back rewards cards offer some competitive picks, especially if you're in the market for credit cards for gas and groceries. The most popular of American Express's cash back cards come with the highest U.S. supermarket and streaming rewards rates in the game, as well as bonus cash back on transit and at U.S. gas stations. You also have a couple of options if you don't want to pay an annual fee, including a U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas station rewards card and one that offers unlimited flat-rate rewards.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Great for: Cash back at U.S. supermarkets

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is an ideal cash back rewards card for everyday purchases. You'll earn high-rate rewards on purchases from U.S. supermarkets and grocery stores, select streaming services, transit providers, and U.S. gas stations. Plus, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express comes with a competitive welcome offer and a 0% intro APR offer for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers. The go-to rate is 19.24%-29.99% Variable after the promotional period expires. (Terms apply, see rates and fees)

Read the full Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express review

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Great for: U.S. gas stations, U.S. supermarkets, and department stores

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a solid no annual fee cash back rewards card that covers several useful everyday purchase categories. You can earn bonus credit card rewards at U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets, as well as for online retail purchases. It's also one of American Express's best 0% APR credit cards, with an introductory offer that applies to purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. The go-to rate is 19.24%-29.99% Variable after the introductory period expires. (Terms apply, see rates and fees)

Read the full Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express review

  • American Express is one of the major backers for cobranded travel cards, and it has a wide range of hotel and airline credit cards from both Delta and Hilton. Each brand offers multiple tiers, with annual fees that vary with the number of perks and benefits you receive.

    The expensive top-tier cards come with high-value perks like airport lounge access for airline cards or elite loyalty status for hotel cards. You'll find fewer perks at the low-fee end, but these cobranded cards can still be useful for casual travelers.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Great for: Regular Delta flyers

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is the mid-tier Delta credit card, offering bonus miles on Delta purchases, as well as bonus miles on hotels, dining, and U.S. supermarket purchases. Its moderate annual fee also covers an annual domestic companion certificate and your first checked bag free on Delta flights. (Terms apply, see rates and fees)

Read the full Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card review

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Great for: Casual Delta flyers

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a solid option for casual Delta flyers who want a free checked bag on Delta flights. The card also earns bonus miles on Delta, dining, and U.S. supermarkets store purchases. Note that the card's annual fee changes, with a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. This means you probably need to fly Delta at least a few times a year to get your money's worth. (Terms apply, see rates and fees)

Read the full Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card review

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Great for: Frequent Hilton guests

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is the card for anyone who stays with Hilton on the regular. While it has a big annual fee, it comes with complimentary Diamond elite status with enrollment (which is good enough for free breakfast), as well as property and airline credits. Cardholders also earn double-digit rewards on Hilton purchases, and a high rewards rate on select travel and dining purchases. (Terms apply, see rates and fees)

Read the full Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card review

Benefits of American Express cards

The cardmember benefits you get with your American Express card will vary a lot depending on which card you have. The cards with higher annual fees often have the most benefits, but some of the more affordable cards can also pack in a lot of perks.

Below is an example of some common cardholder benefits.

Warranty and purchase protection

  • American Express extended warranty
    • This benefit is offered by most Amex cards, and it extends the manufacturers warranty on purchases. Most often, warranties are extended by one year.

  • American Express purchase protection
    • This is probably the most common benefit for American Express cards, coming with both regular American Express cards and cobranded cards. With purchase protection, your recent purchases (within 90 days) are covered in the event of theft or damage. Coverage limits apply.

  • American Express return protection
    • Another common benefit, return protection is useful when you are unsatisfied with your purchase. If you make a good faith attempt to return the item to the seller, but they won't accept the return, American Express may refund your purchase.

Travel protection

  • American Express travel insurance
    • A broad benefits category, travel insurance is offered by several American Express cards, mostly those that earn rewards points. The specific benefits can vary, but usually includes some type of trip delay protection and lost baggage coverage.

  • American Express car rental insurance
    • Many American Express travel cards come with some version of rental car insurance. This coverage is usually secondary, however, and will only kick in after your regular car insurance does its part.

This is just a few of the benefits you can get from your American Express card. Other benefits can include, free credit scores, Amex Concierge access, global assist hotlines and access to the Amex Offers & Benefits portal.

Cobranded cards often may come with brand-specific benefits like free checked bags or complimentary elite status.

American Express referral program

American Express offers a referral program, allowing card members to earn bonus rewards. One of its unique benefits is that you can earn bonus rewards if your referrals are approved for any American Express card. They don't need to apply for the same card that you have. If you want to invite friends and family to apply for a card, visit the American Express Refer-a-Friend page. Terms apply.

Referral bonus amounts vary, as American Express sometimes changes its referral offers. Here are the annual limits on referral bonuses, which depend on the type of American Express card you have:

  • Membership Rewards® cards: Up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® points per calendar year
  • Delta cards: Up to 100,000 Delta Bonus Miles per calendar year
  • Marriott Bonvoy cards: Up to 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per calendar year
  • Hilton Honors cards: Up to 140,000 Hilton Honors Bonus points per calendar year
  • Cash back cards: Up to $1,000 in statement credits per calendar year

How does American Express' Membership Rewards program work?

Membership Rewards are American Express's rewards points currency. You earn points for every dollar spent with eligible rewards cards. You can then redeem those points for things like travel or statement credits.

In general, however, you'll get the best per-point value when you transfer your points to one of American Express's hotel or airline partners. This turns your Membership Rewards into hotel loyalty points or frequent flyer miles that can be redeemed for free stays and flights.

Once transferred, the value you get from your rewards will depend on how you redeem them with the other program. Smart redemptions can easily net $0.02 to $0.04 per transferred point.

The current list of travel partners includes:

  • Aer Lingus
  • Aeromexico
  • Air Canada
  • Air France/KLM Flying Blue
  • All Nippon Airways (ANA)
  • Avianca
  • British Airways
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Delta Air Lines
  • Emirates
  • Etihad Airways
  • Hawaiian Airlines
  • Iberia
  • JetBlue Airways
  • Qantas
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Virgin Atlantic Airways
  • Choice Hotels
  • Hilton Hotels
  • Marriott Bonvoy Hotels

Most transfers are at a 1:1 rate, meaning you get 1 airline mile or hotel point for every 1 Membership Rewards point you transfer. Some partners may offer a lower or higher transfer rate. American Express occasionally offers transfer bonuses that give you a 30% to 35% extra when you transfer to the highlighted partner.

If you're not interested in transferring your Membership Rewards points, you can still redeem them, just don't expect to get more than $0.01 per point. In fact, most alternative redemption options will give you far less than $0.01 per point.

Membership Rewards points don't expire as long as your account stays open and in good standing. So, if you don't have plans to transfer your rewards anytime soon, consider hanging on to them rather than using them in a low-value redemption.

Which American Express card is right for you?

With so many American Express cards to choose from, picking the right card can be complicated. You'll need to decide both the type of rewards you want to earn, as well as which rewards categories will be most valuable for your lifestyle.

If you want Membership Rewards points:

  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • American Express® Green Card
  • American Express® Gold Card
  • Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
  • Terms apply to all offers

If you want cash back rewards:

  • Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
  • Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
  • Terms apply to all offers

If you want bonus rewards on U.S. supermarkets:

  • American Express® Gold Card
  • Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
  • Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
  • Terms apply to all offers

If you want to earn Delta SkyMiles:

  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
  • Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
  • Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
  • Terms apply to all offers

If you want to earn Hilton Honors points:

  • Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
  • Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
  • Hilton Honors American Express Card
  • Terms apply to all offers

If you're trying to compare credit card offers in the same category, be sure to consider the annual fee, as well as any secondary rewards category. And don't overlook the cardholder benefits; an annual statement credit or extra perk could make a higher fee worth paying.

Complete guide to the best American Express cards

To dive deeper into each of the cards, check out our guides below:

The Picks
Card Rating Great For
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For:

Travel rewards and airport lounges

Award Icon 2024 Award Winner
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For:

Cash back at U.S. supermarkets

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4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For:

U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets

Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For:

Dining, travel, and transit

Award Icon 2024 Award Winner
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For:

Restaurants and U.S. supermarkets

Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For:

Regular Delta flyers

Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For:

Casual Delta flyers

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For:

Marriott hotel stays

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
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Great For:

Frequent Hilton guests

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip delay and cancellation insurance and cell phone protection underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Extended warranty, purchase protection, car rental insurance, and baggage insurance underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by The Ascent and not provided by the issuer. Therefore, some terms may be out of date. Visit the issuer's website for more information.
The information for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Ascent. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

FAQs

  • The best American Express card will be whichever one fits your lifestyle. After all, a top-rated travel rewards card is only useful if you actually travel. That said, a popular travel card is The Platinum Card® from American Express, which has extensive travel perks and high rewards rates for hotel and airline purchases. Terms apply.

    The American Express® Gold Card is a top pick for foodies who want lots of rewards on U.S. supermarkets and dining purchases. Terms apply. And the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express from American Express is a popular cash back rewards card with four everyday bonus rewards categories. Terms apply.

  • American Express cards are marketed towards cardholders with good to excellent credit.

    The no-annual-fee cards are often the easiest to get, and a good credit score of 670 or above may allow you to qualify.

    However, if you want one of American Express's luxury travel credit cards, you'll need an excellent credit score -- the higher, the better -- and solid income.

  • American Express typically limits you to five personal or business credit cards, though cards without preset spending limits may not count towards this limit.

  • Cardholders who earn Membership Rewards points have the option to redeem their points in a number of ways. This can include redeeming for a statement credit, for retailer gift cards, or to pay for purchases at checkout with eligible retail partners.

    However, the most value can typically be achieved by transferring your Membership Rewards to one of American Express's hotel or airline partners. This turns your rewards points into hotel points or airline frequent flyer miles that can be redeemed for free flights or hotel stays.

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