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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
Great for: Travel rewards and airport lounges
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: n/a
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Rewards 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.
1X - 5X points
Annual Fee
$695
Welcome Offer 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 points
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
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Great for: Cash back at U.S. supermarkets
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 months
Regular APR
19.24%-29.99% Variable
Rewards 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 and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more). 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
1% - 6% cash back
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Welcome Offer Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$250
The U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations rewards are clear standouts, in addition to a big welcome offer and a nice 0% intro APR offer. Read Full Review
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Great for: U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular APR
19.24%-29.99% Variable
Rewards 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%.
1% - 3% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer 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
American Express® Green Card
Great for: Dining, travel, and transit
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: n/a
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Rewards 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 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.
Great for: Restaurants and U.S. supermarkets
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: n/a
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Rewards 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. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on other eligible purchases.
1X - 4X points
Annual Fee
$250
Welcome Offer Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
60,000
The welcome offer, plus lucrative rewards at restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and on travel more than justify the annual fee for consumers who spend heavily in these areas. Read Full Review
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Great for: Regular Delta flyers
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: n/a
Regular APR
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Rewards 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
$250
Welcome Offer Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
50,000 bonus miles
The great welcome offer and rewards rate on Delta purchases make the annual fee worth it if you fly on carrier regularly. Read Full Review
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Great for: Casual Delta flyers
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: n/a
Regular APR
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Rewards Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
1X - 2X miles
Annual Fee
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
Welcome Offer Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
40,000
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
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Great for: Marriott hotel stays
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: n/a
Regular APR
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Rewards Earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program. 3 points at Worldwide Restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2 points on all other eligible purchases.
2X - 6X points
Annual Fee
$650
Welcome Offer Earn two 85K Free Night Awards after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card in your first 6 months. Each award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Card Members could enjoy a value of up to $1,200 when redeeming each reward. Certain hotels have resort fees. Offer ends 11/1/2023.
Two 85K Free Night Awards
This card has a hefty annual fee, but taking advantage of the big offer and litany of perks it offers can easily make it worth it for the right type of cardholder. Read Full Review
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Great for: Frequent Hilton guests
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
20.99% to 29.99%, variable
Rewards 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
$450
Welcome Offer 150,000 Hilton Honors points by spending $4,000 in the first three 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.
American Express has a diverse range of credit cards suited for all manner of rewards lovers. You can choose from:
Whether you're always on the go or prefer to stay at home, you can likely find an American Express rewards credit card suited to your lifestyle.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 $99. 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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
In general, 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. Of course, American Express looks at more than just your credit score when evaluating applications, so your mileage may vary.
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).
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).
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.
Here's an example of some common cardholder benefits:
This is just a few of the benefits you can get from your American Express card. Other benefits can include:
Additionally, cobranded cards often may come with brand-specific benefits like free checked bags or complimentary elite status.
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:
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.
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:
If you want cash back rewards:
If you want bonus rewards on U.S. supermarkets:
If you want to earn Delta SkyMiles:
If you want to earn Hilton Honors points:
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.
For more information on the best American Express credit cards, check out our guides below:
Card | Rating | Great For |
---|---|---|
Terms apply
![]() |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
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. |
Great For: Travel rewards and airport lounges |
Terms apply
![]() |
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00 stars
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. |
Great For: Cash back at U.S. supermarkets |
Terms apply
![]() |
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00 stars
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. |
Great For: U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets |
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50 stars
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. |
Great For: Dining, travel, and transit |
|
Terms apply
![]() |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
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. |
Great For: Restaurants and U.S. supermarkets |
Terms apply
![]() |
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00 stars
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. |
Great For: Regular Delta flyers |
Terms apply
![]() |
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00 stars
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. |
Great For: Casual Delta flyers |
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00 stars
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. |
Great For: Marriott hotel stays |
|
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
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. |
Great For: Frequent Hilton guests |
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 has a wide range of rewards credit cards of various types. Most American Express cards earn Membership Rewards points, a transferable currency that can be turned into hotel and airline loyalty points. However, you can also find a few cash back rewards cards, as well as a number of cobranded hotel and airline cards.
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.
Our Credit Cards Experts
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.
* When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
** With Return Protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won't take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. .
*** Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
For rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card, click here
For rates and fees for the American Express® Green Card, click here
For rates and fees for the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, click here
For rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here
For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, click here
For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, click here
For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, click here
For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click here
For rates and fees for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, click here
For rates and fees for the Hilton Honors American Express Card, click here
For rates and fees for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, click here
For rates and fees for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, click here
For rates and fees for the The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here
The Motley Fool recommends Amex.