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 they offer. American Express 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.
Best American Express credit cards
- Travel rewards and airport lounges: The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Cash back at U.S. supermarkets: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- Restaurants and U.S. supermarkets: American Express® Gold Card
- Regular Delta flyers: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
- Casual Delta flyers: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
- Marriot Bonvoy hotel stays: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
- Dining, travel, and transit: American Express® Green Card
- Frequent Hilton guests: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Great for: Travel rewards and airport lounges
Apply Now for The Platinum Card® from American Express
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
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.
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. 4.50/5
Apply Now for The Platinum Card® from American Express
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
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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 bonus, robust rewards, and lucrative annual travel credits. Read Full Review
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- Big welcome bonus offer
- Substantial spending credits
- Airport lounge access
- Hotel benefits
- Flexible travel points
- Annual fee
- Limited bonus categories
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- Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 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.
- Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. And if you fly, you can receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year after you select a qualifying airline and incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership 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 Ups are excluded.
- American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. There are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
- $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.
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $25 back each month on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required.
- $189 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $189 back per year on your CLEAR® membership. CLEAR® is available at select airports and stadiums.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Great for: Cash back at U.S. supermarkets
Apply Now for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
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.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. 5.00/5
Apply Now for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
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The U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations rewards are clear standouts, in addition to a big welcome bonus and a nice 0% intro APR offer. Read Full Review
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- Big welcome bonus
- U.S. supermarkets rewards
- U.S. gas stations rewards
- Streaming subscription rewards
- Annual fee
- Foreign transaction fee
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- Earn a $300 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 plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months after account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each 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% for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 14.74% to 24.74%
- 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.
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
- Terms Apply.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Great for: U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets
Apply Now for Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
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.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. 4.50/5
Apply Now for Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
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One of the highest rewards-earning U.S. gas and U.S. supermarkets cards we've seen with no annual fee. The lucrative welcome bonus and 0% intro APR offer round out a diverse feature set. Read Full Review
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- U.S. supermarkets rewards
- Big welcome bonus
- No annual fee
- Foreign transaction fee
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- Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 plan fees on plans created during the first 15 months after account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each 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% for 15 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 14.74% to 24.74%.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%).
- 2% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be easily redeemed for statement credits.
- No annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
Great for: Restaurants and U.S. supermarkets
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
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.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. 4.50/5
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The welcome offer, lucrative rewards at restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and on travel more than justify the annual fee for most who spend in these categories. Read Full Review
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- Impressive welcome offer
- Restaurants rewards
- U.S. supermarket rewards
- Travel and dining credits
- High-value rewards points
- Annual fee
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- Rose Gold is here to stay. Card Members can choose between a Gold or Rose Gold Card.
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
- 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: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Boxed, and participating Shake Shack locations. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Great for: Regular Delta flyers
Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
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.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. 4.00/5
Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
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The great welcome bonus and rewards rate on Delta purchases make the annual fee worth it if you fly on carrier regularly. Read Full Review
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- Welcome bonus offer
- Free checked bag
- Companion certificate
- Travel credit
- Annual fee
- No complimentary airport lounge access
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- Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- 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.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Great for: Casual Delta flyers
Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
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.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. 4.00/5
Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
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May be the best card for most Delta travelers, given the balance of a nice welcome bonus, premium rewards program, and a low annual fee. Read Full Review
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- Welcome bonus offer
- Free checked bag
- Priority boarding
- Earn a Flight Credit
- Annual fee
- No premium travel benefits
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- Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- 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.
- $100 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, receive a Credit to use toward future travel.
- Enjoy a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $99.
- Terms Apply.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
Great for: Marriot Bonvoy hotel stays
Apply Now for Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
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.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. 4.00/5
Apply Now for Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
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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
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- Big Marriott Bonvoy bonuses
- Travel credits
- Free night award
- Automatic Gold Elite status
- Airport lounge access
- Annual fee
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- Earn 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $3,000 in purchases on the Card within the first 3 months.
- Enjoy up to $300 in statement credits each year of Card Membership for eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program.
- Earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program. 3 points at U.S. restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2 points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at a participating hotel. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy unlimited airport lounge visits when you enroll in Priority Pass™ Select membership.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $450 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
American Express® Green Card
Great for: Dining, travel, and transit
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
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.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. 3.50/5
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Packs in a big welcome bonus, lucrative credits, and premium points for travel and restaurants. These perks justify the annual fee for many new cardholders.
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- Restaurant rewards
- Travel and transit rewards
- Welcome offer
- Useful travel points
- Travel credits
- Annual fee
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- Earn 45,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $2,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® Points on Restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on all eligible travel, from subway swipes and window seats to hotel stays and city tours.
- Earn up to $100 in annual statement credits to help you get through security faster with CLEAR®.
- Earn up to $100 in annual statement credits to access 750+ airport lounges globally through LoungeBuddy.
- 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.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Great for: Frequent Hilton guests
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
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.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. 4.50/5
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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.
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- Big hotel rewards
- Generous travel credits
- Automatic Diamond status
- Weekend night award
- Airport lounge access
- Credits can be hard to use
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- Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors points by spending $4,000 in the first three 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.
Overview of the best American Express credit cards
American Express has a diverse range of credit cards suited for all manner of rewards lovers. You can choose from:
- Luxury travel cards
- Everyday rewards cards
- Cobranded hotel and airline cards
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.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Great for: Travel rewards and airport lounges
The The Platinum Card® from American Express is 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
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 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 bonus and a 12-month 0% intro APR offer on purchases. The go-to rate is 14.74%-24.74% 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 select U.S. department stores. It's also one of American Express's best 0% APR credit cards, with a 15-month introductory offer that applies to purchases. The go-to rate is 14.74%-24.74% Variable after the promotional period expires. (Terms apply, see rates and fees)
Read the full Blue Cash Everyday® 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. (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 bonus. (Terms apply, select enrollment required, see rates and fees)
Read the full American Express® Gold Card review
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. supermarkets 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. While the card does have an introductory $0 annual fee, that increases to $99 after the first year. 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
Types of 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 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.
Travel rewards cards
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 American Express cards that earns 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 things like U.S. supermarkets and restaurants, allowing you to save for your next trip without needing to leave home.
Cash back rewards cards
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 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.
Cobranded cards
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 amount 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.
What credit score do you need for an American Express credit card?
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.
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 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).
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. Here's an example of some common cardholder benefits:
- 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.
- 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
- Global assist hotlines
- Access to the Amex Offers & Benefits portal
Additionally, cobranded cards often may come with brand-specific benefits like free checked bags or complimentary elite status.
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
- Alitalia
- All Nippon Airways
- Avianca
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Delta Air Lines
- El Al Israel Airlines
- Emirates
- Etihad Airways
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Iberia
- JetBlue Airways
- Qantas
- Singapore Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic Airways
- Choice Hotels
- Hilton
- Marriott Bonvoy
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.
| Card | Rating | Great For |
|---|---|---|
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Terms apply
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: Travel rewards and airport lounges |
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Terms apply
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: Cash back at U.S. supermarkets |
|
Terms apply
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets |
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Terms apply
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: Restaurants and U.S. supermarkets |
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Terms apply
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Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: Regular Delta flyers |
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Terms apply
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Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: Casual Delta flyers |
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Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: Marriot Bonvoy hotel stays |
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Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: Dining, travel, and transit |
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: Frequent Hilton guests |
FAQs
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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 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 is a popular cash back rewards card with four everyday bonus rewards categories. Terms apply.
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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.
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Overall, American Express cards are intended for folks with good credit or better, which typically means a credit score of at least 670. But if you want one of the high-end, high-fee rewards cards, it's best to have an excellent credit score with a long, positive credit history. Keep in mind that American Express will look at your entire credit profile and your income before making an approval decision.
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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.
About the Author
Brittney is a credit expert and card strategist whose advice has been featured by major publications and financial sites across the web. A spreadsheet and data obsessive, she believes most problems can be solved with the right research, and she specializes in translating complex topics to educate and empower readers.
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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. The Motley Fool has a Disclosure Policy. The Author and/or The Motley Fool may have an interest in companies mentioned.
* 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
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