Is American Express a charge card or a credit card?

American Express has a mix of charge cards and credit cards. Charge cards such as The Platinum Card have no preset limit but require cardholders to pay their balance in full each month unless their purchases qualify for special financing. Other American Express cards, such as the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, are credit cards with standard APRs on purchases.

Do American Express credit cards charge foreign transaction fees?

Many American Express credit cards waive foreign transaction fees, but some do charge this fee of up to 3%. The Platinum Card, Hilton Honors Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express® Card and many others waive foreign transaction fees.

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LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

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LendingTree is an advertising-supported comparison service. The site features products from our partners as well as institutions which are not advertising partners. While we make an effort to include the best deals available to the general public, we make no warranty that such information represents all available products. We are compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order).

American Express Disclosure

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Best American Express Credit Cards in 2023

American Express^® Gold Card

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American Express^® Gold Card

The American Express^® Gold Card is our top pick from American Express thanks to its exceptional rewards on food purchases — including restaurants, takeout, delivery and U.S. supermarkets. Your everyday spending on this generous travel rewards card can easily fund an upcoming vacation.

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American Express is one of the most popular card issuers for consumers and small business owners. The issuer offers a variety of credit cards that earn miles, points and cash back. Plus, new cardholders may qualify for a 0% intro APR offer and other valuable benefits, depending on the card for which they apply. American Express offers cards for every budget, ranging from cards with no annual fee to premium cards with annual fees of up to $695 per year.

One of the major benefits of American Express cards is that many of them offer versions for both consumers and small business owners. With these cards, you can earn rewards for your personal and business expenses. Then, you can combine them into one bucket to accelerate your earnings. With some cards, you can even transfer your rewards to an American Express travel partner, including Delta Air Lines and Hilton Honors.

Best American Express Credit Cards of 2023

Winner (Travel points)

American Express^® Gold Card

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Business card

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

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Travel card

American Express Platinum Card^®

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No annual fee

Hilton Honors American Express Card

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Business cash back credit card

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

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Beginners

Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express

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0% APR and balance transfer credit card

American Express Cash Magnet® Card

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Airline miles

Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card

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Hotel credit card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card

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Winner (Travel points)

American Express^® Gold Card*

LendingTree's Review

4.3

LendingTree's Review

4.3

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Intro Purchase APRN/A

Annual Fee$325

Welcome OfferYou may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Welcome OfferAs high as 100,000 points

Earn up to 4x points on food purchases
Generous welcome offer
Up to $240 in credits per year
Use points to book travel or transfer to partners

High annual fee
Credits can be difficult to use

The American Express^® Gold Card offers great benefits and earning opportunities in the travel and cuisine categories. The card earns as much as 4x points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases at U.S. supermarkets per year), which can be used to book travel or transfer to airline and hotel partners.

On top of a generous rewards rate, the card offers up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you use it at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations — for savings of up to $120 annually. Enrollment is required.

Plus, when you add your American Express^® Gold Card to your Uber account, you’ll automatically get $10 in Uber Cash each month (for a total of up to $120 per year) to use on U.S. Uber Eats or rides.

We should note that while some dining credit cards offer an accelerated rewards rate only at U.S. restaurants, the American Express^® Gold Card offers the higher rate at restaurants worldwide. There are also great travel benefits offered for airlines, hotels and cruise and tour packages. Another bonus for travelers: There are no foreign transaction fees, making it advantageous to use the card outside of the U.S.

*To see rates & fees for American Express^® Gold Card, please click here.

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

*The information related to the American Express^® Gold Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Business card

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express*

LendingTree's Review

4.4

The Business Platinum Card<sup>®</sup> from American Express

LendingTree's Review

4.4

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Intro Purchase APRN/A

Annual Fee$895

Regular Purchase APR17.74% - 28.49% Variable

Welcome OfferAs High As 300,000 points

Earn 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels
Hotel benefits, including Hilton and Marriott Gold status (enrollment required)
Airport lounge access
Annual credits that can offset the annual fee

High annual fee for primary and employee cards
High minimum spending to earn welcome offer
Limited bonus categories

The travel benefits offered by The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express are fantastic for people who take a lot of flights and stay in hotels when on business trips. The card includes airport lounge access, airline fee credits*, hotel perks and other travel benefits. Plus, you can get 35% of your points back when booking eligible flights through Amex Travel*.

Cardholders also receive up to $400 in Dell Technologies statement credits each year*, access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection — which includes more than 1,400 lounges across 140 countries, a credit of up to $360 for Indeed purchases*, a credit of up to $150 for select Adobe subscriptions*, a credit of $189 to cover your annual CLEAR membership*, up to a $200 annual airline fee credit*, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit*, discounts on private jets and much more.

*Enrollment is required for these benefits.

*To see rates & fees for The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, please click here.

As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,550 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card company on the market as of 07/2025.
See how you can unlock over $3,500 in business and travel value annually after meeting qualifying spend thresholds on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply.
Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using the Business Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
No Preset Spending Limit: The spending limit on the Business Platinum Card is flexible, so unlike a traditional credit card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history.
Make the Business Platinum Card® work even harder for you. Hilton for Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Gift cards are not an eligible purchase. Benefit enrollment required.
Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
Use the Business Platinum Card and get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR+ Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
Maximize your time away with Fine Hotels + Resorts through Amex Travel™.
Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card.
Get up to $90 in statement credits quarterly for purchases with Indeed on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $360 back per year. Enrollment required.
Get up to $10 in statement credits per month for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $120 back per year. Enrollment required.
2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com
1X points on other eligible purchases
Terms Apply.

*The information related to the The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Travel card

American Express Platinum Card^®*

LendingTree's Review

4.5

American Express Platinum Card<sup>®</sup>

LendingTree's Review

4.5

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Generous welcome offer
Over $1,500 in annual credits
Complimentary airport lounge access
Hotel elite status and perks (enrollment required)

High annual fee
Credits may be difficult to use
Limited bonus categories

American Express Platinum Card^® offers abundant perks for the frequent traveler. Cardholders receive airport lounge access, complimentary Gold status from Marriott and Hilton*, valuable annual credits and more. Plus, new cardholders can you may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Travel credits include an annual hotel credit of up to $200, an annual airline fee credit of up to $200*, a Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fee credit of up to $100* and an annual CLEAR® membership credit of up to $189*.

Other benefits include up to a $300 Equinox credit*, up to a $240 digital entertainment credit*, an annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit of up to $100* and Global Dining Access by Resy.

*Enrollment is required for these benefits.

*To see rates & fees for American Express Platinum Card^®, please click here.

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
$200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
$300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
$600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
$400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
$209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
$300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®.* Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
$895 annual fee.
Terms Apply.

*The information related to the American Express Platinum Card^® has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

No annual fee

Hilton Honors American Express Card*

LendingTree's Review

3.2

LendingTree's Review

3.2

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Earn up to 7x points on purchases
Automatic Silver elite status (enrollment required)
Upgrade to Gold elite status after spending $20,000 in a calendar year (enrollment required)
Foreign transaction fees: None
Rental car protection

High spending required to upgrade to Gold status
No free anniversary nights, as offered by some other hotel credit cards

The Hilton Honors American Express Card offers users great earning power and elite status benefits with an annual fee of $0. Cardholders earn Hilton Honors points toward their next hotel stay and receive automatic Silver elite status (enrollment required). You can also earn Gold status by spending $20,000 within a calendar year (enrollment required).

Cardholders earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card: at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, at U.S. gas stations, and 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.

Travelers also enjoy rental car protections when booking cars with their Hilton credit card. Additionally, foreign transaction fees are waived.

*To see rates & fees for Hilton Honors American Express Card, please click here.

Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Card after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.
No Annual Fee.
Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card: at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, at U.S. gas stations.
Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
Points don't expire while your Hilton Honors American Express Card is active and in good standing.
No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, Global Assist® Hotline is available for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services, including medical and legal referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Other terms and conditions apply.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Terms Apply.

*The information related to the Hilton Honors American Express Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Business cash back credit card

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card*

LendingTree's Review

4.4

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

LendingTree's Review

4.4

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Earn up to 2% cash back on purchases, redeemable for statement credits
Intro APR on purchases
Add employee cards at no extra cost
Purchase protection and extended warranty protect purchases

Cash back bonus is limited to the first $50,000 spent each year
No balance transfer 0% APR offer

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card lets you earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on the first $50,000 of purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement. cash back on all purchases after that — with no annual fee. Cash back is redeemable for statement credits. There are no bonus categories to manage, and the card offers an intro APR of 0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening (followed by a 16.74% - 26.74% Variable APR).

Business owners can also add employee cards to track their purchases and earn rewards at no extra cost. Plus, the card includes purchase protection and an extended warranty on eligible purchases.

*To see rates & fees for The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, please click here.

Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 16.74% - 26.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on the first $50,000 of purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
No Annual Fee

*The information related to the The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Beginners

Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express*

LendingTree's Review

4.4

Blue Cash Everyday<sup>®</sup> Card from American Express

LendingTree's Review

4.4

Learn More

Earn up to 3% cash back
Annual fee: $0
Intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
Lucrative cash back welcome offer
Monthly credits for Disney Bundle and Home Chef (enrollment required)

Bonus cash back limited to $6,000 in purchases in specific categories per year
Monthly credits cover only a portion of subscription costs
Foreign transaction fees of 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
High penalty APR if you miss a payment

People who are new to credit cards can earn valuable cash back with the Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express, particularly when it comes to common consumer purchases. This card earns up to 3% on several categories, including U.S. supermarkets. The card has a $0 annual fee and includes an intro APR offer on balance transfers and purchases.

New cardholders can receive a welcome offer: You may be eligible for as high as $200 cash back after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply. Additionally, this card offers an intro APR of 0% on purchases for 15 months and 0% on balance transfers for 15 months. After that, the APR is 19.49%-28.49% Variable.

The card also includes an annual Disney Bundle credit*, a Home Chef credit* and a complimentary ShopRunner membership*. ShopRunner provides free two-day shipping on eligible items at more than 100 online stores.

*Enrollment is required for these benefits.

*To see rates & fees for Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express, please click here.

No Annual Fee.
Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.49%-28.49%.
Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don’t have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you’ll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.
Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on eligible purchases for each category on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a
Get up to a $7 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
Terms Apply.
New line.

*The information related to the Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

0% APR and balance transfer credit card

American Express Cash Magnet® Card*

LendingTree's Review

4.1

LendingTree's Review

4.1

Learn More

Long intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
Earn an unlimited 1.5% Cash Back on your purchases, redeemable for statement credits
$0 annual fee
Extended time to earn the welcome offer

No bonus categories for higher rewards
Does not include purchase protection or extended warranty benefits
Foreign transaction fees of 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
High penalty APR of 29.99% variable if you miss a payment

For new purchases, the American Express Cash Magnet® Card gives users a 0% introductory APR for the first 15 months from the date of account opening. It also offers a 0% introductory APR for the first 15 months from the date of account opening on balance transfers requested within 60 days of account opening Once the intro period expires, you will have a 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR. The card also features a generous welcome offer, you’ll earn a high flat rewards rate without paying an annual fee. It’s a simple rewards card with no bonus earning categories or spending caps to keep track of.

If you plan to use the American Express Cash Magnet® Card outside of the U.S., be aware that you will be subject to a foreign transaction fee of 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

$200 back after spending $2,000 or more in purchases with your card within the first 6 months of card membership.
Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back on your purchases.
Low intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, currently 19.24% to 29.99%.
Plan It® gives the option to select purchases of $100 or more to split up into monthly payments with a fixed fee.
Amex Offers rewards you at places you like to shop, dine, travel, and more. You can add as many Offers as you’d like to your Card, then just use that Card to pay, and enjoy rewards directly on your statement.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits.
No Annual Fee.
Terms Apply.

*The information related to the American Express Cash Magnet® Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Airline miles

Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card*

LendingTree's Review

3.2

Delta SkyMiles<sup>®</sup> Platinum American Express Card

LendingTree's Review

3.2

Learn More

Earns up to 3x miles on purchases
Large welcome offer
Annual companion certificate for a domestic flight
Complimentary checked bags and priority boarding
15% discount on award tickets

Annual fee is higher than most airline credit cards
Limitations on bonus categories reduce earning opportunities
High penalty APR if you miss a payment

The Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card features a valuable welcome offer, as well as strong earning power and great money-saving perks for users. The Delta SkyMiles will add up quickly with bonus miles on Delta flights, hotels, U.S. restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. Plus, cardholders will be able to check their first bag for free and get priority boarding on Delta flights, will get a 15% discount on award flights and will receive an annual companion certificate that’s good for one domestic flight per year.

New cardholders can you may be eligible for as high as 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, you can 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 and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

Despite its hefty $350 annual fee, the card’s benefits can easily outweigh the cost. Cardholders booking a Delta flight get the first checked bag free for themselves and up to eight other people on the same itinerary. They also receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding. The card features an annual companion certificate that’s good for one Main Cabin round-trip domestic flight each year that you renew the card. Plus, you now get 15% off the miles required to book award flights as a cardholder.

*To see rates & fees for Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card, please click here.

You may be eligible for as high as 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Receive a Companion Certificate on a Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $20 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express 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.
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.
$120 Resy Credit: Get up to $10 in statement credits each month after you pay with your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases.
$120 Rideshare Credit: earn up to $10 in statement credits each month after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights and save up to $70 per person on a round-trip Delta flight.
Receive either a $120 statement credit for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee every 4 years, when charged to your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
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.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
$350 Annual Fee.
Terms Apply.

*The information related to the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Hotel credit card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card*

LendingTree's Review

4.2

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass<sup>®</sup> Card

LendingTree's Review

4.2

Learn More

Complimentary Gold elite status (enrollment required)
Upgrade to Diamond elite status based on annual purchases (enrollment required)
Annual free night based on spending
Earn up to 12x points on purchases

Must meet spending requirements to earn a free night
Bonus categories are limited to U.S. merchants (except Hilton hotels)
No purchase protection or extended warranty benefits

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card includes a hefty welcome offer, high earnings potential and complimentary Gold elite status for a reasonable annual fee (enrollment required). Cardholders can also earn an annual free night certificate based on their annual spending.

You can earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership..

In addition to the welcome offer, the card offers one of the highest rewards rates on hotel, U.S. dining, U.S. supermarket and U.S. gas purchases currently available.

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card comes with premium travel benefits including complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status (enrollment required), a free weekend night reward from Hilton Honors when you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.

*To see rates & fees for Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card, please click here.

Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold status with your Card. Plus, spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year.
Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. That’s up to $200 in statement credits annually.
Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
As a Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Member, you can enroll to receive complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status through the link on your American Express online account. After you’re enrolled, you can reserve a rental car by calling National Car Rental directly, using your travel service, or by booking online or through the National Car Rental mobile app. Terms apply.
No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, Global Assist® Hotline is available for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services, including medical and legal referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Other terms and conditions apply.
Points don’t expire while your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is active and in good standing.
$150 annual fee.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Terms Apply.

*The information related to the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Compare best American Express cards

Credit Cards	Our Ratings	Welcome Offer	Rewards Rate	Welcome Offer
American Express^® Gold Card* Learn More	4.3 Winner	You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.	Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.	As high as 100,000 points You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.	Learn More
The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express* Learn More	4.4 Business	You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.	Earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com. Earn 2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus. Earn 1X points on other eligible purchases	As High As 300,000 points You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.	Learn More
American Express Platinum Card^®* Learn More	4.5 Travel	You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.	5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. Terms apply.	As high as 175,000 points You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.	Learn More
Hilton Honors American Express Card* Learn More	3.2 No annual fee	Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Card after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.	Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card: at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, at U.S. gas stations, and 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.	80,000 points Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Card after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.	Learn More
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card* Learn More	4.4 Business cash back	Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.	Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on the first $50,000 of purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.	$250 statement credit Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.	Learn More
Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express* Learn More	4.4 Beginners	You may be eligible for as high as $200 cash back after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.	Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on eligible purchases for each category on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.	As High As $200 statement credit You may be eligible for as high as $200 cash back after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.	Learn More
American Express Cash Magnet® Card* Learn More	4.1 0% APR & balance transfer	$200 back after spending $2,000 or more in purchases with your card within the first 6 months of card membership.	Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back on your purchases	$200 cash back $200 back after spending $2,000 or more in purchases with your card within the first 6 months of card membership.	Learn More
Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card* Learn More	3.2 Airline miles	You may be eligible for as high as 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.	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 and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.	As High As 90,000 miles You may be eligible for as high as 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.	Learn More
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card* Learn More	4.2 Hotel	Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.	Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Portfolio. Earn 6X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations. Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases. Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.	130,000 points Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.	Learn More

*The information related to the American Express^® Gold Card, The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, American Express Platinum Card^®, Hilton Honors American Express Card, The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express, American Express Cash Magnet® Card, Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card and Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms Apply.

Should you get an American Express card?

Getting an American Express credit card can be a good move for consumers and business owners alike. American Express offers credit cards that match the spending patterns, budget and lifestyle of almost anyone. In addition to earning miles, points or cash back, its cards offer valuable perks and annual credits that help to justify their annual fees.

Most cards have consumer and small business versions to maximize benefits
Membership Rewards points from different cards pool into one account
Use the Amex Trifecta to maximize rewards
Authorized users have separate card numbers from the primary cardholder

“Once per lifetime” bonus rules restrict applicants
Some cards have annual fees of $250 or higher
American Express cards are not as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard

Where is American Express accepted?

American Express has made a concerted effort to expand the number of merchants that accept its cards. According to the latest Nilson Report, American Express cards are accepted by 99% of U.S. merchants that accept credit cards.

However, when you travel internationally, your American Express card is less likely to be accepted than a credit card with a Visa or Mastercard logo. Because of this, if your primary credit card is from American Express, it’s a good idea to bring a Visa or Mastercard credit card as a backup. Avoid choosing a card with foreign transaction fees of up to 3% on international purchases.

How to choose an American Express card

If you’re interested in getting an American Express card, follow these steps to narrow down your options and find one that matches your spending patterns, budget and reward preferences.

Make sure you can qualify for an American Express credit card

Your application for an American Express card can be declined if you have a less-than-great credit score. American Express primarily focuses on customers with stronger credit backgrounds. If you’re just getting started with credit or your credit score is poor or fair, you may need to improve your score to increase your approval odds.

Don’t know your credit score? Sign up for LendingTree Spring to get your free credit score and recommendations to boost your score.

FICO Score	VantageScore
300-579 is poor credit 580-669 is fair credit 670-739 is good credit 740-799 is very good credit 800-850 is exceptional credit	300-499 is very poor credit 500-600 is poor credit 601-660 is fair credit 661-780 is good credit 781-850 is excellent credit

Decide what type of credit card you want

American Express offers cards with a variety of benefits, rewards, annual fees and other features. You can narrow down the choices by considering which features are most important to you.

What type of user are you?	Choose a …
You want to earn points that you can use with any hotel or airline.	General travel card (American Express^® Gold Card)
You want the simplest, most flexible rewards possible.	Cash back credit card (Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express)
You're collecting miles with a particular airline or could use perks such as free checked bags and lounge access.	Airline credit card (Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card)
You frequently stay at a hotel chain and could use perks such as elite status and free hotel night certificates.	Hotel credit card (Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card)
You're trying to pay down a balance on another credit card.	Balance transfer credit card (American Express Cash Magnet® Card)
You want to finance a large purchase.	0% APR credit card (American Express Cash Magnet® Card)
You need a card to make purchases for your small business.	Business card (The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express)

The information related to the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card and American Express Cash Magnet® Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.

Find rewards that match your spending patterns

Rewards credit cards typically offer bonus categories with higher earnings for select categories. Review your spending patterns and select a card with bonus categories that are relevant to your spending.

Popular bonus categories	Best cards
Dining	American Express^® Gold Card
Gas	Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express Hilton Honors American Express Card Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card
Groceries	American Express^® Gold Card Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card Hilton Honors American Express Card Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card from American Express
Travel	American Express^® Green Card

The information related to the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card, Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express, Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card from American Express and American Express^® Green Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.

Decide if you want to pay an annual fee

While some experts may recommend that you avoid paying annual fees on credit cards, this advice is a bit outdated. The better approach is to review a credit card’s earning power, annual credits and other benefits to determine if the annual fee is worth it.

Credit cards that earn or save money on items you were going to buy anyway easily justify paying an annual fee. For example, if you check bags when flying, paying an annual fee for a card that waives checked bag fees can save considerable money.

The Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. It includes the first checked bag free for you and up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation. With Delta charging $30 per bag each way, you can cover the annual fee very quickly.

*To see rates & fees for Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card please click here.
Consider other card benefits

While many cardholders focus on a card’s welcome bonus and earning power, other benefits can be much more valuable. Here are a few benefits that the best American Express credit cards offer and examples of cards that include each benefit.
- No foreign transaction fees: When making international purchases, some cards charge foreign transaction fees of up to 3%. The Hilton Honors American Express Card does not charge foreign transaction fees.
  *To see rates & fees for Hilton Honors American Express Card, please click here.
- Lounge access: Having airport lounge access provides an oasis within airport terminals. Many of these lounges provide complimentary drinks, food, Wi-Fi and other benefits that enhance travel. Access to more than 1,400 lounges is included with American Express Platinum Card^®.
- Travel credits: Travel credits cover the cost of eligible travel expenses up to a stated maximum annual amount. The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express includes up to a $200 airline fee credit and reimburses CLEAR application fees of $189 when using the card to pay for these charges (enrollment required).
- Travel protections: Unexpected events such as canceled or delayed flights and lost bags can interrupt your travel plans. The Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card protects against trip delays, rental car damage and lost or stolen bags.
- Purchase protection: If your items are stolen or accidentally damaged shortly after purchase, this coverage reimburses you. The American Express^® Green Card covers your purchases for up to 90 days at up to $1,000 per item ($50,000 per year).
- Return protection: When a merchant won’t accept a returned item, return protection reimburses you for eligible purchases Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card from American Express covers up to $300 per eligible item ($1,000 per year) within 90 days of purchase.
- Extended warranty: This coverage adds an extra year to eligible manufacturers’ warranties without requiring you to purchase an extended warranty from the retailer. The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card adds up to one year on eligible warranties of five years or less.
The information related to the American Express^® Green Card and Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card from American Express has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.

How do Membership Rewards work?

American Express Membership Rewards are flexible points that can be redeemed in multiple ways. All Membership Rewards points earned from eligible American Express cards are automatically pooled into one account, so you don’t need to manually transfer them between accounts. If you have a small business, the Membership Rewards points from your linked personal and business cards also pool into one account.

Your points can be used in multiple ways, including booking travel with Amex Travel, shopping at Amazon, buying gift cards or getting statement credits. Each redemption option has a different point value. This means some options have lower values, while others are higher. Generally, transferring points to airline and hotel partners offers the highest value return for your points.

Membership Rewards redemption options

Transfer strategically to the right travel partner: ~2.2 cents
Get a flight, hotel, car rental, vacation package or cruise through the Membership Rewards portal: 0.75-1 cent
Use Amex points on Amazon.com: 0.7-1 cent
Redeem points for gift cards: 0.5-1.1 cents
Redeem points for statement credits: 0.6 cents
Buy merchandise with points: 0.5 cents
Donate points to charity: 0.7 cents

Membership Rewards cards

You’ll find a large variety of personal and business cards that earn Membership Rewards points. Some of these, such as the American Express Blue Business Plus Credit Card, make great partners with other Membership Rewards cards.

American Express Platinum Card^®
American Express^® Gold Card
American Express^® Green Card
The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express
American Express^® Business Gold Card
Business Green Rewards Card from American Express
Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express
The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express

The information related to the American Express^® Green Card, Business Green Rewards Card from American Express and Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.

American Express travel partners

American Express allows you to transfer points to a large list of hotel and airline programs, including major American carrier Delta Air Lines. While most American Express transfer partners are on a 1:1 basis, not all miles and points are created equally. In some cases, you’ll receive a much higher value by selecting one transfer partner over another.

American Express offers periodic transfer promotions for which you’ll receive bonus rewards when transferring to select partners. These bonuses can greatly reduce the number of points you need to transfer to book an award flight or hotel reservation.

Also, keep in mind that point transfers are permanent. Once you transfer points to a partner, you cannot unwind that transfer.

Transfer partner	Airline alliance	Point transfer ratio
Aer Lingus	None	1,000:1,000
AeroMexico	SkyTeam	1,000:1,600
Air Canada	Star Alliance	1,000:1,000
Air France/KLM	SkyTeam	1,000:1,000
All Nippon Airways (ANA)	Star Alliance	1,000:1,000
Asia Miles	oneworld	1,000:1,000
Avianca	Star Alliance	1,000:1,000
British Airways	oneworld	1,000:1,000
Delta Air Lines	SkyTeam	1,000:1,000
Emirates	None	1,000:1,000
Etihad	None	1,000:1,000
Hawaiian Airlines	None	1,000:1,000
Iberia	oneworld	1,000:1,000
JetBlue	None	250:200
Qantas	oneworld	500:500
Qatar Airways	oneworld	1,000:1,000
Singapore Airlines	Star Alliance	1,000:1,000
Virgin Atlantic	None	1,000:1,000
Choice Privileges	N/A	1,000:1,000
Hilton Honors	N/A	1,000:2,000
Marriott Bonvoy	N/A	1,000:1,000

How to apply for an American Express credit card

When you’re ready to apply for an American Express credit card, use these tips to increase your approval odds.

Know your credit score. American Express requires a minimum credit score of 660 for most of its cards. Check your score ahead of time to avoid applying if your score is too low.
Boost your credit. If your credit score is too low for the American Express card you want, take steps to increase your score. Paying down balances is a quick way to lower your utilization and boost your score.
Gather your personal information. You’ll need your personal information, such as date of birth, Social Security number and income, to apply for an American Express card. Assemble this information before applying so you can quickly complete your application.
Get preapproved. Applicants can use the American Express “Apply with Confidence” tool to see which card they are preapproved for. Preapproval does not affect your credit score unless you finalize your application.
Use the welcome offer qualification tool. One of the greatest benefits of applying for a new card is the welcome offer you can earn. American Express has a welcome offer qualification tool that warns applicants if they are ineligible for a bonus on the card for which they are applying.

How many American Express cards can you have?

Many American Express cardholders report being limited to five credit cards at one time. Some cards, such as American Express Platinum Card^® or American Express^® Gold Card, and corporate cards are not included in this total.

If you apply for a new American Express credit card and are at the limit, you could be declined for the new card. Alternatively, you may ask the reconsideration department to close an existing card in order to get approved for the new card.

Frequently asked questions

No, American Express does not currently offer a secured credit card. Instead, customers can purchase American Express prepaid gift cards if they are unable to qualify for one of its credit cards.

The minimum credit score needed to be approved for an American Express credit card varies based on which card you’re applying for. You may be approved for an American Express credit card with a credit score as low as 660.

Generally, American Express requires that you have good to excellent credit to be approved for one of its credit cards, although some cards will approve users with a credit score as low as 660, which is on the higher end of fair credit. If you have bad credit, you can use one of its prepaid card products while you are rebuilding your credit score.

American Express no longer offers cards that are officially considered charge cards. Some American Express cards have no preset limit but require cardholders to pay their balance in full each month — however, you can carry a balance for some purchases that qualify for special financing with these cards. Other American Express cards, such as the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card, are credit cards with standard APRs on purchases.

Many American Express credit cards waive foreign transaction fees, but some do charge this fee of up to 3%. American Express Platinum Card^®, Hilton Honors American Express Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card and many others waive foreign transaction fees.

Some American Express cards include rental car and travel protections, but coverages and limits vary by card. These benefits are typically offered by travel-focused cards, such as American Express Platinum Card^®, the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card.

Methodology: How we chose the best American Express cards

To select the best American Express credit cards, our credit card experts compared the leading cards offered on the American Express website and LendingTree.com, including cash back cards, business cards, travel cards and more.

Although we primarily focused on American Express-branded cards, we also considered American Express co-branded credit cards.

We then chose our top picks based on a variety of factors, like rewards rates, welcome offers, annual fees and introductory purchase APRs. Additionally, we looked at the benefits offered by each card, such as travel credits, travel protections and complimentary lounge access.

*To see rates & fees for American Express^® Gold Card, please click here.

*To see rates & fees for The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, please click here.

*To see rates & fees for American Express Platinum Card^®, please click here.

*To see rates & fees for Hilton Honors American Express Card, please click here.

*To see rates & fees for Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express, please click here.

*To see rates & fees for The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, please click here.

*To see rates & fees for Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express, please click here.

*To see rates & fees for Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card, please click here.

*To see rates & fees for Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card please click here.

The information related to the American Express^® Gold Card, The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, American Express Platinum Card^®, Hilton Honors American Express Card, The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express, American Express Cash Magnet® Card, Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card, Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express, Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card, Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express, Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card from American Express, American Express^® Green Card, American Express^® Business Gold Card, Business Green Rewards Card from American Express, The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.

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Find your best credit card

Best American Express Credit Cards in 2023

Our top pick for best American Express credit card

American Express® Gold Card

Our top pick for best American Express credit card

American Express® Gold Card

Best American Express Credit Cards of 2023

Winner (Travel points)

American Express® Gold Card*

Business card

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express*

Travel card

American Express Platinum Card®*

No annual fee

Hilton Honors American Express Card*

Business cash back credit card

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card*

Beginners

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express*

0% APR and balance transfer credit card

American Express Cash Magnet® Card*

Airline miles

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card*

Hotel credit card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card*

Compare best American Express cards

Should you get an American Express card?

Where is American Express accepted?

How to choose an American Express card

Make sure you can qualify for an American Express credit card

Decide what type of credit card you want

Find rewards that match your spending patterns

Decide if you want to pay an annual fee

Consider other card benefits

How do Membership Rewards work?

Membership Rewards cards

American Express travel partners

How to apply for an American Express credit card

How many American Express cards can you have?

Frequently asked questions

Does American Express have a secured credit card?

What credit score is needed for an American Express credit card?

Can you get an American Express credit card with bad credit?

Is American Express a charge card or a credit card?

Do American Express credit cards charge foreign transaction fees?

Does American Express cover rental car insurance and travel insurance?

Methodology: How we chose the best American Express cards

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