American Express is synonymous with premium credit cards and exceptional customer service. From the iconic Platinum Card to no-annual-fee options, Amex offers products for every spending style and reward preference.

American Express Overview

American Express operates both as a card issuer and payment network. Their Membership Rewards program offers flexible redemption options including travel transfers, statement credits, and shopping.

Premium Amex Cards

The Platinum Card from American Express

Amex's flagship premium card with extensive travel benefits:

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  • Annual fee: $695
  • Sign-up bonus: Typically 80,000-150,000 points
  • Earning rates: 5x on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel, 5x on prepaid hotels through Amex Travel, 1x on everything else
  • Key benefits:
    • $200 annual airline fee credit
    • $200 annual Uber credit
    • $240 annual digital entertainment credit
    • $200 annual hotel credit
    • Centurion Lounge access
    • Priority Pass membership
    • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
    • Hotel elite status with Marriott and Hilton

Best for: Frequent travelers who can utilize all credits, making the effective annual fee much lower.

American Express Gold Card

The premier dining and grocery rewards card:

  • Annual fee: $250
  • Sign-up bonus: Typically 60,000-90,000 points
  • Earning rates: 4x on restaurants worldwide, 4x on U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/year), 3x on flights, 1x on everything else
  • Key benefits: $120 annual Uber Cash, $120 annual dining credit, no foreign transaction fees

Best for: Those who spend heavily on dining and groceries.

American Express Green Card

Entry-level premium card focused on travel and transit:

  • Annual fee: $150
  • Earning rates: 3x on travel and transit, 3x on restaurants, 1x on everything else
  • Key benefits: $189 annual CLEAR credit, LoungeBuddy credit

Cash Back Amex Cards

Blue Cash Preferred

  • Annual fee: $95
  • Earning: 6% on U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year), 6% on streaming, 3% on transit and gas, 1% on everything else
  • Best for: Families with high grocery spending

Blue Cash Everyday

  • Annual fee: $0
  • Earning: 3% on U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year), 3% on gas, 3% on online retail, 1% on everything else
  • Best for: Those who want grocery rewards without annual fees

Amex EveryDay Cards

  • EveryDay: $0 annual fee, 2x at supermarkets, bonus for 20+ transactions monthly
  • EveryDay Preferred: $95 annual fee, 3x at supermarkets, higher earning potential

Business Amex Cards

Business Platinum

  • Annual fee: $695
  • Earning: 5x on flights and hotels booked through Amex Travel, 1.5x on purchases $5,000+
  • Benefits: Similar to personal Platinum plus 35% points rebate on Pay with Points for flights

Business Gold

  • Annual fee: $295
  • Earning: 4x on top 2 spending categories each billing cycle (from 6 categories)

Blue Business Plus

  • Annual fee: $0
  • Earning: 2x on all purchases up to $50,000/year, then 1x
  • Best for: Simple, high earning on business expenses

Membership Rewards Program

Amex points are highly valuable due to:

  • Transfer partners including Delta, British Airways, ANA, Singapore Airlines
  • Transfer partners for hotels including Marriott and Hilton
  • Statement credits at varying values
  • Amazon and retail shopping options

Amex Offers

A unique Amex benefit is personalized Amex Offers—statement credits for spending at specific merchants. These can add hundreds in annual value.

Considerations

  • Amex has lower merchant acceptance than Visa/Mastercard, especially internationally
  • Many premium benefits require activation and specific spending
  • The lifetime language limits sign-up bonuses to once per card

Pair Amex cards with strong credit habits to maximize benefits while maintaining excellent credit.