Credit Cards
12 Best American Express Credit Cards of November 2026
By
Nick Ewen
Nick Ewen
Editor-in-chief
Nick Ewen is TPG's editor-in-chief and helps readers leverage credit cards (he has more than 25 of them) and loyalty programs to travel more for less. He's been at TPG for over 11 years.
and
•Stephanie Stevens
Stephanie Stevens
Credit cards writer
Stephanie Stevens is an associate writer with TPG's credit cards team. She focuses on creating timely credit cards content for TPG readers.
Edited by
•Matt Moffitt
Matt Moffitt
Contributing editor
Matt Moffitt is a contributing editor and expert in getting the most out of credit cards and points (he carries at least 25 cards in his wallet at any given time). Originally from Sydney, Australia, he won the Green Card Lottery and lived in Austin, Texas for 10 years before relocating to Spain in 2025.
Reviewed by
Stanley Sanford
Stanley Sanford
Compliance manager
Compliance manager Stanley Sanford has years of compliance experience in the credit card industry dating back to 2017. He's reviewed content for several reputable sites, including CreditCards.com, Bankrate, CNET. and even thepointsguy.com before leading the compliance team for The Points Guy full time in early 2022.
Most of the cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you approve through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
The best American Express credit cards have earned high marks thanks to their stellar rewards and perks. Amex offers a card for almost every type of spender, including credit cards for beginners, casual travelers, road warriors and always-on-the-go business travelers. Whether you’re looking for a no-annual-fee card, global airport lounge access, generous cash back in specific categories or premium access to events, Amex has a card to fit your needs.
Below, check out TPG’s picks for the best Amex cards from our partners to compare and decide which is right for you.
At The Points Guy, our goal is to help you maximize your travel experiences while minimizing spending. Our travel and credit cards experts share their own experiences and give honest analyses to help you make decisions that benefit you the most. While we do receive compensation through our credit card application links, ads, and clearly indicated sponsored content, our editorial content, points valuations and card analysis are entirely our own.
- American Express Platinum Card®: Best for premium travel perks and digital entertainment
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for business owners who prioritize premium travel perks
- American Express® Gold Card: Best for U.S. supermarkets and restaurants
- American Express® Business Gold Card: Best for flexible earning on business expenses
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for maximizing cash back
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Best for occasional Delta flyers
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Best for SkyClub access
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Best for Best hotel card for Hilton loyalists
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Best for welcome offer and elite status
- The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express: Best for small businesses that spend under $50,000 each year
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Best for low annual fee
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best for beginner cash back
Comparing the best American Express credit cards
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
Rewards rate
| 5X | 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. |
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
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.
As High As 175,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
Annual fee
$895
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Good,Excellent
The American Express Platinum Card® has a high annual fee but remains one of the best cards on the market for those who prioritize premium travel experiences. A combination of updated and new statement credits makes the refreshed Amex Platinum an ideal card for frequent travelers and digital entertainment enthusiasts alike.
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- Up to $600 hotel credit (disbursed as up to $300 in statement credits semiannually; enrollment required)
- Up to $300 digital entertainment credit (disbursed as up to $25 in statement credits per month; enrollment required)
- Earns transferable Membership Rewards points
Cons
- $895 annual fee
- 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 Delta Sky Club visits (subject to visit limitations) when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass™ membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. *As of 01/2026
- $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 pay for eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. As a Platinum Card® Member you have special access to reservations on select nights at participating sought after Resy restaurants in select cities through Platinum Nights™ by Resy. Simply add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to book your reservation.
- $219 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 $219 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 late 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: Get up to a $12.95* statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
- 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.
- See Rates & Fees
Best for business owners who prioritize premium travel perks
Apply for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Apply now
for The Business Platinum Card® from American Expressat American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
Rewards rate
| 5X | Earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | 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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X points on other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
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.
As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
Annual fee
$895
Regular APR
17.99% - 28.74% Variable
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Good to Excellent
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express continues its long-standing streak as one of the most valuable cards on the market for frequent business travelers. The Amex Business Platinum card offers perks like automatic Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status (enrollment required) and statement credits that can be used toward business-specific purchases.
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- Offers easy to use business-specific statement credits
- Earns valuable and transferable Membership Rewards points
Cons
- $895 annual fee
- 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. Learn more.
- 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 01/2026.
- See how you can unlock over $4,000 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 $219 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 up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business* on the Business Platinum Card. *Subject to auto-renewal.
- 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.
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
Rewards rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | 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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
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.
As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
Annual fee
$325
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Excellent to Good
This isn’t just a card that’s nice to look at. It packs a real punch, offering 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar) and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar). There’s also an up to $120 annual dining statement credit, plus up to $120 annually ($10 per month) in Uber Cash, which can be used on Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. The card must be added to your Uber account and you can redeem with any Amex card. All this makes it a very strong contender for all food purchases, which has become a popular spending category. Enrollment required for select benefits. Read our full review of the American Express Gold Card.
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- 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.
- 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.
- $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.
- Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status 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.
- Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- 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.
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
Rewards rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.* |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ using your Business Gold Card.* |
| 1X | Earn 1X on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
You may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $15,000 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.
As High As 200,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
Annual fee
$375
Regular APR
17.99% - 28.74% Variable
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Excellent to Good
The Amex Business Gold card is a solid choice for high-spending small businesses with the flexibility to earn 4 points per dollar in the two categories where you spend the most. The card is ideal for businesses who value simplicity above all. Read our full review of the American Express Business Gold Card.
Pros
- You'll earn 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar in the top 2 spending categories each billing cycle (on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year; then 1 point per dollar).
Cons
- Hefty $375 annual fee.
- There may be better options for small businesses who don't spend a lot.
- As High As 200,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $15,000 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 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.
- Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at Grubhub, Office Supply Stores, and shipments at UPS.com. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
- Enroll and get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business* on the Business Gold Card. *Subject to auto-renewal.
- Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits per calendar year for U.S. purchases with Squarespace on the Business Gold card. Subscription purchases subject to auto-renewal.
- Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
- The Business Gold Card comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and White Gold. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
- Terms Apply
Apply for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Apply now
for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Expressat American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
Rewards rate
| 6% | Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%). |
| 6% | Earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. |
| 3% | Earn 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases. |
| 1% | Earn 1% cash back on other purchases. |
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
You may be eligible for as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 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.
As High As $300 Cash Back. Find Out Your Offer.
Annual fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Regular APR
19.74%-28.74% Variable
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Excellent to Good
The Blue Cash Preferred Card is one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. You’ll get a great return across a wide range of bonus categories, a solid welcome bonus and a low annual fee. Read our full review of the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express.
Pros
- This card has one of the best earning structures out for among cash-back credit cards.
- The card comes with access to Amex Offers (activation required), which can save you even more money on specific purchases.
Cons
- There is a $6,000 spending cap on the U.S. supermarket bonus category, which may not work for those with large grocery budgets.
- You’ll have to pay a foreign transaction fee on international purchases, so it’s not a great choice when you’re traveling abroad.
- Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $300 cash back* after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $3,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.74%-28.74%.
- 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 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get up to a $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® 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.
- See Rates & Fees
Comparing the best American Express credit cards
Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning rate | Annual fee | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
at American Express's secure site | premium travel perks and digital entertainment | As High As 175,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. Open Intro bonus 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 points Open Rewards rates
| $895 | ||||||||||||
at American Express's secure site | business owners who prioritize premium travel perks | As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. Open Intro bonus 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. | 1 - 5X points Open Rewards rates
| $895 | ||||||||||||
at American Express's secure site | U.S. supermarkets and restaurants | As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. Open Intro bonus 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. | 1 - 5X points Open Rewards rates
| $325 | ||||||||||||
at American Express's secure site | flexible earning on business expenses | As High As 200,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. Open Intro bonus You may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $15,000 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. | 1 - 4X points Open Rewards rates
| $375 | ||||||||||||
at American Express's secure site | maximizing cash back | As High As $300 Cash Back. Find Out Your Offer. Open Intro bonus You may be eligible for as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 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. | 1 - 6% cash-back Open Rewards rates
| $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. |
How we rate
We rated the best American Express credit cards based on several factors, including reward earning rates, perks and benefits associated with each card and the overall value each card delivers to you, the consumer. To learn about how TPG evaluates and chooses cards for our roundups, check out our methodology here.
Welcome bonusWe included cards that featured solid welcome bonuses with varying minimum spend thresholds to fit different budgets.
Annual feeOur top picks feature varying annual fees to provide a larger range of benefits for cardholders.
Earning ratesWe chose Amex cards that feature popular bonus categories to help you maximize your rewards.
Redemption optionsThe best cards provide you with different types of redemption options, including cash back.
Added benefitsIn addition to earning rates and lucrative welcome bonuses, our top picks also offer travel and insurance perks.
Here’s why American Express remains a fan-favorite issuer
Thanks to the myriad perks of being an Amex cardholder, the issuer has been able to offer a product suitable for every type of spender.
Amex cards are so popular that 39% of TPG readers we surveyed shared that they simultaneously hold both the American Express Platinum Card® and the American Express® Gold Card.
Cardholders who are frequent travelers, prefer staying at a specific hotel chain or are loyal to a specific airline get to choose from several cobranded Amex products while those who prefer to earn straightforward cash back or points also have lots of great options to consider.
Amex card rewards include on-property credits at select hotels, travel credits when you book and pay for a flight with certain Amex cards and even dining credits at specific restaurants and on eligible takeout and delivery orders. Both the Amex Gold and Amex Platinum cards are great for foodies and travelers alike — and make an especially powerful combo for foodies who frequently fly, too!
This information was collected via opt-in surveys of TPG’s roughly 900,000 daily newsletter subscribers in May-June 2024. All data is anonymous and aggregated; you can view our full methodology for collecting and utilizing data here.
Ask our experts
What's your favorite Amex card — and why?
How to choose the best Amex credit card
The best Amex credit card for you depends on what you want your card to do; are you looking to earn cash back? Do you want transferable reward points? At TPG, we recommend choosing a card that matches your spending habits, including earning rewards in your top spending categories.
Here are some of the main points to consider when choosing an Amex credit card:
- Go with an Amex that features a decent Welcome bonus — you can use the reward you earn for future travel plans or to pay down a balance if you opt for a cash-back card. Select an option that has an achievable spend threshold and that you’ll earn the currency most valuable to you — whether it’s points, miles or cash back.1Welcome bonus
- While some of the Amex cards on our list feature high annual fees, they also offer stellar travel and shopping protections in addition to other benefits like credits in certain categories. We also included no annual fee cards for those who don’t want to worry about paying for a card each year.2Annual fee
- The best Amex cards on this list feature several bonus categories, ensuring there’s a good fit for every type of consumer. If you want to earn rewards on grocery store purchases or flights booked through the Amex travel portal, it’s likely that one of our top-rated picks is well-suited to your specific needs.3Bonus categories
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Pros + cons of American Express cards
Pros
- American Express cards can earn points, miles or cash back on every dollar you spend, helping you maximize your reward-earning strategy
- Many American Express cards offer valuable shopping and travel protections
- Select American Express cards provide perks like statement credits, elite status and more
Cons
- The cost of borrowing on Amex cards is higher than traditional loans
- American Express may not be accepted by all merchants
- American Express typically only allows you to earn one welcome bonus per card once in your lifetime
American Express benefits
American Express cards have long held a reputation for lucrative benefits, though the extent of these perks depends on the card you have.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, American Express is a reliable issuer that offers a variety of lucrative cards. This includes a number of great cash-back options as well as many that award Membership Rewards points, which are some of the most valuable transferable points out there.
To start an American Express application, you can click on any of the links in this guide and follow the onscreen prompts. Be prepared with your Social Security number along with all of your contact information.
No, but the issuer has made strides in recent years. In fact, according to the February 2023 Nilson report, Amex is now accepted at 99% of U.S. merchants that take credit cards — putting it nearly even with networks like Visa and Mastercard.
There’s no single threshold to get approved for an American Express card, but most of them require good or excellent credit. However, even that may not be enough for a premium card like the the American Express Platinum Card®.
Amex generally limits the number of personal cards you can have to five, though cards without preset spending limits* — like the American Express Platinum Card® and American Express® Gold Card — are typically excluded from this number, as are small-business Amex cards.
However, that’s not a license to apply for new cards with abandon, since American Express will consider your history of opening and closing accounts when deciding on your approval. You can read more information in the Amex section of our guide to credit card application restrictions.
*No Preset Spending Limit means your spending limit is flexible. Unlike a traditional card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history.
There’s no one “best” American Express card for everyone. If you’re looking for more luxury when traveling, the American Express Platinum Card® could be a great fit. However, if you just want simple cash-back rewards, you may prefer a product like the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express.
Start by identifying the type of rewards you want — Membership Rewards points, airline miles, hotel points or cash back. Next, consider the types of purchases you make on a regular basis along with other benefits you value highly. Then, pick the card that offers your preferred rewards currency along with sufficiently lucrative benefits and earning rates based on your typical spending habits.