American Express is a leading credit card issuer in the United States, offering a wide range of cards for both consumers and small business owners. If you’re considering applying for a new American Express card, it’s important to understand which card is the best fit for your needs. In this guide, we’ll explore the top American Express credit cards available in 2024 and highlight their key features.
Best Amex Credit Cards Compared in 2024
Before we dive into the details of each card, let’s take a quick look at the top American Express credit cards compared side by side:
- Best for premium travel perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Best for airport benefits on a budget: American Express® Green Card
- Best for travel rewards: American Express® Gold Card
- Best for supermarket spending: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Best for no annual fee: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- Best for airline rewards: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
- Best for hotel rewards: Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
- Best for small business spending: American Express® Business Gold Card
- Best for financing business purchases: The Plum Card® from American Express
Now, let’s delve into each card and explore why it stands out from the rest.
Best for Premium Travel Perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Welcome offer: bonus_miles_full
Bonus rewards: 1x – 5x
Why we like it: The Platinum Card® from American Express is the ultimate premium travel rewards card. With its extensive list of benefits, it outshines nearly all other credit cards in the market. Cardholders enjoy access to Delta SkyClubs, Priority Pass Select, and American Express Centurion airport lounges. Additionally, you’ll receive $200 in annual airline travel fee credits, $100 in annual Saks Fifth Avenue credits, and $240 in annual digital entertainment credits. The card also offers credits towards TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees, as well as elite status with Hilton and Marriott hotels. With these perks and the ability to earn points in the Membership Rewards program, this card is a must-have for frequent travelers.
Best for Airport Benefits on a Budget: American Express® Green Card
Welcome offer: bonus_miles_full
Bonus rewards: 1x – 3x
Why we like it: The American Express® Green Card is perfect for those who want airport perks without the hefty annual fee. With an annual fee of just annual_fees, this card offers great value for your money. Cardholders receive $189 a year towards CLEAR Plus memberships and a $100 LoungeBuddy credit. You’ll also earn bonus_miles_full, plus 20% back on travel and transit purchases made within six months, up to $200 cash back. The card also offers 3x points on travel, transit, and dining, and one point per dollar spent elsewhere. With its affordable annual fee and attractive rewards, the American Express® Green Card is a fantastic choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Best for Travel Rewards: American Express® Gold Card
Welcome offer: bonus_miles_full
Bonus rewards: 1x – 4x
Why we like it: The American Express® Gold Card is a travel rewards powerhouse. With its impressive 4x points on dining purchases worldwide, takeout, and delivery orders, it’s a food lover’s dream. The card also offers 4x points on U.S. supermarket purchases up to $25,000 per year. Additionally, you’ll earn 3x points on travel purchases and one point per dollar spent elsewhere. These points can be redeemed through the Membership Rewards program for various travel rewards options. With its annual_fees, $120 annual dining credits, and $120 Uber Cash, this card provides exceptional value for frequent travelers.
Best for Supermarket Spending: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Welcome offer: bonus_miles_full
Bonus rewards: 1x – 6x
Why we like it: The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a supermarket spender’s dream. With an incredible 6% cash back on up to $6,000 spent per year at U.S. supermarkets, it’s perfect for those who love to stock up on groceries. The card also offers 3% cash back on transit purchases, including taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains, and buses. Other benefits include up to $84 a year in credits towards Disney Bundles and $120 towards an Equinox+ membership. With its annual_fees, this card provides excellent rewards and savings for everyday expenses.
Best for No Annual Fee: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Welcome offer: bonus_miles_full
Bonus rewards: 1% – 3% cash back
Why we like it: The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers the benefit of a rewards program without any annual fee. Cardholders earn double points for purchases made at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year) and one point per dollar spent elsewhere. Plus, when you make 20 or more purchases during a billing cycle, you’ll receive an extra 20% points. This card is an excellent choice for those looking to earn cash back rewards without paying an annual fee.
Best for Airline Rewards: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Welcome offer: bonus_miles_full
Bonus rewards: 2x miles on Delta purchases, supermarkets, and takeout in the U.S. 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.
Why we like it: American Express has a strong partnership with Delta, and the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a fantastic choice for airline rewards. With this card, you’ll earn 2x SkyMiles on dining, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. You’ll also earn 2x miles at U.S. supermarkets and on purchases made directly with Delta, and one mile per dollar spent elsewhere. Cardholders also enjoy a 15% discount on miles redeemed when booking flights through Delta.com or the Fly Delta app, a free checked bag, and 20% back on in-flight purchases. With its annual_fees, this card provides exceptional value for Delta frequent flyers.
Best for Hotel Rewards: Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Welcome offer: 130,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first three months.
Bonus rewards: 12x points on hotels and resorts.
Why we like it: The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is a fantastic choice for hotel rewards. Cardholders earn 12x points for purchases from Hilton hotels and resorts, 6x points for dining at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery), and 6x points at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations. You’ll also receive complimentary Gold status, a free night reward each calendar year, and 10 visits to Priority Pass Select airport lounges. With its annual_fees, this card offers incredible value for Hilton loyalists.
Best for Small Business Spending: American Express® Business Gold Card
Welcome offer: bonus_miles_full
Bonus rewards: 1x – 4x
Why we like it: The American Express® Business Gold Card is a game-changer for small business owners. With this card, you can earn 4x points on your top two categories of spending, including gas, airfare, advertising, and technology purchases. The 4x points apply to the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these two categories each calendar year, and you’ll earn 1x points on all other purchases. The card also offers strong expense management tools and a 25% airline bonus when booking flights through AmexTravel.com with points. With its annual_fees, this card provides exceptional value for small businesses.
Best for Financing Business Purchases: The Plum Card® from American Express
Welcome offer: bonus_miles_full
Bonus rewards: 1.5% cash back
Why we like it: The Plum Card® from American Express is a powerful tool for managing your small business’s cash flow. You can choose to carry a balance for up to 60 days without incurring interest charges, providing a short-term line of credit at no cost. Alternatively, you can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on any portion of your balance you pay within 10 days of your statement closing date. This card is ideal for financing business purchases and offers tremendous flexibility for small business owners. With its annual_fees, this card is a smart choice for those looking to optimize their cash flow.
American Express Requirements: Who is Eligible?
To apply for an American Express card, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:
Credit score
Most American Express cards require good or excellent credit for approval. Good credit is typically defined as a FICO score of 670 or higher, while excellent credit is considered to be a FICO score of 740 or higher. While a higher credit score increases your chances of approval, other factors may also be taken into account.
Limitations on earning a welcome bonus
American Express has a “once-in-a-lifetime” bonus restriction. If you have previously received a welcome offer for a specific Amex card, you may not be eligible for another offer on the same card. However, Amex will notify you of your eligibility for a welcome offer before you apply.
Other limitations
To be eligible for an American Express card, you must be at least 18 years old, have a Social Security number, and a U.S. street address.
What Credit Limit Can You Get with American Express?
American Express assigns credit limits based on your creditworthiness at the time of application. While most cards have a predetermined credit limit, select American Express cards, such as the [card_name] and [card_name], have no preset spending limit. With these cards, you can request pre-approval for specific charges if you’re unsure if they will be approved.
What Are American Express Membership Rewards?
American Express Membership Rewards is the travel rewards program offered by many American Express cards. These points can be redeemed for various rewards, including merchandise, gift cards, and cash back. However, the most valuable redemption option is transferring points to one of the 20 travel partners, such as Emirates, Air Canada, Air France/KLM, and Hilton. By transferring your points to travel partners, you can maximize their value and enjoy incredible travel rewards.
How to Combine Points on American Express Cards
When you have multiple American Express cards that are part of the Membership Rewards program, your points will automatically be combined. This includes points earned from both personal and small business credit cards. Additionally, you can combine rewards by transferring your points to airline and hotel accounts held by anyone in your household.
Pros and Cons of American Express Cards
Like any credit card issuer, American Express has its pros and cons. Here are a few key points to consider:
Pros
- Membership Rewards program with excellent redemption options
- Strong travel insurance and purchase protection benefits
- Great customer service
Cons
- Some cards have high annual fees
- Once-in-a-lifetime policy for welcome bonuses
Methodology
The best American Express cards were selected based on an analysis of their rewards, benefits, and fees. The author of this article has over 15 years of experience analyzing and writing about credit cards and travel rewards.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Amex Gold or Platinum better?
The Amex Gold and Platinum cards cater to different cardholders. The Gold Card offers superior rewards, while the Platinum Card features extensive travel perks and benefits. Some customers choose to have both cards for maximum benefits.
Which American Express card is easiest to get?
The Amex EveryDay card with no annual fee is a good option for applicants worried about qualifying.
What is the hardest Amex card to get?
The Platinum Card has the highest qualifications, but there is also an ultra-premium Centurion Card available by invitation only.
What are the different American Express transfer partners?
American Express partners with several airlines and hotels for point transfers. Some of the partners include Aer Lingus AerClub, Air Canada Aeroplan, Delta SkyMiles, Hilton Honors, and Marriott Bonvoy.
Why do some merchants not accept American Express?
American Express charges slightly higher merchant fees compared to other payment networks, so some retailers choose not to accept it to save on costs.
Which is better: American Express or Visa?
For credit card users, the payment network is less important than the card issuer and the specific card’s benefits. Some American Express cards may be better than certain Visa cards, and vice versa.
Remember, these are just a few of the top American Express credit cards available in 2024. Each card offers its own unique benefits and rewards, so be sure to choose the one that aligns with your financial goals and lifestyle. Happy credit card hunting!
Note: All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card has been collected independently by Personal Finances Blog and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.