The Best American Express Credit Cards for Rewards, Perks, and Cash-Back [2024]

Whether you’ve got a single card or dozens, chances are you’ve never really examined your credit card in depth. Which is a shame, because there’s a plethora of information on every credit card.

Go ahead: Look closely at each of the credit cards in your wallet. You’ll find the name of the financial institution that issued your card.

Now you’ll notice the distinctive logo of the payment processing network responsible for facilitating every transaction you make with the card. That network may be Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or even Discover. These processing networks serve as links between the financial institution that issued your card and the merchant from which you’re making a purchase.

Visa and Mastercard have the single purpose of operating as card networks and do not actually issue credit cards.

American Express, however, is special. It plays a more expanded role, serving as both a card issuer and a payment processing network.

That’s part of the reason why American Express excels when it comes to issuing a diverse collection of cards, adding benefits that relate to each card’s target audience and making it easy for nearly every consumer to find a card that fits their lifestyle.

So now you’ve learned about American Express just by looking at the card. Let’s take it further and talk about what the card itself can’t tell you: which American Express cards are best for each lifestyle.

The Best Amex Cards — Overview

Earning Rewards With American Express Cards

There are several ways to earn rewards with American Express cards. Membership Rewards points provide value and flexibility, cash-back rewards offer liquidity, and co-branded airline and hotel cards earn miles or points that add to your loyalty program rewards balances.

Let’s look at the types of reward-earning with Amex cards.

Membership Rewards

Membership Rewards points are among the most valuable types of rewards points you can earn because they’re so flexible at redemption time. For the best value, redeem Membership Rewards on flights via Amex Travel or American Express transfer partners.

The Amex Platinum card and the Amex Gold card are examples of cards that earn Membership Rewards points.

Cash-Back Rewards

Cash-back is one of the most flexible types of rewards, as it can directly affect your bottom line. Cash-back earning structures and redemption processes are also generally easy to understand and execute.

There are cards that automatically apply cash-back each billing period as a statement credit and cards that allow cash-back earnings to accumulate over time.

Examples of cash-back credit cards include the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card and the American Express Cash Magnet^® Card.

Co-Branded Card Rewards

American Express issues cards that are branded with both airline and hotel groups and that earn rewards in the form of miles or points in the affiliated loyalty rewards program of that brand.

For example, the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card earns Delta SkyMiles, and the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card earns Hilton Honors points.

Bottom Line: The collection of American Express-issued cards offers several reward-earnings options including valuable Membership Rewards, cash-back, and miles and points on co-branded airline and hotel cards. 

Best Cards for Travel

Travel rewards cards have travel-focused earning structures and redemptions. The right travel rewards card can save you money, make your travels more comfortable, and provide travel-related protections and benefits.

American Express has done a good job of understanding travelers’ needs and steps up when it comes to delivering benefits for them, whether they’re domestic road-trippers or seasoned world travelers.

Amex Platinum Card (Best for Travel and Lounge Access)

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

80,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,760

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $189 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck^® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck^® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Known as the premier travel rewards card, the Amex Platinum card offers one of the best collections of benefits available, plus earnings bonuses and redemptions that deliver strong travel-related value.

In addition to worldwide lounge access, elevated earnings on select category purchases, and the statement credits listed above, the Amex Platinum card offers these additional benefits:

• Access to over 1,400 lounges as part of the Amex Global Lounge Collection
• Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors upon enrollment
• Rental car status and benefits with Hertz, National, and Avis
• Statement credit for TSA PreCheck or a statement credit for Global Entry (but not both)
• Membership Rewards redemptions for flights via AmexTravel.com, gift cards, and more
• Points transfers to travel partners for potentially greater value
• Amex Offers

Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of earning Membership Rewards points is the ability to redeem points by transferring to airline and hotel travel partners for premium travel experiences.

This flexibility inspired us to search for and write about the best ways to maximize the points for luxury travel.

Hot Tip: Find out if you meet the required credit score for the Amex Platinum card by reading our guide.

Amex Gold Card (Best for Earning Points)

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Gold Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express^® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.

60,000 points + up to $100 back

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,420

Annual Fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No lounge access

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
• Get the American Express^® Gold Card in either the Gold, Rose Gold or Limited-Edition White Gold metal design. White Gold design is only available while supplies last.
• 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 per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at Dunkin' locations.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit to use towards eligible charges, which may include food and beverage, spa, or other on-property charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Credit use varies by property.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 90,000 points with the Amex Gold card. The current public offer is 60,000 points + up to $100 back. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

While the Amex Gold card functions powerfully as an everyday spending card, it also carries enough travel benefits to make it a contender for a place in your wallet if you’re a traveler.

Earn well at U.S. supermarkets, restaurants, and qualifying flight purchases, but also know that your card is earning valuable Membership Rewards points that can be redeemed for great travel value.

Here are some of the additional benefits you can expect with the card:

• Up to $120 in dining credits each year
• Up to $120 in Uber credits each year
• $100 hotel credit for 2-night-or-more stays at American Express Hotel Collection properties
• Membership Rewards redemptions for flights via AmexTravel.com, gift cards, and more
• Points transfers to travel partners for greater potential value
• Amex Offers

Some of the benefits above require enrollment.

We like that the Amex Gold card has a dual purpose: earning well on everyday purchases yet coming through with good value when you’re purchasing flights or redeeming points for travel experiences.

Amex Green Card (Best Midtier Card for Travel)

American Express^® Green Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card can provide a great way to accumulate Membership Rewards points on eligible travel, transit, and at restaurants.

All information about American Express^® Green Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express^® Green Card

This card can provide a great way to accumulate Membership Rewards points on eligible travel, transit, and at restaurants.

Welcome Offer

Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your American Express^® Green Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

40,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$880

Annual Fee

$150

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Green Card is an excellent all-around travel rewards card thanks to earning 3x Membership Rewards^® points on eligible travel and transit purchases and at restaurants, access to American Express transfer partners, and a reasonable annual fee.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x points per $1 spent at restaurants worldwide, on all eligible travel purchases, and transit purchases
• Up to $189 per calendar year in statement credits after you pay for a CLEAR^® Plus membership with the Card.
• Up to $100 in statement credits annually when you purchase airport lounge access through LoungeBuddy with the Card.

Cons

• $150 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your American Express^® Green Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points on travel including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® Points on transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US.
• $189 CLEAR Plus Credit: Receive up to $189 per calendar year in statement credits when you pay for your CLEAR Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the American Express^® Green Card.
• $100 LoungeBuddy: No airport lounge membership? No problem! Purchase lounge access through the LoungeBuddy app using the American Express^® Green Card and receive up to $100 in statement credits annually.
• Payment Flexibility: When it comes to paying your bill, you have options. You can always pay in full. You also have the flexibility to carry a balance with interest or use Plan It^® to split up large purchases into monthly payments with a fixed fee, up to your Pay Over Time Limit. You may be able to keep spending beyond your limit – you’ll just need to pay for any new purchases in full when your bill is due.
• Trip Delay Insurance: If a round-trip is paid for entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason delays your trip more than 12 hours, Trip Delay Insurance can help reimburse certain additional expenses purchased on the same Eligible Card, up to $300 per trip, maximum 2 claims per eligible account per 12 consecutive month period. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: No matter where you’re traveling, when you use your American Express^® Green Card there are no foreign transaction fees.
• $150 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Perhaps you’re not a seasoned world traveler but want to get started with a travel rewards card that doesn’t charge a high annual fee yet offers a nice, well-rounded collection of travel-related benefits.

With the Amex Green card, you receive bonus earnings at restaurants worldwide and on travel purchases. All other purchases receive 1x earnings.

Here are additional benefits that come with the card:

• Up to $189 statement credit each year toward CLEAR Plus membership
• Up to $100 statement credit each year for LoungeBuddy purchases
• Earns valuable Membership Rewards points
• Redeem points for travel via AmexTravel.com or transfer to travel partners for greater potential value
• No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)

Bottom Line: If you travel even occasionally, get at least 1 travel rewards card offering related earnings bonuses and redemptions plus a collection of associated travel benefits. American Express offers nearly a dozen travel rewards cards from which to select. 

Best Cards for Cash-Back

American Express shines when it comes to rewarding everyday spending with cash-back rewards. You earn cash-back on every purchase in the form of Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise.

Here are 2 of the most popular cash-back-earning American Express cards:

Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card (Best for Cash-Back)

HIGHEST CASH BACK

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is great for those who want to earn cash-back with U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express

This card is great for those who want to earn cash-back with U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.

Welcome Offer

Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.

$250

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

APR

19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express is a stellar cash-back credit card for those looking to maximize every purchase they make.

With bonus categories like U.S. supermarkets, select U.S. streaming services, U.S. gas stations, and transit purchases, this card rewards you for the items you spend the most on in a big way! For those looking to earn up to 6% cash-back on their purchases, this could be the card for you!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year)
• 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
• 3% cash-back on U.S. gas stations and transit (including rideshares, parking, etc.)

Cons

• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee (rates and fees)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It^® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
• Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%.
• 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
• 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
• 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
• 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
• 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
• Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
• $84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

Rewards Center

Redeem cash-back through your American Express account

Cash-back rewards add up quickly when you qualify for the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card‘s initial welcome offer, plus you receive bonus-level earnings in the form of Reward Dollars on qualifying purchases you make on a daily basis.

We like these additional benefits offered on the card, as well:

• Pay It Plan It^® repayment plan
• Travel accident insurance

Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card (Best Cash-Back Card With No Annual Fee)

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This cash-back card offers a capped 3% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express

This cash-back card offers a capped 3% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases!

Welcome Offer

Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 15 months

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cash-back credit cards, there are dozens of options to choose from. So what sets the Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express apart from the rest?

This card is excellent at earning cash-back on your everyday purchases at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases. So if you regularly spend money on everyday purchases, this could be the perfect card to add to your wallet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3% back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
• 3% back on purchases at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
• 3% back on purchases on online retail purchases on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.

Cons

• Rewards are not flexible and can only be redeemed for cash-back. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
• No Annual Fee.
• Balance Transfer is back! Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
• 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
• 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
• 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
• Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
• Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday^® Card. Enrollment required.
• Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday^® Card.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 15 months
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

Making everyday purchases without earning cash-back is simply missing out. Especially when the no-annual-fee Amex Blue Cash Everyday card makes the process seamless.

In addition to everyday earning power, you receive these added benefits:

• Pay It Plan It^® repayment plan
• Monthly statement credits for eligible Disney Bundle subscriptions and Home Chef (enrollment required)

Bottom Line: Cash-back is one of the most flexible types of rewards you can earn. American Express-issued cash-back cards allow your Reward Dollars to accumulate so you can determine when and how you want to redeem your rewards. 

Best Business Cards

At some point in the midst of growing your business, you’ve probably realized the value of keeping personal and business expenses separate by using a business credit card. You may have also realized that a business card also brings you the benefits of organization, balancing cash-flow, and additional business-related features.

American Express knows the needs of business owners and reflects that knowledge in its card offerings. Here are some of the best American Express business cards:

Amex Business Platinum Card (Best Business Card for Travel and Lounge Access)

ELEVATED OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome Offer

Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

150,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$3,300

Annual Fee

$695

APR

19.49% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
• Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)

Cons

• High annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 5X Membership Rewards^® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
• Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
• Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card^®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card^®, here.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
• $189 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card^®.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
• $695 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 150,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

When your business requires a lot of travel, you need a card that can live up to the associated demands. Receiving statement credits for airline incidentals and having worldwide lounge access is certainly a good start, but the Amex Business Platinum card offers much more.

Here are some of the benefits, in addition to those mentioned in the snapshot above, that you can expect with the card:

• 1.5x points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else (up to $2 million in purchases per calendar year)
• Up to $400 statement credit for Dell purchases upon enrollment
• Statement credit for a TSA PreCheck application fee or a statement credit for a Global Entry application fee
• 35% rebate when redeeming Membership Rewards points for flights via Amex Travel
• Points transfers to travel partners for potentially greater value
• Amex Offers

Amex Business Gold Card (Best Business Card for Earning Points)

100K OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Business Gold Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

American Express^® Business Gold Card

Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).

Welcome Offer

Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*

100,000 Points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$2,200

Annual Fee

$375

APR

19.49% - 28.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 6 months from date of account opening

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Business Gold Card is excellent at racking up rewards for your business spend.

The card earns a whopping 4x points per $1 in the 2 categories (from a list of 6) that your business spends the most money on each month. With no need to opt-in or preselect your categories, so you can focus on what matters most — running your business.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per dollar spent on your 2 highest purchase categories each month up to $150,000 each calendar year in purchases; categories include:
  • NEW! Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
  • NEW! U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
  • NEW! Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
  • U.S. purchases at gas stations
  • U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
  • Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, plus TV and radio)
• 3x points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card
• Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection

Cons

• $375 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access or elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
• 0% Intro APR ¤ for 6 months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time, then a 19.49% to 28.49% variable APR.*
• 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 3X Membership Rewards^® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.*
• Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
• 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 Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.*
• The Business Gold Card now comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and Limited Edition White Gold. White Gold design is only available while supplies last. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
• *Terms Apply

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 6 months from date of account opening
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 110,000 points with the Amex Business Gold card! The current public offer is 100,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Unlike bonus earnings on the personal Amex Gold card, the Amex Business Gold card focuses its earnings on common business-related expenses and offers benefits geared toward businesses.

No preselection is required, as cardmembers receive 4x bonus earnings automatically. Each statement period, your highest 2 expenses from these qualifying purchase categories receive 4x earnings, up to $150,000 per year:

• Tickets purchased directly from the airline
• Radio, online, and TV advertising from U.S. providers
• Qualifying U.S. provider technology purchases including computer hardware, software, and cloud solutions
• U.S. gas station purchases
• U.S. restaurant purchases
• Shipping purchases from U.S. providers

While bonus category earnings focus on business-related expenses, so do these card benefits:

• Employee cards at no additional cost (rates & fees)
• QuickBooks compatibility
• The American Express business app to load receipts and notes
• Year-end statements help organize your expenses at tax time
• Mobile account management and alerts

Amazon Business Prime Amex Card (Best Business Card for Amazon)

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Amazon Business Prime American Express Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Amazon Business Prime American Express Card

Welcome Offer

Eligible Prime Members get a $125 Amazon Gift Card upon approval for the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card.

$125 Amazon Gift Card

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$125

Annual Fee

No annual fee

APR

19.49% - 27.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent Credit Recommended (670-850)

Card Highlights

• Eligible Prime Members get a $125 Amazon Gift Card upon approval for the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card.
• Take advantage of 5% Back or 90 day Terms on U.S. purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with eligible Prime membership. You can earn 5% Back on the first $120,000 in purchases each calendar year, 1% Back thereafter
• 2% Back at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers
• 1% Back on other purchases
• No Annual Fee¤
• Back your business with the broad selection of Amazon and the service of American Express. Stay focused on your top business priorities, knowing we’re behind you.
• Redeem rewards on millions of items during checkout at Amazon.com and Amazon Business (U.S.) or apply towards a purchase on your statement.
• Terms apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49% - 27.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

If your business involves high-volume purchases on Amazon, the Amazon Business Prime Amex card could add serious cash to your bottom line. And with no annual fee, the Amazon Business Prime Amex card could also serve as the perfect companion card to a primary business card.

Bottom Line: We’ve only listed a few of Amex’s business card options here, but American Express offers more than a dozen business cards. Each card has earnings bonuses and redemptions focused on business owners, regardless of the size of your operation. We’ve dug deep into the collection can recommend the best American Express business credit cards.

Best Airline Card

Delta Reserve Card (Best Premium Delta Card)

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Delta loyalists will love the fast track to Delta elite status, lounge access, baggage benefits, and upgrade priority with the Delta Reserve card.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card

Delta loyalists will love the fast track to Delta elite status, lounge access, baggage benefits, and upgrade priority with the Delta Reserve card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

60,000 Bonus Miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$720

Annual Fee

$650

APR

20.99%-29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card is a stellar option for frequent travelers who always fly with Delta thanks to its MQD Headstart towards status boost, lounge access, annual companion certificate, and many other great benefits.

Here is a full look at everything the Delta Reserve card can offer to you to help you decide whether the card deserves a place in your wallet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x SkyMiles per $1 on Delta purchases
• 1x SkyMile per $1 on all other eligible purchases
• Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights.

Cons

• $650 annual fee (rates & fees)
• No bonus categories other than Delta purchases

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Enjoy complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter. Once all 15 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person using the Card.
• Receive four Delta Sky Club^® One-Time Guest Passes each year when you fly Delta so you can share the experience with family and friends.
• Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion^® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
• Receive $2,500 Medallion^® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
• Earn $1 Medallion^® Qualification Dollar for each $10 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving elevated Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
• Receive a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+^®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
• $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
• $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
• Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve 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.
• With your Card receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion level and fare class.
• Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
• Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• $650 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Delta SkyMiles Airline Loyalty Program

If Delta is your airline of choice, the Delta Reserve card will enhance that relationship with Delta-specific perks, earnings, and redemption options.

• Priority boarding and free checked bag
• Complimentary Delta Sky Club access
• 2 single-visit Delta Sky Club guest passes each year
• Complimentary Amex Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta
• Delta SkyMiles companion flight certificate on each card anniversary
• Statement credit for TSA PreCheck application fee or a statement credit for Global Entry application fee
• Upgrade priority over travelers with the same level of elite status
• Discounted CLEAR membership
• Access to Pay with Miles redemption option
• A faster path to Delta SkyMiles Medallion elite status

While the Delta Reserve card is top of the line when it comes to Delta-branded cards, American Express issues additional cards that may offer better value for the Delta loyalist:

• Delta SkyMiles^® American Express Platinum Card
• Delta Gold card

To review all the Delta-branded cards available, including business cards, visit our article on the best cards for Delta loyalists.

Best Hotel Cards

If you frequent a particular hotel brand, you may be familiar with how loyalty program status can enhance your experience when you stay at that brand’s hotels. A hotel-branded card steps up that experience even further.

Here are our choices for some of the best hotel-branded American Express cards.

Hilton Aspire Card (Best Premium Hilton Card)

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.

All information about Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.

Welcome Offer

Earn 175,000 Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 7/31/2024.

175,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$875

Annual Fee

$550

APR

20.99% - 29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

---

Paying hundreds of dollars for an annual fee on a co-branded hotel card might seem ridiculous, but you should know that the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is much more than your run-of-the-mill hotel credit card.

The Hilton Aspire card is not only a phenomenal card for Hilton Honors loyalists, but even those who visit Hilton hotels just a few times a year can still get excellent value out of all the benefits that are packed into this card.

So let’s have a look at what makes the card so valuable to travelers.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 14x points per $1 on Hilton purchases
• 7x points per $1 on select travel and at U.S. restaurants
• 3x points per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• High annual fee of $550

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 175,000 Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 7/31/2024.
• Earn 14x Hilton Honors Bonus Points when you make eligible purchases on your card at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
• Earn 7x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for eligible purchases: on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies, and at U.S. restaurants.
• Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for other purchases on your card.
• Enjoy up to $400 in Hilton Resort Credits (up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually) on your card each anniversary year when you stay at participating resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
• Enjoy complimentary Diamond status.
• $550 annual fee.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.99% - 29.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

In addition to the exceptional earnings mentioned in the card snapshot above, the Hilton Aspire card offers these premier benefits of interest to any Hilton Honors loyalist:

• Complimentary top-tier Diamond Elite status
• Priority Pass Select membership with access to over 1,300 lounge properties worldwide
• 3x earnings on all other purchases
• Additional free hotel night certificate after spending $60,000 in a calendar year on the card
• $400 Hilton Resort statement credit (up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually)
• $200 airline incidental fees statement credit
• $100 property credit for stays of 2 nights or more at Conrad and Waldorf Astoria properties

Find a Hilton Honors-branded card that fits your travel profile with these additional American Express-issued Hilton Honors cards that come with elite status, elevated earnings, free hotel nights, and more:

• Hilton Honors American Express Card
• Hilton Surpass card

For an in-depth look at all of the best cards for Hilton loyalists, we’ve created an informative overview.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card (Best Premium Marriott Card)

ELEVATED OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

185,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,295

Annual Fee

$650

APR

20.99%-29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.

So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy program
• 3x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines and restaurants worldwide
• 2x points per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• Steep annual fee of $650 (rates & fees)
• 6x points per $1 is the same earn rate offered with lower annual fee alternatives like the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card at restaurants worldwide.
• With Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy^® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Earn 3X Marriott Bonvoy^® points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2X Marriott Bonvoy^® points on all other eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card.
• Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
• $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton^® or St. Regis^® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck^® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy^® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
• With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• $650 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

Designed for the ultimate Marriott Bonvoy loyalist, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card delivers elite status, top earnings at Marriott properties, free hotel nights, and travel and shopping benefits.

• Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status
• 1 free hotel night certificate every year after your card’s renewal month, up to 85,000 points
• 25 elite night credits toward a higher status level
• Statement credit for TSA PreCheck application fee or a statement credit Global Entry application fee
• Restaurant and flight purchases receive 3x bonus earnings, 2x on all other purchases
• Up to $25 per month in dining statement credits (enrollment required)
• $100 property credit for stays of 2 nights or more at Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis properties

There are several Marriott Bonvoy-branded cards available. Some of these cards are issued by American Express and others by Chase. You can find the best of both in our article on the best credit cards for Marriott Bonvoy loyalists.

Bottom Line: Hotel-branded cards enhance the benefits of hotel loyalty programs by elevating earnings, expanding redemptions, and offering free hotel nights and on-site property benefits. For more information on the best hotel-branded cards, our article provides an excellent overview. 

Types of American Express Credit Cards

American Express offers 2 main types of cards: personal and business credit cards. Within each of those categories are multiple subtypes, including rewards cards, cash-back cards, airline cards, and hotel cards.

Rewards cards are tied to the American Express Membership Rewards program. Some of the best rewards cards offered by American Express include:

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

Cash-back credit cards are limited to earning cash-back rewards and include cards like:

• Amex Blue Cash Preferred card
• Amex Blue Cash Everyday card
• The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Airline cards are linked to a co-branded airline partner, which in the case of American Express is Delta, so the rewards and perks for the card are tied to Delta. These cards include:

• Delta Reserve card and Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card
• Delta Platinum card and Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum Business American Express Card
• Delta Gold card and Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Business American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles^® Blue American Express Card

Similarly, hotel cards are linked to a co-branded hotel partner, but in this case, American Express offers both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy co-branded cards. Some of the top cards include:

• Hilton Aspire card
• Hilton Surpass Card
• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card

How To Apply for an American Express Credit Card

Applying for an American Express card is easy. First, make sure that you meet the following requirements:

• You are at least 21 years old
• You have a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
• You have a source of income

From there, submit an application and provide details like your name, date of birth, Social Security number, annual income, address, and so on.

Once you’ve submitted your application, you may receive a yes or no response right away, or it may take up to 7 to 14 days for American Express to give you their decision.

What Credit Score Do You Need To Get an American Express Credit Card?

No credit score will guarantee that you’ll be approved for any American Express credit card. Your credit score is not the only factor that American Express considers — your income, the amount of credit that has been extended to you, and your history with American Express can all play a part in their decision.

That said, most applications with a credit score of 670 or higher usually have strong odds of approval for the full suite of American Express credit cards.

What Credit Limits Can I Get With an American Express Card?

The credit limit you receive for your American Express card depends on a variety of factors, including what type of card you are approved for, your credit score, your income, and the credit limits on your other American Express cards.

How Many American Express Cards Can You Have?

The number of cards you can have with American Express depends on what type of cards you hold with the credit issuer. Traditionally, American Express limits customers to 5 credit cards, though your experience may vary.

However, historically, cards that do not come with preset spending limits do not count toward the 5 credit card limit. These cards include the Amex Platinum card, the Amex Business Platinum card, the Amex Gold card, the Amex Business Gold card, and the Amex Green card.

With no preset spending limit, 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.

Can You Combine Points on American Express Cards?

That depends on the type of cards you have. If your cards share the same rewards program, then yes. If the cards earn different rewards, then no.

For instance, if you hold both the Amex Platinum card and Amex Gold card, both of which earn Amex Membership Rewards points, then points from both cards are pooled in your Membership Rewards account.

On the other hand, if you hold the Delta Gold card, which earns Delta SkyMiles, and the Hilton Surpass card, which earns Hilton points, then these points cannot be combined.

American Express Network Cards Not Issued by American Express

We mentioned earlier that American Express operates as both a financial institution that issues credit cards and as a payment processing network that serves as a link between the financial institution and merchants.

There are, however, circumstances where American Express serves a single role, as only a payment processing network for a card issued by a financial institution other than American Express.

Here are a few examples of cards, also known as third-party cards, that utilize the American Express payment processing network but are not issued by American Express, along with some of their benefits:

• U.S. Bank Cash 365™ American Express Card — no annual fee and 1.5% cash-back on all purchases
• USAA^® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express^® Card — no annual fee with 5% cash-back on the first $3,000 in purchases at gas stations and military bases and 2% cash-back on the first $3,000 each year at grocery stores. (For those interested in military cards, see our post on the best credit cards for members of the military.)
• USAA^® Secured Card American Express — best for those with no credit or poor credit

In addition to American Express processing transactions made on these cards, some of the benefits that come with these cards may also be American Express benefits.

Bottom Line: American Express occasionally serves as the payment processing network on cards issued by other financial institutions. The card-issuing financial institution may also offer American Express benefits with these cards. 

How We Selected the Best Amex Credit Cards

At Upgraded Points, we evaluate Amex credit cards by the amount of value they offer to travelers. We evaluate each card on important factors including its benefits, earnings structure, welcome offers, redemption value and rewards program, fees, and more.

Here’s some insight into our thought process when selecting the best Amex cards:

Associated Benefits

The best Amex cards should offer great benefits for holding the card. These can include airport lounge access, automatic elite status, and annual statement credits.

Earnings Structure

One of the most important parts of a rewards credit card is the rewards you earn for everyday spending. We prioritize Amex cards that offer bonus categories you’re likely to use often, like dining and supermarkets.

Welcome Bonus Offers

The welcome bonus offer on a hotel card can give your points balance a nice boost early, which helps kick-start future award redemptions. Given that welcome bonus offers are a 1-time bonus and can be lucrative, factor into how we evaluate cards.

We provide you with the current welcome bonus offer information available for each card, but you should still confirm the offer and review earnings offers before applying for any card.

Fees

Many of the best Amex cards charge an annual fee for holding the card, so make sure you’re getting enough value from the card each year to justify it.

Redemption Value

The more valuable these rewards you get from a card, the more valuable the card is to you. Because of this, we prefer cards that offer multiple high-value redemptions.

Hot Tip:

While the most desirable benefits and features of a card vary by person, our holistic approach gives readers the full picture of what they can expect from every card we review. To learn more about how we review cards, read through our methodology page.

Final Thoughts

With American Express functioning as a card issuer, payment processing network, and benefits provider, the resulting collection of cards is diverse.

Nearly every consumer, regardless of spending habits, annual fee preference, or desired benefits, can find an American Express card that’s potentially a perfect match.

And while you may currently need a backup Visa or Mastercard when traveling globally, the American Express acceptance network has expanded greatly, as evidenced by its acceptance at over 10 million merchants in the U.S. and 66 million worldwide.

If you’re curious how American Express stacks up to its competitors, check out our post comparing Amex to Chase.

The information regarding the U.S. Bank Cash 365™ American Express Card, USAA^® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express^® Card and USAA^® Secured Card American Express was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

$84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your eligible enrolled card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.

There is no sign-up, application, or enrollment required for the Plan It^® feature for Amex Payment Flexibility.