The best 9 American Express credit cards of 2024
The best American Express cards offer exceptional rewards, exclusive perks, and excellent customer service, raising the bar for premium cardholders.
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Mia’s articles and bylines have appeared in numerous national publications. She worked as a staff writer on the finance desk for America’s largest digital publisher — Dotdash Meredith, where she was brought onboard to help launch a new stream of personal finance content for four of the company’s most iconic brands—Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, Parents, and Health.
Updated July 26, 2024, 2:07 PM EDT
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Hanna Horvath is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Red Venture's senior editor of content partnerships.
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American Express offers an extensive lineup of credit cards, offering options for every type of spender. Most come with generous points or cash back, access to exclusive events, and valuable travel benefits.
Whether you’re a globetrotter looking for luxury perks, a shopper hoping to earn cash back on daily spending, or a small business owner wanting to earn points on business expenses, American Express will likely have a card for you.
If you’re considering getting an American Express credit card, here are our top picks based on the type of card you’re looking for.
Best American Express credit cards
- American Express® Gold Card: Best for dining out
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for luxury travelers
- American Express Green Card: Best for everyday travel rewards
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for groceries
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best for no annual fee
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Best for Delta flyers
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Best for Hilton guests
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for business road warriors
- The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card: Best for small businesses
American Express® Gold Card: Best for dining out
Rewards
- 4X points on restaurant (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) (up to $50,000 in purchases per year, then 1X points)
- 4X points on U.S. supermarket purchases (up to $25,000 in supermarket purchases per year, then 1X points)
- 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com
- 2X points spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com
- 1X points on all other purchases
Annual fee: $325. See rates and fees.
The Amex Gold card combines impressive rewards in everyday categories like groceries and dining with solid travel rewards.
Other benefits include dining credits and experiences with the Hotel Collection when you book through AmexTravel.com. While there is a $325 annual fee, the credits could offset the cost if you use them. You’ll also get shopping and travel protections like hotel upgrades and travel insurance.
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The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for luxury travelers
Rewards
- 5X points on up to $500,000 per calendar year spent on directly booked airfare, flights, and prepaid hotels through American Express Travel
- 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel
- 1X points on all other purchases
Annual fee: $695. See rates and fees.
If you’re a frequent jet setter who travels in luxury, the Platinum Card is aimed squarely at you — as long as you can justify the steep annual fee. But with that price tag comes rewards and exclusive travel perks.
The Platinum card also comes with travel credits, including for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fees, prepaid hotel bookings, Uber rides, Walmart+ membership, Equinox fitness membership, and more. Together, these credits can easily offset the card’s annual fee.
You’ll also get complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status, Hilton Honors Gold Status, and other benefits.
If you’re not a frequent flyer or hotel guest, this card may not be worth it, as you’ll only earn 1X the points on non-travel-related spending.
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American Express Green Card: Best for everyday travel rewards
Rewards:
- 3X points in expanded travel categories (including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, vacation rentals, travel purchases on third-party travel websites, and travel purchases on amextravel.com)
- 3X points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 3X on transit (includes trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways)
- 1X points on all other purchases
Annual fee: $150. See rates and fees.
If you don’t travel enough to justify getting the Platinum card, consider the Green Card. With this card, you can earn solid rewards and access certain travel perks without paying a high annual fee.
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Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for groceries
Rewards:
- 6% cash back on U.S. supermarket purchases (up to $6,000 per year, then 1 percent) and select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
- 3% cash back on transit purchases (including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more)
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 annual fee after). See rates and fees.
The Blue Cash Preferred is for those who spent big at the supermarket. It offers a great way to earn rewards on everyday purchases, including groceries, gas, and streaming services. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or on Amazon.com at checkout.
You’ll also get an annual Disney Bundle credit, purchase protection, and access to Amex Offers.
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Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best for no annual fee
Rewards:
- 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases of up to $6,000 per calendar year in purchases in each category (then 1 percent)
- 1% cash back on other purchases
Annual fee: None
The Blue Cash Everyday card lets you earn straightforward cash back without worrying about an annual fee. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or on Amazon.com at checkout.
Because this card has no annual fee, its added benefits are slim. You’ll get some purchase protections and the Disney Bundle credit but not much else. If you’re a big spender or regularly shop at wholesale clubs, this may not be the best card for you.
The 3% cash back rate is capped at $6,000 in annual spending for each category yearly, and elevated grocery rewards won’t count wholesale clubs.
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Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Best for Delta flyers
Rewards
- 2X miles on restaurant (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.)
- 2X miles on U.S. supermarkets
- 2X miles on Delta purchases
- 1X miles on all other purchases
Annual fee: $150 ($0 intro annual fee for the first year). See rates and fees.
The Delta SkyMiles Gold card is an excellent option for Delta loyalists who want to access travel perks without a hefty annual fee.
Unlike other airline cards, you can rack up miles on everyday spending, including groceries and dining out. Plus, you'll get an annual flight credit (after spending $10,000 or more on your card in a calendar year), free first checked bags, and other Delta perks.
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Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Best for Hilton guests
Rewards:
- 12X points on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels and resorts
- 6X points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations
- 4X points on U.S. online retail purchases
- 3X points on other eligible purchases
Annual fee: $150. See rates and fees.
If you’re a Hilton regular on the hunt for free stays, this could be the right card for you.
This card also comes with complimentary Hilton Honors Gold elite status, which offers up to 80% more rewards on your stays. Remember that redemptions are limited to hotel stays, experiences, and gift cards.
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The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for business road warriors
Rewards:
- 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
- 2X points on prepaid rental cars booked through AmexTravel.com
- 1.5X points (on up to $2,000,000 per calendar year) on key purchases of $5,000 or more (electronics goods, retailers, software, and cloud service providers; construction materials and hardware supplies; shipping providers)
- 1X points on all other purchases
Annual fee: $695. See rates and fees.
If you travel for work, this card can put some money back in your pocket (and help you access extensive travel perks).
This card also comes with many credits, including for Dell purchases, hiring and recruiting products, airline fees, and more.
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The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card: Best for small businesses
Rewards:
- 2% cash back on all eligible purchases (up to $50,000 per year, then 1 percent)
Annual fee: None
Startups or small businesses can benefit from having this no-annual-fee credit card. The Blue Business Cash card has more straightforward rewards and some shopping and travel protections. Businesses can earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases, up to $50,000 annually. After that, you’ll earn 1%.
This card is a great option if you’re just starting out and want something back on your spending (without much effort). Other than that, this card doesn’t come with other elevated rewards or robust perks.
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Which is the best American Express card?
The best credit American Express card will be different for everyone. It really comes down to your spending patterns, lifestyle, and goals.
Think about where and how much you spend, as different Amex cards offer different rewards. Some focus on providing rewards in everyday categories like groceries and gas, while others offer robust travel perks.
Some Amex cards have tiered rewards, which may require tracking your spending to maximize points or cash. Others will have annual credits or redemption options that require extra work to make the most of your rewards.
It’s important to consider what rewards you want to earn, your spending habits, and what to use your points for when picking the best American Express credit card.
What is American Express?
American Express is both a card issuer and a payment network. Other card issuers, like Capital One, Citi, or Chase, partner with a payment network (typically Mastercard or Visa) to offer a card. American Express issues its cards directly to customers.
American Express cards are known for their premium features and rewards programs. They often have higher annual fees than other credit cards but may provide greater value and perks for frequent travelers and high-spending individuals.
Because of this, most American Express cards require a good to excellent credit score to apply (typically above 690). Your score isn’t the only factor issuers will look at when approving you, but maintaining a solid score can increase your chances.
Where is American Express accepted?
American Express cards are generally accepted everywhere in the U.S. and most major retailers.
They may have slightly lower acceptance rates internationally compared to Visa and Mastercard. Plus, some smaller businesses or merchants in the U.S. may choose not to due to higher processing fees. You can find where Amex is accepted via the American Express website.
How to pick the best American Express card
American Express cards may not be the right fit for everyone.
Here are some tips to guide you:
- If you’re loyal to a particular travel brand, you may want to consider a co-branded travel card. You'll earn elevated rewards when you spend with the partner travel brand and can access perks like free flights or hotel stays. American Express offers co-branded credit cards with Hilton, Marriott, and Delta.
- If you travel but don’t stick to just one airline or hotel, a general travel rewards card is likely better for you. Depending on how much you spend on travel (and how much you’re willing to pay), consider the Platinum Card or Green Card.
- To earn cash back through daily spending, consider the Blue Cash Preferred card, which offers solid rewards for groceries, gas, and streaming services. If you want to avoid the annual fee (or earn cash back for online shopping), consider Blue Cash Everyday Card.
How we rated the best American Express credit cards
To determine the best credit cards from American Express, we carefully evaluated a wide range of factors, including the card's sign-up bonus, rewards earning rates on purchases, added perks and benefits, annual fees, and overall value for consumers.
Our team analyzed numerous credit card offers and selected the top contenders based on these key criteria. The options on this list represent the best value, rewards, and benefits available.
Here are some of the key factors we considered:
- Rewards: Rewards are the primary reason many people use credit cards, as they allow you to earn valuable points, miles, or cash back on your everyday spending.
- Redemption flexibility: What good are rewards if they're a hassle to redeem? Flexible redemption options allow you to use your rewards in the way that best suits you, whether that's offsetting your bill with statement credits or booking a dream vacation.
- Benefits: Credit card benefits can provide significant value and make your life easier, from saving you money on checked bags to providing peace of mind with travel insurance.
- Annual fee: The annual fee is a key factor because it's a recurring cost that can eat into your rewards earnings. It's important to make sure you're getting enough value from the card to justify the fee.
- Welcome bonus: A lucrative welcome bonus can give your rewards a massive head start, especially in the first year, making it a great way to kickstart your earnings.
- Rates & other fees: High interest rates and fees can quickly negate the value of any rewards you earn, so it's important to understand these costs and how to avoid them.
Frequently asked questions about American Express cards
What credit score do you need for an American Express card?
American Express typically requires good to excellent credit for most of its cards, which generally means a FICO score of 670 or higher. However, some cards may have more stringent requirements or consider additional factors beyond just your credit score.
How do American Express Membership Rewards points work?
American Express Membership Rewards is a flexible rewards program that allows you to earn points on purchases with eligible Amex cards. Points can be redeemed for statement credits, travel bookings, gift cards, merchandise, or transferred to airline and hotel partners. The value of your points will depend on how you choose to redeem them.
Can you have more than one American Express card?
Yes, you can have multiple American Express cards, and doing so can be a good way to maximize your rewards earning potential. However, keep in mind that each card application will result in a hard inquiry on your credit report, and some cards may have restrictions on earning welcome bonuses if you've had the same card before.
What is the best American Express card for travel?
The best American Express card for travel will depend on your specific travel habits and preferences, but some popular options include:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Offers 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per year) and 5X points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, as well as a wide range of premium travel perks.
- American Express® Gold Card: Offers 4X Membership Rewards® points on purchases at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points), 4X points at US supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com., and 2X points spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Offers 3x miles on eligible Delta purchases and hotel stays, as well as perks like a free checked bag and priority boarding.
Does American Express have any no annual fee cards?
Yes, American Express does offer several no annual fee cards, including:
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Offers 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year), 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- American Express Cash Magnet® Card: Offers an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no categories or earning caps to worry about.
- Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: Offers 2X miles on eligible Delta purchases and restaurants worldwide, and 1X mile on all other purchases.
The bottom line
American Express offers a diverse line-up of credit cards, many with industry-leading perks and rewards.
The first step to finding the best card is deciding what you want to get out of the card and your spending patterns. This will help you find an American Express card that’s the best fit for your wallet.
[Disclaimer]: *Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.