There is no single "best" Amex card—the right one depends on what you spend on and what rewards matter to you

American Express offers cards aimed at different financial situations: everyday spenders, business owners, people who travel frequently, and those building credit from scratch. Each card has a different annual fee (some charge none), different rewards rates on different categories, and different perks attached. The card that makes sense for you depends on whether you carry a balance month to month, how much you spend annually, and which rewards you would actually use.

This guide walks through the main Amex consumer cards, what each one costs, what you earn on different purchases, and how to think through which one might work for your situation. It does not recommend one card over another—that choice is yours based on your own spending patterns and financial goals.

Key Takeaways

  • Amex cards without annual fees exist and are worth considering if you spend less than $10,000 per year or want to test the card before paying for premium versions.
  • Cards with annual fees ($95 to $550) typically pay for themselves only if you spend enough in bonus categories or use the perks included with the card.
  • Amex rewards are points or miles, not cash back, and their value depends on how you redeem them—transferring to airline partners often yields more value than statement credits.
  • Amex has stricter approval standards than many other card issuers, so your credit score and payment history matter more than with some competitors.
  • Amex cards often come with purchase protections, travel insurance, and concierge services that may offset the annual fee if you use them.

No-Annual-Fee Amex Cards for Everyday Spending

The American Express EveryDay Card and American Express EveryDay Preferred Card charge no annual fee. The EveryDay earns 1 point per dollar on most purchases and 2 points per dollar at US supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1 point per dollar). The EveryDay Preferred earns the same rates but adds a bonus: if you earn 20 or more points in a month, all your points that month are worth 20% more.

These cards make sense if you want to test whether Amex's rewards structure works for you, or if your annual spending is low enough that an annual fee would cost more than you'd earn back. Neither card includes travel insurance, purchase protection, or concierge services—those perks come with the paid cards.

Premium Cards for High Spenders and Travelers

The American Express Gold Card costs $250 per year and earns 4 points per dollar on US restaurants and supermarkets (supermarkets capped at $25,000 per year, then 1 point per dollar), and 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel. Everything else earns 1 point per dollar. The card includes $120 in annual dining credits and $120 in annual airline incidental credits (seat upgrades, baggage fees, etc.), which reduce the net annual fee to $10 if you use both.

The American Express Platinum Card costs $695 per year and is built for frequent travelers and high spenders. It earns 5 points per dollar on flights booked through Amex Travel and 1 point per dollar on everything else, but the real value is in the perks: $200 annual airline fee credit, $200 annual Uber credit, $240 annual dining credits (through specific programs), airport lounge access, and concierge service. The card also includes trip cancellation insurance, baggage protection, and emergency medical and dental coverage abroad.

Whether these cards pay for themselves depends on your actual spending. Someone who spends $500 per month at restaurants and $300 per month on flights could earn enough points to justify the Gold Card's fee. Someone who travels internationally multiple times per year and uses airport lounges might find the Platinum's perks worth $695. If you do not use the included credits or travel frequently, the annual fee becomes a pure cost.

Business Cards and Charge Cards

Amex also issues cards designed for business owners and corporate spending. The American Express Business Gold Card works similarly to the consumer Gold Card but with different bonus categories: 4 points per dollar on US shipping, internet, cable, and phone services, and 4 points per dollar on the first $50,000 in combined US purchases at gas stations and restaurants per year, then 1 point per dollar. It costs $295 per year.

Charge cards like the Platinum are different from credit cards in one important way: you must pay the full balance each month, not just a minimum payment. This means charge cards do not report a credit utilization ratio to credit bureaus (since there is no revolving balance), which can be an advantage if you carry balances on other cards. However, if you cannot pay in full each month, a charge card is not an option.

How Amex Rewards Actually Work

Amex rewards come as points or miles, not as cash back. One point is worth roughly 1 cent when you redeem it as a statement credit, but often worth more when you transfer it to an airline or hotel partner. For example, a point transferred to Delta might be worth 1.5 cents or more, depending on the redemption. This means the real value of your rewards depends on how you redeem them.

Amex also runs Membership Rewards, a program where cardholders can transfer points to airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio. If you fly the same airline regularly or stay at the same hotel chain, transferring points to that partner often yields better value than taking a statement credit. If you do not travel much or do not have a preferred airline, the points are worth less to you, and a cash-back card from another issuer might make more sense.

Approval Standards and Credit Requirements

Amex typically requires a credit score of 670 or higher to be considered for most consumer cards, though some sources report approvals with scores in the 650 range. Amex also looks closely at your payment history and income—they are more likely to deny an process than some competitors if you have recent late payments or high existing debt.

If you have a limited credit history or are rebuilding credit, Amex offers the American Express Secured Credit Card, which requires a cash deposit (typically $250 to $2,500) that serves as your credit limit. This card earns 1% cash back on all purchases and reports to all three credit bureaus, helping you build a credit history. After a period of on-time payments, you may be able to move to an unsecured card.

Comparing Annual Fees to Your Actual Spending

The simplest way to decide whether a paid Amex card makes sense is to calculate whether the rewards you would earn exceed the annual fee. If you spend $5,000 per year and earn 1 point per dollar on most purchases, that is 5,000 points, or roughly $50 in value. A $95 annual fee would cost more than you earn back. If you spend $20,000 per year on a card with bonus categories you use, you might earn 30,000 to 40,000 points, worth $300 to $400, which easily covers the fee.

Do not forget to factor in the perks. The Gold Card's $120 dining credit and $120 airline credit are real money if you use them—that alone cuts the net fee to $10. The Platinum's $200 airline fee credit and $200 Uber credit work the same way. If you use these credits, the math changes significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an Amex card everywhere?

Amex is accepted at most major retailers, restaurants, and online stores, but not everywhere. Some small businesses and certain regions accept fewer Amex cards than Visa or Mastercard. Before explore, check whether the merchants you use most often take Amex.

What happens if I carry a balance on an Amex card?

You will pay interest on the balance, just like with any credit card. Amex interest rates vary by card and your creditworthiness, but typically range from 16% to 27% APR. Carrying a balance also means you are paying interest on purchases while earning points—the interest cost usually exceeds the points value, so paying in full each month is the better financial move.

Do I need to use Amex Travel to earn bonus points?

On most Amex cards, you earn bonus points only when you book through Amex Travel or directly with the airline or hotel. Booking through a third-party site like Kayak or Expedia typically earns only 1 point per dollar, even on cards with higher bonus categories. Check the card's terms for the specific rules.

What is the difference between Amex points and airline miles?

Amex Membership Rewards points are the currency you earn on most Amex cards. You can redeem them as statement credits, transfer them to airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio, or use them for other redemptions. Airline miles are the currency of specific airlines—you earn them by flying or using an airline-branded credit card. Amex points are more flexible because you can move them between partners.

Can I get approved for an Amex card with a fair credit score?

Amex typically prefers credit scores of 670 or higher, but some people with scores in the 650 range have been approved. If your score is lower, the Secured Credit Card is designed for that situation—it requires a deposit but reports to credit bureaus and can help you build history toward an unsecured card later.