Our pick for an Amex rewards card: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Up to 3%
Cash back
- 3% back at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 each year, then 1%
- Enjoy cash back on gas and at select department stores
- No annual fee
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Compare American Express rewards credit cards
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If you’re looking to earn rewards with a credit card, Amex is an excellent choice. It offers a variety of cards with cash back, points or miles. Consider the card’s annual fee and rewards structure to narrow your options. Then, look into the card’s benefits such as its intro APR and travel credit.
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Pros and cons of American Express rewards credit cards
American Express has a variety of strong rewards cards. As with all credit cards, Amex products have their strengths and weaknesses.
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Is an American Express rewards credit card right for me?
Amex has a wide collection of credit cards, and you may find several products that fit what you’re looking for.
- Annual fee vs. no annual fee. Amex offers both types of cards. You can pay no annual fees for select cashback, hotel and airline products.
- Cash back, points and miles. You’ll find excellent cashback options that reward you for everyday purchases such as gas and groceries. Membership Rewards can be highly valuable when you transfer them to travel partners. Plus, earn rewards with cobranded Delta cards, Hilton cards and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card.
- Premium travel credit cards. Amex issues one of the best travel products on the market, The Platinum Card® from American Express. It also offers premium versions of its cobranded hotel and airline cards.
- Small business. Amex is a mainstay in the small-business market. You can choose from charge cards, airline and hotel products, as well as cards with flat-rate rewards.
How to choose an American Express rewards credit card
- What annual fee are you willing to pay?
Amex cards come with a wide variety of annual fees. You’ll find multiple cards around the $0, $95, $250 and $450 price points. And at $550 a year, The Platinum Card® from American Express is more expensive than other premium travel cards (see rates & fees).While almost all Amex cards offer points, cash back or miles, you’ll find the strongest rewards with higher-priced cards. - What type of rewards do you want?
If you want to be rewarded for everyday purchases, try an Amex card with bonus rewards on gas and groceries. Or try the American Express Cash Magnet® Card, which offers 1.5% cash back on every purchase (see rates & fees).If you want hotel points, you might like a cobranded Amex hotel card. For airline miles, consider one of Amex’s Delta credit cards.Several cards offer Membership Rewards points, including the best-in-class, The Platinum Card® from American Express.
- Do you want a charge or credit card?
Amex is the only major US provider of charge cards. Unlike with a credit card, you must pay your entire balance each month with this product. Though, there may be exceptions. - Consider whether you need an intro APR.
Many of Amex’s everyday cards have 0% intro APRs on purchases and balance transfers for 12 to 15 months. You’ll find longer intro APRs with other providers, but this is a solid range. - What extra perks interest you?
Most Amex cards have welcome offers, and these bonuses can tip the scales if you’re torn between similar products.Hotel cards, for example, may include extras such as elite upgrades, resort credits and complimentary nights. Airline cards may offer benefits such as companion certificates, free checked baggage and priority boarding. And The Platinum Card® from American Express is an excellent option for premium travel, with complimentary airport lounge access, travel credits, hotel and airline elite upgrades and more. - Do you need a card with no foreign transaction fees?
For no foreign transaction fees, pick up an Amex travel card. Keep in mind Amex isn’t as widely accepted internationally as Visa or Mastercard.
Bottom line
Almost every Amex credit card offers rewards, so you have plenty of options to choose from. Consider the annual fee you can pay and the rewards you’d like to earn. Then dig into your favorite products and compare their individual benefits.
If an Amex card isn’t right for you, compare other credit card options to find a card that suits your needs.
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