American Express

Compare American Express credit cards for 2024

If you're after rewards and perks, Amex is fighting hard to win your custom. APRs start from 31% and range up to 704.6%.

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93% of customers in our survey would recommend the brand
Not as widely accepted at smaller stores as Visa and Mastercard

The American Express range

Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first
1 - 11 of 11
Name Product Rating Finder score Rewards earn rate Max. intro bonus Annual/monthly fees Representative APR Link Incentive Representative example
American Express® Rewards Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
1 point per £1 spent
10,000 points
£0
31% APR (variable)
Check eligibility
Earn 1 Membership Rewards® point for every £1 spent thereafter. Earn up to 90,000 bonus points per year through refer a friend, 4,000 points awarded for every friend approved. 1 point = 0.45p (min 1,000 points) to shop, other rewards have differing conversions.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 31% APR (variable).
British Airways American Express® Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
1 point per £1 spent
5,000 points
£0
31% APR (variable)
Check eligibility
Earn 5,000 points when you spend £1,000 within 3 months of account opening. Terms apply. UK 18+, subject to status. Earn 1 Avios for virtually every £1 spent.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 31% APR (variable).
Finder Award
OFFER
Amex® Cashback Everyday Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
1% cashback
£125
£0
31% APR (variable)
Check eligibility
New Cardmembers get 5% cashback on your purchases (up to £125) for the first 5 months of Cardmembership. Offer ends 9 April 2024. Terms and minimum spend apply. 18+, subject to status. Terms apply. Spend £0 to £10,000 and receive 0.5% cashback on all purchases. Spend over £10,000 and receive 1% cashback on purchases.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 31% APR (variable).
Amex® Cashback Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
1.25% cashback
£125
£25 per annum
36.7% APR (variable)
Check eligibility
Welcome offer: Get 5% cashback on your purchases (up to £125) for the first 3 months of Cardmembership. Terms apply. Spend £0 to £10,000 and receive 0.75% cashback on all purchases. Spend over £10,000 and receive 1.25% cashback on purchases.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £25 per annum, your representative rate is 36.7% APR (variable).
American Express® Nectar Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
3 points per £1 spent with selected partners
2 points per £1 spent elsewhere
20,000 points
Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £30 per annum
37.8% APR (variable)
Check eligibility
New welcome offer: Earn 20,000 bonus Nectar points when you spend £2,000 in your first 3 months. Earn a minimum of 3 Nectar points for virtually every £1 spent at Nectar partners, and 2 Nectar points for virtually every £1 spent elsewhere.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a. with a fee of Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £30 per annum, your representative rate is 37.8% APR (variable).
The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
6 points per £1 spent with selected partners
2 points per £1 spent elsewhere
20,000 points
£95 per annum
54.8% APR (variable)
Check eligibility
Earn 20,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy ® points when you spend £3,000 in the first 3 months of Cardmembership. 18+, subject to status. Terms apply.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £95 per annum, your representative rate is 54.8% APR (variable).
American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
3 points per £1 spent with selected partners
1 point per £1 spent elsewhere
20,000 points
Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £195 per annum
88.8% APR (variable)
Check eligibility
Get 20% cashback at 1,000+ restaurants until 19 May 2024.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a. with a fee of Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £195 per annum, your representative rate is 88.8% APR (variable).
British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
3 points per £1 spent with selected partners
1.5 points per £1 spent elsewhere
25,000 points
£250 per annum
113.1% APR (variable)
Check eligibility
Earn 25,000 bonus Avios when you spend £3,000 in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. Terms apply. 18+, subject to status. New Cardmembers Only

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31.0% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £250 per annum, your representative rate is 113.1% APR (variable).
The Platinum Card® by American Express
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
2 points per £1 spent with selected partners
1 point per £1 spent elsewhere
40,000 points
£650 per annum
704.6% APR (variable)
Check eligibility
New Cardmembers earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points when you spend £6,000 in the first 3 months of Cardmembership. T&Cs Apply. UK 18+, subject to status.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31.0% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £650 per annum, your representative rate is 704.6% APR (variable).
Vitality American Express® Credit Card (Vitality Members only)
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0.5% cashback
N/A
£0 (but £4.75 fee for the Vitality programme)
46.8% APR (variable)
0.5% on £1 to £10,000 of yearly spend and 1% thereafter. Paid on anniversary. Must spend £3,000 annually to earn cashback. Earn up to 2% additional cashback on first £1,000 spend each month based on Vitality products held and monthly activity points earned. New cardmember offer: earn £100 statement credit when £2,000 spent in first three months.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £4.75 per month, your representative rate is 46.8% APR (variable).
American Express Basic Charge Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
N/A
N/A
£0
N/A (this product is a charge card).
Access to tickets for must-see music, theatre and film events, often before they go on sale to the general public with American Express Experiences.
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Approval for any credit card depends on your status. The representative APRs shown represent the interest rate offered to most successful applicants. Depending on your personal circumstances, the APR you're offered may be higher, or you may not be offered credit at all. Fees and rates are subject to change without notice. It's always wise to check the terms of any deal before you borrow.

No longer just the preserve of city mogul types, Amex now has a range of cards to suit credit card first-timers through to high-flying big-spenders. You can earn flights, holidays, hotel stays, gift vouchers and more with its numerous rewards programmes, which include American Express Experiences – bringing cardholders tickets to some of the most popular gigs, films and theatre shows.

American Express is also more widely-accepted than it used to be, has constantly-manned 24/7 customer service and has enhanced security measures for cardholders (including refund, purchase and fraud protection).

More about American Express

American Express offers many benefits for credit card customers and these are just some of them.

  • Customer Service. Credit where credit’s due – the US generally does customer service better than us Brits. Our trials of Amex’s customer service and our user survey only strengthened this view. American Express provides almost-alarmingly-chirpy customer service 24 hours a day seven days a week; over the phone, by text, through email or straightforward mail. American Express also has a “Global Assist” team so even when you’re outside the UK, you can still contact someone, any time of the day, regardless of what country you’re calling from.
  • Security and fraud prevention. To minimise fraudulent use of your card, American Express uses secure systems and early detection programmes. A key feature, however, is the “Fraud Protection Guarantee” whereby you won’t be held responsible for fraud as long as you use your card carefully. American Express credit card customers also register for a “SafeKey” to add security to online purchases and you get free text and emails of your card activity.
  • Section 75 protection. All UK credit cards come with protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. Purchases of individual items between £100 and £30,000 can be refunded if for some reason you don’t get what you paid for. Charge cards technically aren’t covered by this rule, however Amex voluntarily provides purchase protection on its charge cards.
  • Global acceptance. American Express credit cards are accepted in a large number of countries around the world. Additionally, when you make a purchase abroad, it is converted to US dollars and then into UK pounds once the transaction goes through. If you make a purchase in the US or in US dollars, it is directly converted to UK pounds.
  • Digital capability. To ensure you’re on top of your finances, you can manage your account online or via the Amex app, anywhere in the globe, at any time. This does not just include your credit card balance, but you can also pay bills and review your rewards and loyalty points as well.

Fantastic redeemable points, with knowledgeable staff within customer services”

Amex customer in Finder's 2024 survey

How to apply for an American Express credit card

The quickest way to apply for an American Express card is online. You simply fill out an online form providing personal information such as name, address, income and work status.

Eligibility requirements

There are basic eligibility requirements you will most likely need to meet to be accepted for an American Express credit card. The eligibility requirements are as follows:

  • You are aged 18 years or over
  • You have a permanent UK home address
  • You have a current UK bank or building society account
  • You don’t have a history of bad debt
  • You have been working for longer than one year if self-employed

American Express have a range of cards with several different requirements, so you will need to check your eligibility against each card when you apply (as they may differ). When you do apply, it can take as little as 10 minutes and you can get a response regarding eligibility in 60 seconds.

Typically you won’t be approved if you’ve got a history of bad debt or don’t meet the above eligibility criteria. If you’ve got an outstanding CCJ or are on an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) it is also likely you will not be approved. Equally, if you don’t have a credit record at all, you may be turned down.

What is the Membership Rewards programme?

A number of American Express cards let cardholders earn reward points via the Membership Rewards programme. When you activate your card you’ll be automatically enrolled into this, and you’ll be awarded points almost every time you use your card. From buying petrol to groceries, you can accumulate points almost anywhere, and redeem them on almost anything – from clothes to electronics. You can even use them to book flights, hotels or car hire while abroad.

What is American Express Experiences?

American Express Experiences (formerly American Express Invites) is a rewards programme which offers exclusive pre-sale tickets, discounts and competitions.

Screenshot from the Amex app

What is the “Plan It” instalment plan?

Amex’s “Plan It” launched in the UK in February 2024, providing Cardmembers with the flexibility to pay off big purchases through fixed monthly instalments with no additional enrolment or credit checks.

You can select an eligible purchase of over £100 or a balance amount of over £100 to pay off in monthly instalments, and choose a plan duration of either 3, 6 or 12 months. Instead of being charged interest on the amount included within the plan, there is a fixed monthly fee. The instalment amount and fee is then added to the minimum required payment on your credit card bill each month.

You can have several instalment plans at the same time, depending on your card limit. Just remember, you must pay off all of these instalments within your specified timeframe to avoid extra interest or potential damage to your credit score.

If you don’t pay your monthly minimum payment for 2 consecutive statements, Amex will cancel any instalment plans on your account and add the instalment plan balance to your main account balance. This would mean it could start incurring interest.

Customers who use their Amex credit card to buy an item costing over £100 with “Plan It” are still covered under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

Can I use my American Express card to book taxis and private cars?

Yes, you can use your Amex card, including the American Express Platinum card, with a number of taxi companies in the UK, including:

  • Addison Lee
  • CityFleet
  • Flyde Executive Cars
  • Silverpay Services
  • Checker Cars
  • Driven Worldwide
  • Radio Taxis

Do I need to notify American Express if I travel?

No, although American Express encourages all customers to keep their contact details up to date in case it needs to contact you.

American Express customer reviews

American Express was highly commended in the credit cards category of the Finder Customer Satisfaction Awards 2024, with customers praising its rewards and customer service. An impressive 93% of customers in our survey said they’d recommend the brand to a friend.

One respondent cited the “industry leading rewards scheme” as a real benefit.

Amex cards aren’t as widely accepted as Visa and Mastercard, but for many customers, the rewards make it worthwhile. “It gives rewards which is better than most brands but it’s not accepted everywhere,” said another respondent.

Contact American Express’ customer support

For any queries, ring your card’s telephone number as found below:

Centurion Card0808 100 50 50
Platinum Card0800 917 8054
Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card0800 917 8050
The American Express® Card0800 917 8045
British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card0800 917 8020
British Airways American Express Card0800 917 8020
Platinum CashBack Credit Card0800 917 8047
American Express Rewards Credit Card0800 917 8047
Nectar American Express Credit Card0800 917 8015
Vitality American Express Credit Card0800 917 8047
Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card0800 917 8019
Harrods American Express Card0800 917 8047

Pros and cons of American Express credit cards

Pros

  • Widely accepted around the world
  • 24/7 customer service
  • Plenty of rewards and other perks including the Membership Rewards programme

Cons

  • May not be accepted by smaller shops and restaurants
  • Fewer options for customers with limited or poor credit history
  • Some credit cards may be subject to monthly fees

Our verdict

There’s no doubt about it: American Express is one of the big hitters among credit cards but you’ll need a decent credit record to get one.

Amex consistently scores highly in our customer satisfaction surveys – customers love the service and rewards they get. There’s plenty to take advantage of with its cards, such as earning holidays, flights, hotel stays and gift vouchers. However, some cards come with a fee, and your finances will need to be in decent shape for you to get approved for an Amex.

Overview of American Express credit cards

Representative APR From 31% to 704.6%
0% balance transfer offer No balance transfer offer available
0% purchases offer No purchases offer available
0% money transfer offer No money transfer offer available
Cashback with brand Up to 6%
Cashback elsewhere Up to 2%
Cash advance From 38%
Introductory bonus offer Up to 40,000

Frequently asked questions

Finder credit card ratings

★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor

Finder scores, in blue, are based on our expert analysis. We also show reviews from users, where we've received more than 10, with a score in yellow. We gather more reviews from customers every year in Finder's customer satisfaction survey.

To find out more, read our full methodology.

We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you.

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