American Express Basic Charge Card review

The American Express range

Whether you’re looking for a card that lets you earn rewards or one that offers payment flexibility on forthcoming purchases, American Express has a wide range to match a variety of financial requirements.

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Name	Product	Finder Score	Finder score	Rewards earn rate	Max. intro bonus	Annual/monthly fees	Representative APR	Link	Incentive	Representative example
American Express® Rewards Credit Card American Express® Rewards Credit Card Finder Award		3.9 ★★★★★	★★★★★ Expert analysis	1 point per £1 spent	10,000 points	£0	31% APR (variable)	Check eligibility Read review Compare	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).	loading Fetching your data...
British Airways American Express® Credit Card British Airways American Express® Credit Card Finder Award		4.0 ★★★★★	★★★★★ Expert analysis	1 point per £1 spent	5,000 points	£0	31% APR (variable)	Check eligibility Read review Compare	New Cardmembers collect 5,000 bonus Avios when you spend £2,000 in the first 3 months of your Cardmembership. T&Cs Apply, 18+, subject to status.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 31% APR (variable).	loading Fetching your data...
Amex® Cashback Everyday Credit Card Amex® Cashback Everyday Credit Card Finder Award		3.8 ★★★★★	★★★★★ Expert analysis	1% cashback	£100	£0	31% APR (variable)	Check eligibility Read review Compare	Welcome offer: Get 5% cashback on your purchases (up to £100) for the first 3 months of Cardmembership. Terms and minimum spend apply. 18+, subject to status.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 31% APR (variable).	loading Fetching your data...
Amex® Cashback Credit Card Amex® Cashback Credit Card Finder Award		3.7 ★★★★★	★★★★★ Expert analysis	1.25% cashback	£125	£25 per annum	36.7% APR (variable)	Check eligibility Read review Compare	New Cardmembers get 5% cashback on your purchases (up to £125) for the first 3 months of Cardmembership. T&Cs apply, 18+, subject to status.	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).	loading Fetching your data...
Nectar Credit Card Nectar Credit Card Finder Award		3.8 ★★★★★	★★★★★ 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 Read review Compare	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).	loading Fetching your data...
The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card Finder Award		4.0 ★★★★★	★★★★★ 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 Read review Compare	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).	loading Fetching your data...
American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card Finder Award		4.0 ★★★★★	★★★★★ 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 Read review Compare	New Cardmembers earn 20,000 Membership Rewards® points when you spend £3,000 in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. Terms Apply. 18+, subject to status.	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).	loading Fetching your data...
British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card Finder Award		4.0 ★★★★★	★★★★★ Expert analysis	3 points per £1 spent with selected partners 1.5 points per £1 spent elsewhere	30,000 points	£300 per annum	139.9% APR (variable)	Check eligibility Read review Compare	New Cardmembers collect 30,000 bonus Avios when you spend £6,000 in the first 3 months of your Cardmembership. T&Cs Apply, 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 £300 per annum, your representative rate is 139.9% APR (variable).	loading Fetching your data...
The Platinum Card® by American Express The Platinum Card® by American Express Finder Award		4.0 ★★★★★	★★★★★ 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 Read review Compare	New Cardmembers earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® points + £400 Amex Travel Credit + A chance to win tickets to the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, when you spend £6,000 in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. Offer ends 27 August 2024. Terms Apply. 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).	loading Fetching your data...

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How to apply

If you've compared cards and settled on the American Express Basic Charge Card, completing the secure online application form takes about 15 minutes. Before you apply, check that you meet the eligibility requirements and have the information and documents you'll need to make the process as straightforward as possible.

The bottom line

As the name suggests, the American Express Basic credit card is a straightforward charge card with limited perks. There’s no ongoing reward scheme and no introductory bonus, which really just leaves you with the American Express Experiences as a potential draw.

Unsurprisingly, this means you won’t need to pay an annual fee, and given it’s a charge card, there’s also no interest to pay. But you’ll still need to clear your balance in full to avoid late payment fees.

Frequently asked questions

How does American Express Experiences work?

Formerly called ‘American Express Invites, Amex Experiences is an entertainment service that’s only available to American Express cardholders. You can get exclusive discounts, access to pre-sale tickets and entry into Amex competitions.