Don't expect wonderful rewards, but you can take advantage of entertainment discounts and perks with the American Express Experiences programme.
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American Express Basic Charge Card review
By Chris Lilly
- Account fee
- £0
Our verdict
This no-frills charge card has little in the way of benefits, but could be a good introduction to card use.
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This super-simple charge card does exactly what it says on the tin. Because it’s a charge card, there's no set spending limit, you won’t incur interest, but you do have to clear your balance in full each month. Plus, there are no regular fees, so you can have peace of mind that you’re not in for any nasty surprises.
On the flip-side, by Amex standards the perks are pretty limited. There's no welcome bonus and no ongoing rewards scheme. As with all Amex cards, however, you'll be able to enjoy exclusive discounts and pre-sale gig tickets through the American Express Experiences (formerly Invites) programme – so although you can't earn rewards points, you could earn brownie points with your family and friends.
Pros
- Customers report excellent customer service when dealing with American Express
- No annual fee
Cons
- Applicants with low credit scores are unlikely to be eligible
Details
Product overview
| Issuer | American Express |
| Network | Amex |
| Representative APR | N/A (this product is a charge card). |
| Annual/monthly fees | £0 |
| Additional Rewards Info | 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. Eligible for American Express Connect where cardmembers can choose offers from selected retailers to obtain discounts or cashback. |
| Potential costs | 4.5 ★★★★★ |
| Doing its job | 3.0 ★★★★★ |
| Extras | 3.0 ★★★★★ |
| Overall Finder Score | 3.5 ★★★★★ |
Fees and charges
| Minimum monthly payment | Full outstanding balance |
| Annual/monthly fees | £0 |
| Foreign usage charge (EU) | 2.99% |
| Foreign usage charge (rest of world) | 2.99% |
| Cash advance fee | 3% (min. £3) |
| Late payment fee | £12 |
| Replacement card fee | £0 |
| Duplicate statement fee | £2 |
| Exceeding limit fee | £0 |
| Additional card fee | £0 |
| Dormancy fee | £0 |
Application requirements
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Residency | UK resident and has a UK bank or building society account. |
| Availability | Available to new customers |
The American Express range
Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first
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.
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. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables is provided by Moneyfacts.
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 an Amex Basic Charge Card work?
A charge card is similar to a credit card, but has no credit limit and does not charge interest on your unpaid balance. However, you will be charged late fees if you fail to pay off your balance each month.
Why can't I earn reward points with the American Express Basic Charge Card?
As this is a basic charge card, you will not be signed up to any rewards scheme. If you want an American Express card that offers rewards, you can compare them here.
What happens if I don't pay off my American Express Basic Charge Card balance?
If you fail to pay off your balance by the agreed date, you'll be charged a late fee.
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.
Finder credit card scores
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
Our experts score credit cards to determine their value against similar products on the market. We look at a number of important factors, like its suitability for its intended purpose, any perks/extras it brings to the table, plus the potential costs involved with running the card both in the short and longer term.
You can read more about our scoring criteria on our credit card methodology page.
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. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
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