Types of Amex Credit Cards: A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Right One

American Express offers a wide range of credit cards, each with its own unique benefits and features.

There are several types of Amex credit cards to choose from, including the Amex Blue Cash Preferred, which offers 6% cash back on groceries and 3% on gas.

For travelers, the Amex Platinum card is a popular choice, offering up to $200 in airline fee credits and a Global Entry fee credit of up to $100.

American Express offers three main Credit Card categories: travel and dining Cards, points Cards for everyday spending, and cash back Cards. Each Card category has several unique variations with different benefits and ways to earn rewards.

Travel and dining Cards are still at the core of American Express's offerings, offering different benefits and rewards-earning opportunities for Card Members who spend on the go. These Cards are perfect for those who love to travel or dine out frequently.

Rewards points Cards are great for Card Members with more general spending habits, offering a flexible way to earn rewards. You can use these points to book travel, buy merchandise, or even donate to charity.

Cash back Cards are ideal for those who prefer to earn money back on their purchases, in the form of a statement credit. This type of Card is perfect for everyday spending, as you can earn cash back on all your purchases.

Here are the main types of American Express Credit Cards:

Each Card category has its own unique benefits and rewards, so it's essential to choose the right Card that matches your purchasing preferences.

The Card Features and Benefits of American Express credit cards are quite impressive. Many Amex cards allow you to add authorized users, who can make purchases on a secondary credit card linked to your main account, and you'll still earn rewards from their spending.

Authorized users on The Platinum Card from American Express can enjoy benefits like complimentary airport lounge access and hotel/rental car elite status, but it costs $195 per additional cardholder per year. The Platinum Card itself offers 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights and prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

Here are some key features of The Platinum Card:

The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express rewards grocery spending with 3% back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases on up to $6,000 spent per year.

You can add authorized users to your Amex card, typically close family members or business associates, who can make purchases on a secondary credit card linked to your main account.

Authorized users may enjoy some of the benefits and perks associated with your card, such as complimentary airport lounge access and hotel/rental car elite status, but may incur a cost involved.

The Platinum Card from American Express allows authorized users to enjoy the same benefits as primary cardholders, including airport lounge access and hotel/rental car elite status, at an annual cost of $195 per additional cardholder.

You can enroll in benefits like up to $300 annually in Equinox credits, $199 per year in credits for CLEAR Plus membership, and up to $240 in annual credits toward eligible digital subscriptions.

Some Amex cards, like The Platinum Card from American Express, offer a no preset spending limit, allowing you to check your spending power online.

You can have up to five Amex cards at one time, including both personal and business cards, but cards like The Platinum Card from American Express will not count against this five-card limit.

American Express offers excellent customer service, with many consumers praising the exemplary communication and prompt, personable service provided by the concierges and customer support hotlines.

Here are some additional benefits offered by Amex cards:

The EveryDay Credit card from American Express offers some great benefits. It's a no-annual-fee card that earns 2 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets and AmexTravel.com, and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

One of the unique features of the EveryDay Credit card is the 20% more points bonus when you make 20 or more purchases in a billing period. This can add up to a significant amount of points over time.

The Blue Cash Everyday card from American Express is another option that rewards grocery spending. It earns 3% back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases on up to $6,000 spent per year, then 1%.

Here are the rewards rates for the Blue Cash Everyday card:

The Blue Cash Everyday card also offers a welcome offer: earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.

Spending habits can vary greatly from person to person, but the right credit card can help maximize your rewards.

Different AmEx cards offer bonus categories on different types of spending, such as groceries, travel, or restaurants.

Some cards heavily reward grocery spending, while others prioritize travel or restaurant spending.

The right card for you will match up with where you tend to spend more of your money.

American Express issues cards directly to consumers, but it also partners with other financial institutions to offer its cards. For example, in the U.S., Wells Fargo issued an American Express card until April 2021.

American Express has co-branded cards with major airlines and hotel chains, such as Delta Air Lines and Hilton Hotels. These cards offer generous benefits like elite status, premium lounge access, and free checked bags or meals.

You can also find American Express cards through partnerships with other companies that encourage consumers to apply for its credit cards.

The Business Platinum Card from American Express is a great option for small business owners who want to earn rewards and enjoy premium perks. This card is similar to the consumer version, but with credits and perks more targeted towards business owners.

One of the benefits of the Business Platinum Card is that it earns 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 spent per year. This can add up quickly for businesses that frequently travel.

Business owners can also enjoy generous rewards on common categories of business expenses, such as travel and dining. Many American Express business cards also offer several purchase protections, including extended warranty benefits and travel insurance.

The Business Platinum Card offers a welcome offer of 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months of Card Membership. This can be a great way to earn rewards and get started with the card.

Here are some key benefits of the Business Platinum Card:

The Business Platinum Card has an annual fee, but for businesses that can take advantage of its benefits, it may be worth the cost.

The Amex EveryDay Preferred Credit Card is a strong option for families who want to earn rewards on their everyday purchases. It offers 3 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000 each calendar year.

Making 30 or more purchases in a billing period can also earn you a 50% bonus, making those small charges for things like coffee or a snack add up quickly.

For families who spend a lot at the supermarket, this card can help maximize rewards on this necessary expense.

American Express has partnerships with various financial institutions to issue its cards. For example, Wells Fargo issued an American Express card in the US, although new applications were paused in April 2021.

In Mexico, Banco Santander offers American Express cards. This shows that American Express is working with other companies to make its credit cards more accessible to consumers.

American Express also has partnerships with other companies to encourage consumers to apply for its credit cards. Two examples are its co-branded cards with Delta Air Lines and Hilton Hotels.

These co-branded cards allow consumers to earn frequent flier miles redeemable on Delta and hotel points with Hilton. This can be a great option for travelers who frequently use these airlines and hotels.

American Express has a wide range of partnerships, including its co-branded cards with major airlines and hotel chains. However, it's worth noting that the best hotel and airline program for you depends on many factors, including your preferred destinations and home airport.

Here are some examples of American Express co-branded cards:

These cards confer generous benefits such as elite status, premium lounge access, free checked bags or meals, and more. However, the best one for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

Annual fees can be steep, with the Platinum Card from American Express charging $695 per year, the highest among publicly available consumer cards.

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card and its business counterpart both have annual fees of over $600. This is a significant cost to consider, especially if you're not using the card's benefits frequently.

Many American Express cards, including the popular mid-tier American Express Gold Card, come with annual fees that can be upwards of $325. This is a substantial amount, especially when compared to cards from other issuers that charge less than $100 per year.

Some American Express cards, like the Blue Cash Everyday Card, come with no annual fee, making them a more affordable option. However, these cards often have fewer benefits and rewards compared to their fee-charging counterparts.

The overall consensus is that American Express cards are worth pursuing, especially if you choose one that offers luxury travel benefits or has no annual fee.

American Express offers multiple Card types, each with a unique mix of rewards and benefits. This variety means you can find the best match for your purchasing preferences.

To make the most of your Amex Card, consider where you spend your money, how much you typically spend, and how you like to earn your rewards. This will help you choose the right Card for your needs.

Here are some key factors to keep in mind:

Ultimately, the best American Express Card for you will depend on your individual circumstances. By considering your spending habits and preferences, you can find a Card that offers the rewards and benefits you value most.