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American Express credit cards are some of the most reputable in the industry. Offering lucrative travel benefits, everyday cash-back rewards, and small-business perks, they offer something for almost everyone. See our top picks offered by our partner American Express to learn more about the best Amex credit cards.
Top American Express credit card offers
- CardName – Best for families
- CardName – Best no-annual-fee card for cash-back rewards
- CardName – Best for restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases
- CardName – Best for luxury travel perks
- CardName – Best for basic business spending
- CardName – Best for flexible earning on business expenses
- CardName – Best for luxury perks for business travelers
- CardName – Best for flexible financing
- CardName – Best for frequent Delta travelers
Since the introduction of its first charge card in 1958, American Express has been a name associated with prestige and innovation. The company was the first major issuer to provide customers with plastic cards, and it was a pioneer in creating magnetic strip technology to store card data.
Today, American Express is one of the most reputable companies in the nation, taking the number 17th spot in the 2023 Axios Harris Corporate Reputation Rankings. It also offers a wide range of credit cards to meet the needs of both individual and business customers.
Below are what we think are the best Amex credit cards. These are the accounts that offer lucrative rewards, generous perks and other top-tier benefits.
Best for families
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Best no-annual-fee card for cash-back rewards
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Best for restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases
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Best for luxury travel perks
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Best for basic business spending
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Best for flexible earning on business expenses
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Best for luxury perks for business travelers
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Best for flexible financing
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Best for frequent Delta travelers
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What credit do you need for an American Express credit card?
You'll need good to excellent credit to qualify for the best American Express cards. Having a credit score greater than 700 can improve your chances of approval.
Can you get an American Express card with bad credit?
It is unlikely that someone with a poor credit score would be approved for an American Express card. The company does not currently offer any cards designed for those who need to establish or rebuild their credit.
How to apply for an American Express credit card
Applying for an Amex card is simple. Select from the list of best American Express credit cards above and click on the "Apply Now" button. It will take you to a new page with the secure application.
The application can be completed in minutes and requests only basic personal and financial details, such as your name, contact information and annual income. In many cases, once you submit an application, you will receive immediate approval if eligible.
What is the best American Express credit card?
There is no one best American Express credit card for everyone. The best card for you depends on factors such as your personal preferences and spending habits.
For instance, the CardName is a top choice for those who want to earn cash back on everyday spending. Meanwhile, those who travel frequently may prefer the CardName as it awards Membership Rewards points and comes with perks valuable to frequent travelers.
To determine the best American Express card for your situation, consider what you normally purchase, whether you'd like travel rewards or cash back and if you plan to carry a balance. In that case, you'll want to look for a card with a low interest rate or with flexible finance options.
How many American Express credit cards can you have?
While American Express does not explicitly state a limit, online reviewers say the company typically restricts people to a total of five cards.
How does the American Express Membership Rewards program work?
American Express Membership Rewards is the company's travel rewards program. Account holders with participating cards earn points for every purchase they make, and many cards offer bonus points in certain categories of spending.
Once accumulated, points can be used to book travel through the Amex travel portal, transferred to partnering loyalty programs, redeemed for statement credits or used for shopping or gift cards. There is also an option to donate points to charity.
For more information, see our guide to the American Express Membership Rewards program.
How do you increase your credit limit with American Express?
On its website, American Express suggests three ways to increase a credit limit:
- Wait: After you have established a record of consistent on-time payments, your account may be automatically considered for a credit limit increase.
- Ask: Within your online account, there is typically an option to request a credit limit increase. You can also call your card's customer service line to make a request.
- Apply: Applying for a new card is another way to increase your amount of available credit. This can be a good option if you'd like to diversify the type of rewards you receive. For instance, maybe you have a cash back card but would like one that offers Membership Rewards as well.
Regardless of which method you choose, you are most likely to receive a positive response if you have made on-time payments on your current card and maintain a good credit score.
How do you upgrade an American Express credit card?
If you are a current cardholder, you may receive a pop-up message when you login to your online account alerting you to an upgrade offer. You can also check the Amex Offers section of your account for possible upgrades. If you don't see one, call the customer service line to see if one is available to you.
Do all Amex cards charge an annual fee?
No, American Express offers several cards that do not charge an annual fee.
See our full list of American Express credit cards to explore no-annual-fee options.
Why do some merchants not accept American Express?
Merchants must pay interchange fees to process credit card payments. American Express has traditionally had fees that are slightly higher than Visa and Mastercard, leading some merchants to choose not to accept Amex cards for payment.
To see the rates and fees for the American Express cards featured in this post, please visit the following links: CardName (See Rates and Fees); CardName (See Rates and Fees); CardName (See Rates and Fees); CardName (See Rates and Fees); CardName (See Rates and Fees); CardName (See Rates and Fees); CardName (See Rates and Fees); CardName (See Rates and Fees); CardName (See Rates and Fees)
