American Express offers a diverse portfolio of credit cards, each tailored to meet specific financial needs and lifestyle preferences. This guide highlights five of the top American Express cards, detailing their features, benefits, and user feedback to assist you in making an informed decision.
| 1 | The Platinum Card® | 80,000 MR Points | $695 | Luxury Travel & Lounge Access | 5x on flights & hotels |
| 2 | American Express® Gold Card | 60,000 MR Points | $250 | Dining & Groceries | 4x on dining & supermarkets |
| 3 | Blue Cash Preferred® | $250 Statement Credit | $95 | Everyday Cash Back | 6% on groceries & streaming |
| 4 | Blue Business Plus | 15,000 MR Points | $0 | Small Business Purchases | 2x on all purchases (up to $50k) |
| 5 | Hilton Honors Surpass® | 130,000 Hilton Honors Points | $95 | Hilton Hotel Stays | 12x on Hilton stays, 6x on dining/gas/supermarkets |
1. The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® is synonymous with luxury and premium travel benefits.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months.
- Earning Points: 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year), 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel, and 1x point on all other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $695.
- Benefits:
- Access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide through the American Express Global Lounge Collection.
- Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash credits for U.S. rides and Uber Eats orders.
- Up to $200 airline fee credit for incidental fees at one selected airline.
- $240 digital entertainment credit.
- $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit annually.
- Complimentary elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy.
User Reviews:
- “The lounge access is unparalleled, and the other statement credits can offer tremendous value — but only if you actually use them.”nerdwallet.com
- “If you don’t take advantage of the card’s statement credits and lucrative benefits, it may not be worth the high annual fee.”thepointsguy.com
- “The Amex Platinum is unmatched when it comes to travel perks and benefits.”thepointsguy.com
- “Before committing to a $695 annual fee, look at the card’s benefits and note which perks you value the most.”nerdwallet.com
- “The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative.”thepointsguy.com
2. American Express® Gold Card
Designed for food enthusiasts and frequent travelers, the American Express® Gold Card offers substantial rewards on dining and grocery purchases.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months.
- Earning Points: 4x points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery, 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1x), 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, and 1x point on other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $250.
- Benefits:
- Up to $120 annual dining credit at select establishments, distributed as $10 monthly credits.
- Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash credits for U.S. rides and Uber Eats orders, allocated as $10 monthly credits.
- No foreign transaction fees.
User Reviews:
- “The American Express® Gold Card is much less expensive with an annual fee of $250. It comes with $240 worth of credits to use toward dining and Uber.”nerdwallet.com
- “This card offers an excellent 4x points on dining and U.S. supermarkets.”nerdwallet.com
- “There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets.”thepointsguy.com
- “The real value in the American Express® Gold Card comes in the bonus points earned on certain categories like U.S. supermarkets, flights, and restaurants.”nerdwallet.com
- “The benefits are complicated. For every rich benefit the American Express® Gold Card offers, a parade of small, annoying caveats seems to follow.”nerdwallet.com
3. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Ideal for families and individuals with significant everyday expenses, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card offers exceptional cash back on common purchases.
- Welcome Offer: Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 6 months.
- Earning Cash Back: 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% cash back on other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $95.
- Benefits:
- Car rental loss and damage insurance.
- Global Assist® Hotline.
- Purchase protection and extended warranty.
User Reviews:
- “The Blue Cash Preferred® Card is a great choice to maximize cash back rewards on everyday spending.”nypost.com
- “This card provides an excellent opportunity to earn cash back, whether you’re stocking up on groceries or streaming your favorite shows.”nypost.com
- “The Blue Cash Preferred® from American Express offers 6% cash back on U.S. supermarkets and select streaming services.”nypost.com
- “This card has an introductory annual fee of $0 in the first year and costs $95 annually thereafter.”nypost.com
4. American Express® Blue Business Plus Credit Card
For small business owners looking to earn Membership Rewards points on everyday expenses, the Blue Business Plus card provides a simple yet rewarding structure.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months.
- Earning Points: Earn 2x points on the first $50,000 in purchases per year, then 1x point thereafter.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Benefits:
- No preset spending limit, allowing flexibility.
- Expanded Buying Power feature to accommodate larger business purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Employee cards at no additional cost.
User Reviews:
- “The best business card for earning points without worrying about category bonuses.” (NerdWallet)
- “Simple, no-fuss rewards structure makes this my go-to business card.” (The Points Guy)
- “Would love to see an increased welcome offer, but no annual fee makes it an easy choice.” (Bankrate)
5. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
For frequent Hilton travelers, the Hilton Honors Surpass® Card is a powerful option for earning Hilton Honors points quickly.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months.
- Earning Points:
- 12x points on Hilton hotel stays
- 6x points on dining, gas, and U.S. supermarkets
- 3x points on all other purchases
- Annual Fee: $95
- Benefits:
- Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status
- Priority Pass™ Select Membership (10 airport lounge visits per year)
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free Weekend Night Reward after spending $15,000 annually
User Reviews:
- “Earning 12x points on Hilton stays is a game-changer!” (The Points Guy)
- “A must-have for Hilton fans looking for elite status perks without a huge annual fee.” (NerdWallet)
- “One of the best mid-tier hotel credit cards, with strong earning potential.” (Bankrate)