American express which card

We also considered additional perks, the application process and how easy it is for the consumer to redeem points. Select teamed up with location intelligence firm Esri. The company's data development team provided the most up-to-date and comprehensive consumer spending data based on the Consumer Expenditure Surveys from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You can read more about their methodology here.

General purchases include items such as housekeeping supplies, clothing, personal care products, prescription drugs and vitamins, and other vehicle expenses. Select used this budget to estimate how much the average consumer would save over the course of a year, two years and five years, assuming they would attempt to maximize their rewards potential by earning all welcome bonuses offered and using the card for all applicable purchases.

All rewards total estimations are net the annual fee. While the five-year estimates we've included are derived from a budget similar to the average American's spending, you may earn a higher or lower return depending on your shopping habits. Skip Navigation. Follow Select. Our top picks of timely offers from our partners More details. SoFi Personal Loans. LightStream Personal Loans. We may receive a commission from affiliate partner links.

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Learn More. Other benefits include hundreds of dollars a year in available dining and travel credits and a solid bonus offer for new cardholders. There's an annual fee, though, and a pretty substantial one, so it's not for smaller spenders. Our pick for: Travel and dining rewards. The "original" American Express card is a great fit for travelers who can make use of its extensive list of airline and hotel transfer partners and its rich rewards on dining and travel.

There's an annual fee to consider, however, and getting maximum value can take some work. But if you're committed to the AmEx Membership Rewards, it's a fine option. Our pick for: AmEx points for no annual fee. You can earn bonus points at U. Our pick for: Luxury perks for business travelers. But business travelers who prefer to go in style will find plenty that appeals to them: high rewards on certain travel purchases, bonus rewards on larger non-travel purchases, a superb newcomer bonus offer, extensive airport lounge access, elite hotel status, hundreds of dollars a year in available credits and a list of perks as long as your arm.

It's not cheap, but luxury never is. Our pick for: Simple cash rewards for small business. Beyond that, you earn a solid cash-back rate at least for a while — the rate drops after you hit a spending threshold. There's also no annual fee. Our pick for: Simple rewards for small business. Our pick for: Customized rewards for business.

You automatically earn bonus rewards in the two categories where you spend the most each month. That can translate into outstanding rewards, as long as your business spends money in those categories.

If it doesn't, the steep annual fee probably isn't worth it. Our pick for: Flexible financing for businesses. Pay early and get a discount, or enjoy up to 60 days without interest. There's a substantial annual fee, but if you're using the card for, say, big inventory purchases, the benefits could far outweigh the costs.

American Express issues branded credit cards in partnership with airlines, hotels and others. Learn more about these cards by reading the reviews linked below:. Hilton Honors American Express Card. Amazon Business American Express Card. Several banks offer credit cards that operate on the American Express payment network, but these cards are not issued by American Express itself.

You can use them anywhere that accepts AmEx, but their rewards, perks, fees and rates are dictated by the card issuer, not American Express. Those cards are not included on this page. Examples include the U. NerdWallet's credit cards team selects the best cards in each category based on overall consumer value. Factors in our evaluation include fees, promotional and ongoing APRs, and sign-up bonuses; for rewards cards, we consider earning and redemption rates, redemption options and redemption difficulty.

A single card is eligible to be chosen in multiple categories. Which American Express card is right for you depends largely on your credit scores. If you clear that hurdle, then the right American Express card for you will hinge on your goals, spending habits and lifestyle.

Are you interested in cash back, or are you looking for travel rewards? Do you spend more on groceries, or is dining out a bigger line item in your budget? Are annual fees a nonstarter for you, or are you willing to pay one in exchange for more value? Are you a small-business owner? AmEx has options to fit many different kinds of profiles and budgets. There are several American Express cards with no annual fee , including cash-back cards, travel rewards cards, co-branded cards offered in partnership with a brand or merchant , and small-business cards.

Depending on the American Express card in question, it may earn rewards in the form of:. Cash back generally as a statement credit. American Express Membership Rewards flexible points that can be redeemed for a variety of different things, including travel.

Airline miles if the card is offered in partnership with an airline. Hotel points if the card is offered in partnership with a hotel chain. American Express cards — especially travel rewards cards — may also come with a variety of benefits, credits and perks , depending on the card. While general travel cards usually offer the best value for your money, if you always fly with Delta, or always stay with Hilton, then a co-branded credit card could make sense for you:.

American Express offers a slate of business cards tailored to the needs of business owners and sole proprietors, from everyday cash back to travel rewards cards and even co-branded cards if your business purchases are usually with the same retailer. Take your business spending habits into account when deciding which card is best for you:. While the most premium American Express cards with high-value benefits usually come with an annual fee, there are a handful of great American Express cards that have no annual fee and can still unlock great rewards potential and other perks on both everyday spending and travel:.

Pay It, Plan It is a flexible payment feature offered by Amex. This feature allows you to carry a balance for certain charges, but not all, and your card limit will still be flexible. Check your card account to see if you have access to Pay It, Plan It.

Access can vary by card member and which card you have. If you have one of these cards and access to Pay Over Time, you can activate at any time. But use it wisely; the program carries the same high-interest debt risks as carrying a balance on any credit card.

You earn Membership Rewards points by using your card for purchases within qualifying categories that earn points. If you have multiple points-earning rewards cards with Amex, they will automatically pool into your Membership Rewards account each billing cycle.

You can use your points to cover charges on your cards in the form of statement credits, pay with them directly at checkout while shopping online, or redeem them for gift cards, but these are generally the lowest-value redemption options.

One of the most valuable ways to redeem points is by booking travel through American Express Travel , typically at a rate of 1 cent per point.

Here are the transfer values of Membership Rewards points. Evaluate your own spending and credit card needs before applying to ensure you choose an option that best suits you long-term. Your credit is going to need to be good-to-excellent to qualify for the majority of American Express cards minimum Cash back cards earn a percentage of eligible purchases back, which you can use to offset the cost of purchases think of it as a small savings on your spending.

Membership Rewards points are similarly earned on eligible purchases, but offer many more redemption options at varying redemption rates. There are many different kinds of American Express cards, designed to fit every type of budget and lifestyle.

Our list of best American Express cards begins with an evaluation of popular cards across available categories — from cash back and travel to business and co-branded options. Our picks reflect those we believe offer the most value relative to cost for a broad range of consumer types. As with all of our credit card reviews, our analysis is not influenced by any partnerships or advertising relationships.

Saving Money. Next Advisor Logo. Share Share on Social Media. Ryan Haar November 11, 13 Min Read. Editorial Independence We want to help you make more informed decisions. Some links on this page — clearly marked — may take you to a partner website and may result in us earning a referral commission. For more information, see How We Make Money. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for some American Express benefits and offers.

Visit americanexpress. Good for Simple Cash Back.