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American Express (Amex)

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7.4

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LAST UPDATED: March 26th, 2024

As one of the most well-known credit issuers, American Express offers personal, business, and corporate credit cards to consumers with an array of rewards for a variety of uses.

As a more prestigious credit card issuer, American Express generally requires a good, if not excellent, credit score for approval on many of its cards. For such creditworthy consumers, American Express credit cards are a great option, providing generous rewards options, which may also require much higher fees than you would see with other credit card issuers. 

If you have poor to fair credit, American Express may have some card options available for you, but you will be limited in rewards and perks.

Continue reading for pros and cons, and American Express reviews from real customers.

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The Good

  • Variety of Cards
  • Rewards Options
  • Free Credit Score Monitoring
  • Amex Offers and Benefits
  • Cobrand Partnerships
  • Premium Car Rental Protection
  • Fraud Safeguards
  • Customer Reviews

Variety of Cards

American Express offers a variety of credit cards with various rewards, perks, and benefits. Types of cards include:

  • Cash Back
  • Rewards Points*
  • No Annual Fee
  • 0% Intro APR
  • Low Interest
  • Travel
  • Airline
  • Hotel

*Many of the rewards cards have high annual fees to consider.

An array of options allows consumers to compare cards and ultimately choose the best card for their needs. It is important to note that American Express also has business credit card and corporate credit card options.

Rewards Options

American Express offers several rewards programs, cash back rewards, travel rewards, and business rewards, allowing consumers to either earn cash back, points, miles, and/or other benefits.

Offering generous rewards on a variety of cards, American Express can be a good option for creditworthy consumers who will be most able to maximize on rewards through their spending and use of the card.

Keep in mind that cards offering exclusive rewards have a much higher annual fee than you might see with other American Express credit cards, or rewards cards from other lenders. It is important to ensure that your use of the card will be worth the money spent on a card's annual fee.

Free Credit Score Monitoring   

To manage and understand your credit score better, American Express offers the MyCredit Guide service.

You don't need to be an American Express cardholder to use MyCredit Guide, but you must make a MyCredit Guide account to access its services.

MyCredit Guide services include the following:

  • Free credit reports
  • Credit change alerts
  • Personalized recommendations for improving your credit score
  • Credit score simulator

MyCredit Guide is free to use and will not hurt your credit score. It is important to note that this service provides you with your VantageScore by TransUnion.

Amex Offers and Benefits

All American Express credit cards come with access to Amex offers and benefits which can save you money. These offers and benefits are provided by a variety of merchants and are generally point or cash back offers when you spend a certain amount of money.

Some offers have an enrollment quota, limiting the number of cardholders who can register for that specific offer. An offer may still appear on your account even if enrollment has been filled, but you won't be able to register.

Be mindful that some offers are card-specific. If you have multiple American Express cards, make sure you keep track of which offers you've unlocked and on which card.

Cobrand Partnerships

American Express has some cobrand partnerships that are exclusive to the company, such as Delta and Hilton. These partnerships provide cardholders with access to additional benefits and perks when they use their card on expenses specific to the cobranded company.

Premium Car Rental Protection

American Express Premium Car Rental Protection is an additional insurance product offered by the company.

This program helps you save more on car rental coverage and offers the following features and coverage:

  • Flat rate of $19.95/$24.95 per rental period, not per day
  • Pay only when you rent
  • Provided coverage is not subject to a policy deductible
  • Worldwide coverage
  • Up to 42 consecutive days of coverage
  • Coverage ranges from $5,000–$100,000

Liability coverage is not included.

Fraud Safeguards 

American Express offers solutions to prevent fraud, including card identification verification, counterfeit detection, electronic verification, and charge authorization. Through the American Express online Security Center, you can report cases of credit card fraud, report a lost or stolen card, and learn more about how American Express protects your information and credit cards.

American Express takes your security seriously and also provides mobile wallet security and SafeKey services to protect you while shopping online.

Customer Reviews

The majority of American Express reviews on BestCompany.com are four or five stars. Customers most often highlight excellent customer service and great rewards, particularly for travel.

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The Bad

  • Credit Score Requirements
  • Charge Cards
  • Fees

Credit Score Requirements

Many American Express credit cards require a good to excellent credit score to qualify. This may not be attainable for all borrowers, and we would recommend that low credit borrowers look elsewhere for a credit card, at least to compare offerings with American Express.

American Express' high credit requirement is due to the exclusive rewards offered with some of its cards, which is also an indication of higher annual fees.

Charge Cards

Some cards offered by American Express are charge cards not credit cards.

Charge cards and credit cards are similar in use, but a charge card has no spending limit and cardholders are generally expected to pay their bill in full each month, whereas a credit card cardholder can just pay the minimum balance. Although charge cards don't have a set credit limit, that does not mean that they offer unlimited spending.

The following American Express cards are considered to be charge cards:

  • Platinum card
  • Gold card
  • Green card

Make sure that you know the rates and terms of the card you are applying for, as you wouldn't want to end up with a charge card when you actually want a credit card.

Fees

Depending on the card, American Express can charge some of the most expensive annual fees in the industry. However, as with many credit card companies, the first year might have no annual fee.

American Express charges a late payment fee of $38 on any unpaid amount. A late payment may also result in a penalty APR.

While some companies in the industry do not charge a foreign transaction fee, American Express charges one, which can be inconvenient for frequent travelers.

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The Bottom Line

American Express credit cards are a great option for consumers with an established credit history, generally maintaining excellent credit. Offering various travel rewards cards, American Express may also be one of the best options for frequent travelers. However, American Express does offer a variety of cards meant for everyday purchases that may be a better option for some consumers.

American Express offers cash back, points, and miles rewards, in addition to membership rewards points, but some of the rewards cards have very high annual fees.

Based on customer reviews, we would recommend looking into American Express for your credit card needs, especially if you are looking for generous and exclusive rewards options.

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Star Rating

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4.5

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867 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

65%

4 grade

20%

3 grade

8%

2 grade

3%

1 grade

4%

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Justin Dube Show Low, AZ

I had an AmEx Platinum card. These cards have no standard limit. Mine didn't either. But then they limit it....often. I don't use credit cards that often, just for big stuff to spread out over time, trips, major purchases, etc. This card was no different. It cost me close to 700 a year to have it and I mainly used the perks. Discounts they send, subscriptions that are reimbursed, and getting into airport lounges. I used it heavily on a vacation in July until they ended my spending. I called CS and asked why. They said "you don't use the card often enough. Your spend limit is based on a multiple of what you use it for monthly" Oh...it DOES have a crappy limit. Lower than my other cards. They call it "spending power". I don't want to have to check my cards to be able to use them. I paid the card back down and stopped using it. I paid my annual renewal fee a month ago...then they cancelled the card notifying me by email. Mixed feelings about this....go Amex, why on earth would you want a client that keeps the balance at zero and only uses the card on big purchases you will make interest on. Stick with people that keep huge balances and always use the card...sounds like a recipe for real success when the economy collapses again. BTW, they do have pretty good CS reps.

4 months ago

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Allen Bronson Idaho Falls, ID

They lowered my credit limit in the middle of transactions that caused me over the limit fees. When I called customer service to get to the bottom of it, I could not understand the representative (they were from a foreign country) so I asked for somebody else that I could understand and they replied that i could not speak to somebody else. Not very happy at all with Amex customer service. I expect much better from a large well-known company.

6 years ago

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Zach Irvine, CA

If I sign up for a special offer, then I expect to receive the benefits of that offer according to the fine print. I signed up for the Delta skymiles CC and spent 3k within 3 months (as the offer required). Instead of giving me the 50k Delta skymiles after the 3 month period, I fought with customer service for 8 months until I was finally given the miles as promised. Every time I called, the customer service rep had a different story than the previous rep. No one knew where the miles were and no one knew when I would receive them. I was told 3 weeks, then another rep told me 3 more months, then another rep told me tomorrow, then when I followed up the next day the rep said it would be another 4 weeks. The biggest frustration was that no one knew what they were talking about or who to ask for more info. I imagine customer retention is a nightmare because everyone I spoke to who signed up during this promotional period had the same issues. I plan on getting rid of this card at the end of the year. I would most likely stay if I had received a follow-up call just ONCE from the 7 customer service reps that promised to call me back with an update. I guess some apology skymiles would help with my retention, too. But I’d probably have to wait another 8 months to get those miles anyway. PEACE Amex.

5 years ago

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Fair and unfair loyalty program

Amex out sources a lot of its customer service. Hard to understand the personnel speaking to you with broken english. They rewards program use to be better. They don't offer reduced interest rates during difficult times like today.

3 years ago

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cecropia

American Express is an overpriced card. They have the highest annual fees of any card company and the card is just not worth it. Great customer service reps but the corporate mentality is definitely anti-consumer. Avoid this company and any of its products.

4 years ago

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Benjamin Milligan Dennis, TX

Of all the credit cards I use for personal use, they are the biggest pain. More restrictions, less rewards (without a yearly fee anyway).

7 months ago

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J M Orem, UT

Had a Delta platinum Amex Card for years but annual fee was going way up this year. Did get miles but just didn’t seem worth the cost. If you’re going to fly a lot then discarded be good to have.

4 years ago

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Dean Ogden, UT

The annual fee is just to much to make it worth while. I enjoyed the miles I got as the benefit but it probably didn't offset the cost of the fee. The customer service was good but I just didn't think it was worth keeping.

4 years ago

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Ron Durfey Pleasant Grove, UT

Have been a customer for over 10 years. Their services are good but the only reason I continue to use them is for the mileage I get on my Delta account. Otherwise, they'd be gone.

5 years ago

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Gloria Miles Scottsdale, AZ

App needs work as well the customer service

2 months ago

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Helen Piotter Chicago, IL

I applied to Amex to receive credits toward Delta flights. In the 15 years I have been a cardholder, and it is used religiously, I have gained very few air travel points.

2 years ago

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Jec Canby, OR

Not impressed with their high late fee and zero tolerance for a first time late payment when the bill slipped behind the desk and was found a couple days after it was due.

2 years ago

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Nicholas Cloward Salt Lake City, UT

Didn’t like the online pay service they offered. It seemed hard to stay on top of payments and I got behind very easily. Not much of a fan.

4 years ago

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Danielle Powell Long Beach, MS

The annual fee I was approved made this not appealing. Cash back to pay your fee is not a deal when you can get cash back with other cards

4 years ago

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Dollarlock Slotech

This credit card is not accepted at as many vendors as competitive credit cards.

6 years ago

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Robert R McEvilly Glendale, CA

They are always accurate, but difficult to do business with.

4 years ago

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Sharon

Some stores and restaurants in my area do not accept American Expresss

6 years ago

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Conejo Duran Dallas, TX

I'm not sure what the problem was but I did have problems activating my card and making purchases

1 year ago

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Cindy Bailey Lehi, UT

I don’t like having to pay an annual fee so we dont use them anymore. I want a card that is free.

5 years ago

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Lori Fletcher Saratoga Springs, UT

American Express fees are so high and not everyone accepts them. It’s not worth it.

5 years ago

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jordan cummins Gilbert, AZ

Screws you over with interest rate and fees. Doesn't give as much of limit as others also.

5 years ago

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Raul Villaronga

One thing I dislike is their fees, it high.

3 years ago

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Elaine

Many companies I used to buy don’t accept them,

10 months ago

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Kamron Dalton Riverton, UT

Higher fees charged to vendors cause them to prefer other cards.

2 years ago