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Best American Express credit cards for March 2024

Updated March 28, 2024

American Express credit cards offer high-value rewards programs and some of the most generous perks in the industry. The Amex lineup has options for everyday shoppers, luxury travelers, small business owners and more. Check out the best cards offered by our partner American Express to see which Amex credit card is the best for you.

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2024 Bankrate Awards Winner
BEST OVERALL
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0
Info
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit
Info

Intro offer

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$1200

Offer valuation

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3X - 4X

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Info
Best for large welcome bonus
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8
Info
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit
Info

Intro offer

Info

$1600

Offer valuation

Info

5X - 5X

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Info
awards-badge
2024 Bankrate Awards Winner
Best for cash back and no annual fee
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Info
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit
Info

Intro offer

Info

1% - 3%

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Info
awards-badge
2024 Bankrate Awards Winner
Best cash back card for families
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Info
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit
Info

Intro offer

Info

1% - 6%

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Best general business card
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0
Info
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit

Intro offer

Info

$1400

Offer valuation

Info

1X - 4X

Rewards Rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Best business card for travel
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8
Info
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit

Intro offer

Info

$2400

Offer valuation

Info

1X - 5X

Rewards Rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Info
Best Delta card for value travelers
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Info
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit
Info

Intro offer

Info

$480

Offer valuation

Info

1X - 2X

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Best Hilton card with no annual fee
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Info
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit

Intro offer

Info

$600

Offer valuation

Info

3X - 7X

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Best for annual bonuses
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Info
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit

Intro offer

Info

$1295

Offer valuation

Info

2X - 6X

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Info
BEST FOR FREE HILTON NIGHTS
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
Info
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit
Info

Intro offer

Info

N/A

Offer valuation

Info

3X - 12X

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Info
Best for Delta Medallion members
Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3
Info
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit
Info

Intro offer

Info

$720

Offer valuation

Info

1X - 3X

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

All information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.

Compare Bankrate’s top picks for best American Express credit cards

Card Name Best For Annual Fee Bankrate Review Score

Dining + Best overall

$250

5.0 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Large welcome bonus

$695

4.8 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Cash back and no annual fee

$0

4.6 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Cash back for families

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

4.4 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

General business rewards

$375

5.0 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Business card for travel

$695

4.8 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Delta card for value travelers

$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.

4.4 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Hilton card with no annual fee

$0

4.4 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Annual bonuses

$650

4.5 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Free Hilton nights

$150

4.7 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Delta Medallion members

$650

4.3 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

What to know about American Express credit cards

American Express began as a freight-forwarding business in 1850 and has since grown to be one of the largest credit card issuers in the world. The J.D. Power 2023 Credit Card Satisfaction Study ranked American Express first in customer satisfaction among credit card issuers.

American Express, also known as Amex, is both a payment processing network and a credit card issuer, meaning that Amex issues credit cards to consumers and facilitates transactions with merchants through its network. Networks, which include Visa, Mastercard and Discover as well as American Express, make money by taking a cut of each transaction they process. Many, but not all, American Express credit cards are both issued by American Express and part of the American Express payment network.

The company offers cards for consumers, travelers, small businesses and corporations. American Express also offers other financial products and services including savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs).

Types of American Express credit cards

American Express cards run the gamut of both business- and consumer-class cards, so it’s extremely possible to find one of the best Amex cards to add to your wallet. Here are some of the credit cards American Express offers:

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Bankrate Insight

Through AmexTravel.com, cardholders can book travel with points earned through the Membership Rewards program and even take advantage of some added benefits. You can earn a percentage of your points back when redeeming on the website or earn at boosted rates when using the Amex travel portal with select cards like The Platinum Card, Gold Card and more.

Pros and cons of American Express credit cards

Pros

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    Wide consumer base: With cards for cash back, airlines, hotels, general travel, supermarkets, businesses and more, American Express provides a variety of options for nearly all types of consumers.

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    Loyalty perks: American Express has connections with some of the top hotel and airline brands in the world, giving the opportunity for loyal customers to get extra rewards through their credit card.

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    Affordable options available: American Express offers multiple no-annual-fee options that still provide rewards and welcome offers.

Cons

  • High annual fees: Some of Amex’s best credit cards come with steep annual fees. Although the rewards available with these cards can make these fees worthwhile, sticker shock may turn away potential cardholders.

  • Limited redemption opportunity: Some Amex cards only offer statement credits, which can restrict how you choose to receive and spend your rewards or cash back.

  • High approval threshold: The majority of Amex’s options require a good-to-excellent credit score to be approved.

Tips on choosing the best American Express card

Any of the Amex cards on the page can add value to your wallet, but deciding on the very best American Express card for you requires understanding your unique financial situation and needs. Here is some insight on which types of cardholders may get the most out of American Express cards. 

Choosing just one card can be difficult, especially if you align with more than of the above cardholder profiles. It’s a good idea to research all of the cards Amex is offering and to thoroughly evaluate your own circumstances to determine which particular card aligns with your financial goals. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Evaluate your personal or business spending: Consider how much you spend annually, where you spend and whether that same spending pattern will continue into the next year. This will help you get a better idea of which spending categories you can make the most of and whether an annual fee is worth it or not.
  • Choose between cash back and rewards: If you want to keep things simple, go with cash back. If you don’t mind doing a little extra leg work to maximize your card’s value, choose a rewards card. Amex points can be incredibly valuable if you don’t mind strategizing your redemptions.
  • Identify any preferred Amex travel partners: If you choose a rewards card you’ll earn American Express Membership Rewards points. You can transfer these points to several different Amex Travel Partners. Make sure your preferred travel brands are on the list so you can use your credit card rewards to offset some of your travel spending.
  • Calculate potential rewards: Before you apply for any rewards card, whether it’s cash back or rewards, you should calculate how much you would earn in a normal year from your regular spending. This can give you an idea of how much value a card will bring to your wallet, enabling you to compare your options with a more informed perspective.

Expert advice for American Express cards

American Express cards won’t be for everyone, and just because they top the lists as some of the best cards around doesn’t mean they’re a good fit for you. However, if you find an Amex card that matches your credit card needs then you’ll want to make the most of it, especially if you have a hefty annual fee. Here are some ways to capitalize on a new American Express card:

  • Earn your welcome offer: Amex welcome offers can be very generous. Since Membership Rewards points are so flexible, you have the opportunity to make a new welcome offer worth much more than its upfront, base value. For instance, the American Express Gold Card has a welcome offer of 60,000 points for spending $6,000 in your first six months with the card. The base value of this offer is $600, but it can be worth up to $1,200 with the right transfer.
  • Learn about Membership Rewards: The more you understand Amex Membership Rewards and the perks that come with your card the more prepared you’ll be to maximize your card’s value.
  • Use perks and credits: Several Amex cards carry valuable perks that can nearly offset any annual fee you might be paying. Lean into these perks to get the full value of your Amex card.

American Express cards are worth it as long as you make the most of every perk, feature, boosted rewards rate and bonus. The stakes for making your Amex card worth it are especially high if you have a high annual fee, like on the Platinum Card from American Express or the American Express Gold card. However, if you don’t want to fork out hundreds or more for an annual fee, there are still a couple of American Express credit cards with no annual fee that still earn respectable rates on purchases.

How we asses the best American Express credit cards

When evaluating the best American Express cards, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards in popular categories to scoring a large welcome offeror high-value perks. Whenever possible, we also feature cards that are available at various credit levels and price points. 

We analyzed over 150 of the most popular cards and scored each based on its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, welcome offer value, APR, fees, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup of the best American Express cards.

Here are some of the key factors that we considered:

Document
150+
cards rated
Congrats
50+
rewards programs valued
Search
1800
data points analyzed
Credit Card Reviews
40+
perks evaluated

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Frequently asked questions about American Express credit cards