American Express Credit Card Reviews, Rules & Opinions

Q: How many times can you apply?

American Express has a 1 in 5 rule . You cannot get approved for more than one credit card every five days. That means you can only apply for one credit card on the same day. The issuer put this rule in place to help prevent credit card fraud. This rule, however, does not apply to charge cards.

Q: How many times can you get approved?

The AmEx 2-90 rule states that cardholders can only have two card approvals every 90 days. This rule is applied on top of the 1 in 5 rule . So, if you get approved for two credit cards in 90 days, you can no longer be approved for a third one. If you want an additional card, you will have to apply once the 90-day period ends.

American Express offers some of the best credit cards for consumers and business owners. MoneyGeek analyzed different American Express cards and their application rules to help you better understand your options.

By Doug Milnes, CFA

Reviewed by Lee Huffman

Updated: December 5, 2024

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

MoneyGeek partners with leading industry experts and advertisers to help you get to your financial happy place. Our content is accurate when posted but offers may change over time. We may receive compensation for partner advertisements, but our editorial team independently reviews and ranks products. Learn more about our editorial policies.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

American Express offers various different credit cards, including business, rewards, cash back and travel credit cards. The issuer caters to varying types of customers, including first-time cardholders with a good credit score, business owners and travelers. However, AmEx normally only accepts applicants with good to excellent credit scores. That means you will need a 670 or higher credit score to be approved.

What’s more is that Amex offers a large suite of co-branded credit cards, giving cardholders the opportunity to enjoy their favorite brands. These include Delta, Hilton and Marriott. Additionally, American Express credit cards are so appealing, some banks issue credit cards with the Amex logo on them. This includes Bank of America, Charles Schwab and USAA.

ON THIS PAGE:

Different Card Offerings from American Express
Rules for Applying, Acceptance & Welcome Bonuses
Other Considerations for American Express
Overall Opinion of American Express & Card Offerings

Featured Credit Cards Offered by American Express

Whether you are looking for a business, travel, cash back or rewards credit card, you will likely find one suitable for you. And when you apply for a card, you can earn a welcome bonus that typically comes in the form of travel rewards or cash back.

Personal Use Cards

Credit Card	Rewards Summary	Annual Fee	Recommended Credit
Blue Cash Everyday® Card From American Express Read review	Earn 1%–3% cash back	$0	670–850 (Good to Excellent)	Review & Apply On Issuer's Site
Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express Read review	Earn 1%–6% cash back	$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95*	670–850 (Good to Excellent)	Review & Apply On Issuer's Site
American Express® Gold Card Read review	Earn 1X – 4X Membership Rewards® Points	$325	670-850 (Good to Excellent)	Review & Apply On Issuer's Site
The Platinum Card® from American Express Read review	Earn 1X – 5X points	$695	670-850 (Good to Excellent)	Review & Apply On Issuer's Site

Business Cards

Credit Card	Rewards Summary	Annual Fee	Recommended Credit
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card Read review	Earn 1% – 2% cash back	$0	670-850 (Good to Excellent)	Review & Apply On Issuer's Site
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express Read review	Earn 1X – 2X points	$0	670-850 (Good to Excellent)	Review & Apply On Issuer's Site
American Express® Business Gold Card Read review	Earn 1X – 4X Membership Rewards® points	$375	670-850 (Good to Excellent)	Review & Apply On Issuer's Site
The Plum Card® from American Express Read review	N/A	$250‡	670-850 (Good to Excellent)	Review & Apply On Issuer's Site
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express Read review	Earn 1X – 5X points	$695	670-850 (Good to Excellent)	Review & Apply On Issuer's Site

Amex Co-Branded Credit Cards

Credit Card	Rewards Summary	Annual Fee	Recommended Credit
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card Read review	Earn 1X–2X miles	$0	670–850 (Good to Excellent)	Review & Apply On Issuer's Site
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Read review	Earn 1X–2X miles	$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150	670–850 (Good to Excellent)	Review & Apply On Issuer's Site
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Read review	Earn 1X–3X miles	$350	670–850 (good to excellent)	Review & Apply On Issuer's Site
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Read review	Earn 1X–3X miles	$650	670-850 (Good to Excellent)	Review & Apply On Issuer's Site
Hilton Honors American Express Card Read review	Earn 1X – 7X points	$0	670-850 (Good to Excellent)	Review & Apply On Issuer's Site
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card	Earn 3X – 14X points	$450	Good – Excellent (670 – 850)	Review & Apply On Issuer's Site
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Read review	Earn 3X – 12X points	$150	670-850 (Good to Excellent)	Review & Apply On Issuer's Site
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card Read review	Earn 1X - 14X points	$0	670-850 (Good to Excellent)	Review & Apply On Issuer's Site

Other Cards Issued by American Express

In addition to the featured cards, here are other cards issued by American Express:

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire: For luxury travelers staying at Hilton Hotels regularly
American Express Green Card: For individuals who want to earn extra rewards for dining and travel expenses
Amex EveryDay Credit Card: For beginners looking to earn Membership Rewards on everyday spending without paying for annual fees
Amex EveryDay Preferred Credit Card: For those who want to earn more points on everyday expenses and take control of plan durations
Blue from American Express: For beginners who want an entry-level card to earn points
Business Green Rewards Card: For business owners looking for a card with flexible spending limit and pay over time option
Amazon Business Prime Card: For Amazon Prime or Business Prime Members looking for ways to earn rewards on Amazon-related purchases and enjoy no annual and foreign transaction fees
Amazon Business Card: For Amazon loyalists and small business owners looking for flexible payment terms and huge cashback
Lowe’s Business Rewards Card: For businesses looking for huge cash back opportunities for purchases at Lowe’s and other expenses without paying for annual fees

>>MORE: The Amex Trifecta: Best 3 Cards for Maximizing Rewards

The Best American Express Credit Cards in 2024

MoneyGeek determined the best American Express credit cards based on rewards, welcome bonuses and other criteria to help you find the right option suitable for your needs.

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Rewards Rate

Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases like...

APR

17.74% - 25.74% variable

Annual Fee

Recommended Credit

670-850 (Good to Excellent)

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express is a compelling option for small business owners in search of a simple yet rewarding credit solution. With no annual fee, the card is budget-friendly and designed to cater to the needs of businesses, particularly those with significant everyday expenses. The rewards structure is straightforward: cardholders earn a solid rate of Membership Rewards® points on their business purchases up to a generous cap each calendar year, before the rate drops to a lower tier.
PROS
- No annual fee
- Intro APR on purchases
- Simple flat-rate rewards on all purchases
- Flexible redemption options
- Good for small businesses
CONS
- No intro APR on balance transfers
- Foreign transaction fees
- Fees for transferring points and booking flights through American Express Travel
- Introductory Offers
  - Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $3,000 in the first three months.
  - Enjoy a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening, then a variable APR of 17.74% - 25.74% after that. APR will not exceed 29.99%. See Rates and Fees
- Rewards
  - Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases like office supplies and client dinners, up to $50,000 per year. After that, earn 1 point per dollar.
- APRs, Fees, and Penalties
  - No annual fee. See Rates and Fees
- Perks & Benefits
  - Expanded Buying Power lets you spend beyond your credit limit, adapting to your card usage and payment history. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
  - Terms Apply.

More: Read Our Full Review of American Express Blue Business Plus Credit Card

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Rewards Rate

Earn 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide,...

APR

20.24%-29.24% variable

Annual Fee

Recommended Credit

670–850 (Good to Excellent)

Frequent Delta flyers who want to maximize their rewards will benefit from the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Amex Card. It offers a generous sign-up bonus, 2x miles on Delta purchases, free checked bags, priority boarding and more—making it ideal for Delta travelers.
PROS
- High rewards on U.S. dining
- Generous bonus miles offer
- High rewards on Delta flights
- Free first checked bag on Delta flights
- Priority boarding on Delta flights
CONS
- High annual fee after the first year
- Limited value if not flying Delta
- Introductory Offers
  - Earn 10,000 bonus Delta SkyMiles after spending $1,000 in the first six months.
- Rewards
  - Earn 2X Delta SkyMiles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
  - Earn 2X Delta SkyMiles per dollar on Delta purchases.
  - Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Perks & Benefits
  - Receive a 20% savings as a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food and beverages.
  - Pay with Miles: Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles redeemed when booking on delta.com.
  - No foreign transaction fees. see Rates and Fees
  - Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- APRS, Fees, and Penalties
  - No annual fee. see Rates and Fees
  - Terms apply.

More: Read Our Full Review of Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Rewards Rate

Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dolla...

APR

20.24%-29.24% variable

Annual Fee

$150

Recommended Credit

670-850 (Good to Excellent)

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is a fantastic option for travelers, especially those with a penchant for Hilton stays. Imagine walking into a Hilton property and enjoying complimentary upgrades, thanks to the Gold Status that comes with this card. Whether you're dining out stateside or shopping online, you're racking up points at an impressive rate. And for the globetrotters, there's no need to worry about those pesky foreign transaction fees. The card does have an annual fee, and while the perks cater primarily to Hilton enthusiasts, its broad rewards system can offer value to many.
PROS
- Generous welcome bonus
- Purchases from Hilton get bonus points
- Complimentary Hilton upgrades
- No foreign transaction fees See Rates & Fees
CONS
- With annual fee
- Benefits mostly Hilton-centric
- Introductory Offers
  - Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points when you spend $3,000 within the first six months. Offer valid until January 8, 2025.
- Rewards
  - Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar spent directly with Hilton hotels and resorts.
  - Earn 6X points at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations.
  - Earn 4X points on U.S. online retail purchases.
  - Earn 3X points on all other eligible purchases.
  - Receive a Free Night Reward after spending $15,000 in a calendar year.
- Perks & Benefits
  - Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status.
  - Achieve Hilton Honors Diamond Status by spending $40,000 in a calendar year.
  - Complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status. Enrollment required.
  - Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- APRS, Fees, and Penalties
  - No foreign transaction fees on international purchases. See Rates and Fees
  - $150 annual fee. See Rates and Fees
  - Terms Apply.

More: Read Our Full Review of Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

EXPERT OPINION

“American Express credit cards give consumers an excellent route to earn valuable rewards. As Amex and Chase continue to be the leaders in the credit card space, they are continuously innovating to keep cardholders engaged and motivated to keep their business. As long as you maintain a Good to Excellent credit score and you are able to pay your card in full each month, it is hard to see a situation where someone wouldn’t benefit from an Amex card.

However, it’s advantageous for anyone to take a look at all of Amex’s card offerings to see which interests you. Additionally, take a look at your own financial situation to see where you could benefit the most from a rewards credit card.”

- Brett Holzhauer, Points and Miles Expert

Rules for Applying, Acceptance & Welcome Bonuses

To apply for an American Express credit card, it is important to understand the process and rules to give you the best chance for an approval and chance to earn a welcome bonus. MoneyGeek answers some commonly asked questions regarding AmEx cards to help you find the right credit card for you.

What is the accepted credit score range for most cards?

American Express typically accepts good to excellent credit scores for most of its cards. That means your credit score should be at least 670.

How many cards can you own?

Generally, you can have up to five different American Express credit cards at a time. This rule applies to all credit cards with pre-set spending limits. That means this limit does not include charge cards such as the American Express Green Card, Gold Card, Platinum Card, Business Gold and Business Platinum. For charge cards, you can have up to 10.

How many times can you apply?

American Express has a 1 in 5 rule. You cannot get approved for more than one credit card every five days. That means you can only apply for one credit card on the same day. The issuer put this rule in place to help prevent credit card fraud. This rule, however, does not apply to charge cards.

How many times can you get approved?

The AmEx 2-90 rule states that cardholders can only have two card approvals every 90 days. This rule is applied on top of the 1 in 5 rule. So, if you get approved for two credit cards in 90 days, you can no longer be approved for a third one. If you want an additional card, you will have to apply once the 90-day period ends.

How many times can you claim a welcome bonus?

American Express has a once-in-a-lifetime rule when it comes to welcome bonuses. That means you can only earn the welcome bonus of a specific product once. Even if you reapply for a credit card product you have previously canceled, you lose eligibility for its welcome bonuses. If you are not eligible, the American Express website has a pop-up window alerting you that you will not receive a bonus. This way, you can stop the application before your credit is checked.

Other Considerations About American Express

There are several factors to consider when looking for the best credit card. The table below lists some of the criteria you should check when selecting a card.

Feature	Description
Customer Service & Satisfaction	Service accessibility is an important factor to consider when choosing a credit card issuer. American Express’ customer service is available 24/7. The company also has a hotline for the hearing impaired. You can also reach the issuer through mail. American Express also garnered the highest overall customer satisfaction rating of 874 out of 1,000 in a recent J.D. Power survey.
Mobile Apps & Online Services	American Express has a mobile app available on Google Play and Apple App Store. It allows users to control and plan their accounts. The app also has a chat feature available to answer queries 24/7. The mobile app also earned the highest customer satisfaction rating in the 2021 J.D. Power Credit Card Mobile App Satisfaction Study. User ratings on both Google Play and Apple App Store are high at 4.2 and 4.9, respectively.
Security & Credit Monitoring Services	With AmEx’ CreditSecure, account holders can easily monitor their FICO credit scores and reports, get fraud detection and alerts and reach out to customer service. The issuer has a 24/7 Global Assist Hotline for emergency assistance and coordination in case things go awry when you are more than 100 miles away from home.
Loyalty Programs & Other Issuer Perks	American Express has their Membership Rewards Program. Credit card holders can earn points from purchases with no expiration dates. Membership Rewards points can be redeemed for gift cards, travel rewards, immersive experiences, charity donations, payment in participating merchants and card charges. The issuer has a Membership Rewards Points Calculator showing how you can use your points.
Authorized Users	American Express allows cardholders to add or remove authorized members through their online account or via phone. You can set the credit card limit for additional users as low as $200. However, it is important to note that annual fees may apply to additional cards. The cost varies depending on the card. The primary cardholder is also responsible for the purchases charged on additional card members’ cards.
Purchase Protection	American Express has a Purchase Protection feature that covers stolen or damaged items. Eligible cardholders can get reimbursed for stolen or accidentally damaged items up to 90 days from the date of purchase. This feature typically covers up to $1,000 per incident and a total of $50,000 a year. Other cards may have up to $10,000 in coverage per incident.
Co-Branding & Partnerships	American Express has co-branded partnerships with several consumer brands, including: Delta Hilton Marriott Amazon Lowes Macy’s
Other Products Offered	Aside from credit cards, American Express offers multiple financial products, including: personal savings accounts, personal loans, business checking accounts, business loans, prepaid debit cards and gift cards. The company also has a corporate program that offers corporate cards that businesses can get for their employees.

Overall Opinion of American Express & Their Credit Card Offerings

Overall, American Express credit cards are good options for individuals or business owners who have good to excellent credit scores. Entrepreneurs looking for business credit cards can also find great choices.

Whether you are looking for your first card or are searching for an additional card, you may find a suitable product for you by comparing American Express credit cards. It is best for:

An individual or small business looking to earn rewards on everyday purchases

Earn points at U.S. supermarkets, restaurants, transit and gas stations
Enjoy no-annual-fee credit cards while earning rewards
Simple cash back and membership rewards for small businesses

A frequent traveler who wants to keep business and personal expenses separate

Travel rewards on everyday spending
Credit cards with no foreign transaction fees
Possible free checked bags, priority boarding and airport lounge access with Delta
Elite status or other benefits at Hilton or Marriott hotels
Earn bonus points on eligible travel purchases

EXPERT OPINION

"American Express offers rewards cards for every type of consumer and small business, no matter what your budget is. Although some cards have an annual fee, the additional benefits and enhanced rewards may be worth paying the higher rate."

- Lee Huffman, credit card expert at BaldThoughts.com

Still Not Sure About This Issuer? Consider These Options.

There are various types of American Express credit cards to choose from, but you may want to check out credit cards from other issuers if you have bad credit.

Learn More About Credit Cards in General

Find Your Best

Best Credit Cards for Fair or Average Credit

Find Your Best

Best Cash Advance Credit Cards

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, please click here.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card From American Express, please click here.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express, please click here.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please click here.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.

About Doug Milnes, CFA

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.

Read Full Bio »

sources

American Express. "Amazon Business American Express Card." Accessed December 5, 2024.
American Express. "Amazon Business Prime American Express Card." Accessed December 5, 2024.
American Express. "American Express Cards." Accessed December 5, 2024.
American Express. "American Express Business Credit Cards." Accessed December 5, 2024.
American Express. "American Express Green Card." Accessed December 5, 2024.
American Express. "Amex EveryDay Credit Card." Accessed December 5, 2024.
American Express. "Amex EveryDay Preferred Credit Card." Accessed December 5, 2024.
American Express. "Blue from American Express." Accessed December 5, 2024.
American Express. "Business Green Rewards Card." Accessed December 5, 2024.
American Express. "Contact Us." Accessed December 5, 2024.
American Express. "Credit Score Ranges: What is an Excellent, Good, or Poor Credit Score?." Accessed December 5, 2024.
American Express. "CreditSecure." Accessed December 5, 2024.
American Express. "Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card." Accessed December 5, 2024.
American Express. "How American Express Purchase Protection Works." Accessed December 5, 2024.
American Express. "Lowe’s Business Rewards Card." Accessed December 5, 2024.
American Express. "Membership Rewards." Accessed December 5, 2024.
American Express. "Security Center." Accessed December 5, 2024.
American Express. "Share the experience by adding someone to your account." Accessed December 5, 2024.
American Express. "U.S. Bank FlexPerks Select + American Express Card." Accessed December 5, 2024.
Apple App Store Preview. "Amex." Accessed December 5, 2024.
Bloomberg. "Delta and American Express CEOs on Their Co-branding Relationship." Accessed December 5, 2024.
Google Play. "Amex." Accessed December 5, 2024.
Hilton. "Hilton and American Express Enhance Co-Branded Credit Cards With More Flexible and Accelerated Rewards to Keep Future Travel Within Reach." Accessed December 5, 2024.
J.D. Power. "Big Bank Investments in Mobile Apps Pay Dividends as Customer Volume Shifts to Digital, J.D. Power Finds." Accessed December 5, 2024.
Macy’s. "Macy’s American Express Card." Accessed December 5, 2024.
USAA. "USAA Rewards American Express Credit Card." Accessed December 5, 2024.

*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.

American Express Credit Card Reviews, Rules & Opinions

Featured Credit Cards Offered by American Express

Personal Use Cards

Blue Cash Everyday® Card From American Express

Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express

American Express® Gold Card

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business Cards

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

American Express® Business Gold Card

The Plum Card® from American Express

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Amex Co-Branded Credit Cards

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Hilton Honors American Express Card

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

Other Cards Issued by American Express

>>MORE: The Amex Trifecta: Best 3 Cards for Maximizing Rewards

The Best American Express Credit Cards in 2024

More: Read Our Full Review of American Express Blue Business Plus Credit Card

More: Read Our Full Review of Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

More: Read Our Full Review of Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Rules for Applying, Acceptance & Welcome Bonuses

What is the accepted credit score range for most cards?

How many cards can you own?

How many times can you apply?

How many times can you get approved?

How many times can you claim a welcome bonus?

Other Considerations About American Express

Overall Opinion of American Express & Their Credit Card Offerings

An individual or small business looking to earn rewards on everyday purchases

A frequent traveler who wants to keep business and personal expenses separate

Still Not Sure About This Issuer? Consider These Options.

Learn More About Credit Cards in General

sources