What American Express Credit Cards Are
American Express (often called Amex) is a credit card company that issues cards for everyday purchases, travel, and business spending. Unlike Visa or Mastercard, which are payment networks that banks use, American Express both issues the card and processes the transaction itself. This means Amex sets its own rules about fees, rewards, and who can get a card.
Amex cards come in different versions — some are designed for everyday spending with cash-back rewards, others focus on travel benefits, and some are built for business owners. Each card has its own annual fee (which may be zero), interest rate range, and rewards structure. The card you choose depends on how you spend and what benefits matter most to you.
Amex is known for customer service that answers the phone quickly and for fraud protection that watches your account closely. It is also known for higher annual fees on premium cards and for sometimes declining purchases at smaller merchants who do not accept American Express.
Key Takeaways
- American Express issues its own cards rather than partnering with banks, which means it controls the terms, fees, and rewards on each card.
- Amex cards range from no-annual-fee options to premium cards that charge $95 to $550 per year in exchange for travel credits and other perks.
- Not all merchants take American Express, so check whether the stores and restaurants you use most often accept it before you open an account.
- Amex typically requires a good credit score to open an account, though some cards are designed for people building credit for the first time.
- The rewards you earn depend on the specific card — some offer cash back, others offer points that you redeem for travel or merchandise.
Types of American Express Cards and What They Offer
Amex organizes its cards into a few main categories. Green Card and Gold Card are mid-tier cards with annual fees ($150 and $250 respectively) that offer rewards on travel, dining, and groceries. The Platinum Card is the premium option at $695 per year and includes travel credits, airport lounge access, and concierge service. The Blue Card comes with no annual fee and offers cash back on everyday purchases.
Business owners can choose from Business Green, Business Gold, and Business Platinum, which work the same way as the personal versions but track business spending separately. Amex also offers co-branded cards with airlines (like Delta and United) and hotels (like Hilton and Marriott), which earn points faster with those specific partners.
Each card comes with a specific earning rate. For example, the Gold Card earns 4 points per dollar on restaurants and groceries, but only 1 point per dollar on other purchases. The Blue Card earns 1.5% cash back on most purchases and 3% on groceries and gas. Read the card's terms before you open an account so you know exactly what you will earn.
How to Open an American Express Account
You can open an Amex account online at americanexpress.com or by calling 1-800-528-4800. The online process takes about 10 minutes. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and income information. Amex will pull your credit report to check your credit score and history.
After you submit your information, you will get a decision right away — either approved, denied, or pending. If you are approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days. If you are pending, Amex may call you to verify information or ask follow-up questions. If you are denied, you can call to ask why and whether you can reapply later.
Once your card arrives, you will need to set up it before you use it. Amex sends set up instructions with the card, or you can set up online through your account. After set up, you can use the card when ready at any merchant that takes American Express.
Credit Score Requirements and Who Gets Approved
Most American Express cards require a credit score of 670 or higher, though some premium cards like Platinum prefer scores above 700. If your score is lower, Amex may still approve you for a basic card like Blue, but the interest rate will be higher. Amex also looks at your payment history, how much debt you already carry, and how long you have had credit accounts open.
If you have never had a credit card before, Amex offers the Amex EveryDay Card, which is designed for people building credit. This card has no annual fee and does not require an excellent score to open. However, the rewards rate is lower than premium cards, and the interest rate may be higher.
If you are denied, you can reapply after 90 days. In the meantime, paying down existing debt and making all payments on time will improve your score. You can check your credit report for free once per year at annualcreditreport.com to see what Amex saw when it reviewed your process.
Annual Fees, Interest Rates, and Other Costs
American Express cards fall into two groups: no-annual-fee cards and premium cards with annual fees. The Blue Card and EveryDay Card have no annual fee. The Gold Card costs $250 per year, the Green Card costs $150 per year, and the Platinum Card costs $695 per year. Some premium cards offer annual credits that offset part of the fee — for example, the Platinum Card includes a $200 airline fee credit and a $100 Uber credit, which reduces the net cost.
Interest rates on Amex cards vary based on your credit score and the specific card. Rates typically range from 16% to 27% APR. If you carry a balance month to month, you will pay interest on that balance. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest.
Amex also charges late fees (usually $25 to $40 for the first late payment, $35 to $40 for subsequent ones), foreign transaction fees (typically 2.7%), and cash advance fees (usually 3% to 5% of the amount). Some premium cards waive foreign transaction fees, which is useful if you travel internationally.
Where American Express Is and Is Not Accepted
American Express is accepted at most large retailers, restaurants, hotels, and airlines. However, some smaller merchants, gas stations, and local businesses do not take Amex because the processing fees Amex charges are higher than Visa or Mastercard. Before you open an Amex account, check whether your regular grocery store, gas station, and favorite restaurants accept it.
You can search for merchants that take Amex on americanexpress.com using their merchant locator tool. You can also call the merchant directly and ask. If you spend most of your money at places that do not take Amex, a Visa or Mastercard may be more practical.
Online, Amex is widely accepted at major retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart. However, some smaller online stores and international merchants may not take it. If a website does not list American Express as a payment option, you will need a different card to complete the purchase.
How to Manage Your Account and Pay Your Bill
You can manage your Amex account online at americanexpress.com or through the Amex mobile app. Log in with your username and password to view your balance, recent transactions, available credit, and rewards balance. You can also set up alerts to notify you when a payment is due, when your balance reaches a certain amount, or when unusual activity occurs.
To pay your bill, you can set up automatic payments from your bank account, pay online through your Amex account, mail a check, or call 1-800-528-4800 to pay by phone. The due date is printed on your statement, usually 21 to 25 days after the statement closes. If you pay the full balance by the due date, you owe no interest. If you pay only part of the balance, interest accrues on the remaining amount.
You can also set up a payment plan if you carry a large balance. Amex offers Pay Over Time, which lets you split a purchase into monthly installments with a fixed interest rate. This is useful if you make a large purchase and want to spread the cost over several months, but it costs more in interest than paying the full balance when ready.
Rewards, Points, and How to Use Them
How you earn rewards depends on which Amex card you have. Cash-back cards like Blue earn a percentage of each purchase as cash back — for example, 1.5% on most purchases. Points-based cards like Gold and Platinum earn points per dollar spent, with higher earning rates on specific categories like travel and dining.
You can redeem rewards in several ways. Cash-back cards let you deposit cash back directly into your bank account, use it as a statement credit, or transfer it to a partner bank. Points-based cards let you book travel through Amex's travel portal, transfer points to airline and hotel partners, or redeem them for merchandise and gift cards.
Points are usually worth more when you redeem them for travel than when you redeem them for cash or merchandise. For example, a point might be worth 1 cent as cash back but 1.5 cents when you book a flight through Amex's portal. Read the redemption options for your specific card to understand what your points are worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between American Express and Visa or Mastercard?
American Express is both a card issuer and a payment network, meaning it issues the card and processes transactions. Visa and Mastercard are only payment networks — they do not issue cards themselves. Banks issue Visa and Mastercard cards and set the terms. This is why Amex has more control over its cards' features and why some merchants do not take Amex due to higher processing costs.
Can I use my American Express card internationally?
Yes, but not everywhere. Amex is accepted at major hotels, airlines, and restaurants worldwide, but acceptance is lower in some countries and regions. Before you travel, call Amex at the number on the back of your card to let them know you are traveling (this prevents fraud blocks). Also ask whether your card waives foreign transaction fees — premium cards often do, but basic cards charge 2.7% per transaction.
What happens if I miss a payment on my American Express card?
If you miss a payment, Amex will charge a late fee (usually $25 to $40) and report the late payment to credit bureaus, which will lower your credit score. If you miss a payment by 30 days or more, Amex may freeze your account and demand full payment. If you know you will miss a payment, call Amex when ready to discuss options — they may be able to work out a payment plan or temporarily lower your interest rate.
Do I have to pay an annual fee for an American Express card?
No. Amex offers several no-annual-fee cards, including the Blue Card and EveryDay Card. However, premium cards like Gold, Green, and Platinum do charge annual fees ranging from $150 to $695. The annual fee is worth it only if you use the card's benefits — like travel credits or dining rewards — enough to offset the cost.
How long does it take to get approved for an American Express card?
You usually get a decision within minutes of submitting your process online. If approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days. If your process is pending, Amex will call you within a few days to verify information. If you are denied, you can reapply after 90 days.