All American Express Credit Cards — Which Amex Card Is Best for You? (2026)

Last Updated: Feb 2026 | Reading Time: 11 mins | Market: USA + India

Quick Answer: There are 7+ major Amex cards in the USA and 5 main cards in India. The best Amex card depends entirely on your spending pattern. For premium travel: Amex Platinum. For everyday dining and groceries: Amex Gold (USA) / Amex Platinum Travel (India). For no-frills cashback: Blue Cash Preferred (USA) / SmartEarn (India). For beginners: Amex Green (USA) / Membership Rewards Credit Card (India).

Table of Contents

Toggle

All Amex Cards at a Glance — USA

Card	Annual Fee	Best For	Rewards Rate	Metal?
Amex Platinum Card®	$695	Premium travel, lounge access	5x flights & hotels (Amex Travel)	✅ Yes
Amex Gold Card	$325	Dining & groceries	4x dining, 4x US supermarkets	✅ Yes
Amex Green Card	$150	Everyday travel & transit	3x travel, transit & dining	❌ No
Blue Cash Preferred®	$95 (waived year 1)	US supermarkets & streaming	6% US supermarkets, 6% streaming	❌ No
Blue Cash Everyday®	$0	No-fee cashback	3% US supermarkets, 3% online retail	❌ No
Amex EveryDay Preferred®	$95	Points on everyday spend	3x US supermarkets, 2x US gas	❌ No
Amex EveryDay®	$0	No-fee Membership Rewards	2x US supermarkets, 1x everything else	❌ No

Annual fees and rewards rates as of Feb 2026. Subject to change — always verify at AmericanExpress.com.

All Amex Cards at a Glance — India

Card	Annual Fee	Best For	Key Benefit	Metal?
Amex Platinum Card	₹60,000	Ultra-premium travel & lifestyle	Unlimited lounge access, hotel elite status, travel credits	✅ Yes
Amex Platinum Travel Credit Card	₹3,500 (yr 1) / ₹5,000 (yr 2+)	Frequent domestic travellers	Travel vouchers, IndiGo milestone benefits	❌ No
Amex Gold Credit Card	₹1,000 (yr 1) / ₹4,500 (yr 2+)	Dining & everyday rewards	5x points at partner restaurants	❌ No
Amex Membership Rewards Credit Card	₹1,500 (yr 1) / ₹4,500 (yr 2+)	Entry-level Membership Rewards	1 point per ₹50, welcome bonus points	❌ No
Amex SmartEarn Credit Card	₹495 per year	Budget-friendly everyday rewards	10x points on PayTM, BookMyShow, Uber	❌ No

Annual fees as of Feb 2026. Verify current offers at AmericanExpress.com/in.

USA Cards — Detailed Breakdown

1. Amex Platinum Card® — Best for Premium Travel

Annual Fee: $695 Welcome Offer: Typically 80,000–100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 in first 6 months (offer varies — check current offer at AmericanExpress.com)

Rewards:

• 5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel
• 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
• 1x points on all other purchases

Standout Benefits:

• Access to 1,400+ airport lounges worldwide — Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Select, Delta Sky Clubs (with same-day Delta ticket), and more
• Up to $200 annual airline fee credit
• Up to $200 annual Uber Cash ($15/month + $20 in December)
• Up to $199 CLEAR Plus credit annually
• Up to $240 digital entertainment credit annually ($20/month)
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit ($120 value)
• Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status + Hilton Honors Gold status (complimentary)
• No foreign transaction fees
• $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit ($50 bi-annually)

Best For: Frequent international travellers who can extract full value from the credits. At $695 annual fee, the credits alone (airline + Uber + digital + CLEAR + Saks) total over $939 in potential value annually — but only if actively used.

Honest Caveat: The Amex Platinum is only worth it if you use most of the credits. If you only value the lounge access and skip the other benefits, you are overpaying significantly. The 1x earn rate on non-travel spending is also weak compared to cards like the Amex Gold.

2. Amex Gold Card — Best for Dining & Groceries

Annual Fee: $325 Welcome Offer: Typically 60,000–75,000 Membership Rewards points after meeting minimum spend (check current offer)

Rewards:

• 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide (including delivery)
• 4x points at US supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1x)
• 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or via Amex Travel
• 1x points on all other purchases

Standout Benefits:

• Up to $120 annual dining credit ($10/month at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and other partners)
• Up to $120 annual Uber Cash ($10/month for Uber Eats or Uber rides in the USA)
• No foreign transaction fees
• Available in Gold or Rose Gold colour

Best For: Cardholders who spend heavily on dining out and US supermarket purchases. The 4x earn rate in both categories is among the best available on any US credit card. At $325 annual fee, the $240 in annual credits (dining + Uber Cash) bring the effective fee down to approximately $85 for active users — making the 4x rewards on top effectively free.

Honest Caveat: The Uber Cash is released $10/month and cannot be rolled over — you must actively spend it each month to capture full value. The dining credit is also restricted to specific partners, not all restaurants.

3. Amex Green Card — Best Entry-Level Travel Card

Annual Fee: $150 Welcome Offer: Typically 40,000–60,000 Membership Rewards points

Rewards:

• 3x Membership Rewards points on travel (hotels, flights, transit, taxis, tours)
• 3x points at restaurants worldwide
• 1x points on all other purchases

Standout Benefits:

• Up to $189 annual CLEAR Plus credit
• Up to $100 annual LoungeBuddy credit (airport lounge day passes)
• No foreign transaction fees

Best For: Cardholders who want to earn Membership Rewards points on travel and dining without the high annual fee of the Platinum or Gold. The CLEAR Plus credit alone ($189 value) almost entirely offsets the $150 annual fee — making this one of the best-value Amex cards for the moderate traveller.

4. Blue Cash Preferred® — Best for US Families & Supermarket Spend

Annual Fee: $95 (waived first year) Welcome Offer: Typically $250 statement credit after $3,000 spend in first 6 months

Rewards:

• 6% cash back at US supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%)
• 6% cash back on select US streaming subscriptions
• 3% cash back at US gas stations
• 3% cash back on transit
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Standout Benefits:

• Cash back issued as statement credits
• 0% intro APR on purchases for first 12 months (then variable APR applies)
• Car rental loss and damage insurance

Best For: US families with high supermarket spending. At 6% cashback on up to $6,000 supermarket spend per year, the card earns up to $360 in supermarket cashback alone — more than covering the $95 annual fee. If you also spend on streaming services (Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, etc.), the 6% cashback stacks additional value.

5. Blue Cash Everyday® — Best No-Annual-Fee Amex (USA)

Annual Fee: $0 Welcome Offer: Typically $200 statement credit after $2,000 spend in first 6 months

Rewards:

• 3% cash back at US supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%)
• 3% cash back on US online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%)
• 3% cash back at US gas stations (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%)
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Best For: Cardholders who want straightforward cashback with no annual fee. The 3% on online retail is a genuinely useful category that covers Amazon, Walmart.com, and other major US online retailers.

India Cards — Detailed Breakdown

1. Amex Platinum Card (India) — Best for Ultra-Premium Lifestyle

Annual Fee: ₹60,000 + GST Joining Fee: ₹60,000 + GST

Key Benefits:

• Unlimited airport lounge access worldwide — The Centurion Lounge, Priority Pass (unlimited visits), and 1,300+ partner lounges globally
• Complimentary hotel elite status — Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Honors Gold, Radisson Rewards Gold
• ₹20,000 annual Taj Hotels vouchers
• ₹10,000 annual ITC Hotels vouchers
• Complimentary night stays at partner luxury hotels
• 24/7 dedicated Platinum concierge service
• No foreign transaction fees on international purchases (verify current terms)
• Exclusive Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts programme benefits (room upgrade, late checkout, breakfast for two)
• Membership Rewards points on all eligible spend

Best For: Very high net worth individuals and business owners spending ₹10+ lakhs annually on the card. The lifestyle benefits (hotel status, lounge access, concierge, dining credits) must be actively used to justify the ₹60,000 annual fee. Not suitable for salaried professionals at standard income levels.

2. Amex Platinum Travel Credit Card — Best for Frequent Indian Travellers

Annual Fee: ₹3,500 + GST (first year) / ₹5,000 + GST (second year onwards)

Rewards:

• 1 Membership Rewards point per ₹50 spent
• Bonus points on travel-related categories

Key Benefits:

• Welcome gift: Travel vouchers worth up to ₹10,000 on joining
• Milestone benefit Year 1: IndiGo vouchers worth ₹7,700 on spending ₹1.90 lakh in first year
• Milestone benefit Year 2+: IndiGo vouchers + Taj/Marriott vouchers on annual spend milestones
• Complimentary domestic airport lounge access (via Priority Pass, limited visits per quarter)
• Membership Rewards points redeemable for flights, hotels, and travel partners
• Lost card liability protection

Best For: Indian professionals who travel domestically frequently — particularly on IndiGo — and spend ₹2–4 lakhs annually on the card. The IndiGo voucher milestone benefits are genuinely valuable for this profile. Annual fee is easily justified at ₹2L+ annual card spend.

3. Amex Gold Credit Card (India) — Best for Dining Rewards

Annual Fee: ₹1,000 + GST (first year) / ₹4,500 + GST (second year onwards)

Rewards:

• 1 Membership Rewards point per ₹50 spent
• 5x Membership Rewards points at over 8,500 partner restaurants across India

Key Benefits:

• Welcome bonus: 4,000 Membership Rewards points on first spend within 90 days + annual fee payment
• Strong dining partner network across Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai
• Membership Rewards points redeemable for statement credits, gold collection, travel partners
• Fuel surcharge waiver
• Lost card liability protection

Best For: Urban professionals who dine out frequently at restaurants in major Indian cities. The 5x points at partner restaurants is the headline benefit — if your restaurant is in the Amex partner network, this card earns significantly faster than comparable Indian bank cards on dining. Confirm your favourite restaurants are partners before applying.

Honest Caveat: The second-year annual fee jumps from ₹1,000 to ₹4,500 — a significant increase. Evaluate whether your dining rewards in year 2 justify this fee before your renewal date.

4. Amex Membership Rewards Credit Card — Best Entry-Level Amex India

Annual Fee: ₹1,500 + GST (first year) / ₹4,500 + GST (second year onwards)

Rewards:

• 1 Membership Rewards point per ₹50 spent
• 1,000 bonus Membership Rewards points every month on spending ₹6,000 or more in that month

Key Benefits:

• Welcome bonus: 4,000 Membership Rewards points on first spend + annual fee payment
• Monthly bonus points structure rewards consistent monthly spenders
• Membership Rewards points redeemable for statement credits, 18-karat gold collection, frequent flyer miles, and partner rewards
• Access to the Amex Membership Rewards catalogue
• Fuel surcharge waiver
• Lost card liability protection

Best For: First-time Amex cardholders in India who want to enter the Membership Rewards ecosystem at a lower cost. The monthly bonus point structure (1,000 extra points for spending ₹6,000+ in a month) rewards regular card use. Good stepping-stone before upgrading to the Platinum Travel or Gold card.

Honest Caveat: Like the Gold card, the second-year fee jumps from ₹1,500 to ₹4,500. Assess renewal value carefully at the 12-month mark.

5. Amex SmartEarn Credit Card — Best Budget Amex India

Annual Fee: ₹495 + GST per year (flat — no fee hike in year 2)

Rewards:

• 10x Membership Rewards points on PayTM, BookMyShow, and Uber
• 5x Membership Rewards points on Myntra, Nykaa, Reliance Smart SuperStore, and other select partners
• 1x Membership Rewards point per ₹50 on all other eligible spend

Key Benefits:

• Lowest annual fee of all Amex India cards — flat ₹495 per year
• Targeted at digital-first spenders using PayTM, Uber, and OTT/entertainment platforms
• Membership Rewards points redeemable across the standard Amex catalogue
• Fuel surcharge waiver

Best For: Young urban professionals and digital-native spenders who regularly use PayTM, Uber, and BookMyShow. The 10x points on these platforms is the card’s standout feature. At ₹495 annual fee, the value proposition is strong even for moderate spenders.

Honest Caveat: The earn rate drops sharply to 1x on spend outside the partner categories. If your spending is spread across general categories rather than the specific 10x/5x partners, a different card may earn more overall.

Which Amex Card Is Best for You? — By Spending Profile

Your Profile	Best Amex USA Card	Best Amex India Card
Frequent international traveller	Amex Platinum	Amex Platinum (charge card)
Frequent domestic traveller (India)	Amex Green	Amex Platinum Travel
Heavy restaurant/dining spender	Amex Gold	Amex Gold Credit Card
Supermarket & family spend (USA)	Blue Cash Preferred	—
Digital-first / app-based spender	Blue Cash Everyday	Amex SmartEarn
First-time Amex cardholder	Amex Green	Amex Membership Rewards CC
No annual fee preference	Blue Cash Everyday / EveryDay	— (no zero-fee Amex India card)
Maximum rewards flexibility	Amex Platinum or Gold	Amex Platinum Travel

What Amex Card Is Metal?

This is one of the most-searched Amex questions — and the answer is specific:

USA Metal Cards:

• Amex Platinum Card® — Heavy gauge stainless steel/titanium construction. The heaviest and most premium feeling card in the Amex portfolio
• Amex Gold Card — Metal construction in gold or rose gold finish

All other Amex USA cards (Green, Blue Cash Preferred, Blue Cash Everyday, EveryDay) are standard plastic cards.

India Metal Cards:

• Amex Platinum Card (India) — Metal construction, similar premium build to the USA Platinum

All other Amex India cards (Platinum Travel, Gold, Membership Rewards, SmartEarn) are standard plastic cards.

Why it matters beyond aesthetics: Metal Amex cards are associated with the highest-tier products and carry genuine weight — the Platinum physically feels different at a payment terminal. For some cardholders, the tactile premium feel is part of the product experience.

What Amex Card Is Easiest to Get?

USA — Easiest to Qualify For:

1. Blue Cash Everyday® — No annual fee card with the most accessible credit requirements. Good credit (670+ FICO score) is typically sufficient. Best entry point into the Amex ecosystem.
2. Amex EveryDay® — No annual fee, similar accessibility to Blue Cash Everyday
3. Amex Green Card — $150 annual fee but relatively accessible at 670+ credit score

Hardest to qualify for: Amex Platinum and Amex Gold — typically require 700+ FICO score with established credit history and income to support the spending requirements.

India — Easiest to Qualify For:

1. Amex SmartEarn — Lowest annual fee (₹495), lowest income requirement. Most accessible Amex India card for salaried professionals
2. Amex Membership Rewards Credit Card — Entry-level Membership Rewards card with moderate income requirements
3. Amex Gold Credit Card — Moderate requirements, widely accessible for salaried professionals in metros

General eligibility criteria for Amex India cards:

• Minimum age: 18 years
• Salaried: Minimum annual income typically ₹6–8 lakhs+ depending on card
• Self-employed: Minimum ITR-demonstrated income of ₹6–8 lakhs+ p.a.
• Good CIBIL score: 750+ recommended for best approval odds
• Existing relationship with Amex improves approval chances significantly

When Does Amex Charge the Annual Fee?

USA: The annual fee is charged to your account on your first statement after card approval (for the first year) and then on the anniversary of your card opening date each subsequent year. It appears as a single charge on your statement — not spread monthly.

Important: The annual fee is non-refundable after 30 days from the date it posts to your account. If you decide to cancel your card, do so within 30 days of the annual fee posting to receive a full refund. After 30 days, no refund is provided.

India: The joining/annual fee for Amex India cards is charged at the time of card issuance (first year) and on your card anniversary date in subsequent years. It appears on your first statement (year 1) or anniversary month statement (subsequent years).

Key India note: Several Amex India cards have a lower first-year fee and a significantly higher renewal fee from the second year onward. Specifically:

• Amex Gold: ₹1,000 (yr 1) → ₹4,500 (yr 2+)
• Amex Membership Rewards CC: ₹1,500 (yr 1) → ₹4,500 (yr 2+)
• Amex Platinum Travel: ₹3,500 (yr 1) → ₹5,000 (yr 2+)

Set a calendar reminder one month before your anniversary date to review whether to continue or cancel before the renewal fee posts.

Why Did Amex Reject Me? Common Rejection Reasons

Being rejected for an Amex card is more common than people expect — and the reasons are specific. Here are the most frequent causes:

1. Credit Score Too Low Amex premium cards (Platinum, Gold) require good-to-excellent credit. In the USA, a FICO score below 670 makes approval unlikely for most Amex products. In India, a CIBIL score below 700 significantly reduces approval odds.

2. Too Many Recent Credit Applications Amex looks at your recent credit enquiry history. Multiple applications for credit cards, loans, or other credit products in a short period — even if approved — can trigger a rejection. Space out applications by at least 6 months.

3. Too New to Credit Amex prefers applicants with an established credit history. If your oldest credit account is less than 1–2 years old, Amex may consider your file too thin to approve — even if your score is technically acceptable.

4. Income Does Not Match Card Spending Requirements Amex assesses your income against the card’s typical spending profile. If your stated income is significantly below what Amex expects for a Platinum or Gold cardholder, rejection is likely. This is more common than applicants expect.

5. Previous Negative Amex History If you have had a previous Amex card closed for non-payment, late payments, or fraud, Amex maintains internal records that persist beyond credit bureau reporting. A negative Amex internal history is one of the strongest predictors of rejection.

6. Existing Amex Card Count Amex has internal limits on how many cards a single cardholder can hold simultaneously — typically 4–5 cards in the USA. If you are near this limit and apply for another, rejection is likely regardless of creditworthiness.

7. Business or Income Verification Issues (India) Self-employed applicants in India must demonstrate sufficient ITR-filed income. If your declared income for tax purposes is significantly lower than what you stated on the application, Amex India may reject after verification.

What to do after rejection:

• Call the reconsideration line (USA: 1-800-567-1083) — Amex has a reconsideration process where a specialist can manually review your application
• Wait at least 6 months before reapplying
• Work on the specific factor that caused rejection — score, enquiries, or income documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

📌 Related Reading: Is American Express Credit Card Good? USA & India Review | Amex Interest Rate Guide — USA & India | Amex EMI Calculator — Free Tool

Disclaimer: Card features, annual fees, rewards rates, and welcome offers are subject to change at any time. Always verify current terms directly at AmericanExpress.com (USA) or AmericanExpress.com/in (India) before applying. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Rewards rates and annual fees stated are as of Feb 2026.