Why do some merchants not accept American Express?

Amex has a slightly higher interchange fee than other networks like Visa and Mastercard. As a result, some merchants opt out of paying this higher fee, leading to a lower acceptance of American Express cards among certain merchants. However, according to the company's 2024 Annual Report, Amex acknowledges that card acceptance is a hurdle for their brand and is working to expand merchant acceptance globally.

Can you combine Membership Rewards from different cards?

Yes. Membership Rewards earned from any personal or business Amex cards you own automatically pool together. As long as you have at least one points-earning card open, you won’t lose your points if you close a card. You can also transfer points to an authorized user’s frequent flyer or hotel loyalty account.

Do I have to pay off my American Express card fully every month?

Unless you have a charge card, you don’t have to pay off your American Express card in full every month. Many Amex cards are traditional credit cards with set limits and an ongoing APR. Others feature Pay Over Time, allowing you to maintain the flexible spending limit of a charge card while providing a limit that you can carry over and take time to pay back.

Best American Express Credit Cards for July 2025

Card name	Our picks for	Annual fee	Learn more
American Express® Gold Card Apply with confidence Hover to learn more Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply	Dining + Best overall	$325	Apply with confidence Hover to learn more Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
The Platinum Card® from American Express Apply with confidence Hover to learn more Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply	Large welcome bonus	$695	Apply with confidence Hover to learn more Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express Apply with confidence Hover to learn more Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply	Everyday spending	$0	Apply with confidence Hover to learn more Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Apply with confidence Hover to learn more Apply now 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.	Apply with confidence Hover to learn more Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
American Express® Business Gold Card Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply	General business rewards	$375	Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express Offer ends 6/30/25 More information about this limited time offer Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply	Business card for travel	$695	Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Apply with confidence Hover to learn more Apply now 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.	Apply with confidence Hover to learn more Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Hilton Honors American Express Card Apply with confidence Hover to learn more Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply	Hilton card with no annual fee	$0	Apply with confidence Hover to learn more Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card Apply with confidence Hover to learn more Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply	Luxury Marriott stays	$650	Apply with confidence Hover to learn more Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Apply with confidence Hover to learn more Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply	Free Hilton nights	$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.	Apply with confidence Hover to learn more Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Apply with confidence Hover to learn more Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply	Delta Medallion members	$650	Apply with confidence Hover to learn more Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

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.

On This Page

Researching the best American Express credit cards

150+

cards rated

50+

rewards programs valued

1800

data points analyzed

40+

perks evaluated

We thoroughly rate and research the best American Express cards based on key criteria to help you make confident decisions when choosing your next credit card. Learn more about our methodology below.

What is an American Express credit card?

American Express, also known as Amex, is both a payment processing network and a credit card issuer. This means that Amex issues credit cards to consumers and facilitates consumer transactions with merchants through its network.

Amex offers a variety of personal and business credit cards, including those for luxury travel, cash back, rewards and co-branded credit cards with Delta, Hilton and Marriott. It has some of the most rewarding credit cards available on the market, and Amex points rank among the most valuable rewards currencies, according to our latest points and miles valuations.

If you’re looking to earn rewards, you shouldn’t have much trouble finding an Amex card that suits your needs, as many of them offer generous rates in everyday spending categories and carry practical perks. That said, Amex cards are not the best fit for credit-builders or people new to credit (you’ll typically need at least a good credit score to qualify for Amex cards). Additionally, most Amex cards charge comparatively high annual fees.

American Express customer experience

American Express boasts the highest customer satisfaction ratings among all credit card issuers, according to J.D. Power’s 2024 customer satisfaction study. The issuer leads the pack with a score of 634, with Discover coming in second with a score of 629.

Amex has held the top spot for the last five years, assuring cardholders that their service concerns are in capable hands and is consistent in its quality. J.D. Power evaluates cards based on category and cost, and several American Express cards consistently rank at the top of each specific card list. The study, conducted annually, assesses issuers and their products based on account management, benefits, customer service, new accounts, rewards earning, rewards redeeming and terms.

You can reach American Express customer service any time of day by calling 1-800-528-4800. You can also contact Amex customer service through the issuer’s mobile app. Chat and phone services are available 24/7.

Pros and cons of American Express credit cards

Pros

Wide consumer base: American Express offers a wide range of card options for nearly any type of consumer or business, whether you prefer cash back or rewards.
Loyalty perks: American Express connects with top hotel and airline brands worldwide, providing cardholders access to unique, valuable perks and opportunities to maximize their rewards.
Affordable options available: American Express has multiple no-annual-fee cards that still carry generous rewards and welcome offers.

Cons

High annual fees: Some of Amex’s best credit cards come with steep annual fees. Although the rewards and perks associated with these cards can make these fees worthwhile, sticker shock may deter some potential cardholders.
Limited acceptance internationally: Amex cards aren’t as widely accepted globally as cards issued by Visa or Mastercard.
High approval threshold: Most of Amex’s options require a good to excellent credit score for approval.

Why this Bankrate writer loves his Amex credit cards

Here’s what Bankrate writer Ryan Flanigan had to say about his experience with Amex cards:

"Amex is my favorite issuer and I like having multiple Amex cards.

Its co-branded hotel cards offer great perks, offer great perks like free night certificates that I can use to get outsized value when I travel to luxury properties. All of my Membership Rewards cards work together like a finely tuned machine that covers all the major bonus categories and earns tons of points every year. And the flexibility to either book travel through its portal or transfer to a very generous list of transfer partners gives me a ton of options when planning where to go.

Lastly, Amex gives me a lot of useful credits on all sorts of things like travel, shopping and business expenses, which helps me offset annual fees. I'll always have as many Amex cards as I'm allowed to have since these cards reward me the most overall."
— Ryan Flanigan, Writer, Credit Cards

Bankrate’s take: Through Amex Travel, cardholders can book travel with points through the Membership Rewards program and even take advantage of some added benefits. You can earn a percentage of your points back when redeeming through the website or earn at boosted rates by using select cards with the Amex travel portal.

Our data: How high does your credit score need to be for an Amex card?

Considering American Express is known for its flashy perks and high annual fees, it's no surprise that its credit score requirements reflect luxury. We looked at approval rates for top American Express credit cards that readers applied for on our site in 2024. Based on our data, we’ve found that Bankrate users with excellent credit were more likely to get approved than users with lower credit scores.

According to Bankrate’s proprietary data, 87 percent of users with excellent credit (740 FICO scores and higher) were approved for an Amex card when applying through Bankrate and were 10 percent more likely to get approved than users with good credit (670 to 739 FICO scores) and 30 percent more likely to get approved than users with fair credit (580 to 669 FICO scores).

Keep in mind that issuers consider more than just your credit score when reviewing credit card applications. Applications for credit cards commonly ask for your income, housing payment and homeownership status. And your credit report — which includes your other credit accounts and applications — may also affect your approval odds.

If you want a better understanding of your approval odds for an American Express card, check the Bankrate CardMatch™ tool.

Expert advice for American Express cards

Our experts provide valuable insights and tips on how to choose the best American Express credit card for your financial needs, as well as strategies to maximize the benefits and rewards offered by your American Express card.

How to choose the best American Express card

American Express cards are worth it as long as you pick cards that fit your lifestyle and take advantage of additional perks. Some cards are better for people who want simple rewards and others are great for those who make the most of every feature and boosted rewards rate.

The most important factor is that your Amex card provides you more value in rewards and perks than you pay in fees to hold and use the card. It’s a good idea to research all of the cards Amex offers to determine which card best aligns with your financial goals.

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Review your spending habits and needs

Amex covers most bonus categories with several cards, look for ones with high rewards rates for your highest spending categories.
Check your credit score

You should have good or excellent credit when applying for any of the best Amex cards. Make sure you meet this requirement by checking your credit report.
Understand the benefits and fees

Compare each card’s benefits and make sure you can actually use them when you’re trying to justify an annual fee. Understanding how much the card could cost you can help you determine which one is best for you.
Factor in application rules

American Express cards have restrictions on how many you can have and how frequently you can obtain new cards. Make you sure you won’t exceed this limit as you search for a new card.

How to maximize your Amex card

If you find an Amex card that matches your credit card needs, you’ll want to make the most of it, especially if it has a hefty annual fee. Here are some ways to maximize a new American Express card:

Earn your welcome offer: Since Membership Rewards points are so valuable, a welcome offer can be worth much more than its base value when you make strategic transfers to Amex travel partners.
Decide if you want to earn Membership Rewards or cash back: Not all American Express cards earn Membership Rewards, and though they offer great redemption value, they aren’t the best fit for everyone. Unless you plan to use rewards for travel, you might be better served with an Amex cash back card, as redeeming Membership Rewards for cash back offers less than 1 cent per point in value. For frequent travelers, however, Membership Rewards are generally the better choice.
Use perks and credits: Several Amex cards offer valuable perks that can help offset their annual fees, including dining and streaming service credits, travel and shopping credits and airport lounge access. Make sure to lean into these perks to get the full value of your Amex card. Be mindful when evaluating the ongoing value to ensure you’re justifying the annual fee long-term.

Learn more: Best ways to spend American Express points

Frequently asked questions about American Express credit cards

Amex has a slightly higher interchange fee than other networks like Visa and Mastercard. As a result, some merchants opt out of paying this higher fee, leading to a lower acceptance of American Express cards among certain merchants. However, according to the company's 2024 Annual Report, Amex acknowledges that card acceptance is a hurdle for their brand and is working to expand merchant acceptance globally.
Yes. Membership Rewards earned from any personal or business Amex cards you own automatically pool together. As long as you have at least one points-earning card open, you won’t lose your points if you close a card. You can also transfer points to an authorized user’s frequent flyer or hotel loyalty account.
Unless you have a charge card, you don’t have to pay off your American Express card in full every month. Many Amex cards are traditional credit cards with set limits and an ongoing APR. Others feature Pay Over Time, allowing you to maintain the flexible spending limit of a charge card while providing a limit that you can carry over and take time to pay back.

How we choose the best American Express credit cards

We select cards for “Best” credit cards" pages based primarily on how cards score in our proprietary card rating system, our editors’ subjective assessment of card quality, card approval odds and credit requirements and unique card features.

Cards typically must score a minimum of 3.0 stars to be included on a “Best” list. However, we may include cards with scores below 3.0 if they have low credit requirements or unique features — despite their scores, these cards may still be among the “best” in certain categories. Card ratings are not influenced by advertisers or issuer relationships in any way.

Card selection and ordering may vary based on business considerations, including Bankrate visitor interest, site interactions and card application volume. Affiliate commissions (see how we make money), limited-time offers and a card’s general popularity in the product landscape may also influence which cards we feature on our pages and the order in which they appear. Bankrate’s editorial and business teams also strive to feature a variety of card types from various issuers.

Here’s a quick look at how our rating methodology breaks down for American Express cards:

Overall Score

5 stars 2%
4 - 4.9 stars 35%
3 - 3.9 stars 39%
2 - 2.9 stars 22%
1 - 1.9 stars 2%

The primary criteria for a rewards-earning card’s rating is its rewards value. This includes the card’s average rewards rate, estimated annual rewards earnings, welcome offer value and reward redemption value.

To estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings, we first calculate its average rewards rate based on how much it earns in different bonus categories and how closely its categories align with the average person’s spending habits. In other words, we assess whether the card earns rewards at a high rate in the most popular spending categories.

We use consumer spending data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to get a reliable third-party measure of people’s spending habits. The most recent BLS data estimates average total spending in 2023 was $77,280 per consumer. From here, we determine a “chargeable” spend (which purchases are likely to be put on a credit card and earn rewards). After subtracting expenditures like housing, vehicle purchases, education and healthcare, we get a total “chargeable” annual spend of around $22,500.

This includes the following spending by category:
- Groceries: $6,000
- Dining out: $3,900
- Entertainment: $2,500
- Gas: $2,400
- Apparel and services: $2,000
Using this data, we are able to assign a weighting to each of a card’s bonus categories. For example, a card’s grocery rewards rate receives a 26 percent weighting based on how much of the average person’s budget is spent on groceries.

We also estimate the redemption value of points or miles from various rewards programs.

This weighting and rewards valuation allows us to estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings — how many points or miles you’d earn with a given card if your spending was about average and you used the card for all of your purchases — as well as what those points are worth. We also use point valuations to determine a card’s welcome offer value

With these calculations complete, we assign each card a score based on how its average rewards earnings, welcome offer value, rewards rate and redemption value stack up against other rewards cards.

The better these values, the higher its score will be, making it more worthy of inclusion in our list and increasing its potential ranking.

Here’s a deeper look at the factors considered as part of a rewards card’s “Value” rating:
5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Overall Score
- Ongoing rewards value 30%
- Welcome bonus value 25%
- Annual fee & average APR 20%
- Rewards rate 15%
- Annual bonus value 10%
We also score cards based on how much it costs to keep them in your wallet or carry a balance.

To start, each card is scored based on whether it offers an intro APR and how its ongoing APR compares to the rates available on other rewards cards. However, the latter rating only has a slight influence on the card’s score and whether the card is included in our list, since rewards card users generally try to avoid carrying a balance.

More important to both a card’s score and its inclusion in our list is how its annual fee influences its overall value. We consider a card’s annual fee in two ways — how it ranks relative to the fees you’ll find on other cards in the category and how it impacts a card’s overall rewards value.

Cards with an annual fee will always be at a slight disadvantage in our scoring system since annual fees inherently cut into your rewards value. However, if a card offers terrific value via its ongoing rewards and perks, it can earn a high score and a spot in our list even if it carries a high annual fee. After all, the highest rewards rates and most valuable perks are often found on cards with annual fees.

With this in mind, we rate a card based primarily on how its ongoing rewards value and ongoing perk value (such as annual credits or bonuses) stack up against those of other cards in the category when you subtract annual fees.

That said, we strive to include as many no-annual-fee options in our list as possible since many people would rather not worry about offsetting fees, even if a card carries impressive rewards and perks.
Rewards cards may make it easy to earn a lot of points, miles or cash back, but how easy is it to use those rewards? After all, if it takes a ton of effort to redeem rewards or you can only redeem rewards in a couple of ways, a card may be more trouble than it’s worth.

As such, we rate each card’s flexibility based on the restrictions it imposes on earning and redeeming rewards. We factor this rating into a card’s overall score and consider it when deciding on a card’s inclusion in our list.

Flexibility factors include whether a card only allows you to earn a high rewards rate on only a small amount of spending or requires you to meet a certain earning threshold before you can redeem rewards. We also examine whether your points are worth less when you opt for some redemption options over others and whether a card gives you the flexibility to transfer rewards to travel partners.
We also score each card’s set of features – its perks and benefits — against five tiers of features to provide a rating.

We break down these tiers as follows:
- Tier 1 includes fewer features than even standard credit cards (for example, an ultra-streamlined card that offers basic utility and next to nothing in the way of ancillary benefits).
- Tier 2 includes the benefits you’d expect on standard Visa or Mastercard credit cards, such as free access to your credit score, car rental insurance and $0 liability for fraudulent charges.
- Tier 3 includes “prime card” or better-than-average card features like cellphone insurance, lost luggage insurance, concierge services and purchase protection.
- Tier 4 includes luxury features such as airport lounge access, elite status with an airline or hotel and credits for expedited security screening membership programs.
- Tier 5 includes the sort of exemplary benefits you’ll find on top-tier luxury cards, such as high-value travel credits, cardholder memberships and other unique and valuable perks.
In evaluating the best cards, we tend to favor cards that offer at least Tier 3 benefits, unless they include other unique features that could make up for less-impressive perks.

Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Bankrate.

We use primary sources to support our work. Bankrate’s authors, reporters and editors are subject-matter experts who thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate, timely and relevant.
1. J.D. Power 2024 Customer Satisfaction study. J.D. Power. Accessed on May 5, 2025.
2. Amex Customer Service. American Express. Accessed on May 5, 2025.

Best American Express credit cards for July 2025

+ Show Summary

American Express® Gold Card

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

American Express® Business Gold Card

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Hilton Honors American Express Card

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card