Card Family
American Express Cards
From the everyday-earning Gold Card to premium options, with Membership Rewards points that transfer to one of the largest partner networks of any program.
About American Express
Amex cards tend to lean into two things other issuers don’t do as well: premium travel perks (airport lounge access, hotel elite status) and category-specific earning that rewards how people actually spend, like dining and groceries. Membership Rewards points have also held their value well over time compared to some competitors, especially when transferred to airline and hotel partners rather than redeemed for cash.
One Amex-specific rule worth knowing: welcome bonuses are generally limited to once per card, ever — if you’ve held a specific card before (even years ago), you typically won’t be eligible for that card’s welcome bonus again. This is different from some other issuers, where a bonus can become available again after enough time has passed.
- Spend heavily on dining and groceries and want strong earning rates in those specific categories
- Value premium travel perks like lounge access or hotel elite status enough to justify a higher annual fee
- Are comfortable with each card’s welcome bonus being a one-time opportunity, not a recurring one
- Want a points currency with a long track record of strong transfer partner value
|
⚪
American Express Platinum CardThe premium tier — airport lounges, elite hotel status, and a 2026 fee increase to $895. |
🥇
American Express Gold Card4x on dining and groceries, plus new complimentary Hertz Five Star status added in 2026. |
|
🔵
Blue Cash Preferred® CardA cash-back focused option with strong grocery and streaming earning rates. |
🟢
American Express® Green CardA lower-fee middle ground between Gold and no-fee options, with solid travel and transit earning. |