The annual fee may seem intimidating, but by using the included benefits and doing some spending, it's easy to come out ahead. Big spenders at US supermarkets and road warriors who frequently spend at US gas stations or transit like taxis, rideshares or transit can rack up impressive cash back rewards.
Read More. If you prefer to check bags but don't have elite status, you can easily justify the annual fee after a few uses of the first checked bag free perk each year when you fly Delta and make this card a worthwhile addition to your wallet.
Spending a lot at U. Look elsewhere for balance transfers or foreign transactions. The flagship card from Hilton, the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express comes with a price tag to match its top-tier status and perks.
It's a perfect fit for big spenders who haunt Hilton properties enough to leverage the rich suite of benefits that come with the complimentary Diamond status.
The access to Sky Club alone helps justify the annual fee for frequent Delta flyers, then add in the annual companion certificate for eligible domestic flights plus taxes and fees , free first checked bag when you fly Delta, priority boarding, and bonus MQM miles toward Elite status.
However, the mediocre miles earning rates reduce the card's overall appeal. The complimentary status, lavish Bonvoy perks, and substantial welcome bonus add sweetness to the deal. The Blue Business Plus card is a rare example of a no-annual-fee way to game your rewards earnings. You'll win either way. Just don't use the card overseas, as the foreign transaction fee eclipses the cashback rewards. If sufficiently leveraged, the card's robust benefits are well worth the high annual fee.
Frequent business travelers who are loyal to Marriott Bonvoy hotel brands will love this card's generous perks and rewards. If we look only at the mileage earning rates, this card doesn't stand out compared to its peers. However, for Delta frequent fliers, the abundant perks are compelling. Math-wise, the companion ticket for eligible flights when you pay taxes and fees can more than justify the expense of the annual fee, plus there's a sweet welcome bonus.
If you are looking for a solid intro APR offer and frequently spend at US supermarkets, this is the card for you. A good intro into the Hilton world without paying an annual fee, the Hilton Honors Card from American Express brings you a few nice perks.
But if you're a serious Hilton traveler, you'll want to look at one of the higher end cobranded Hilton cards offered by American Express. Terms apply. See rates and fees. If you travel frequently and want to do so in style, this card deserves a place in your wallet.
Plus, earn 10x points on eligible purchases on the card at restaurants worldwide and from purchases at Shop Small locations in the U. Terms Apply. The main question to ask yourself is will you be able to take advantage of enough of the perks and credits to make the annual fee worth it? Read our full review of the American Express Platinum. The earnings rate is among the highest in the industry at restaurants and U.
The card earns Membership Rewards points which are highly flexible and easy to redeem. Rewards: 4 membership rewards points per dollar at restaurants, including takeout and delivery, 4 membership rewards points per dollar at U. Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Choose from standard gold or rose gold as the color for your physical card.
Read our full review of the American Express Gold Card. This is one of the best rates available in these categories. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit. Other Benefits and Drawbacks: The cash-back rewards on this card are generous across a wide swath of categories. Be aware that rewards are issued as statement credits and taking your earnings as Membership Rewards is not an option. It offers in-air benefits such as a free checked bag and preferred boarding while keeping a low annual fee.
You can earn SkyMiles on practically everything you eat and drink, which can help your balance grow quickly. The healthy welcome bonus just adds to the already-appealing offer. Rewards: 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U. Earn 1 mile per dollar on other eligible purchases. Delta has abolished award charts, which can make redeeming SkyMiles during peak periods a challenge.
However, their web specials are among the most robust in the industry, and Delta does a good job of letting you know where the deals are. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be easily redeemed for statement credits.
But, the supermarket spending is capped. Read our full review of the Blue Cash Everyday Card. Ownership of the card also comes with top-tier Hilton Diamond elite status and other perks like resort credits. Rewards: 14 Hilton Honors Bonus Points at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton Portfolio, 7 points per dollar on eligible purchases for flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies and U.
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: The Hilton Aspire Card is the only hotel credit card that offers automatic top-tier status. If you typically fly first-class domestic, this perk alone can be worth the cost of the card. Rewards: 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Delta loyalists will likely benefit from the Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta and access to American Express Centurion Lounges, but the rewards outside of Delta spending are mediocre. Other Benefits and Drawbacks: The Cash Magnet comes with an introductory APR offer on purchases, which could be helpful for a small business, along with car rental loss and damage insurance. Read our full review of the American Express Cash Magnet card.
The flexible spending limits may also be a boon for those who need a little wiggle room from time-to-time. Rewards: 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. All other eligible purchases earn 1 point per dollar. International spending on this card comes with a foreign transaction fee of 2.
Read our full review of the Blue Business Plus card. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement. Read our full review of the Blue Business Cash card. Cap applies. Earn 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases. Other Benefits and Drawbacks: In addition to strong rewards, the card also comes with complementary elite status, a free night award worth up to 35, Bonvoy points each year and a generous welcome offer. Read our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card.
Rewards: 12 Hilton Honors Bonus Points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at U. Other Benefits and Drawbacks: The Surpass card comes with Gold status which confers benefits like free breakfast at participating hotels, late checkout when available, possible room upgrades and the fifth consecutive night free on reward stays.
But, unlike other hotel credit cards in this price range it does not offer a free night benefit. Read our full review of the Hilton Honors Surpass card. Rewards: 3 miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2 miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U. Read our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. For those who want to dip their toes in the Membership Rewards-earning card pool without paying an annual fee, this card is a solid choice.
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Outside of the potential points bonus for using the card multiple times in a month, several other no-annual-fee cards from American Express are more rewarding. However, this card does provide no-annual-fee access to transferable Membership Rewards points, so it can be a good starter card or a great option to downgrade a higher annual fee Membership Rewards-earning card.
You can get 7x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with a Hilton hotel or resort, 5x points at U. American Express may be best-known for its premium travel card options, but the issuer has good cards for more basic everyday use, as well. While not all of these cards made it onto our top picks, you may find one that better aligns with your spending and credit needs: Cash Back American Express Cards American Express offers a few different cash back cards for easy earning and straightforward redemptions on your everyday purchases.
We like Blue Cash Preferred and the American Express Cash Magnet, but if you find your spending patterns differ from the rewards categories for those cards, these are all of the cash back options from American Express:.
You can redeem your points in a number of ways, including statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise. But the most valuable way to redeem points is for travel booked through American Express Travel. Here are all of the cards that earn Membership Rewards points:. American Express partners with airlines and hotel brands to offer co-branded credit cards. While general travel cards usually offer the best value for your money, if you always fly with Delta, or always stay with Hilton, then a co-branded credit card could make sense for you:.
American Express offers a slate of business cards tailored to the needs of business owners and sole proprietors, from everyday cash back to travel rewards cards and even co-branded cards if your business purchases are usually with the same retailer. Take your business spending habits into account when deciding which card is best for you:. While the most premium American Express cards with high-value benefits usually come with an annual fee, there are a handful of great American Express cards that have no annual fee and can still unlock great rewards potential and other perks on both everyday spending and travel:.
Pay It, Plan It is a flexible payment feature offered by Amex. This feature allows you to carry a balance for certain charges, but not all, and your card limit will still be flexible. Check your card account to see if you have access to Pay It, Plan It. Access can vary by card member and which card you have. If you have one of these cards and access to Pay Over Time, you can activate at any time.
But use it wisely; the program carries the same high-interest debt risks as carrying a balance on any credit card. You earn Membership Rewards points by using your card for purchases within qualifying categories that earn points. If you have multiple points-earning rewards cards with Amex, they will automatically pool into your Membership Rewards account each billing cycle.
You can use your points to cover charges on your cards in the form of statement credits, pay with them directly at checkout while shopping online, or redeem them for gift cards, but these are generally the lowest-value redemption options.
One of the most valuable ways to redeem points is by booking travel through American Express Travel , typically at a rate of 1 cent per point. Here are the transfer values of Membership Rewards points. Evaluate your own spending and credit card needs before applying to ensure you choose an option that best suits you long-term. Your credit is going to need to be good-to-excellent to qualify for the majority of American Express cards minimum Cash back cards earn a percentage of eligible purchases back, which you can use to offset the cost of purchases think of it as a small savings on your spending.
Membership Rewards points are similarly earned on eligible purchases, but offer many more redemption options at varying redemption rates. There are many different kinds of American Express cards, designed to fit every type of budget and lifestyle. Our list of best American Express cards begins with an evaluation of popular cards across available categories — from cash back and travel to business and co-branded options. Our picks reflect those we believe offer the most value relative to cost for a broad range of consumer types.
As with all of our credit card reviews, our analysis is not influenced by any partnerships or advertising relationships.
Saving Money. Next Advisor Logo. Share Share on Social Media. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex is a good choice for Delta loyalists who need a little help reaching their elite status goals. This card offers some useful perks including an annual companion pass and your first checked bag free on Delta flights. The Bonvoy Brilliant is ideal for travelers who are loyal to the Marriott brand. However, with high-end perks comes a high annual fee. The Blue Business Plus is a great card for small business owners who want to earn lucrative Membership Rewards points on everyday business spending.
It was created specifically for sole proprietorships and start-ups with limited revenue who would appreciate a card with an introductory interest rate and expanded buying power. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products.
Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits.
Terms apply. Why we chose it : This card may be a good option if you just want to put some cash back into your wallet, as we do value it as one of the best cash-back credit cards. Read our full Blue Cash Preferred Card review. Annual fee : None see rates and fees. Every traveler should have a card that earns transferable points to shield you from devaluations and give you flexibility when it comes time to redeem.
Many American Express cards earn Membership Rewards points , which can be transferred to 19 different airlines , including British Airways, Delta and Singapore Airlines. You also have the option to transfer your points to three hotel chains : Hilton, Marriott and Choice. You can use your points to book flights or hotels directly through Amex Travel , but transferring them to a partner and then redeeming them typically results in the best redemption value.
Select applicants may be targeted for an incredible , or ,point offer by checking the CardMatch Tool note that offers are subject to change at any time.
Additionally, unlike typical cards, the card allows you to carry a balance for certain charges, but not all. The Amex Platinum card also offers the most comprehensive airport lounge access of any card on the market, including a Priority Pass Select membership enrollment required , access to Amex Centurion lounges , access to Delta Sky Clubs on same-day Delta flights, along with Airspace and Escape lounges.
When it comes to hotel stays, Platinum cardholders also get Gold elite status with two hotel loyalty programs: Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy enrollment required. And this will be a great card to have long-term once travel is back on the table.
Earning rate s : 4 points per dollar spent dining at restaurants and at U. Why we chose it : The Amex Gold Card is a terrific option for foodies — whether you eat out, order delivery or cook at home. The 4x earning rate on dining at restaurants and U. I personally love my Amex Gold and use it all the time, and have come to appreciate it even more during the coronavirus pandemic.
Plus, you can use the dining credit on Grubhub among other popular chain restaurants. Note: The card must be added to the Uber app to receive the Uber Cash benefit. Additionally, the Rose Gold variant of the Amex Gold is back by popular demand for new cardholders. Read our full American Express Gold Card review. Earning rate s : 3 points per dollar spent on worldwide travel, transit and restaurants.
Why we chose it : The Green from Amex is a great mid-tier card for beginner travelers. Amex expanded the bonus categories to include a wide range of travel purchases, including transit and home-share rentals, on top of traditional airfare and hotel purchases — something other Amex cards have yet to do.
Read our full Amex Green review. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Earning rate s : 3 points per dollar spent at U. Why we chose it : This card can get you into the Membership Rewards program without breaking the bank with a high annual fee. Read our full Amex EveryDay Preferred card review.
Earning rate s : 2 points per dollar spent at U. I love that it still gives you a category bonus at supermarkets since many no-annual-fee cards offer a flat earning rate across all merchants. Read our full Amex EveryDay card review.
In addition to cards that earn Membership Rewards points , American Express issues several credit cards that are specific for a particular airline or hotel chain. The big advantage of these cards is that they often carry extra benefits with the cobranded airline or hotel partner. Earning rate s : 14 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio; 7 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel , car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies, and U.
This card is the only cobranded hotel credit card that grants you automatic top-tier status, Hilton Diamond , with a hotel loyalty program.
Then you have the terrific earning rates at Hilton properties — a return of 8. Earning rate s : 12 points per dollar of eligible purchases at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio; 6 points per dollar spent at U. Why we chose it : The Surpass card is a great option for those who visit Hilton properties a few times a year. For an infrequent traveler, the 10 complimentary visits to Priority Pass lounges may be sufficient.
You may want to apply for the Surpass even if your travel habits could justify the Hilton Amex Aspire with its higher annual fee. Earning rate s : 7 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio; 5 points per dollar spent at U. Why we chose it : Earning a 4. Silver status is enough to get you a fifth night free on award stays, meaning you can spend as little as 20, points total for a five-night stay.
Earning rate s : 6 points per dollar at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 3 points per dollar at U. Offer ends Nov. Earning rate s : 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible Delta purchases and at hotels and 2 miles at restaurants and U.
The card is offering 3x miles on Delta purchases and at hotels, 2x miles at restaurants and U. Earning rate s : 2 miles for every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and at restaurants and U.
Why we chose it : This card is a terrific option if you occasionally fly Delta. Although Delta significantly devalued its program over the last few years, there are still some solid redemptions using SkyMiles. There are plenty of benefits to using a small-business card for business purchases. For one, these cards often offer bonus rewards in categories more suited to business expenses, such as internet services or advertising.
Plus, you want to be able to keep your business expenses separate from your personal finances and the best business credit cards come with management tools that make that process easier. Earning rate s : 5 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked at Amex Travel , 1.
Why we chose it : Like its consumer-card counterpart, the Amex Business Platinum is best in class when it comes to benefits for frequent travelers. Similarly to the consumer card, unlike typical credit cards, the card allows you to carry a balance for certain charges, but not all.
Amex is now offering a variety of business-centered annual statement credits, from Dell, Indeed, Adobe and for wireless telephone services. Read our full Business Platinum Card from Amex review. The choices include airfare purchased directly from airlines, U. Earn 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases. Why we chose it : Unlike the Platinum Business Card, the Business Gold Card offers some valuable spending bonuses on categories that are popular for small businesses, so this is ideal for those of you wanting to boost your Membership Rewards balance.
The flexible rewards structure that automatically chooses your top categories also makes it easier to maximize rewards each month. This card also functions the same as the consumer and Business Platinum cards in that it allows you to carry a balance for certain charges, but not all. Read our full Amex Business Gold Card review. Earning rate s : Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta, and at restaurants, on U.
Keep in mind this card underwent similar changes to the personal Delta SkyMiles Gold card earlier this year. I started by selecting what I believe to be the best American Express credit cards on the market today based on the type of card, the benefits offered, the cost of card membership and more. Then I divided those cards into four categories:. Then, within each category, I broke down the individual perks of each card using the following criteria:.
Finally, I tried to provide some context for each card and suggest to whom it might appeal based on a variety of factors, including spending habits, travel patterns and desired rewards.
As always, you likely have your own criteria for these decisions, but hopefully, this analysis helps you get a jump start on your research for choosing the right card for you. This largely depends on the individual. Each card has different benefits suited to different lifestyles.
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