AmEx credit cards
American express or AmEx is a credit card issuing bank and financial company with its own global payment network.
AmEx became famous in 1950-60s with its charge cards, targeting affluent customers. Since then, a strong competition from almost all major banks in the upper end pushed AmEx from catering high net worth individuals to a more ‘retail spending’ category.
Today the company extended its product lines with EveryDay revolving credit cards. Now AmEx offers typical credit cards with great rewards, no annual fee options and ability to carry a balance on a card.
| regular APR | |
- earn 3% back at US supermarkets (limited by $6000 spending annually, then 1%)
- 2% on gas and in selected department stores
- 1% back on all other purchases
- $100 sign up bonus after spending $1000 in purchases in the first 3 months
no annual fee
up to 2-3% cash back
Amazon Prime membership free
| regular APR | |
- earn $200 bonus for spending $5,000 on a card in first 6 months
- earn additional $200 bonus for spending additional $10,000 during the first year
no annual fee
5% cash back on office supplies and wireless phone service
3% cash back on a category of your choice (out of 8)
1% unlimited cash back on everything else
$200 statement credit after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months
$200 credit after spending additional $10,000 on a card withing the first year
| regular APR | |
- get 30,000 miles bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months
- get $50 statement credit if you make Delta purchase in the first 3 months
- 2x miles on Delta purchases
- 1 mile for $1 on other purchases
Gold: $95 annual fee, waived for the first year
Platinum: $195 fee
Reserve: $450 fee
Delta benefits
| regular APR | |
1.5% flat rate cash back if you pay balance in full withing 10 days after a statement
no interest for 60 days to pay off balance
no preset spending limit
no international transaction fee
| regular APR | |
- earn 3x at gas stations
- 2x at restaurants
- 1x on all purchases
- get 20,000 after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
$45 annual fee, $0 first-year
Benefits
Some important benefits, included in AmEx cards package are:
- Car Rental Insurance. It offers Collision Damage Waiver for rental cars with MSRP below $50,000 for 30 days or less.
- Lost or stolen baggage. It covers up to $500 per trip for all persons combined. It works only if you pay for your tickets with American Express card.
- Global Assist Program or 24/7 Premium Assist Hotline Program for Platinum card holders.
Pros
- AmEx still has a good recognition. You will not necessarily impress people with AmEx card, but some still look at AmEx as an upper end brand.
- The company has good standards for customer service.
- Usually high credit limits.
Cons
- American Express is accepted at fewer places than VISA or MasterCard. The company is improving the situation, but small merchant locations tend not to accept AmEx cards. Overseas acceptance is worse than for VISA or MasterCard as well.
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