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American Express credit cards are renowned for offering incredible perks, including early access to entertainment events, travel rewards, and a flexible points system that allows you to purchase almost anything.
We’ve highlighted the best AMEX cards below that offer the most robust cash back options, points rewards, travel perks, and more. Compare the cards below to help you determine the top American Express cards for your lifestyle.
The SimplyCash Preferred card from American Express is a great option for those looking to get the most out of their essential daily purchases, while also travelling enough to make use of the card’s travel insurance and online booking deals. However, frequent flyers may miss getting extra points on travel that can lead to free flights. To get a comprehensive understanding of the card, continue reading our detailed review below.
The Scotiabank Gold American Express credit card has a wide variety of perks, which means its ideal audience is quite broad. However, its ideal customer will probably spend a considerable amount of time across the border so that they can reap all of the benefits of having zero foreign exchange fees. It offers essential benefits like travel insurance and luxury benefits like concierge services and a robust points system, covering a wide range of everyday categories such as groceries and gas.
Flexible rewards redemption for nearly every purchase you make with your Cobalt card.
Maximize points on everyday purchases.
Comprehensive travel, mobile device, and purchase protection insurance when you book with your Cobalt card.
The American Express Cobalt card is recommended for those looking for a low-fee card that features a flexible rewards program. You’ll quickly earn points on purchases you’re already making, like streaming subscriptions, and you’ll rest easy knowing you have a thorough insurance plan abroad (and at home).
AMEX Membership Points are worth different amounts depending on how you choose to redeem them.
For example, 10,000 Membership Points can be exchanged for $70 when shopping on sites like Amazon and Best Buy. Alternatively, 10,000 points can be redeemed for $100 off a flight booked through AMEX travel, or used to pay $60 off your AMEX bill. You can consult the AMEX Membership Points calculator to see all of your redemption options for your credit card rewards.
Generally, the top American Express cards are most beneficial for those who can pay off their entire balance each month. American Express interest rates are high but they offset those interest rates by offering a number of perks.
AMEX credit cards including Gold and Cobalt charge 20.99% interest on purchases, and 21.99% on cash advances. The best AMEX cards, like the Platinum card, are charge cards, which means the balance must be paid in full each month or you risk being hit with a steep interest rate.
However, AMEX generally offers a two-tier structure for its charged cards: 30% interest on Due-in-Full purchases, and 20.99% on flexible payment option balances.
AMEX also offers low-interest cards, including its Essential card, which charges only 12.99% on purchases and cash advances. If you think you’ll carry a low balance most of the time, this option could be good for you.
Unlike many other credit card providers, AMEX doesn’t require a minimum income for its credit cards.
However, AMEX’s Scotiabank cards (including the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card) require an annual income of at least $12,000. While there are no minimum income requirements, you will still need a strong credit score to be approved for the top American Express cards.
You can apply for AMEX credit cards via AmericanExpress.com.
You will need your personal data on hand, including your full name and mailing address, your employment history, and your current salary.
You must be of the age of majority in your province or state to qualify for an AMEX card. Once you’ve selected the type of card you prefer, the application process should take a few minutes, and you will receive an approval or denial in under one minute. If approved, you will receive your new AMEX card in the mail shortly.
The AMEX Centurion card (known as the Black card) is an invite-only card reserved for the highest spenders. The card carries a whopping $10,000 initiation fee and a $5,000 annual fee.
If you can afford the card, the perks (and status) may be worth it. You’ll receive elite status at the world’s best hotels, travel perks, exclusive airport lounge access, and much more. That said, you have to be hand-selected by AMEX for the card, which is offered only to AMEX cardholders in the very highest spending bracket and/or AMEX’s highest profile cardholders.
An AMEX credit card is not hard to get if you have a strong credit score. However, AMEX cards generally have high interest rates, high annual fees, and are best suited for those who can pay their balance in full every month.
That said, there is an AMEX card for every budget, including entry level cards, like the Green Card, which carries no annual fee.
Yes. The best AMEX cards include travel insurance, with varying levels of coverage, depending on the card you have. Pricier travel credit cards like the Platinum and Aeroplan Reserve cards feature extensive travel coverage, including flight delay, trip cancellation, stolen items, travel accident insurance, and more. Entry-level cards like the Green card do not include travel insurance, but AMEX does sell travel insurance separately if it’s not included with your card.
