Independent rankings · Updated July 2026
Best American Express Credit Cards
Every American Express card we cover, ranked by our net-value model — welcome bonuses, annual fees, and the perks that actually pay off.
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American Express Platinum
American Express
Welcome Offer
150,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 in 6 months
PROS
- Frequent flyers who prioritize airport lounge access (Centurion, Delta Sky Club, Priority Pass)
- Travelers who can fully utilize the extensive annual statement credits (Uber, airline fees, hotel, digital entertainment, CLEAR, Saks, Walmart+, Equinox)
- Luxury hotel guests who value Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits and elite status (Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold)
CONS
- Infrequent travelers who won't maximize the travel-centric credits and lounge access
- Budget-conscious consumers who cannot justify a premium annual fee, even with credits
Annual Fee
$895
Est. Net Value
+$1,054
This calculation excludes the welcome bonus, Global Dining Access by Resy, car rental elite status, travel insurance, and other miscellaneous perks. For a user who can strategically utilize most of the credits and values premium travel experiences, the realistic value significantly outweighs the $895 annual fee. The key is active engagement with the card's benefits.
Earning Rate
5X on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel, 5X on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel
Transfer Partners
American Express Gold
American Express
Welcome Offer
Up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 in 6 months
PROS
- Foodies who frequently dine out or order takeout/delivery (4X points, dining credits)
- Grocery shoppers with significant spending at U.S. supermarkets (4X points)
- Regular Uber or Uber Eats users
CONS
- Infrequent diners or those who don't use food delivery services
- Travelers primarily seeking airport lounge access (not offered with this card)
Annual Fee
$325
Est. Net Value
+$695
This calculation conservatively values Membership Rewards points at 1¢ each. When transferred to airline partners, points can often be worth 1.5-2¢+ each, significantly increasing the card's realistic value for savvy travelers. The welcome bonus adds substantial additional value in the first year.
Earning Rate
4X at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/year), 3X on flights, 1X on other purchases
Transfer Partners
Amex Blue Business Plus
American Express
Welcome Offer
15,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
PROS
- Businesses wanting transferable points on non-bonus, everyday spend
- Anyone building a Membership Rewards balance with no annual fee
- Cardholders who pair it with an Amex Gold or Platinum for premium redemptions
CONS
- High spenders who will blow past the $50,000 2X cap quickly
- Those who want a big welcome bonus (this one is modest)
Annual Fee
$0
Est. Net Value
+$150
With no annual fee, essentially all value is upside — the flat 2X MR builds a transferable balance worth well over 1¢/point when moved to airline partners.
Earning Rate
2X Membership Rewards on all purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1X; 1X after the cap.
Transfer Partners
Hilton Honors Aspire Card
American Express
Welcome Offer
150,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $4,000 in 3 months
PROS
CONS
Annual Fee
$550
Earning Rate
14X at Hilton hotels and resorts; 7X on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, car rentals booked directly from select companies, and U.S. restaurants; 3X on all other eligible purchases.
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express
American Express
Welcome Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first 6 months
PROS
CONS
Annual Fee
$350
Earning Rate
3X on Delta purchases and at hotels; 2X at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets; 1X on all other purchases.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express
American Express
Welcome Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases in the first 6 months
PROS
CONS
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express
American Express
Welcome Offer
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months
PROS
CONS
Annual Fee
$0 intro first year, then $150
Earning Rate
2X on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide, and at U.S. supermarkets; 1X on all other purchases.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express
American Express
Welcome Offer
Earn 95,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases in the first 6 months
PROS
CONS
Annual Fee
$650
Earning Rate
6X at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels; 3X at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines; 2X on all other purchases.
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
American Express
Welcome Offer
Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $20,000 in the first 3 months
PROS
CONS
Annual Fee
$895
Earning Rate
5X on flights and prepaid hotels via Amex Travel; 1.5X on eligible purchases of $5,000+ and in select business categories; 1X on all else.
Hilton Honors Surpass Card
American Express
Welcome Offer
Earn 130,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first 6 months
PROS
CONS
Annual Fee
$150
Earning Rate
12X at Hilton properties; 6X at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations; 4X on U.S. online retail; 3X on all other purchases.
American Express Green Card
American Express
Welcome Offer
Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months
PROS
CONS
Annual Fee
$150
Earning Rate
3X on travel (including transit and rideshare), at restaurants worldwide, and on transit; 1X on all other purchases.
American Express Business Gold Card
American Express
Welcome Offer
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 in the first 3 months
PROS
CONS
Annual Fee
$375
Earning Rate
4X on the two categories your business spends most each month (up to $150k/year, then 1X); 3X on flights and prepaid hotels via Amex Travel; 1X on all else.
Advertiser disclosure: CreditMilesGuru may earn a commission when you apply through links on this page. This never influences our editorial ratings, rankings, or the CardGuru algorithm — those are driven purely by the value math. Verify current terms on the issuer’s site; welcome offers and benefits change frequently.