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The Best American Express Credit Cards 2023

Discover the finest American Express credit cards in our comprehensive review, highlighting the top options that offer exceptional rewards, benefits, and unparalleled customer service.
Written by
Grace Lemire
Last Update on Jul 31, 2023

American Express is renowned for its premium credit card options, providing a range of outstanding cards that cater to diverse lifestyles and financial needs. In this article, we present a curated selection of the best American Express credit cards available, exploring their features, rewards programs, and unique advantages. 

Whether you’re a frequent traveler, a savvy shopper, or someone who values luxury experiences, American Express has a card tailored to suit your preferences. Join us as we delve into the world of American Express credit cards and unlock the potential of your spending power.

Best American Express Credit Cards

Credit CardRatingBest For…Interest RatesAnnual FeeRewards RateWelcome Bonus
American Express Gold Card4.8People who spend a lot on food20.99% to 28.99%$2501x to 4x points60,000 points
Amex EveryDay Credit Card3.5No annual fee17.74% to 28.74%None1x to 2x points10,000 points
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express3.5Everyday expenses18.99% to 29.99%$2501% to 6% cash back$250
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card5.0Frequent Delta flyers20.74% to 29.74%$2501x miles to 3x miles50,000 miles
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card4.6Companion certificates20.74% to 29.74%$5501x to 3x miles50,000 miles and 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles
Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express5.0Hilton hotel stays20.74% to 29.74%$4503x to 14x points150,00 points
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card4.3Hilton rewards with a lower annual fee20.74% to 29.74%$953x to 12x points130,000 bonus points, plus a free night reward
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card4.0Marriott perks20.74% to 29.74%$6502x to 6x points150,000 points
The Platinum Card from American Express4.5General travel20.99% to 28.99%$6951x to 5x points80,000 points
BEST FOR PEOPLE WHO SPENT A LOT ON FOOD

American Express Gold Card

4.8
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Credit Score Needed
Good to Excellent (700 to 749)
Welcome Bonus
60,000 points
Unique Features
Several food-related bonuses
Annual Fee
$250
Foreign Transaction Fee
None
Interest Rates
20.99% to 28.99%
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The American Express Gold Card is ideal for foodies. Its generous offer of 4x points on restaurants and supermarkets could earn you some serious reward points.
Rewards:

  • 4x points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery (in the U.S.)
  • 4x at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases)
  • 3x points on flights booked through the Amex portal
  • 1x points on everything else

Pros:

  • High rewards value
  • You can choose between a gold or rose gold card
  • Fair annual fee given the potential points value

Cons:

  • No lounge benefits
  • High APR
Additional Details

This card comes with a variety of extra perks, such as:

  • $120 Uber Cash: Up to $10 per month, for a total of $120 per year, when you connect your Amex Gold Card to Uber
  • $120 Dining Credit: $10 in statement credits per month, for a total of $120 per year, when you use your Amex Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar, or select Shake Shack locations
  • $100 experience credit when you book a two-night stay through the Hotel Collection in the Amex travel portal
BEST FOR NO ANNUAL FEE

Amex EveryDay Credit Card

3.5
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Credit Score Needed
Good to Excellent (700 to 749)
Welcome Bonus
10,000 points
Unique Features
20% point bonus
Annual Fee
None
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.7%
Interest Rates
17.74% to 28.74%
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The Amex EveryDay Credit Card is a solid choice for a card with no annual fee. Plus, if you use the card 20 or more times on purchases within a single billing period, you’ll earn 20% extra points on those purchases.

Rewards:

  • 2x points at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 in purchases (purchases earn 1x points after reaching the limit)
  • 2x points on American Express Travel
  • 1x points on every $1 spent elsewhere

Pros:

  • No annual fee
  • Solid rewards rate for a no-annual fee card
  • 20% point bonus

Cons:

  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Spending maximum for 2x points
Additional Details

To earn the 10,000 point welcome bonus, you’ll need to spend $2,000 in qualifying purchases within the first six months of membership. This is a lower spend and a longer timeline than most competing cards, making it easier to achieve the welcome bonus.

BEST FOR EVERYDAY EXPENSES

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

3.5
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Credit Score Needed
Good to Excellent (700 to 749)
Welcome Bonus
$250
Unique Features
0% APR offer for 12 months
Annual Fee
$95; waived the first year
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.7%
Interest Rates
18.99% to 29.99%
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The Blue Cash Preferred Card is ideal for most customers, simply because the largest cash back categories are some of the most common expenses — groceries, streaming services, and gas. With a fair annual fee and a 0% APR offer for 12 months, it’d also be ideal for people seeking a balance transfer.

Rewards:

  • 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 in purchases per year (then 1% cash back)
  • 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services
  • 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations
  • 1% cash back on everything else

Pros:

  • High cash back rewards
  • Fair annual fee given the potential rewards value

Cons:

  • 6% cash back category has a spending maximum
  • Foreign transaction fee
Additional Details

To earn the $250 welcome bonus, you’ll need to spend $3,000 in purchases within the first six months of opening the card.

For each month you use your Blue Cash Preferred Card on an eligible streaming service of $12.99 or more, Amex will give you an additional $7 back.

BEST FOR FREQUENT DELTA FLYERS

Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card

5.0
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Credit Score Needed
Good to Excellent (700 to 749)
Welcome Bonus
50,000 bonus miles
Unique Features
Delta Main Cabin Round-Trip Companion Certificate
Annual Fee
$250
Foreign Transaction Fee
None
Interest Rates
20.74% to 29.74%
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For just a $250 annual fee, the Delta Skymiles Platinum card offers strong rewards and a variety of travel-related perks. Even for the companion certificate alone, which can save you quite a bit depending on where you fly, the value is worth the annual fee.

Rewards:

  • 3x miles on hotel purchases made directly through the hotel
  • 3x miles on Delta Flights and Delta Vacations
  • 2x miles at restaurants (worldwide), including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
  • 2x miles at U.S. supermarkets
  • 1x miles on everything else

Pros:

  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Companion certificate
  • Variety of travel-related perks

Cons:

  • High APR
  • SkyClub access isn’t free
Additional Details

This card comes with a variety of travel-related perks, such as:

  • First checked bag free on Delta flights
  • Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights
  • 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through Delta.com and the Fly Delta app
  • Access to Delta Sky Club for $50 per person per visit (for you and up to two guests traveling on a Delta flight)
  • One Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate for each year you renew the card (other fees may apply)
  • Free credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCHeck (after you apply)
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion Qualification Miles with Status Boost per year. You must spend $25,000 in purchases on the card within the calendar year to earn 10,000 MQMs.
BEST FOR COMPANION CERTIFICATES

Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

4.6
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Credit Score Needed
Good to Excellent (700 to 749)
Welcome Bonus
50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles
Unique Features
Free SkyClub access
Annual Fee
$550
Foreign Transaction Fee
None
Interest Rates
20.74% to 29.74%
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The Delta SkyMiles Reserve card is ideal for people who fly Delta often and want a companion certificate for luxury seating. In comparison to the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card, though, the rewards aren’t as great.

Rewards:

  • 3x miles on Delta flight and Delta vacations
  • 1x miles per dollar on everything else

Pros:

  • Free companion certificate, even for first class seats
  • Simple rewards structure
  • Cons:
    High annual fee
  • SkyClub access is for one traveler only
  • Rewards value isn’t as strong as some other SkyMiles cards
Additional Details

This card comes with a multitude of perks:

  • Free access to the Delta Sky Club lounge when traveling on a Delta flight
  • 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through Delta.com or on the Fly Delta app
  • One domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+, or domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year you renew the card
  • Upgrade priority over other Medallion Members
  • Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck (after you apply)
  • First checked bag free on all Delta flights
BEST FOR HILTON HOTEL STAYS

Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express

5.0
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Credit Score Needed
Good to Excellent (700 to 749)
Welcome Bonus
150,000 points
Unique Features
Automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status
Annual Fee
$450
Foreign Transaction Fee
None
Interest Rates
20.74% to 29.74%
Show More Details

While the annual fee is high, the rewards on the Hilton Honors Aspire Card are worth it. The one downside is that the points you earn may have fewer redemption options in comparison to competitors.

Rewards:

  • 14x points on eligible purchases at participating hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio
  • 7x points on eligible flight, rentals, and restaurant purchases
  • 3x points on everything else

Pros:

  • Automatic Hilton Diamond Status
  • High points value for Hilton stays

Cons:

  • High APR
  • High annual fee
Additional Details

If you frequent stay at Hilton hotels, you’ll enjoy the variety of perks the card comes with, such as:

  • $250 Hilton Resort credit
  • Automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status
  • A free night in the first year, and for every year after renewal
  • The ability to earn an additional free night after spending $60,000 in purchases on your card within one calendar year
  • $250 airline fee credit to cover incidental charges

To earn the 150,000-point welcome bonus, you’ll need to spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of opening the account.

BEST FOR HILTON REWARDS WITH A LOWER ANNUAL FEE

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

4.3
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Credit Score Needed
Good to Excellent (700 to 749)
Welcome Bonus
130,000 bonus points, plus a free night reward
Unique Features
Free night perks
Annual Fee
$95
Foreign Transaction Fee
None
Interest Rates
20.74% to 29.74%
Show More Details

For such a small annual fee, the Hilton Honors Surpass Card delivers an incredibly valuable rewards program and a variety of perks. The one downside is that to earn some of those perks, you’ll need to spend quite a bit.

Rewards:

  • 12x points on eligible purchases at participating Hilton hotels and resorts
  • 6x points on eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations
  • 3x points on everything else

Pros:

  • Low annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Solid rewards rate

Cons:

  • High APR
  • You’ll need to spend $15,000 to earn the free night reward
Additional Details

This card comes with several perks, such as:

  • A free night reward after spending $15,000 on purchases within a calendar year
  • Hilton Honors Diamond Status after spending $40,000 on eligible purchases within a calendar year

To earn the 130,000-point welcome bonus, you’ll need to spend $2,000 within the first three months of opening the card. However, this deal is only valid until 7/19/2023, and it isn’t clear what the offer will look like after that date.

BEST FOR MARRIOT PERKS

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

4.0
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Credit Score Needed
Good to Excellent (700 to 749)
Welcome Bonus
150,000 points
Unique Features
Free night award
Annual Fee
$650
Foreign Transaction Fee
None
Interest Rates
20.74% to 29.74%
Show More Details

While the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card has a hefty annual fee, its rewards match the price. With a variety of travel-related perks and bonuses, the card is ideal for people that frequent Marriott hotels and resorts.

Rewards:

  • 6x points per dollar at Marriott Bonvoy participating hotels
  • 3x points on restaurants (worldwide) and flights booked directly with the airline
  • 2x points on everything else

Pros:

  • High value rewards
  • Variety of perks for Marriott purchases and stays
  • Annual free night award

Cons:

  • High annual fee
  • High APR
Additional Details

This card comes with several bonuses, such as:

  • $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: $300 in statement credits per year, after renewal (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide
  • Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status
  • Free night award for each year after card renewal
  • Earn Choice Award Benefit: After spending $60,000 on purchases within a calendar year, you can select an award, such as $1,000 off a bed from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques or a free night award
  • $100 Luxury Property Credit: $100 property credit for stays at luxury properties such as the Ritz Carlton or St. Regis
  • Free credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
  • 25 Elite Night Credits per year, which help you reach the next level of Marriott Bonvoy Elite status
  • Priority Pass Select, which grants you access to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of with airline you fly

To earn the 150,000-point welcome bonus, you’ll need to spend $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of opening the account. This is a longer timeline than most competing cards, making it easier to achieve the welcome bonus.

You’ll also receive an additional 50,000 points after staying six nights in an eligible hotel, although the offer ends in August 2023.

BEST FOR GENERAL TRAVEL

The Platinum Card from American Express

4.5
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Credit Score Needed
Good to Excellent (700 to 749)
Welcome Bonus
80,000 points
Unique Features
Variety of statement credits for fitness-related products and services
Annual Fee
$695
Foreign Transaction Fee
None
Interest Rates
20.99% to 28.99%
Show More Details

The Platinum Card has a high annual fee, but if you plan to use all the extra perks and benefits, it could be worth it.

Rewards:

  • 5x points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked through the American Express Travel portal
  • 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or AMEX travel (for the first $500,000 in purchases per calendar year)
  • 1x points per $1 spent on everything else

Pros:

  • Long list of perks and benefits
  • Solid rewards rate

Cons:

  • High annual fee
  • High APR
Additional Details

The list of perks that come with this card is pretty intense:

  • $200 Hotel Credit on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit ($20 per month) when you pay for an eligible subscription with your Platinum Card
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit ($12.95 per month + applicable taxes)
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit for incidentals
  • $200 Uber Cash per year
  • $300 Equinox Credit when you use your Platinum Card on an Equinox subscription
  • Up to $189 CLEAR Plus Credit
  • $100 Global Entry Credit every four years or $85 statement credit every four years for TSA PreCheck
  • Up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue
  • $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit
  • Global Dining Access on Resy when you link your Platinum Card

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Is The Best American Express Card For Travel Rewards?

This can vary based on your specific needs. For instance, the American Express Platinum Card has been praised for its travel benefits and rewards, but you should check comparisons on different websites.

What Is The Best American Express Card For Cash Back?

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is popular for its cash back rates, especially on groceries and gas. Always compare it with other options on different websites.

What Are The Interest Rates On American Express Credit Cards?

Interest rates can vary significantly based on the specific card and the cardholder’s creditworthiness. Always check the most current rates on the American Express website.

Can I Use My American Express Card Abroad?

Yes, you can use American Express cards abroad. However, keep in mind that not all merchants accept American Express, and there may be foreign transaction fees.

How Can I Redeem Rewards On My American Express Card?

Rewards can typically be redeemed online or over the phone for things like statement credits, gift cards, or travel bookings.

Grace Lemire is a full-time content writer and part-time social media creator with a passion for helping people navigate life's toughest financial decisions – from moving out of your parents' house to buying a home.