American Express Credit Cards

American Express (Amex) has long held the reputation of being a premier credit card. This reputation is based on the American Express Platinum card which has a $450 annual fee, but has been reinforced with the introduction of the American Express Centurion card which is available only to the most elite users and carries an annual fee of $2500 and a $5000 introductory fee.

Not all American Express cards bring such a heavy fee structure for outstanding service and rewards. The company offers many cards to individuals and businesses today that range from no or low fee options to the most exclusive, invitation only lines.

Charge Cards

Amex offers two forms of card. The first are the charge cards that made the company so innovative a century ago. Charge cards were the first offering by American Express and still offer customers terrific rewards for paying off the balance in full every month. There is no option to carry a balance with a charge card with the exception of some qualifying purchases.

Charge cards from American Express include:

Green

The basic American Express allows you to accumulate points to be used as airline miles.

Gold

The upgraded version of the green card is your ticket into American Express gold card events as well as earning you points toward flights on twenty different carriers.

Platinum

A platinum American Express allows you to use airport clubs, includes you in Invitation Only events, and brings you 24 hour concierge service. Platinum cards are offered only to those with two years of outstanding business with American Express.

Savings

One from American Express lets you turn your purchases into savings in a high yield savings account. The card also includes a $50 bonus to jumpstart your savings.

Credit Cards

American Express offered its first credit card in 1987. American Express Optima allowed patrons to carry a balance and later the Optima True Grace gave customers a grace period. Today, American Express offers many credit card options including:

Blue

The four Blue card offers from American Express include a travel and student version of the popular program. The Blue cards offer users no annual fee, the ability to pay a balance over time and attractive introductory APRs. The student version is a scaled down model of the standard Blue lines.

Optima

The descendent of the original Optima card, Optima platinum includes users in the Membership Rewards Express Program and gives you an opportunity to transfer balances fee free.

City Rewards

Use your card to earn points toward food, drink and entertainment in some of the hottest locations in major US cities. Currently City Rewards are offered for New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Clear

The Clear card offers you no fees of any kind, low introductory APRs, a low fixed APR on balance transfers and automatic rewards.

Partner Cards

American Express has also partnered with many companies to offer you the chance to earn rewards toward specific companies while giving you the option to pay your balance over time. Currently American Express is partnered with Delta, JetBlue, Starwood Preferred Guest, Hilton, Costco, and TheKnot.

More Credit Card Issuers

American Express - Bank of America - Capital One - Chase - Citibank
Discover - HSBC - Visa - Mastercard