The Different American Express Credit Cards
American Express has an extensive selection of credit cards, including:
The Gold Card® from American Express
Annual fee: $250 (± £227)
Welcome offer: 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $4,000 (± £3,632) in the first 6 months.
Dining benefits: Up to $120 (± £109) in dining credit annually at selected restaurants and delivery services, 4x points on spendings in restaurants worldwide and at supermarkets (up to $25,000 (± £22,700) in purchases per calendar year, then 1x).
Travel benefits: 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel.
Other perks: No fees on foreign transactions and a personalised travel service.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Annual fee: $695 (± £631)
Welcome offer: 80,000 Membership Rewards points after reaching a certain spending threshold in the first months of card ownership. For example, 75,000 points after spending $5,000 (± £4,540) in the first 6 months.
Travel benefits: Complimentary access to more than 1,200 airport lounges worldwide, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, and Delta Sky Clubs when flying with Delta. Up to $200 (± £182) in Uber savings annually and a $200 (± £182) Airline Fee Credit for incidental expenses with a selected airline.
Other perks: Automatic Gold status in Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, extensive travel insurance, and no fees on foreign transactions.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Annual Fee: $595 (± £540)
Welcome Offer: 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 (± £13,620) within the first 3 months of membership.
Travel Benefits: Access to more than 1,200 airport lounges worldwide, including The Centurion® Lounge and Priority Pass™ lounges, up to $200 (± £182) Airline Fee Credit, and 35% points back when booking flights with your selected airline or any business or first class flight via American Express Travel, up to 500,000 points back per calendar year.
Business Benefits: 1.5x points on each eligible purchase of $5,000 (± £4,540) or more (up to 1 million additional points per year), and complimentary Gold status in Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors programmes.
**Note**: These details, such as annual fees, welcome offers, and specific benefits, may change and differ by region and time. Always check the most current information directly through American Express or the official American Express website.
The Membership Rewards® Programme of American Express
What Is the Membership Rewards® Programme of American Express?
The Membership Rewards® Programme of American Express is a dynamic rewards initiative for holders of certain American Express credit cards. This programme allows cardholders to accumulate Membership Rewards points for their purchases, with the rate of accumulation varying by shopping category—some transactions earn points at a standard rate, while others may qualify for increased points, depending on the type of purchase.
How Do You Earn American Express Membership Rewards® Points?
Besides earning points on purchases, cardholders can increase their points balance through welcome bonuses, spending in specific categories, shopping via the Rakuten portal, and participating in targeted Amex offers. Membership Rewards points offer a range of redemption options, including travel, cashback, and gift cards, or transferring to airline and hotel partners for potentially higher value. Note: Transferring points may involve an excise duty compensation fee, payable with points at a predetermined rate. In other words, for transferring your points to a partner programme, it might be necessary to sacrifice a portion of your points as a kind of payment for this transaction.
Refer A Friend
The referral programme of American Express offers a lucrative way for cardholders to collect extra Membership Rewards points. By referring new customers to American Express, and upon their approval, the referring member can earn a bonus ranging from 5,000 to 30,000 points, depending on the referred card, with the potential for even higher bonuses. There’s a cap on the total number of referral points a cardholder can earn annually, up to 100,000 points. This limit is renewed each year, and notably, the limit applies per card, not per account. What distinguishes the American Express referral programme is its flexibility. Cardholders can refer potential new members to any American Express card, not just the one they own, ensuring a bonus regardless of the new user’s card choice.
Amex Offers
What Are Amex Offers?
Amex Offers are specially curated deals available exclusively to American Express cardholders who have registered a qualifying card. These offers, which vary by American Express account, aim to provide extra rewards on both online and in-store purchases, subject to specific conditions. Due to a limit on enrolments for these offers, it’s crucial to act quickly to fully benefit from the deals that interest you. To discover the Amex Offers available to you, sign in to your American Express account online or via the mobile app, and head to Amex Offers & Benefits.
Who Is Eligible For Amex Offers?
Most American Express credit cards are eligible for Amex Offers, including those that earn Membership Rewards® points and co-branded airline and hotel cards. Exceptions include corporate cards, gift cards, and most prepaid cards, with the exception of American Express Serve and Bluebird cards.
Maximising Membership Rewards With Amex Offers
Cards that collect Membership Rewards points often feature the most attractive Amex Offers, such as substantial savings on flights booked through the American Express International Airline Program. While co-branded airline and hotel cards are eligible for Amex Offers, the diversity and frequency of these offers can vary.
How Are You Targeted For Amex Offers?
The criteria for targeting cardholders with specific offers are not publicly shared. Active use of your card and owning premium cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express can increase your chances of receiving attractive offers. Participating in the Amex Offers programme by enrolling in available offers also opens up new opportunities, as American Express limits the number of visible offers to 100 at any time.
Making The Most Of Amex Offers
To benefit from an Amex Offer, enroll in the offer and use the registered card for the purchase, taking into account any specific conditions such as minimum spending requirements. Rewards are typically credited within 90 days, although credits often appear sooner.
Variety Of Amex Offers
Amex Offers cover a broad spectrum of categories, from dining and shopping to travel and entertainment, offering numerous opportunities to save and earn. It pays to regularly review these offers, as they are constantly updated and can provide significant benefits.
Choosing The Right Card for Amex Offers
When you own multiple American Express cards, selecting the right card for each offer is crucial. This choice affects the availability of similar offers on your other cards and your overall rewards strategy. Consider factors such as the potential to earn bonus points when choosing the right card for each offer.
Reading The Fine Print
The terms of Amex Offers require careful consideration to ensure compliance and maximise the benefit. Some offers may have specific requirements, such as the purchase location or participating retailers.
Combining Shopping Portals With Amex Offers
Combining Amex Offers with shopping portals can significantly increase your rewards, enabling additional points, miles, or cashback on top of what you earn through Amex Offers. This strategy can lead to even more substantial rewards.
Other Benefits With American Express
Purchase Protection
American Express cards offer solid purchase protection, including Purchase Protection against theft or accidental damage and Extended Warranty, extending the manufacturer’s warranty period for eligible purchases.
Travel Benefits And Insurances
American Express excels with its travel benefits, including earning Flying Blue points, elite status opportunities with hotel and airline partners, comprehensive travel insurance, and access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide. You can even share your Platinum Flying Blue status with a second cardholder. Additionally, an insurance benefit is activated when a booking is made with an American Express card, protecting against unforeseen events and complications such as accidents, cancellation or interruption, loss of luggage, and rental car damage.
Entertainment And Lifestyle Benefits
Cardholders enjoy exclusive access to entertainment through Amex Entertainment and unique dining experiences with the Global Dining Collection, greatly enriching your leisure time as a cardholder.
Financial Assistance Tools
Financial assistance tools such as Spend Manager℠ assist in tracking and analysing expenditures, providing valuable insights for financial planning and tax preparation.
Global Assist® Hotline
The Global Assist® Hotline offers 24/7 access to emergency assistance services for cardholders travelling far from home.
Conclusion
In the realm of credit cards, American Express distinctly stands out, not just as a means to accumulate points on everyday spendings but as a treasure trove of benefits and privileges that encompass every aspect of modern life. From the exclusive and dynamic Amex Offers that can save you a considerable amount of money, to the solid purchase protection that provides peace of mind with every transaction; American Express cards are crafted to enhance your financial well-being.
But it doesn’t stop there. Imagine traversing the globe with unmatched travel benefits, from seamless access to luxury airport lounges to comprehensive travel insurances, making every journey as smooth and safe as possible. Add to this the allure of exclusive access to entertainment, securing the best spots at coveted events. And let’s not forget that you have advanced financial assistance tools at your fingertips, enabling you to effortlessly monitor and optimise your spending.
By actively participating in these meticulously curated programmes, and making choices that align with your lifestyle and preferences, holders of an American Express card can unlock a level of spending efficiency, travel luxury, and overall quality of life that is truly distinct. Welcome to the vibrant world of American Express, where the possibilities are as boundless as your imagination.
