American Express credit cards are known for their premium rewards and benefits, which include travel perks, cashback, and exclusive access to events and experiences. Some of their most popular cards include the Amex platinum, gold, and green card. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of each credit card and help you navigate which credit card suits your needs.
The best card for travel perks: American Express Platinum
The American Express platinum card is packed with travel benefits ranging from access to airport lounges to $200 in annual statement credit for airlines and hotels.
Pros
1. Airport Lounge Access: Platinum Cardholders can access over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide, including the centurion lounge, delta sky club, and priority pass lounges. Airport lounges offer a variety of amenities including complimentary food and drinks, high-speed internet, comfortable seating, and private workspaces. Some lounges may also offer additional perks such as concierge service, private meeting rooms, and shower facilities.
2. Travel Credits: Platinum members receive up to $200 in hotel credit, $200 in Airline Fee Credit, and $200 in uber cash. The $200 hotel credit is available when booking the Fine Hotels & Resorts program which is known to be some of the most lavish hotels worldwide. The airline credit fee can be used for things such as seat assignments, airline lounge day pass, and inflight purchases. It is important to note that you must choose the airline to which you will be applying for this benefit beforehand.
3. Hotel elite status: Cardholders can receive elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriot Bonvoy, which includes perks such as room upgrades and free breakfast. Other benefits include late check-out and bonus points in addition to the points already earned
Cons
1. High Annual Fee: The card currently has an annual fee of $650, which is a significant cost. For this reason, it is important to ensure that you will utilize all of the benefits included in order to offset the high annual fee.
2. Low Reward Rate: This card accumulates points mainly on travel, which offers 5x points on all flights and hotels. For other daily purchases such as groceries and dining, it only offers 1 point for every dollar spent. This is a disadvantage for those who don’t travel often and makes it more difficult to accumulate points at a quicker rate.
The best card to accumulate points: American Express Gold
The American Express Gold card is a high-rewards credit card that offers benefits and rewards for cardholder who use it for their everyday purchases. It is designed for individuals who spend a lot on dining and groceries.
Pros
1. Earn 4x Points on Dining and Restaurants: Amex Gold cardholders earn 4x points at US supermarkets, 4x points at restaurants worldwide. This means for every dollar spent on these categories, you will earn 4 times the amount of points. This card is a great option for those who spend a lot on dining and groceries
2. Earn 3x Points on Flights: Cardholders earn 3x points on flights booked directly with the airlines or on amextravel.com.
3. $120 Dining Credit: American Express Gold card offers $120 dining credit annually, which is divided into $10 statement credits each month when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar, and select Shake Shack locations. These benefits can be a great way to offset the annual fee and save money on dining expenses.
Cons
1. High Annual Fee: Although amex gold has a lower annual fee relative to amex platinum, it still has a $250 annual fee which can be a significant expense for some
2. No lounge Benefits: Cardholders do not have any lounge access at airports. If you are someone that travels often, this may be a downside that may cause you to reconsider applying for this card
The best economical travel card: American Express Green Card.
The American Express Green card is a low annual fee travel card that offers a variety of different travel benefits in addition to a favorable reward rate.
Pros
1. Low Annual Fee: The annual fee for the Amex green card is $150, making it the most affordable American Express credit card which is packed with a variety of travel perks.
2. Generous Sign-up offer: New cardholders are eligible for a welcome bonus which is currently 45,000 bonus after your spend $2,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
3. 3x points at restaurants, transit, and travel: Cardholders earn 3x Membership Rewards points on travel and dining purchases which can be redeemed for things like travel, statement credits, and gifts cards
4. $100 Loungebuddy statement: Cardholders will receive $100 per year in statement credit when they use thier American Express Green Card to purchase airport lounges passes through loungebuddy
Cons
1. Limited Travel benefits: Although the green card provides the loungebuddy statement credit and $190 annual CLEAR credit, it still lacks in travel benefits compared to most other cards. The loungebuddy statement equates to about 4 airport lounge visits throughout the year which can be limiting for those who travel often.
