American Express credit card perks give you more than just points. You’ll get rewards, cashback, and travel benefits that add real value.
This article shows you what each premium card offers. You’ll quickly see which perks match your lifestyle.
Get To Know The Real Value Of Premium Cards
Some cards look premium, but not all give solid value. This article breaks down what these top-tier cards truly offer.
You’ll see how perks compare to the annual fees. No sales talk — just the facts.
We’ll cover travel benefits, cashback, rewards, and credits. Check what fits your needs and budget at americanexpress.com.
Overview Of Card Options
There are three main cards with premium-level perks. Each fits a different spending style.
The Platinum Card®
This card focuses on travel rewards and luxury extras. You pay more upfront but get more access and protection.
Annual Fee: $695
You pay $695 per year for this card. In return, you get 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines.
It also includes airport lounge access to 1,400+ locations. Terms are listed on this page.
Best For Frequent Travelers And Luxury Perks
You get perks like Global Entry fee credit, travel insurance, and no foreign transaction fees. It’s good if you fly often or want upgrades.
Lounge access and hotel benefits are also included. You’ll need to spend enough to balance out the high fee.
Gold Card
This one is focused on everyday spending and food-related rewards. It offers strong value in specific spending categories.
Annual Fee: $325
You’ll pay $325 per year. You earn 4X points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (up to a cap).
It also gives 3X points on flights booked directly. Full terms are shown on this page.
Best For Dining And Grocery Spending
You can get more value if you spend on food and groceries often. It’s good for people who cook or dine out frequently.
Credits for select restaurants and delivery partners help offset the fee. But there’s a yearly cap to watch.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card
This card gives high cashback on basics like groceries, streaming, and transit. It’s built for everyday expenses.
Annual Fee: $0 Intro For First Year, Then $95
You pay $0 for the first year, then $95 yearly after that. You earn 6% cashback at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6K/year).
Also gives 6% back on select U.S. streaming and 3% on transit. Terms are on this page.
Best For Cash Back On Daily Purchases
You can benefit if most of your spending is on groceries and subscriptions. Cashback is auto-applied as a statement credit.
You’ll want to keep your spending within the capped limits. It’s more useful for regular household budgets.
Membership Rewards Program
You earn points on purchases and redeem them in different ways. The more you use the card, the more points you earn. Here’s what you need to know:
How it works:
- Earn points for eligible purchases.
- Redeem for travel, shopping, gift cards, or statement credits.
- Bonus Points Offers
- Platinum: 125,000 points for $8,000 spend (6 months).
- Gold: 90,000 points for $6,000 spend (6 months).
- Blue Cash: $300 statement credit for $3,000 spend (6 months).
Redemption options:
- Transfer to airline or hotel partners.
- Book travel through Amex Travel.
- Pay with points at checkout.
- Use points for a statement credit.
Point Expiration Policy
Points don’t expire if the account stays open and in good standing.
Premium Travel Benefits
You get extra value if you travel often. These cards come with key benefits that help save time and money.
Platinum Card Travel Perks
You get top-level benefits made for frequent flyers. Here’s a list of what’s included:
- 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines
- Access to 1,400+ airport lounges
- Up to $200 airline fee credit
- Global Entry/TSA Pre✓® fee credit
- No foreign transaction fees
Gold Card Travel Benefits
This card includes basic travel rewards and protections. It’s good for moderate travelers.
- 3X points on flights
- Travel protections included
- No foreign transaction fees
Everyday Spending Benefits
These cards also reward regular purchases. You earn more where you spend the most.
Gold Card:
- Earn more points on food and groceries. Best if you cook or eat out a lot.
- 4X points at restaurants
- 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25K/year)
Blue Cash Preferred
Good for daily spending, home budgets, and commuting. Cashback is high but has limits.
- 6% cashback at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6K/year)
- 6% cashback on select U.S. streaming
- 3% cashback on transit (buses, rideshare, etc.)
Monthly Credits & Extras
You get monthly credits on each card depending on your usage. These help offset annual fees.
Platinum
You get up to $20 per month for digital entertainment. That includes platforms like Hulu or Disney+.
It’s auto-applied as a credit each billing cycle. You must enroll first to activate it.
Gold
You can get up to $10 per month for select dining partners. This includes food delivery and restaurant purchases. It resets monthly and won’t roll over. Enrollment is required.
Blue Cash
You receive cashback as a statement credit automatically. No need to redeem it manually. It’s applied once the charges post. It helps reduce your next payment.
Interest Rates And Fees
Each card has a different model for fees and APR. Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect.
Platinum
You use the Pay Over Time feature. The APR varies based on your credit score. There’s no fixed interest for all purchases. Only eligible charges qualify for Pay Over Time.
Gold
Uses the same Pay Over Time system. No fixed APR on regular purchases. Charges must qualify first. APR changes based on your credit profile.
Blue Cash Preferred
This card works more like a typical credit card. Here’s what applies:
- Intro APR: 0% on purchases for 12 months
- Regular APR: 19.24% – 29.99% (variable)
- Balance transfer and late fees apply
Bank Contact Details
For questions or account help, you can call 1-800-8-631-8000. The bank is based in New York, New York, United States.
Customer service is available during business hours. You can also visit their official website for details.
Disclaimer: Terms and offers may change at any time. Always check the official site before applying or using any benefits.
Summary Of What You Need To Know
These cards offer a mix of travel rewards, cashback, and monthly credits. Some are better for frequent flyers, others for everyday spending.
Look at your habits before choosing. For details on applying, search “How To Apply for American Express” on their site.
