American Express, commonly known as Amex, is one of the best-known financial services companies in the United States. The company offers a wide range of credit cards designed for travel, dining, groceries, everyday purchases, business expenses, and premium rewards.
American Express credit cards are particularly popular among consumers who want rewards points, cashback, travel benefits, airport lounge access, hotel benefits, and other cardholder perks.
However, there is no single American Express card that is best for everyone. The right card depends on your spending habits, travel frequency, preferred rewards and willingness to pay an annual fee.
What Is an American Express Card?
An American Express card is a payment card issued by American Express. Depending on the specific product, Amex cards can offer Membership Rewards points, cashback, airline miles, hotel rewards, travel benefits and other perks.
American Express currently offers several major categories of consumer cards, including travel cards, cashback cards and co-branded cards with airlines and hotel companies.
Some of the most popular Amex cards include:
- American Express Platinum Card
- American Express Gold Card
- Blue Cash Everyday Card
- Blue Cash Preferred Card
- Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards
- Hilton Honors American Express Cards
- Marriott Bonvoy American Express Cards
Best American Express Cards in 2026
| Card | Best For | Annual Fee* |
|---|---|---|
| American Express Platinum Card | Premium Travel | $895 |
| American Express Gold Card | Dining & Food | $325 |
| Blue Cash Everyday | No Annual Fee & Everyday Cashback | $0 |
| Blue Cash Preferred | Groceries & Everyday Expenses | $0 first year, then $95 |
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex | Delta Travelers | $650 |
| Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex | Delta Rewards | $350 |
| Hilton Honors Aspire Amex | Hilton Hotel Benefits | $550 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex | Marriott Luxury Benefits | $650 |
*Fees and card benefits can change. Always check the current terms before applying. Current 2026 comparisons list these fees and card benefits.
1. American Express Platinum Card
The American Express Platinum Card is one of the company’s most premium consumer credit cards.
It is primarily designed for frequent travelers who can make use of its travel benefits and credits.
Forbes Advisor currently identifies the Platinum Card as its Best Amex Card for Travel. The current annual fee listed by Forbes Advisor is $895.
Key Benefits
Depending on the current terms and eligibility, Platinum Card benefits can include:
- Travel rewards
- Membership Rewards points
- Airport lounge access
- Hotel-related benefits
- Travel credits
- Premium travel services
- Purchase and travel protections
The card can be valuable for frequent travelers, but the high annual fee means applicants should carefully calculate whether the benefits justify the cost.
2. American Express Gold Card
The American Express Gold Card is one of the most popular Amex cards for people who spend heavily on food and dining.
Forbes Advisor currently names it the Best Amex Card for Foodies. Its current listed annual fee is $325, and eligible applicants may receive a welcome offer depending on the offer presented to them.
Best For
- Restaurants
- Grocery purchases
- Food-related spending
- Membership Rewards points
- Consumers who can use available statement credits
The Gold Card can be particularly attractive for people whose regular spending is concentrated around dining and groceries.
3. Blue Cash Everyday Card
The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express is a good option for consumers who want an Amex cashback card without an annual fee.
Forbes Advisor currently lists it as the Best Amex Card With No Annual Fee.
Best For
- Everyday purchases
- Cashback
- Consumers who do not want an annual fee
- Gas and grocery spending
This card may be a better starting point for people who prefer straightforward cashback rather than premium travel rewards.
4. Blue Cash Preferred Card
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is designed for consumers who spend significantly on everyday household expenses, especially groceries.
Forbes Advisor currently identifies it as the Best Amex Card for Everyday Expenses.
Investopedia’s 2026 credit card awards also recognized the Blue Cash Preferred as its Best Grocery Card, highlighting its rewards on U.S. supermarket purchases.
Best For
- Grocery shopping
- Families
- Everyday household expenses
- Cashback rewards
- Streaming services
The card currently has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year and then a $95 annual fee, according to current comparisons.
5. Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards
American Express also offers several cards in partnership with Delta Air Lines.
These cards are designed for people who frequently fly with Delta and want airline-specific rewards and benefits.
Popular options include:
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
The benefits and annual fees vary by card.
Forbes Advisor currently identifies the Delta SkyMiles Reserve as a strong choice for Delta Sky Club access and the Delta SkyMiles Platinum as a strong option for earning SkyMiles.
6. Hilton Honors American Express Cards
American Express also offers co-branded Hilton cards for consumers who frequently stay at Hilton properties.
These cards can provide Hilton Honors points and various hotel-related benefits depending on the specific card.
The Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express is positioned as a premium Hilton card, while the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card provides a lower-cost way to receive certain Hilton benefits.
7. Marriott Bonvoy American Express Cards
For Marriott travelers, American Express offers co-branded Marriott Bonvoy cards.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card is a premium option designed for consumers who want higher-level Marriott benefits and rewards.
Forbes Advisor currently lists the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant as its top Amex option for Hilton? No—the card is specifically designed around Marriott hotel stays and benefits.
American Express Membership Rewards
One of the major attractions of many Amex travel cards is the Membership Rewards program.
Membership Rewards points can potentially be used for travel and other eligible redemption options. Amex’s travel-card portfolio includes cards such as Platinum, Gold and Green, while its cashback cards operate differently and earn Rewards Dollars rather than Membership Rewards points.
This distinction is important when choosing an Amex card.
American Express Travel Cards vs Cashback Cards
American Express cards can generally be divided into different reward structures.
Travel Cards
Travel cards can be suitable for people who want:
- Travel points
- Airline and hotel transfers
- Travel benefits
- Airport lounge access
- Premium travel services
Examples include:
- Amex Platinum
- Amex Gold
- Amex Green
Cashback Cards
Cashback cards can be better for people who prefer simple rewards from everyday spending.
Examples include:
- Blue Cash Everyday
- Blue Cash Preferred
Amex cashback cards earn Rewards Dollars that can be redeemed for eligible statement credits and certain other options.
Which American Express Card Is Best?
The best Amex card depends on your financial goals.
Best Amex Card for Travel
American Express Platinum Card is a strong option for frequent travelers who can use its premium benefits.
Best Amex Card for Dining
American Express Gold Card is particularly attractive for consumers who spend heavily on restaurants and food.
Best Amex Card With No Annual Fee
Blue Cash Everyday is a strong option for consumers who want an Amex cashback card without an annual fee.
Best Amex Card for Groceries
Blue Cash Preferred can be attractive for consumers with significant grocery spending.
Best Amex Card for Delta Travelers
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Platinum are designed for different types of Delta customers.
Advantages of American Express Cards
American Express cards can offer several advantages depending on the product.
Reward Programs
Many Amex cards offer points or cashback on eligible purchases.
Travel Benefits
Premium cards can provide valuable travel-related benefits.
Dining Rewards
Some Amex cards provide enhanced rewards for restaurant spending.
Premium Services
Higher-end cards may offer airport lounge access, travel credits and other premium benefits.
Multiple Card Options
American Express offers cards for different spending patterns, from no-annual-fee cashback cards to premium travel cards.
Disadvantages of American Express Cards
Amex cards also have potential disadvantages.
High Annual Fees
Some premium cards have substantial annual fees. The Platinum Card, for example, currently carries an $895 annual fee according to current 2026 comparisons.
Acceptance
Although American Express acceptance is widespread, it may not be accepted everywhere.
Complex Benefits
Premium cards can have numerous credits and benefits. Customers may need to actively use them to receive enough value to justify the annual fee.
Interest Charges
Carrying a credit card balance can result in interest charges, which can outweigh the value of rewards.
What Credit Score Do You Need for an American Express Card?
Credit requirements vary by card and applicant.
Many premium Amex consumer cards are generally marketed toward applicants with good or excellent credit. Forbes Advisor currently lists the Platinum and Gold cards as cards for good-to-excellent credit profiles.
However, approval is never guaranteed based solely on a credit score. American Express considers information from the application and its own approval criteria.
How to Apply for an American Express Card
Applicants can apply through the official American Express website.
Before applying:
- Compare available cards.
- Check the annual fee.
- Review reward categories.
- Check the current welcome offer.
- Review interest rates and fees.
- Check eligibility requirements.
- Submit the application through the official issuer.
Applicants should never provide sensitive financial information to an unknown third-party website claiming to represent American Express.
Is an American Express Card Worth It?
An Amex card can be worth it if the rewards and benefits match your spending habits.
For example, frequent travelers may get substantial value from a premium travel card, while someone who rarely travels may be better served by a no-annual-fee cashback card.
The most important factor is not the number of benefits advertised, but how much value you personally receive from those benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best American Express card in 2026?
There is no single best Amex card for everyone. The Platinum Card is a leading premium travel option, while the Gold Card is particularly suited to dining and food spending. Blue Cash cards are better suited to cashback users.
Which Amex card has no annual fee?
The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express has no annual fee according to current 2026 comparisons.
Is Amex Platinum worth it?
It can be worthwhile for frequent travelers who use enough of its travel benefits and credits to justify the $895 annual fee. People who do not use these benefits may find a lower-cost card more suitable.
Is Amex Gold better than Amex Platinum?
Neither is universally better. Gold is more focused on dining and food-related rewards, while Platinum is designed around premium travel benefits.
Which Amex card is best for groceries?
Blue Cash Preferred is one of the strongest Amex choices for grocery-focused spending and was recognized as a leading grocery card in Investopedia’s 2026 awards.
Can I have multiple American Express cards?
Depending on eligibility and issuer rules, consumers can hold multiple Amex cards. However, applicants should consider annual fees, spending requirements and whether each card provides enough value.
Conclusion
American Express offers a wide range of credit cards for consumers with different financial goals.
The American Express Platinum Card is a premium choice for frequent travelers, while the American Express Gold Card is particularly attractive for dining and food spending. For consumers who want cashback without an annual fee, the Blue Cash Everyday Card is an appealing option. The Blue Cash Preferred Card can be especially useful for consumers with significant grocery and everyday expenses.
Before applying for any American Express card, compare the annual fee, rewards, welcome offer, benefits, interest rates and eligibility requirements. The best card is the one that provides meaningful value based on your own spending habits.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Credit card fees, rewards, benefits, welcome offers and eligibility requirements can change. Always review the latest terms and conditions from American Express before applying.