Best of

Best American Express Cards of 2019

NerdWalletMay 9, 2019

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NerdWallet's Best American Express Cards of 2019

Our pick for

Families

American Express Blue Cash Preferred Credit Card

on American Express's website

Rates & Fees

4.2

NerdWallet rating 

on American Express's website

Rates & Fees
Annual Fee

$95

Regular APR

15.24% - 26.24% Variable APR

Intro APR

0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 12 months

recommended credit score

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express boasts family-friendly spending categories that offer top-notch rewards at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations, as well as on transit expenses and select U.S. streaming subscriptions.

Our pick for

Flat-rate cash back

American Express Cash Magnet℠ Card

on American Express's website

Rates & Fees

3.9

NerdWallet rating 

on American Express's website

Rates & Fees
Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

15.24% - 26.24% Variable APR

Intro APR

0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months

recommended credit score

The American Express Cash Magnet® Card offers simple, solid rewards for those who aren't interested in keeping track of bonus categories. The card pairs well with other credit cards that offer elevated rewards rates on specific spending.

Our pick for

Travel

American Express Premier Rewards Gold Credit Card

on American Express's website, or call (866) 512-6673

Rates & Fees

3.7

NerdWallet rating 

on American Express's website, or call (866) 512-6673

Rates & Fees
Annual Fee

$250

Regular APR

See Terms

Intro APR

N/A

recommended credit score

The American Express® Gold Card gives foodies and travelers a large side of Membership Rewards with their bites and flights. Its highest rewards rates apply whether you're grabbing takeout or picking up ingredients at U.S. supermarkets for a home-cooked meal. Terms apply. The rewards you earn are ideal for redeeming toward travel.

Our pick for

Luxury benefits

American Express Platinum Credit Card

on American Express's website, or call (866) 512-6673

Rates & Fees

3.8

NerdWallet rating 

on American Express's website, or call (866) 512-6673

Rates & Fees
Annual Fee

$550

Regular APR

N/A

Intro APR

N/A

recommended credit score

The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with an annual fee as heavy as the stainless steel it's made of. But for big spenders who enjoy traveling in luxury, the generous perks and rewards can defray the cost and add more value to a vacation.

Our pick for

Small-business cash back

American Express SimplyCash Plus Business Credit Card Credit Card

on American Express's website, or call (866) 512-6673

Rates & Fees

4.4

NerdWallet rating 

on American Express's website, or call (866) 512-6673

Rates & Fees
Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

14.49% - 21.49% Variable APR

Intro APR

0% on Purchases for 15 months

recommended credit score

The SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express allows you to choose a bonus category (from a list of eight) to maximize your rewards based on business needs. Other pluses: a 0% intro APR offer and an annual fee of $0.

Our pick for

Small-business travel

The Business Platinum® Card from American Express OPEN Credit Card

on American Express's website, or call (866) 512-6673

Rates & Fees

3.8

NerdWallet rating 

on American Express's website, or call (866) 512-6673

Rates & Fees
Annual Fee

$595

Regular APR

N/A

Intro APR

N/A

recommended credit score

The Business Platinum® Card from American Express can add value and luxury to your travel experience, if you don’t mind the sizable cost of card ownership.

To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please visit this page.

To view rates and fees of the American Express Cash Magnet® Card, please visit this page.

To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please visit this page.

To view rates and fees of the The Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this page.

To view rates and fees of the SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express, please visit this page.

To view rates and fees of the The Business Platinum® Card from American Express, please visit this page.

Last updated on May 9, 2019

Methodology

NerdWallet's credit cards team selects the best cards in each category based on overall consumer value. Factors in our evaluation include fees, promotional and ongoing APRs, and sign-up bonuses; for rewards cards, we consider earning and redemption rates, redemption options and redemption difficulty. A single card is eligible to be chosen in multiple categories.
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