American Express (Amex) primarily issues its own cards directly, acting as both the network and the issuer, unlike Visa or Mastercard. However, some Amex-branded cards, like the Macy's Amex Card, are issued by partner banks such as Citibank, though still processed on the Amex network. So, the issuer can be American Express directly or a third-party bank in partnership with Amex.
Amex also issues their own cards but they are totally different than the banks issuing cards on Amex network. Here, Amex is the credit lender as well as the network.
Hardest Card to Get Overall
Why it's one of the hardest cards to get: The hardest card to get is the American Express Centurion Card, known simply as the “Black Card.” You need an invitation to get Amex Centurion, and only the super rich and famous can expect to get the call.
To apply for an American Express® Credit Card you must:
Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident or hold a long term visa. Long term means 12 months or more and does not include a student visa. If self-employed, have been trading for at least 12 months.
Mastercard is more widely accepted globally, being accepted in over 210 countries and territories. American Express, while also widely accepted in over 160 countries, has limited acceptance compared to Mastercard, especially in smaller establishments and certain regions.
The main cons of American Express (Amex) include limited merchant acceptance (due to higher fees for businesses), high annual fees on premium cards, and strict credit requirements, often needing good to excellent credit; plus, some traditional Amex cards are charge cards requiring full monthly payment, unlike typical credit cards, and points transfers can sometimes be slow, notes Investopedia, Finder.com.au, Credit Suite, Bankrate, Point Hacks, Half Past First Cast, and YouTube}.
Yes, American Express is often considered a "classy" credit card brand, especially when compared to many others. Amex is known for its premium cards like the American Express Platinum Card® and the Centurion® Card from American Express, which come with high annual fees and luxury perks.
The Amex 2/90 rule is a guideline limiting most people to approval for no more than two new American Express credit cards within a 90-day period, even if they meet other rules like waiting five days between applications (the 1-in-5 rule). This rule specifically applies to credit cards, not necessarily charge cards, and is a key factor in managing how many new Amex cards you can open and get welcome bonuses for.
In Australia, American Express (Amex) isn't accepted at major discount retailers like Aldi and Costco, some smaller independent businesses, and certain government service payments (like vehicle registration), mainly due to higher merchant fees, though acceptance at large retailers is widespread. You should always carry a backup Visa or Mastercard, as smaller cafes, restaurants, and local shops often decline Amex.
100,000 American Express Membership Rewards points are generally worth $1,000 to $2,000 or more, depending on redemption; you get about 1 cent per point ($1,000 total) using the travel portal or gift cards, but can achieve 2 cents per point or higher ($2,000+) by transferring to airline/hotel partners for premium flights, yielding significantly more value, according to Bankrate and WalletHub and The Points Guy.
The credit limit you can expect for a $70,000 salary across all your credit cards could be as much as $14000 to $21000, or even higher in some cases, according to our research. The exact amount depends heavily on multiple factors, like your credit score and how many credit lines you have open.
The "2/3/4 rule" refers to an informal guideline for Bank of America (BofA) credit card approvals, limiting new cards to 2 within 30 days, 3 within 12 months, and 4 within 24 months, helping manage lending risk. It's also a term used in baby sleep training for wake windows (2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours between naps) and in food safety (2-hour/4-hour rule for keeping food out of the fridge).
Amex minimum income requirements vary significantly by card and country, but generally range from around $45,000-$50,000 for some standard rewards cards (like the Explorer card in Australia) up to higher amounts like $65,000 for premium cards (Qantas Ultimate), or even business revenue requirements (e.g., $75,000 for Business Platinum). Some Amex cards, particularly in markets like Canada, surprisingly have no stated minimum income.
When you're out and about, it's possible to visit a restaurant or retailer that doesn't accept Amex card payments. That's because American Express charges merchants a higher fee than competitors do. All credit card networks charge processing fees for businesses to accept card payments from that network.
The American Express Centurion Card, colloquially known as the Black Card, is an exclusive invitation-only charge card issued by American Express. It is reserved for the company's wealthiest clients who meet certain net worth, credit quality, and spending requirements on its gateway card, the Platinum Card.
American Express National Bank is a subsidiary of American Express Company. New York-based American Express Company is a leading global payments and travel company.
Historically, American Express charged higher fees than their competitors, making their cards less attractive to merchants. Merchant funding was also a slow process.
VISA or MasterCard can be used everywhere credit cards are accepted. American Express and Diners Club are accepted at major supermarkets, department store chains and tourist destinations.
When you register with ATO online services, you can access a range of tax and super services in one place, including being able to make a secure payment. You can make payments using Visa, Mastercard or American Express. To pay through our online services you will need: your payment reference number (PRN)
The best credit card that is rumored to have a $100,000 credit limit is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. While Chase does not publicly disclose the highest credit line available for the card, there are online reports of people getting around $100,000 in spending power, or even more.
The hardest Amex card to get is the Centurion® Card from American Express. Also known as the “Black Card,” this Amex card is hard to get because it is available by invitation only, and potential candidates are rumored to need an annual income of at least $1 million.
If you have excellent credit, high income and low credit utilization among other variables, issuers may offer you a credit line of $30,000 to $50,000. However, it's possible credit issuers offer a credit limit even higher than that.
100,000 American Express Membership Rewards points are generally worth $1,000 to $2,000 or more, depending on redemption; you get about 1 cent per point ($1,000 total) using the travel portal or gift cards, but can achieve 2 cents per point or higher ($2,000+) by transferring to airline/hotel partners for premium flights, yielding significantly more value, according to Bankrate and WalletHub and The Points Guy.
Annual Fee and Terms apply. 18+, subject to status. Minimum income £35,000.