American Express is highly regarded for its premium rewards programs, exceptional customer service, and the exclusive perks that accompany its cards. While cards often come with high annual fees, the benefits can offer substantial value, particularly for those who travel frequently or spend heavily in specific categories.
American Express cards are special for their strong rewards programs (like Membership Rewards), extensive travel perks (lounge access, credits), exclusive entertainment access, and premium customer service/security, often justifying higher fees for users who leverage these premium benefits, though acceptance can be lower in some places than Visa/Mastercard. They also offer flexible spending power on charge cards and unique co-branded loyalty options.
As an American Express Cardmember you'll have access to offers across travel, dining, retail, wellness and more. So you could indulge in curated dining experiences, enjoy exclusive retail offers or treat yourself at the spa. Explore more here.
Gen Z likes Amex because it successfully shifted from just a payment method to a lifestyle brand offering experiences, aspirational status, and tangible "life hacks" like airport lounges, dining credits (via Resy), and exclusive event access, all delivered through a sleek, digital-first app that feels less elitist and more relatable, making the rewards feel like "free money" for experiences they value.
The main reason Amex cards are so expensive is that many American Express credit cards offer generous rewards rates and high-end perks, which justify their steep annual fees. Amex cards are designed for people with good credit and a lot of income who are likely to charge large amounts to their cards every month.
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.
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.
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.
Reasons Amex Is a Prestigious Credit Card Brand
VIP benefits: Several Amex cards include access to concierge services. In addition, Amex routinely offers invitation-only events, tickets, shows, and more to eligible cardholders through the Amex Experiences program.
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Annual Fee and Terms apply. 18+, subject to status. Minimum income £35,000.
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.
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}.
Cardholders of the American Express Platinum Card® or any other type of Amex members, can try using the American Express Auto Purchasing Program, which connects you to dealers who accept American Express and let you charge $2,000 or more toward a car purchase on your Amex card.
Easiest American Express Cards to Get
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.
While Amex cards have become more widely accepted over the years, they still have an exclusive aura that's partially based on reality. Early-2020s statistics from American Express showed Amex Platinum Card holders had an average household income of about $474,000 a year and boasted a net worth of about $4.3 million.
The prestige of the card is undeniable. It's a status symbol. Owning the Amex Black Card signifies success and high net worth.
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.
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 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.
While 200K Amex points will typically only give you about $2,000 in value when you shop for flights in the Amex travel portal, you can sometimes find Business or First Class flights — that can normally cost over $10,000 — for only 200K points, when transferred to a frequent flyer program.
Membership Rewards® points have no expiration date.