- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
American Express commercials often emphasize the many types of travel rewards this credit card company offers. That’s probably because the benefits AmEx offers can make traveling a whole lot easier—and cheaper. In fact, there are several American Express credit cards you can choose from, each built with travel in mind. However, knowing which one to choose—and which American Express promotion to take advantage of—can be difficult.
To help you sort through the various AmEx promotions out there, we’ve put together this list of credit cards you can qualify for. American Express credit cards, like any other credit card, do require acceptance based on your credit score. AmEx is known for setting the bar slightly higher than most credit card companies, so having a higher credit score tips the odds in your favor.
At the same time, American Express promotions tend to be well worth the entrance fees. Lucrative welcome bonuses reward cardholders for achievable requirements, depending on which credit card they choose and how much they spend. No matter which American Express credit card you choose, the benefits are sure to outweigh the costs.
Are you ready to see what American Express promotions are available to you? Let’s get started!
How to Pick the Best AmEx Promotion
Did you know that American Express was one of the first to come out with metal credit cards? While the average credit card you receive today might not be metal, some banks offer these types of cards to their best customers.
Becoming a new AmEx customer is one thing, but taking advantage of the available promotions is another. Here’s how you can pick the best American Express promotion for your situation:
- Consider annual fees and compare them to the benefits listed for that card. Will you save more if you don’t apply for the card, or will the benefits of the card make up for its yearly cost?
- Take a good look at your spending habits. How much do you spend per month and per year? Compare these amounts to those listed for each credit card you’re considering.
- How and where will you earn rewards? Many of AmEx’s credit cards, like cashback apps for gas, offer cashback and Membership Rewards points for purchases from grocery stores, gas stations, and even airlines.
- Do you prefer cashback or Membership Rewards points? Choosing which type of reward you prefer can help you decide which American Express promotion to pick. Cashback is straightforward, but Membership Rewards points could get you further.
- What other special offers can you take advantage of with these American Express promotions? A 0% introductory APR comes with a few of these cards, along with bonus miles if you spend over a certain amount.
Before you begin the American Express credit card application, take a moment. Think about whether or not you need this credit card and how it can help you achieve your goals. If you’re planning a cross-country road trip or even want to know how to travel cheaply, AmEx can certainly answer those questions for you with plenty of rewards.
American Express Promotions for 2023
While the majority of American Express promotions surround their credit cards, you can also open a checking or savings account to help manage your money. Visit American Express’ website to learn more.
1. The Platinum Card® from American Express
We named the American Express Platinum card one of the best credit cards because it offers so many perks.
For example, you can earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points if you spend $6,000 or more on purchases in the first six months.
You’ll also get a $200 airline fee credit each year to pay for baggage fees.
The American Express Platinum card comes with Platinum Card Concierge and the chance to select your card design from several styles.
You can also enroll to get complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status. The American Express Platinum card also gets you Uber VIP status, along with up to $200 in Uber savings including Uber Eats.
If that’s not enough to justify the $695 annual fee, AmEx also rewards you with 5X Membership Rewards points when you book flights directly from airlines or through American Express Travel.
You’ll earn the same amount on prepaid hotels booked through AmEx Travel as well.
With access to five main airport lounge networks across the nation and no foreign transaction fees to worry about, it’s easy to see why many jet-setters love the American Express Platinum card.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
2. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
American Express underwrites The Business Platinum Card®, which comes with a $695 annual fee.
However, you can earn 120,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 or more within the first three months.
Cardholders also qualify for five times rewards on flights and prepaid hotels, with one times points on all other purchases.
As you might have guessed, the Business Platinum Card is best for travel benefits like airport lounge access and complimentary hotel elite status.
Plus, members have access to AmEx concierge services. Rates range from 18.49% to 26.49% APR.
The $695 annual fee for the Business Platinum Card may be a burden for many small businesses.
However, those that fully utilize its travel and shopping benefits, such as statement credits, lounge access, and hotel elite status, can offset the cost.
Keep in mind, these credits and perks are only valuable if they are used. If you don’t plan on taking advantage of the Business Platinum’s benefits, it might be wise to opt for a more affordable card like the American Express ® Business Gold Card.
Unlock the Power of premium business travel with The Business Platinum Card®. Enjoy exclusive benefits like airport lounge access, hotel upgrades, and unlock over $1,400 in total value. Apply now and elevate your business travels to a whole new level.
3. American Express® Business Gold Card
If you’re a business owner, you may have wondered how much it would set you back to own one of the best business cards money can buy.
Well, you’d have to pay a $295 annual fee to use the American Express® Business Gold Card.
Spend $10,000 on purchases within the first three months and you can earn 70,000 Membership Rewards points.
Even if you don’t, you can earn four times Membership Points on top business categories as well as one times rewards on all other purchases.
When you book your flights through American Express Travel and use your Membership Rewards, you can earn a 25% rebate. Rates range from 18.49% to 26.49% on this business credit card.
The American Express Business Gold Card is a good option for businesses that regularly incur expenses in the card’s bonus categories and prioritize earning travel rewards through Membership Rewards points.
Those who heavily spend in these categories can easily earn enough rewards to cover the annual fee, but those who don’t may be better suited for an American Express Blue Business card.
The American Express® Business Gold Card is an excellent choice for business owners looking to maximize their points-earning from a single card, with 4x bonus categories that automatically reflect your highest spending areas each month.
4. Blue Cash Everyday
American Express offers the Blue Cash Everyday card, which comes with a 0% introductory APR for the first 15 months. This includes both purchases and balance transfers. After your 15 months are up, you’ll pay anywhere from 18.24% to 29.24% on purchases and balance transfers. There’s no annual fee associated with this credit card, but there are plenty of perks.
When you spend $2,000 on purchases within the first six months, you can earn a $200 statement credit.
You’ll also earn 3% cash back at the grocery store, with online retail purchases, and at the pump. While American Express does cap each of these locations at $6,000 in cash-back rewards per year, you still earn 1% over that mark.
5. Blue Cash Preferred
We featured this AmEx credit card on our list of the best credit cards for 18-year-olds, but you don’t have to be a young adult to qualify for this American Express credit card promotion. There’s no annual fee in the first year of owning the Blue Cash Preferred card, but after that, it’s just $95 per year.
Like the Blue Cash Everyday card, American Express offers a 0% introductory APR. However, you’re limited to 12 months instead of 15. The variable rate stays the same for this card as the Blue Cash Everyday card, but you do get the chance to earn $250 when you spend $3,000 or more in the first six months of ownership.
American Express also rewards you for shopping at supermarkets and subscribing to streaming platforms with 6% cashback. You’re limited to $6,000 in cashback per year in this category at this rate. However, you can also enjoy 3% back at gas stations and on transit purchases. Otherwise, you’ll earn 1% across the board.
6. Hilton Honors Surpass
In partnership with Hilton Hotels, this American Express promotion offers cardholders 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after they spend $2,000 in the first three months. You can also earn a Weekend Night Reward after spending $15,000 for the year. There is a $95 annual fee for this AmEx promotion.
For every dollar you spend on Hilton Hotels and Resorts, you can earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points. You’ll earn 6X bonus points for purchases at restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. All other purchases earn you 3X points to rack up more Hilton Hotel rewards. Plus, if you spend $40,000 within a calendar year, you can earn the Hilton Honors Diamond status for the next year entirely.
7. Delta SkyMiles Blue
Airfare can take quite a bite out of your cash, but with the Delta SkyMiles Blue card from American Express, you’ll earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first six months. Spend at restaurants and on Delta purchases to earn 2 miles per dollar. Purchases still earn you 1 mile for every dollar, and there’s no annual fee.
8. Delta SkyMiles Gold
If you’re looking for more from a travel rewards credit card, check out the Delta SkyMiles Gold card from AmEx. This card never charges foreign transaction fees and you get to check your first bag for free on Delta flights. The $99 annual fee is waived for the first year as well.
In addition to Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding, the American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold card rewards you with 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 or more within the first six months. Purchases at Delta, supermarkets, and restaurants earn you 2X the miles. Any other purchases earn you 1X miles.
9. American Express Gold
For $250 per year, you can use the American Express Gold credit card to earn 4X Membership Rewards points on restaurants and trips to the grocery store. You’ll earn 3X points on flights when you book directly through American Express Travel or whichever airline you choose. AmEx will also reward you with 60,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend $4,000 or more on purchases within the first six months.
Using this card to pay for food and beverages can reward you as well. You’ll get up to $10 per month when you pay for food from Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar, and select Shake Shack locations. You will have to enroll to earn these rewards.
10. American Express Everyday
This AmEx credit card allows you to earn 2X Membership Rewards points at supermarkets up to $6,000 per year. You’ll earn 1% on all other purchases. Plus, if you make 20 purchases or more in a billing period, you can earn 20% more in Rewards points.
Alternative AmEx Cards to Consider
American Express checking and savings accounts can help you manage your money, but here are some alternative credit cards, including some of the best business credit cards, you can apply for with AmEx:
- Blue Business Cash: This card comes with 0% intro APR for 12 months. The variable rate ranges from 17.49% to 25.49% after that, with no annual fee. You can earn $250 for spending $3,000 in the first three months as well.
- Blue Business Plus: The same terms above apply to the Blue Business Plus card, which lets you earn 15,000 Membership Rewards points for spending $3,000 in the first three months.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business: Qualify for this AmEx card to earn 6X Membership Rewards points at Marriott Hotels and a Free Night Award for spending $60,000 per year on purchases.
- Delta SkyMiles Gold: Earn a $100 Delta Flight Credit when you spend $10,000 or more on business purchases within a year.
- Delta Platinum Business: If you spend $3,000 in the first three months with this AmEx business credit card, you’ll earn 60,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQM).
- Delta Reserve Business: To earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles, you’ll need to spend $30,000 in purchases within the calendar year.
As you can see, there are many American Express promotions and offers to take advantage of. How will you use AmEx to achieve your financial goals?
FAQs
American Express promotions typically center around their credit cards. For example, you can earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points for spending $6,000 or more in purchases within the first six months with the American Express Platinum card.
You’ll need a credit score of at least 700 to qualify for an American Express credit card. Even then, your credit score is only one factor for the bank to consider with your application. A credit score of 700 or more, therefore, is not a guarantee of approval.
Most people find that American Express is like any other financial institution out there. It can be a good bank if you know what you want when you open an account. While the bank itself may not offer the best promotions for every type of service, often customers flock to American Express for the service they get and the rewards they earn.
Take Advantage of American Express Promotions
American Express offers travelers plenty of perks when it comes to rewards credit cards. We hope you’ve found this article useful in figuring out which American Express promotions to take advantage of to help improve your life. It’s nice to know that credit card companies reward you for traveling, especially when there’s so much to see. Where will your new American Express credit card take you?
- Get spotted up to $250 without fees
- Join 10+ million people using the finance super app
- Banking with instant discounts on gas, food delivery, groceries and more
- Start investing, saving, and budgeting for free
