Best American Express Credit Cards
Top Amex cards ranked by Membership Rewards value, lounges, and premium benefits.
Rankings are generated by our algorithm based on earn rates, point valuations, fees, and benefits — not paid placement. We don't accept compensation to rank cards higher. How we rank
Ranked by earn rate and redemption value, statement credits minus annual fees (weighted against a typical $30,000/year in total card spend), shopping portal bonuses when we recognize the merchant, matched benefits and promotional earn boosts. The ¢ per dollar column is the reward rate at Dining and Grocery Stores and Travel, after spend caps. Order can differ from that column because ranking adds the adjustments above.
American Express Gold Card
American Express
- +4x on Supermarkets — points worth 1.5¢ each
- +Global Assist Hotline; $120 Dining Credit (up to $10/mo); $84 Dunkin' Credit (up to $7/mo); The Hotel Collection; $100 Resy Credit (up to $50/6mo); $120 Uber Cash (up to $10/mo) — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
American Express
- +6% cash back on Supermarkets
- +Annual fee $95. Other listed credits: Disney Bundle Credit (up to $10/mo). These amounts are not counted in estimated value or ranking: use, eligible purchases and any enrollment requirements have not been established.
- +Amex Offers; Global Assist Hotline — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
Navy Federal More Rewards American Express®
Navy Federal
- +3x on Dining
- +20,000 points bonus (~$200 cash redemption value)
- +No annual fee
Compare the Top Picks
Earn 3 ways on one dinner
Your card's dining rate, a dining program you link it to, and the reservation perks it unlocks. The dining map shows all three, restaurant by restaurant.
Quick Comparison
Side-by-side view of the ranked picks.
| Card | Applicable Rate | Effective Value | Annual Fee | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Gold CardAmerican Express | 4x Membership Rewards Supermarkets | 4.2¢/$ | $325 | amex |
| Blue Cash Preferred Card from American ExpressAmerican Express | 6% cash back Supermarkets | 2.3¢/$ | $95 | amex |
| Navy Federal More Rewards American Express®Navy Federal | 3x points Dining | 2.1¢/$ | $0 | amex |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express CardAmerican Express | 4x Marriott Bonvoy Dining | 2.1¢/$ | $250 | amex |
| Hilton Honors American Express CardAmerican Express | 5x Hilton Honors Dining | 1.6¢/$ | $0 | amex |
| Rakuten American Express CardFirst Electronic Bank | 2% cash back Dining | 1.6¢/$ | $0 | amex |
| Hilton Honors American Express Surpass CardAmerican Express | 6x Hilton Honors Dining | 1.8¢/$ | $150 | amex |
| Blue Cash Everyday Card from American ExpressAmerican Express | 3% cash back Supermarkets | 1.5¢/$ | $0 | amex |
| USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express®USAA | 3% cash back Supermarkets | 1.5¢/$ | $0 | amex |
| Business Green RewardsAmerican Express | 1x Membership Rewards All Other | 1.5¢/$ | $95 | amex |
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Open in full search with filters →Guides for this category
- Card StrategyIs a credit card annual fee worth it? A realistic break-even methodAn annual fee is worth it when extra rewards and benefits you will use beat the fee versus your real alternative. A break-even method with worked examples.
- Card StrategyMonthly versus annual card credits: build a calendar that follows the termsMonthly, half-year, quarterly, anniversary-year, and four-year credits each reset on their own clock. Build a benefit calendar that follows the actual terms.
- Card StrategyCredit card statement credits: face value versus money you actually saveA $100 statement credit rarely saves you $100. How to measure a credit against the purchase you would have made anyway, and reconcile a year of them.