Comparing the various American Express credit cards to determine the top pick.
Swing into the world of financial perks with American Express credit cards! These babies come in various flavors, from cashback credit cards to rewards credit cards, some are free while others demand a fee. Deciding which one is best for you depends on your spending habits and preferences.
Stuck on 0% purchase or balance transfer cards? Opt for them if you're trying to clear debt. But if you're all about earning rewards, rewards credit cards like the American Express variety are the way to go. For instance, the American Express Cashback Everyday Credit Card rewards you with the most cashback without any annual fees, provided you spend more than £10,000 in a year. Splash £25 extra, and you get the upgraded American Express Cashback Credit Card, offering even more rewards.
Regular jet-setters might want to consider the British Airways American Express Premium Plus Credit Card. It awards the most Avios points, but if that £300 annual fee seems too hefty, you could opt for the British Airways American Express Credit Card instead.
The secret to every Amex card lies in the rewards that are most useful to you. Fancy applying for an Amex card? Check out our guide to help you choose the one that'll give you the biggest bang for your buck.
The Finest American Express Cashback Credit Cards
Let's take a look at American Express's cashback credit card offerings.
- The American Express Cashback Everyday Credit Card
- Offers the best cashback return, with up to £125 in cashback in the first 5 months. After that, you'll get 0.5% cashback when spending less than £10,000, or 1% when spending more. The best part? No annual fee!
- The American Express Platinum Cashback Credit Card
- Known as the premium option among cashback credit cards, it offers 5% cashback over the first 3 months (up to a max of £125). The rate after that varies based on how much you spend during the year. If you spend less than £10,000, you'll get a rate of 0.75% cashback, while spending above that level will mean a rate of 1.25%. Keep in mind, this one comes with an annual fee of £25.
Picking the best American Express cashback credit card depends on your spending patterns. If you're murdering your credit limit, the Platinum Cashback card might be worth the extra dough due to the higher cashback rate.
Collect Your Wings with Amex Avios Cards
Various American Express credit cards help you earn Avios, which can be used to score discounted flights or holidays with British Airways. These cards include:
British Airways American Express Credit Card - Earn 1 point for every £1 spent. Get a bonus of 5,000 points if you spend £2,000 during the first 3 months after meeting qualifying criteria. No annual fee ensures every pound you spend goes towards earning Avios.
British Airways American Express Premium Plus Credit Card - Offers 1.5 Avios for every £1 spent with a bonus of 30,000 Avios if you spend £6,000 in the first 3 months. If you refer a friend, you get an additional 9,000 bonus points. The card charges a £300 annual fee, so it's crucial to strategize your spending to earn enough Avios to make up for it.
American Express Preferred Rewards Credit Card - Offers membership reward points that can be directly converted into Avios on a 1-to-1 basis. Earn one point per £1 spent, with rates jumping to two points (airline purchases) and three points (American Express Travel purchases). A welcome bonus of 20,000 points awaits, along with 5,000 extra points when you spend £3,000 in the first 3 months. According to Amex, this card offers additional benefits worth up to £400 a year, including airport lounge passes and exclusive experiences. However, you'll also have to cough up an annual fee of £195, payable after the first year.
Choosing the right American Express Avios Credit Card depends on your spending habits. If you spend enough to knock out the annual fee, the Premium Plus card becomes a more cost-effective option.
Don't Forget Other American Express Offerings
American Express also offers a few other credit cards tied to specific reward schemes or brands. If you're a regular customer, consider these:
American Express Nectar Credit Card - Earn two Nectar points on spending (rising to three points with Nectar partner firms). Get a bonus of 20,000 further points when you spend £2,000 in the first 3 months, while the annual fee of £30 is waived during the first year.
Marriott Bonvoy American Express Credit Card - Earn two points on each £1 spent, moving to six points when spending on eligible Marriott properties. An annual fee of £95 comes attached, but an introductory bonus of 20,000 points awaits when you spend £3,000 in the first 3 months.
Don't be a common berk—make the most of your American Express Card. Use the right card for the right purchase, transfer points strategically, and leverage additional perks like lounge access, travel insurance, and exclusive events to enhance your experience. If possible, refer friends for bonus points to boost your earnings.
By aligning your spending habits with the rewards offered by each card, you can maximize your financial perks and crank up the rewards to the max!
- When focusing on personal-finance matters, the American Express Cashback Everyday Credit Card could be a great choice, as it provides the best cashback return and doesn't require an annual fee.
- For individuals who frequently travel for business or leisure, the British Airways American Express Premium Plus Credit Card might be advantageous, offering the most Avios points to help secure discounted flights or holidays with British Airways.
