Best Amex Cards USA for Travel, Cashback & Rewards
When it comes to choosing the best Amex cards in the USA, many people wonder which one truly fits their lifestyle—whether for travel perks, cashback offers, or reward points. American Express (Amex) is one of the most trusted credit card issuers in the world, known for premium benefits, excellent customer service, and a wide range of credit card options tailored to travelers, everyday shoppers, and luxury spenders.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top American Express cards for different needs in 2025, including travel, cashback, dining, shopping, and overall rewards.
Why Choose American Express in 2025?
American Express remains a top choice in the USA due to its premium rewards programs, exclusive partnerships, and best-in-class customer service. With cards designed for frequent travelers, families, and business owners, Amex continues to innovate while offering unmatched perks.
Key reasons why Americans prefer Amex in 2025:
Competitive rewards for travel and dining
Cashback cards that save big on groceries, gas, and streaming
Premium lounge access at airports
Strong purchase protection and extended warranties
Exclusive Amex Offers with partner brands
Top Features of Amex Cards
Membership Rewards Program
One of the main reasons people love Amex is its Membership Rewards® Program. These points can be redeemed for flights, hotels, gift cards, or even shopping at Amazon.
Premium Travel Perks
Many Amex travel cards provide airport lounge access, hotel upgrades, and airline credits. The Platinum Card, for example, is highly popular among frequent flyers.
Security & Global Acceptance
American Express is widely accepted in the USA and internationally. With fraud protection, alerts, and 24/7 customer service, it’s one of the safest cards to carry.
Best Amex Cards for Travel
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Annual Fee: $695
Best For: Frequent travelers, luxury perks
Benefits:
Access to Centurion Lounges & Priority Pass
$200 airline fee credit annually
5x points on flights booked through Amex Travel
Complimentary hotel elite status
This card is the ultimate choice for luxury travel, offering unmatched benefits for those who fly often.
American Express® Gold Card
Annual Fee: $250
Best For: Dining & everyday travel
Benefits:
4x points at restaurants worldwide
4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/year)
$120 dining credit annually
3x points on flights booked directly or via Amex Travel
The Amex Gold is perfect for food lovers and frequent domestic travelers.
Amex Green Card
Annual Fee: $150
Best For: Travel beginners
Benefits:
3x points on travel including transit
3x points on dining
No foreign transaction fees
A great starter travel card with solid perks at a reasonable annual fee.
Best Amex Cards for Cashback
Blue Cash Preferred® Card
Annual Fee: $95
Best For: Families & everyday spending
Benefits:
6% cashback at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year)
6% cashback on streaming services
3% cashback on transit & gas stations
This is one of the best cashback cards in the USA, especially for households.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card
Annual Fee: $0
Best For: Beginners who want cashback without fees
Benefits:
3% cashback at U.S. supermarkets, gas stations & online retail (up to $6,000/year)
1% cashback on everything else
Perfect for someone new to credit cards who wants simple cashback rewards.
Best Amex Cards for Rewards Points
Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card
Annual Fee: $95
Best For: Everyday shoppers
Benefits:
3x points at U.S. supermarkets
2x points at U.S. gas stations
50% more points when you use the card 30+ times/month
Amex EveryDay® Credit Card
Annual Fee: $0
Best For: No-fee rewards
Benefits:
2x points at U.S. supermarkets
20% bonus points for 20+ purchases/month
Great for those who want to earn Amex Membership Rewards® points without paying a fee.
Comparing Amex Travel vs Cashback vs Rewards Cards
| Card Type | Best Option | Key Benefit | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel | Platinum Card | Luxury perks & flights | $695 |
| Cashback | Blue Cash Preferred | High cashback on groceries & streaming | $95 |
| Rewards | Amex Gold | Dining & supermarkets | $250 |
Who Should Get an Amex Card?
Travelers: Platinum or Gold
Families: Blue Cash Preferred
Students/Starters: Blue Cash Everyday or Amex EveryDay
Luxury Spenders: Platinum
Amex has something for every type of spender.
Visit the official Amex website.
Compare different card options.
Check eligibility requirements.
Fill out the online application.
Wait for approval (usually instant).
How to Apply for an Amex Card in the USA
FAQs
Q1: What is the best Amex card for travel?
The Platinum Card® is the best for frequent travelers due to lounge access and premium perks.
Q2: Which Amex card gives the most cashback?
The Blue Cash Preferred® offers up to 6% cashback on groceries and streaming.
Q3: Can I get an Amex card with no annual fee?
Yes, the Blue Cash Everyday® and Amex EveryDay® Credit Card have no annual fee.
Q4: Do Amex cards work internationally?
Yes, most Amex cards are accepted worldwide with no foreign transaction fees on travel-focused cards.
Q5: How many Amex cards can I have?
Amex typically allows up to five credit cards per person, but this varies by approval.
Q6: What credit score is needed for an Amex card?
Most Amex cards require good to excellent credit (typically 670+ FICO score).
