Best American Express Cards (2026)

Every Amex card ranked by bonus value, from no-annual-fee picks to premium travel cards. Plus the lifetime rule and application strategy you need to know.

Best Amex Cards With No Annual Fee

These Amex cards charge no annual fee, making them easy to keep long-term. They still offer competitive bonuses and rewards — especially on groceries.

Delta SkyMiles Gold Card
No annual fee
2x Delta | 2x restaurants
70,000 miles
~$770
Hilton Honors Card
No annual fee
7x Hilton | 5x restaurants
80,000 points
~$400
Blue Cash Preferred Card
No annual fee
6% groceries (up to $6k/yr) | 6% streaming
$350
~$350
Blue Cash Everyday Card
No annual fee
3% groceries (up to $6k/yr) | 3% gas
$200
~$200

Premium Amex Cards

Higher annual fees but significantly better rewards, travel perks, and welcome bonuses. The Platinum and Gold are two of the most popular premium cards in the US.

Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card
$350/year
Companion certificate annually | First checked bag free
100,000 miles
~$1,100
The Platinum Card from American Express
$695/year
$200 airline fee credit | $200 hotel credit
80,000 points
~$960
Hilton Honors Aspire Card
$550/year
Hilton Diamond status | Free night reward annually
175,000 points
~$875
American Express Gold Card
$250/year
$120 annual dining credit | $120 annual Uber Cash
60,000 points
~$720
Hilton Honors Surpass Card
$150/year
Hilton Gold status | Free night reward
130,000 points
~$650

Amex Business Cards

Amex business cards have separate lifetime bonuses from personal cards, so you can earn bonuses on both. Business cards also don't report to personal credit bureaus, keeping your utilization clean.

American Express Business Gold
$375/year
200,000 points
~$2,400
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
$895/year
200,000 points
~$2,400

The Amex Lifetime Rule

Unlike Chase or Citi, American Express enforces a once-per-lifetime rule on welcome bonuses. If you've ever received a bonus on a specific card, you won't be eligible again — even decades later.

This means your Amex strategy should follow these principles:

1.Only apply when the bonus is at a historical high — you only get one shot
2.Personal and business versions are separate — earn bonuses on both
3.Watch for targeted offers (via email or Amex login) that may be higher than public offers
4.Amex is generally less inquiry-sensitive than Chase — apply after exhausting Chase options

Amex Application Strategy

American Express is more approving than most issuers. There's no hard limit like Chase 5/24, but keep these rules in mind:

Amex-Friendly

  • No 5/24-style restriction
  • Multiple cards in a day possible
  • Soft pull for existing customers
  • Business cards easy to get approved

Watch Out For

  • Once-per-lifetime bonus rule
  • Max 4-5 credit cards at once
  • No limit on charge cards
  • Pop-up: "not eligible for bonus" warning

Related Guides

Application Rules by Bank →Best Cards to Churn →When to Cancel or Downgrade →All Amex Cards on ChurnCards →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Amex card with no annual fee?

The Blue Cash Preferred Card is the best no-annual-fee Amex, offering 6% back at U.S. supermarkets and a $350 cash bonus. The Blue Cash Everyday is a solid runner-up with $200 back and no fee. For travel, the Hilton Honors Card earns 80,000 points with no annual fee.

What is the Amex lifetime rule?

American Express has a "once per lifetime" rule on welcome bonuses. If you have ever received a bonus on a specific card, you cannot get it again — even if you close and reopen the card years later. This makes it important to time your Amex applications carefully and get each card only when the bonus is at a high point.

Is the Amex Platinum worth the $695 annual fee?

The Amex Platinum offers over $1,400 in credits (airline, hotel, Uber, Saks, and more) plus Centurion Lounge access. If you can use even half the credits, it pays for itself. However, many credits have restrictions, so evaluate which ones you would naturally use before applying.

Can you churn Amex cards?

Amex churning is limited by the lifetime rule — you can only earn each welcome bonus once. The strategy is to collect different Amex cards over time rather than repeat the same ones. Business cards are separate from personal, so you can earn bonuses on both the personal and business versions.