Credit Card Benefits & Features

The American Express Essential™ Credit Card offers the flexibility you need. 

How the Essential Card can help you save on interest payments.

 

Life moves fast, don't let interest slow you down. With a low annual interest rate of 12.99% and a $25 annual fee,1 the American Express EssentialTM Credit Card offers an easy way to save on interest payments if you choose to carry a balance and make your minimum monthly payments on time.2 It gives you the flexibility to carry a balance for big and small purchases. 

American Express EssentialTM Credit Card

two men guiding the child to do carpentry

Payment Flexibility with Plan It®

Enjoy added flexibility and control over your purchases when you use Plan It, the American Express® Installment Program. A feature built into your card, Plan It allows you to split purchases into equal monthly installments for a fixed fee and no additional interest3.

Take Comfort in knowing you can be protected.

You've got a Card that can help protect you and your purchases. 

a couple packing their bag

$100,000 Travel Accident Insurance4†

You can be covered up to $100,000 of Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance when you fully charge your common carrier (plane, train, ship or bus) tickets to your American Express Essential™ Credit Card.

 

couple browsing in a tablet

Buyer's Assurance® Protection Plan5†

You can be insured for eligible items charged to your American Express Essential™ Credit Card for 90 days from the date of purchase in the event of accidental physical damage or theft for up to $1,000 per occurence (for all purchased items combined). 

couple cooking in a kitchen

Purchase Protection® Plan6†

Your coverage can automatically extend manufacturer's original warranty upto one additional year when you fully charge eligible items to your American Express Essential™ Credit Card. 

 

 

Great entertainment at your fingertips.

Being a Cardmember means getting advance access to tickets and events, often before the general public.

American Express Experiences®

With American Express® Experiences** get access to entertainment, dining, wellness and retail events across Canada including access to virtual events to enjoy from home and advance access to tickets through Front Of The Line®**.

Front Of The Line®** Advanced Access

Cardmembers can purchase Front Of The Line presale tickets or make Front Of The Line reservations to some of the most in-demand virtual concerts, online theatre productions, restaurants and special events, often before the general public.

Front Of The Line®** Reserved Tickets

During the public on-sale period for many major events, Cardmembers can purchase Front Of The Line® tickets from a block of great seats reserved for American Express.

Front Of The Line® E-Updates

Subscribe to receive Front Of The Line® Entertainment e-Updates to get some of the hottest event listings sent directly to your inbox.

Special Offers & Experiences for all Cardmembers

Throughout the year, Cardmembers can purchase a variety of special offers created just for American Express. From livestream sporting events, to special online and in-store shopping deals, it’s never been easier to have an experience you’ll never forget.

Customer service you can count on.

Don’t hesitate to contact us for any of your support needs. We’re here to help 24/7. 

Emergency Card Replacement

 

If your Card or any Additional Cards are lost or stolen, no worries. Simply call us at 1-800-869-3016 and we’ll arrange to get you a replacement Card. If you are travelling, we’ll work with your itinerary to get a Card to you as soon as possible. 

24/7 Customer Service

 

If you have a question about your American Express Essential™ Credit Card, you can rely on us 24/7 to assist you. Simply call the number on the back of your Card to speak to one of our Customer Care Professionals. That’s one way we deliver Relationship Care for Cardmembers like you. 

Fraud Protection Guarantee

 

Use the American Express Essential™ Credit Card online or offline, and you won’t be held responsible for any fraudulent charges, as long as you’ve taken reasonable care to protect your account details, PIN and any device on which you have added your account information. Notify us at once if your Card or eligible device is lost or stolen or you suspect it is being used without your permission.

We’re here for you 24/7

American Express Customer Service

Account inquires, Lost or Stolen Credit Cards or General Information

In North America
 1-800-869-3016
International
(please call collect)
(905) 474-0870


We’re here to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Visit us at www.americanexpress.ca for more information. 

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Account inquires, Lost or Stolen Credit Cards or General Information

Travel Accident Insurance3† 
 1-877-777-1544


Buyer’s Assurance® Protection Plan4†
Purchase Protection® Plan5†

In Canada/U.S. 
1-800-243-0198
Outside Canada/U.S.
(please call collect)
(905) 475-4822

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Upcoming Changes

to your Card

Questions? We’ve got answers!

**Purchase must be charged in full to an American Express Card. Subject to availability and to event and ticketing terms, restrictions, verification procedures and fees. Tickets and packages may not be transferable and should not be resold. No refunds and no exchanges subject to merchant’s obligations under applicable law.


1. The preferred rate for purchases and funds advances is 12.99%. If you have Missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99% and/or 28.99%. See the Information Box and Disclosure Statement you received with your Card for the definition of Missed Payment and which rates apply to charges on your account and other details. Annual fee of $25 applies.

2. Accurate as of May 2023. This is not a promotional rate and does not have a predetermined expiry date. This does not guarantee that the rate will not increase in the future. American Express reserves the right to periodically increase interest rates in accordance with the Cardmember Agreement and applicable law.

3. When you create an installment plan, you will be charged a monthly installment fee. The monthly installment fee percentage will be disclosed to you during plan creation. This is not a promotional or special rate offer. The fee charged is comparable to the interest you would have paid if you carried this balance on your account, without being in an installment plan. In order to create a new installment plan, your account must be in good standing and you must have a minimum $100 purchase or statement balance on your eligible card. Please see the Plan It (American Express Installment Program) section in your Cardmember Agreement or the Program Terms and Conditions for more details. Plan It is currently not available in Quebec, Nova Scotia, PEI or Nunavut.

4. Underwritten by Chubb Life Insurance Company of Canada (“Chubb Life”).Use your Card to book tickets for your spouse, dependent children (under 23) or any Supplementary Cardmember and they can also be covered. Spouse and dependent children (under 23) of Supplementary Cardmembers can also be covered. You may contact the insurer at 1-877-777-1544 in Canada or visit www.chubb.com/ca.

5. Underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada. Applies to eligible items fully charged to your Card worldwide, provided the manufacturer’s warranty is valid in Canada and the U.S. and does not exceed five years. You may contact the insurer at 1-888-877-1710 in Canada and the U.S. or visit www.rsagroup.ca.

6. Underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada. You may contact the insurer at 1-888-877-1710 in Canada and the U.S. or visit www.rsagroup.ca.

† All Insurance coverage is subject to the terms and conditions of their respective master policies. Certain limitations, exclusions and restrictions apply. Please read your Certificates of Insurance carefully.

TM, TM*, ®: Used by Amex Bank of Canada under license from American Express.