Credit Know How by American Express
There are lots of different types of Cards. This section will explain how to choose and how Credit Cards and Charge Cards work.
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UNDERSTANDING CREDIT CARDS
What is a Credit Card?
A Credit Card gives you the flexibility to pay for purchases in full or over several months.
What is a Charge Card?
Charge Cards are another type of payment method. If you have a Charge Card you are required to pay off your balance in full every month.
How to Apply for a Card
Apply for an American Express Credit Card online. You’ll get a response within 60 seconds.
Credit Card Eligibility Checker
Use our eligibility checker to find out your likelihood of being approved for one of our Cards, without any damage to your credit score.
What is a Supplementary Card?
A supplementary card allows the Basic Cardmember to add another person to their Account.
Different Card Types
From Travel Rewards Cards to Cashback Cards, there is something for everyone. Discover which Card Type best suits your needs.
CREDIT CARDS BENEFITS
Credit Card Benefits
There are multiple adventages of having a credit card, from purchase protection to rewards and travel benefits.
Using your Card Abroad
American Express® Cards are accepted around the world, so you can have peace of mind when using your Card to make purchases overseas.
Where to use your Amex Card
Discover the places that accept American Express across the UK.
FEES, CHARGES & REPAYMENT
Credit Cards Fees and Charges
Some American Express® Credit Cards charge an annual fee. The amount will vary depending on the Card you apply for.
Understanding Card Interest Rates
It is important to remember that if you have a Credit Card and you don't pay off your balance in full by the due date shown on your statement, you will be charged interests.
Repayment of a Credit Card
At the end of your statement period, you can decide how much of your balance you want to pay off but you will need to pay the minimum repayment amount.
CREDIT 101
What is a Cashback?
Discover what cashback is and how cashback works in this comprehensive article.
Credit Score
How is your Credit Score Calculated? Discover answer to this and other frequently asked questions on Credit Score.
Understanding Credit Limit
Find out more about what credit card limit means, how it is determined and whether it is possible to increase it.
CHARGE CARD VS CREDIT CARD: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
A Charge Card is similar to a Credit Card in that they’re both convenient ways to pay for goods and services, with repayment delayed until the end of that particular statement period. The main difference is a Charge Card requires you to pay off your balance in full each month, which means you cannot roll over your balance into the next month. With a Credit Card you have the freedom to pay off your balance all at once or over several months.
USEFUL TERMS
The period in which the transactions reported on your statement relate to. Generally, your statement period will be every 30 days, the actual dates can vary slightly from month to month.
The period in which the transactions reported on your statement relate to. Generally, your statement period will be every 30 days, the actual dates can vary slightly from month to month.
The period in which the transactions reported on your statement relate to. Generally, your statement period will be every 30 days, the actual dates can vary slightly from month to month.
When your statement arrives, you will have a choice of repayment options. You can pay off the entire Credit Card bill on, or before, the statement due date and you won’t incur any interest (not including interest on cash withdrawals). Alternately, you can choose to pay off your balance over several months, in which case you will be charged interest on your outstanding balance.
The amount you owe at the end of a particular statement period.
DISCOVER ALL CARD TYPES
Frequent Flyer Cards
Enjoy points for flights.
Choose between a variety of Cards that offer you Avios points or Membership Rewards® points for purchases made on your Card.
SOME OF OUR FREQUENT FLYER CARDS
Premium Cards
Receive a variety of premium benefits such as airport lounge access or 2-4-1 travel vouchers on top of earning points for your everyday spend.
SOME OF OUR PREMIUM CARDS
Travel Rewards Cards
Enjoy all the benefits, convenience and security of an American Express Card when travelling, with the added bonus of earning points when you make purchases at home and abroad.
SOME OF OUR TRAVEL REWARDS CARDS
Cashback Cards
Earn cashback everyday.
American Express® Cashback Credit Cards give you all the benefits and convenience of an American Express® Credit Card, whist earning you cashback on your purchases.
SOME OF OUR CASHBACK CARDS
Rewards Cards
Get the most out of life.
Enjoy all the benefits, convenience and security of an American Express Card – with the added bonus of accumulating Rewards points which offer you the flexibility to redeem for flights, hotels, gift cards and more.
SOME OF OUR REWARDS CARDS
No Annual Fee Cards
Get the most out of your Card with no annual fee.
Enjoy all the benefits, convenience and security of an American Express Card - with the added bonus of accumulating rewards.
SOME OF OUR NO ANNUAL FEE CARDS
Shop with confidence
At American Express, we take your security seriously. That’s why we have measures in place to ensure you can shop with confidence.
Protection against fraud
Get more peace of mind through our Intelligent Security Systems, Secure Payment Process, and Fraud Protection Guarantee2.
Protection on purchases
Damaged a purchase or having trouble getting a refund? With eligible Cards, you can rely on us to put things right with 90 days’ Purchase and Refund Protection3.
Protection against phishing
We’re continually updating our online security features, but there are also some simple steps you can take to protect yourself.
ALL CREDIT CARD ARTICLES
What is a Credit Card?
Credit Card gives you the flexibility to pay for purchases in full or over several months.
What is a Charge Card?
Charge Cards are another type of payment method. If you have a Charge Card you are required to pay off your balance in full every month. You do not have the option to carry over a balance.
How to Apply for a Card?
Apply for an American Express® Credit Card online. You’ll get a response within 60 seconds.
Credit and Charge Card Eligibility Checker
Use our eligibility checker to find out your likelihood of being approved for one of our Cards, without any damage to your credit score.
What is a Supplementary Card?
A supplementary card allows the Basic Cardmember to add another person to their Account, sharing the benefits of American Express® Card membership with a family member or friend.
Different Card Types
From Travel Rewards Cards to Cashback Cards, there is something for everyone. Discover which Card Type best suits your needs.
Credit Card Fees and Charges
Some American Express® Credit Cards charge an annual fee. The amount will vary depending on the Card you apply for.
Understanding Card Interest Rate
It is important to remember that if you have a Credit Card and you don't pay off your balance in full by the due date shown on your statement, you will be charged interest.
Repayment of a Credit Card
At the end of your statement period, you can decide how much of your balance you want to pay off but you will need to pay the minimum repayment amount.
Credit Card Benefits
There are multiple advantages of having a credit card, from purchase protection to rewards and travel benefits.
Using your Card Abroad
American Express® Cards are accepted around the world, so you can have peace of mind when using your Card to make purchases overseas.
Where to use your Amex® Card
Discover the places that accept American Express across the UK.
What is Cashback?
Discover what cashback is and how cashback works in this comprehensive article.
Credit Score
How is your Credit Score Calculated? Discover answer to this and other frequently asked questions on Credit Score.
Understanding Credit Limit
Find out more about what credit card limit means, how it is determined and whether it is possible to increase it.
Please remember to spend responsibly and only buy what you can afford to repay. If you have an American Express Credit Card, you won’t pay any interest on purchases if you pay off your balance in full every month by the payment due date. If you are just making your minimum payment on a Credit Card, it will take you longer to clear your balance. If you have an American Express Charge Card, please refer to your current Cardmember agreement for payment details. You can find information about managing your Account in our online Help Centre.
Find the Amex® Card that fits your lifestyle and see what other benefits await year-round.