Compare Amex Cards to Find the Card that Suits Your Needs

There are several factors to consider when comparing credit cards. The most important two – at least to start – are your own spending habits and why you want to have a credit card in the first place. Think about it: A travel card with luxurious perks, robust rewards, and an annual fee might be tempting. But if you analyze your lifestyle and financial habits and find you spend much more on everyday expenses like groceries and gas, you might be better off with a cash back or Membership Rewards^® points Card that aligns with these types of purchases.

Getting to the bottom of why you want a credit card will be the basis for determining which cards to compare, and, ultimately, which one to apply for. Here are three starting questions to consider:

1. Is this your first credit card? If so, you might want to consider a rewards Card with no annual fee. Generally speaking, no annual fee cards can be a good tool to earn rewards while getting a good sense of how credit cards work. Of course, no annual fee cards can also be a cost-effective option even for those with decades of credit card experience – as long as balances are paid off on time and in full.
2. Are you an avid traveler? Whether you travel often or take one or two trips a year, you might want to compare cards that offer hotel, airline, or general travel rewards. Amex travel rewards Cards each offer a different array of benefits to suit different lifestyles and spending preferences.
   
   If you’re loyal to a particular airline, such as Delta, or a hotel, such as Marriott or Hilton, it might be wise to compare Cards that will help you get the most out of every flight or stay with the airline or hotel you frequently use.
3. Do you want to earn cash back or Membership Rewards points? American Express cash back Cards allow you to earn cash back on eligible purchases. Each Card offers different cash back percentages for different types of purchases, such as groceries or streaming subscriptions. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
   
   Membership Rewards points, on the other hand, accrue as points in your Rewards Account. You can earn points by making eligible purchases, and different Cards have different points earning rates. Membership Rewards points can be redeemed toward travel or gift cards, used to cover statement charges, transferred to travel partners, and more.

The American Express compare page allows you to compare up to any three American Express Cards side by side. Simply click the “Compare” button in the lower right corner of each Card’s overview panel to get started. For example, you could compare three cash back Cards, three travel rewards Cards, or three no annual fee Cards. Or, you could compare a Membership Rewards-eligible Card, an airline rewards Card, and a cash back Card. You’ll probably notice that some Cards fall under more than one category. For example, some travel rewards Cards might also be no annual fee Cards.

When comparing Cards, you’ll get an at-a-glance picture of the following factors:

• Annual Fee: The yearly cost you pay to be a Card Member. Annual fees range from $0 to $695, depending on the Card.
• New Card Member Offer: Welcome offers can provide eligible Card Members with a cash back or Membership Rewards points bonus, as long as the spending threshold that triggers the reward offer is met within the specified timeframe. Welcome offer rewards, spending thresholds and time frames all vary according to Card, so check the Card’s welcome offer terms and conditions before applying.
• APR: The Card’s interest rate. Card APRs vary with market conditions, based on the U.S. Prime Rate. Each Card Member’s APR is determined by their creditworthiness and other factors considered at the time of account opening.
• Rewards You Earn: Earn either cash back, Membership Rewards points, miles, Hilton Honors Bonus Points, or Marriott Bonvoy Points, depending on the Card.
• How to Earn: A breakdown of how to earn rewards with the Card and which spending categories offer bonus points or higher cash back percentages.
• Benefits at-a-glance: An overview of Card benefits. Each Card offers different benefits that align to different lifestyle and spending preferences.

The Cards you choose to compare are up to you, and the possibilities are all but endless (in fact, of the 16 personal Cards readily available on the American Express website, there are 560 possible three-Card combinations).