American Express credit cards
4 American Express cards ranked on a family's spending, each with Year 1 against every year after. Annual fees run from $0 to $799.
Advertiser disclosure: we may earn a commission when you apply through some links on this page. It never affects rank: cards are ordered by the value worked out from your spending. How we make money · Methodology
- #1
after fees: After the card's annual or monthly fee, and foreign transaction fees if you set foreign spending. Additional-card fees and memberships some benefits need (such as Amazon Prime) aren't included.Year 1$1,136Year 2+$9363 years $3,058 after fees· pays for itself in month 1
Breakdown, earn rates and why it's ranked here
Year 1$1,136Year 2+$936Welcome or anniversary bonus$200 / $0Rewards on spending$1,056 / $1,056Fees (taken off the end)−$120 / −$120 Pays for itself in month 1 · value so far covers fees so far Year 1Year 2Year 3Earn rate by category
4%GrocGroceries2%DineDining and takeout4%GasGas and EV charging2%AirFlights2%HotelHotels and car rentals2%TransitTransit and rideshare2%StreamStreaming2%DrugDrugstores2%OnlineOnline shopping2%BillsPhone, internet and utilities2%OtherEverything elseWhy it's ranked here
- Ranked #1 of 4. By 3-year value on the family preset's spending. Over 3 years it's worth $3,058 after fees.
- Year 1. $1,136 = welcome bonus $200 + rewards $1,056 − fee $120.
- Each year after. $936 = rewards $1,056 − fee $120.
- Against #2. Beats American Express Gold Rewards Card by $1,273 over 3 years, mostly on rewards on spending (+$1,472).
Verified Oct 16, 2026Every term and assumption - #2
after fees: After the card's annual or monthly fee, and foreign transaction fees if you set foreign spending. Additional-card fees and memberships some benefits need (such as Amazon Prime) aren't included.Year 1$995Year 2+$3953 years $1,786 after fees· pays for itself in month 2
Breakdown, earn rates and why it's ranked here
Year 1$995Year 2+$395Welcome or anniversary bonus$600 / $0Rewards on spending$565 / $565Credits$80 / $80Fees (taken off the end)−$250 / −$250 Pays for itself in month 2 · value so far covers fees so far Year 1Year 2Year 3Earn rate by category
2xGrocGroceries1xDineDining and takeout2xGasGas and EV charging2xAirFlights2xHotelHotels and car rentals1xTransitTransit and rideshare1xStreamStreaming2xDrugDrugstores1xOnlineOnline shopping1xBillsPhone, internet and utilities1xOtherEverything elseWhy it's ranked here
- Ranked #2 of 4. By 3-year value on the family preset's spending. Over 3 years it's worth $1,786 after fees.
- Year 1. $995 = welcome bonus $600 + rewards $565 + credits $80 − fee $250.
- Each year after. $395 = rewards $565 + credits $80 − fee $250.
- Against #1. Trails American Express SimplyCash Preferred by $1,273 over 3 years, mostly on rewards on spending (−$1,472).
- Against #3. Beats American Express Cobalt Card by $238 over 3 years, mostly on welcome bonus (+$450).
Points valued at 1.00¢ each; move the "Value points as" slider above to see what they're worth transferred.
Verified Oct 16, 2026Every term and assumption - #3
after fees: After the card's annual or monthly fee, and foreign transaction fees if you set foreign spending. Additional-card fees and memberships some benefits need (such as Amazon Prime) aren't included.Year 1$616Year 2+$4663 years $1,547 after fees· pays for itself in month 2
Breakdown, earn rates and why it's ranked here
Year 1$616Year 2+$466Welcome or anniversary bonus$150 / $0Rewards on spending$640 / $640Credits$18 / $18Fees (taken off the end)−$192 / −$192 Pays for itself in month 2 · value so far covers fees so far Year 1Year 2Year 3Earn rate by category
1xGrocGroceries5xDineDining and takeout2xGasGas and EV charging1xAirFlights1xHotelHotels and car rentals2xTransitTransit and rideshare3xStreamStreaming1xDrugDrugstores1xOnlineOnline shopping1xBillsPhone, internet and utilities1xOtherEverything elseWhy it's ranked here
- Ranked #3 of 4. By 3-year value on the family preset's spending. Over 3 years it's worth $1,547 after fees.
- Year 1. $616 = welcome bonus $150 + rewards $640 + credits $18 − fee $192.
- Each year after. $466 = rewards $640 + credits $18 − fee $192.
- Against #2. Trails American Express Gold Rewards Card by $238 over 3 years, mostly on welcome bonus (−$450).
- Against #4. Beats American Express Platinum Card by $1,024 over 3 years, mostly on annual fees (+$1,821).
Points valued at 1.00¢ each; move the "Value points as" slider above to see what they're worth transferred.
Verified Oct 16, 2026Every term and assumption - #4
after fees: After the card's annual or monthly fee, and foreign transaction fees if you set foreign spending. Additional-card fees and memberships some benefits need (such as Amazon Prime) aren't included.Year 1$541Year 2+−$1593 years $523 after fees· pays for itself in month 3Mostly first-year value
Breakdown, earn rates and why it's ranked here
Year 1$541Year 2+−$159Welcome or anniversary bonus$700 / $0Rewards on spending$480 / $480Credits$160 / $160Fees (taken off the end)−$799 / −$799 Pays for itself in month 3 · value so far covers fees so far Year 1Year 2Year 3Earn rate by category
1xGrocGroceries2xDineDining and takeout1xGasGas and EV charging2xAirFlights2xHotelHotels and car rentals1xTransitTransit and rideshare1xStreamStreaming1xDrugDrugstores1xOnlineOnline shopping1xBillsPhone, internet and utilities1xOtherEverything elseWhy it's ranked here
- Ranked #4 of 4. By 3-year value on the family preset's spending. Over 3 years it's worth $523 after fees.
- Year 1. $541 = welcome bonus $700 + rewards $480 + credits $160 − fee $799.
- Each year after. −$159 = rewards $480 + credits $160 − fee $799.
- Against #3. Trails American Express Cobalt Card by $1,024 over 3 years, mostly on annual fees (−$1,821).
Points valued at 1.00¢ each; move the "Value points as" slider above to see what they're worth transferred.
Verified Oct 16, 2026Every term and assumption
All values are after each card's annual or monthly fee, and foreign transaction fees when you set foreign spending. Additional-card fees and memberships some benefits need (such as Amazon Prime or Instacart+) aren't included.
Rates, fees and offers are set by the issuer and may change. Check the issuer's terms before you apply. We don't estimate approval odds.
Values for points and miles are estimates based on published redemption valuations; actual value depends on how you redeem.
3-year value on each preset
points at their cash value, after fees. "~" marks estimates.
| Card | Student | Couple | Family | Frequent traveller | Big spender |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express SimplyCash Preferred | $823 | $2,270 | $3,058 | $3,152 | $6,702 |
| American Express Gold Rewards Card | −$26 | $1,357 | $1,786 | $2,095 | $4,036 |
| American Express Cobalt Card | $267 | $1,149 | $1,547 | $2,026 | $4,013 |
| American Express Platinum Card | −$1,198 | −$508 | $523 | $1,056 | $2,777 |
Frequently asked questions
Which American Express card is best?
On a family's spending, American Express SimplyCash Preferred is worth the most over 3 years ($3,058).
What do American Express cards cost?
Annual fees from $120 to $799 across the 4 cards listed here.
What rewards do American Express cards earn?
Cash back, American Express Membership Rewards (Canada). Points are shown in dollars at the program's cash or statement-credit value unless you choose another redemption.
Sources
- Amex Cobalt card page
- Milesopedia points valuations, in effect since September 1, 2026
- Prince of Travel points valuations (cross-check, high end of range)
- CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite card page
- RBC Avion Visa Infinite card page
- PC World Elite Mastercard page
- WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard page (70,000 points = up to $700 off travel)
- National Bank World Elite Mastercard page (redemption examples)
Estimates for information only; not financial advice. See how cards are ranked.