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 $895.
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- #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$1,096Year 2+$7513 years $2,598 after fees· pays for itself in month 1
Breakdown, earn rates and why it's ranked here
Year 1$1,096Year 2+$751Welcome or anniversary bonus$250 / $0Rewards on spending$798 / $798Credits$48 / $48Fees (taken off the end)-$0 / −$95 Pays for itself in month 1 · value so far covers fees so far Year 1Year 2Year 3Earn rate by category
6%GrocGroceries1%DineDining and takeout3%GasGas and EV charging1%AirFlights1%HotelHotels and car rentals3%TransitTransit and rideshare6%StreamStreaming1%DrugDrugstores1%OnlineOnline shopping1%BillsPhone, internet and utilities1%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 $2,598 after fees.
- Year 1. $1,096 = welcome bonus $250 + rewards $798 + credits $48.
- Each year after. $751 = rewards $798 + credits $48 − fee $95.
- Against #2. Beats American Express Blue Cash Everyday by $385 over 3 years, mostly on rewards on spending (+$432).
Not counted: Some visitors are offered $300; the lowest offer seen is counted (up to $50 more).
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$838Year 2+$6883 years $2,213 after fees· no fee to cover
Breakdown, earn rates and why it's ranked here
Year 1$838Year 2+$688Welcome or anniversary bonus$150 / $0Rewards on spending$654 / $654Credits$34 / $34Fees (taken off the end)-$0 / -$0 No annual fee Year 1Year 2Year 3Earn rate by category
3%GrocGroceries1%DineDining and takeout3%GasGas and EV charging1%AirFlights1%HotelHotels and car rentals1%TransitTransit and rideshare1%StreamStreaming1%DrugDrugstores3%OnlineOnline shopping1%BillsPhone, internet and utilities1%OtherEverything 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 $2,213 after fees.
- Year 1. $838 = welcome bonus $150 + rewards $654 + credits $34.
- Each year after. $688 = rewards $654 + credits $34.
- Against #1. Trails American Express Blue Cash Preferred by $385 over 3 years, mostly on rewards on spending (−$432).
- Against #3. Beats American Express Platinum Card by $744 over 3 years, mostly on credits (−$3,200).
Not counted: Some visitors are offered $200; the lowest offer seen is counted (up to $50 more).
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$490Year 2+$4903 years $1,469 after fees· pays for itself in month 8Bonus not counted
Breakdown, earn rates and why it's ranked here
Year 1$490Year 2+$490Rewards on spending$284 / $284Credits$1,100 / $1,100Fees (taken off the end)−$895 / −$895 Pays for itself in month 8 · value so far covers fees so far Year 1Year 2Year 3Earn rate by category
1xGrocGroceries1xDineDining and takeout1xGasGas and EV charging5xAirFlights1xHotelHotels and car rentals1xTransitTransit and rideshare1xStreamStreaming1xDrugDrugstores1xOnlineOnline 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 $1,469 after fees.
- Year 1. $490 = rewards $284 + credits $1,100 − fee $895.
- Each year after. $490 = rewards $284 + credits $1,100 − fee $895.
- Against #2. Trails American Express Blue Cash Everyday by $744 over 3 years, mostly on credits (+$3,200).
- Against #4. Beats American Express Gold Card by $220 over 3 years, mostly on credits (+$2,643).
- Not counted. Welcome offer not counted: American Express shows the welcome offer only after you apply.
Points valued at 0.60¢ 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$416Year 2+$4163 years $1,249 after fees· pays for itself in month 6Bonus not counted
Breakdown, earn rates and why it's ranked here
Year 1$416Year 2+$416Rewards on spending$522 / $522Credits$219 / $219Fees (taken off the end)−$325 / −$325 Pays for itself in month 6 · value so far covers fees so far Year 1Year 2Year 3Earn rate by category
4xGrocGroceries4xDineDining and takeout1xGasGas and EV charging3xAirFlights1xHotelHotels 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 $1,249 after fees.
- Year 1. $416 = rewards $522 + credits $219 − fee $325.
- Each year after. $416 = rewards $522 + credits $219 − fee $325.
- Against #3. Trails American Express Platinum Card by $220 over 3 years, mostly on credits (−$2,643).
- Not counted. Welcome offer not counted: American Express shows the welcome offer only after you apply.
Points valued at 0.60¢ 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 Blue Cash Preferred | $1,154 | $2,229 | $2,598 | $2,789 | $4,438 |
| American Express Blue Cash Everyday | $901 | $1,819 | $2,213 | $2,332 | $4,052 |
| American Express Platinum Card | $854 | $1,254 | $1,469 | $1,972 | $3,026 |
| American Express Gold Card | $168 | $893 | $1,249 | $1,493 | $3,108 |
Frequently asked questions
Which American Express card is best?
On a family's spending, American Express Blue Cash Preferred is worth the most over 3 years ($2,598).
What do American Express cards cost?
Annual fees from $0 to $895 across the 4 cards listed here.
What rewards do American Express cards earn?
Cash back, American Express Membership Rewards (US). Points are shown in dollars at the program's cash or statement-credit value unless you choose another redemption.
Sources
Estimates for information only; not financial advice. See how cards are ranked.