American Express Credit Cards

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The Platinum Card® from American Express is a charge card designed for those who have an excellent credit history, can pay in full each month, and want to avoid accumulating credit card debt. This platinum card is by far one of the most glamorous of all platinum cards - offering numerous benefits and services to cardholders. In addition to the services provided by the gold card, the platinum card offers a concierge service, exclusive shopping discounts, up to $500,000 in travel accident insurance, and various travel related discounts, benefits, and services for cardholders (too many to list here). Read the ‘Additional Perks’ section (see below) as some of the benefits are quite impressive and unique. Access to the Membership Rewards® program is free and offers cardholders the opportunity to redeem accumulated points for various services and benefits. For those who are not familiar with the Membership Rewards® program, it is by far one of the best and most flexible reward programs available, with no expiration or yearly limit applied towards points earned. Plus, cardholders get 25,000 bonus points when they spend $1,000 in their first three months of membership - that's the equivalent of one domestic airline ticket. Of course, all these services and benefits come with a hefty price - a $450 annual fee, which is one of the highest annual fees in the credit card industry. Due to its high annual fee, this card should be exclusively used by those who spend at least $3,500 - $4,500 or more on their credit cards each month, frequently travel, and plan to take advantage of the many exclusive benefits offered. Therefore, those who will take advantage of the many services and discounts and plan to spend several thousand dollars a month will benefit most from the Platinum Card® from American Express.

The Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express, is by far the best of all Delta SkyMiles® Cards and is designed for those who have a very good credit history. Cardholders receive one mile for every dollar spent on general purchases and two miles for every dollar spent at participating retailers and merchants (including Delta Air Lines related purchases). Twenty thousand bonus miles are awarded to new applicants with their first purchase, 5,000 of which are Base Miles to be applied towards the Medallion Status program for upgrade opportunities, mileage bonuses, and more. Miles do not have an expiration date (if travel is made through Delta Air Lines at least once every two years) and there is no yearly limit, unlike the gold and standard cards that do have yearly limits (based on annual spending). This card has an annual fee of $150 per year and the the APR for purchases and balance transfers is above average for a rewards card. As far as additional benefits go, Cardholders can expect many of the common benefits and services provided by American Express®, such as auto rental insurance, travel accident insurance, year-end financial statements, and various purchase protection related services. Therefore, those who plan to spend at least $3,000 or more a month due the card's high annual fee, frequently fly on Delta Air Lines, and will use the card at participating retailers and merchants (to accumulate additional miles) will benefit most from what the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express has to offer.

The Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express is designed for those with good credit who frequently stay at Starwood hotels and resorts and plan to take advantage of the various benefits and services that are provided. In the reward program, one point is earned for every dollar spent on the card and double points are earned at participating Starwood properties and retail outlets. Cardholders also earn one additional point per $1 spent on qualified purchases through their membership in the Starwood Preferred Guest® loyalty program. Points can be redeemed for various travel services, such as free hotel stays and airline travel. Cardholders also earn 10,000 bonus points after their first purchase, which is enough for up to three free nights and 15,000 Bonus Starpoints® after spending $15,000 in 6 months. Points do not expire as long as the account is active within a one-year period. Perhaps what is most impressive about the program is the fact that cardholders can transfer earned points to a variety of frequent flyer programs. Aside from the reward program, the card does offer a variety of benefits such as travel accident insurance, auto rental insurance, discounts via the Offer Zone, and various fraud protection services (see website for all benefits available). The interest rate for purchases is above average (for a reward card), and there is an annual fee of $45 that is waived the first year. There is also a low introductory rate for purchases and balance transfers for the first six months. Therefore, those who can afford to pay in full each month after the introductory rate expires (to avoid finance charges), frequently stay at Starwood hotels and resorts (to earn additional points), and can accumulate enough points for a free hotel stay or other travel-related service within a two-year period will benefit most from what the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express has to offer.

The American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Card is an ideal card for those who can afford to pay in full each month to avoid accumulating credit card debt, as often can be the case with revolving balances and high interest rates. Cardholders have access to the Membership Rewards program for no additional fee. Through the rewards program, cardholders earn one point per dollar spent on all purchases. Plus, cardholders will receive 10,000 bonus points after spending $500 in three months, which is redeemable for a $100 gift card at participating merchants and retailers. Points can be redeemed for travel rewards on over 21 airlines and for many other rewards. There is no limit to the amount of points that can be earned, and points never expire. The annual fee of $125 is waived the first year. Additional services and benefits include travel accident insurance, auto rental insurance, purchase protection services, various merchant discounts, and more. Cardholders will also have access to Gold Card Events, which gives them exclusive access to tickets for select concerts, shows, sporting events, and more. Therefore, those who can afford to pay in full each month, would like to participate in the rewards program, and plan to take advantage of the many benefits and services provided by American Express® will benefit most from what the American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Card has to offer.

The TrueEarnings® Card from Costco and American Express is designed for Costco members who have average credit and plan to take advantage of the cash back reward program. The cash rebate amount varies according to where the cardholder makes the purchase; 1% is earned on general purchases, 2% is earned for travel-related purchases, and 3% is earned for restaurant and on gasoline purchases up to $3000 (1% thereafter). There is no limit to the amount of cash rebates that can be earned. In addition to the cash rebates, the card does provide several benefits and services that are commonly found with American Express® credit cards, such as purchase protection, auto rental insurance, and travel accident insurance. There is also no annual fee for this card with a paid Costco membership. Therefore, those who plan to spend at least $5,000 a year on the card and plan to pay in full each month after the introductory rate expires (to avoid finance charges) will benefit most from what the TrueEarnings® Card from Costco and American Express has to offer.

The Delta Reserve Credit Card, issued by American Express®, is fit for Delta frequent flyers with good credit who want to earn miles with little effort. Although the rewards program offers the standard one mile for every dollar spent on purchases, cardholders will be happy to know that they can earn two miles for every eligible dollar spent buying groceries, at drugstores, home improvement and hardware stores, gas stations, and for certain U.S. postal services. Cardholders can pay for all or part of their flight with miles earned through the Pay with Miles option. For cardholders who are interested in earning miles more speedily, they will rack up to 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after making their first purchase with the card. Cardholders will also earn up to 30,000 MQMs with Built-in Miles Boost(SM) for spending $30,000 in one year. If they spend $60,000 in a year, that will add an additional 15,000 MQMs and bonus miles toward their reward account. MQMs can either be used towards upgrading to Medallion® status or passed on to friends and family members who have Delta SkyMiles® accounts of their own. Every year, cardholders will also be awarded a free companion certificate for domestic travel in either coach or first-class. In addition to the bonus miles that can be earned, cardholders will have access to a wealth of American Express® benefits. Some of the conveniences offered include concierge services, car rental insurance, travel accident insurance, roadside assistance, and emergency services if a card is ever lost, Global Assist® access, and a year-end summary of all account activity. There are also a few protection services available to cardholders which includes extended warranties, purchase return and protection, and a fraud protection guarantee. This card offers a reduced annual fee of $395 for eligible existing American Express cardmembers. Otherwise the basic annual fee is $450. Additional cards are available at the annual rate of $175 per card. Bottom line, the Delta Reserve Credit Card is perfect for people who can spend enough to maximize the benefits of carrying the card. An ideal card carrier should not have a problem with the above average rates.