American Express cards provide a range of credit card benefits. Some cater to specific spending categories such as groceries, streaming and transport.
Others focus on travel, such as earning points or perks through airline or hotel loyalty programs, while still others provide shopping benefits, like offering free shipping and returns at certain retail partners.
1. Dining credits
American Express credit cards have long been sought-after by high-net-worth individuals for their benefits and rewards, yet many do not take full advantage of what these cards can provide.
One of the main perks offered by American Express cards is up to $120 annually in dining credits and Uber rides; enrolling is simple and can help maximize value from your American Express card.
American Express cards allow cardholders to enroll in dining credits by visiting your online account and selecting “Benefits” at the top of the page, then scrolling down until you reach a list of benefits, then clicking “Enroll.” For instance, an American Express Gold Card user could utilize this benefit and earn up to $10 in statement credits each month with purchases made through Grubhub – but this benefit requires being the primary cardholder to qualify.
Are You an Enthusiastic Foodie? American Express Cards Can Provide Dining Credits Worth Their Annual Fee
Make the most of your American Express credit cards by taking advantage of features such as ShopRunner and Amex Offers available through its website or app. By doing this, you can maximize the value of membership while lowering its credit utilisation rate which shows lenders you don’t depend on credit to cover expenses.
2. Travel protections
American Express cards often come equipped with valuable travel protections that can save both money and stress when travelling abroad. These benefits vary by card, but typically include trip cancellation/interruption insurance, rental car damage waiver coverage and emergency medical transportation/evacuation coverage – plus many offer fee credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership and 24/7 travel assistance hotlines!
Trip cancellation/interruption coverage is an insurance perk designed to reimburse travelers for nonrefundable expenses incurred due to nonrecoverable circumstances, such as severe weather or illness, that require them to cancel or interrupt their trips due to nonrefundable expenses. Depending on their card, these types of policies typically provide up to $10,000 per trip or $20,000 total annually as reimbursement; such coverage typically comes standard on premium cards.
Rental car damage waiver is a benefit that covers certain costs if your rental car is damaged or stolen while traveling overseas. Coverage limits vary by card, and exclude commercial vehicles, limousines and some luxury cars as well as some countries (Italy, New Zealand and Australia), where U.S. travel advisories have been issued.
Some cards also provide baggage loss/damage insurance to help with the costs associated with replacing lost or stolen items in your possession when traveling overseas. This coverage acts as a secondary solution; it doesn’t cover lost cash or credit cards. Please check your card’s benefits guide for details regarding coverage limits for each card; American Express’ Travel Hub also has additional information regarding American Express-specific travel-related benefits such as return protection and pre-sale ticketing capabilities.
3. Cash back
American Express cards provide many useful perks and protections that vary by card. You can view a complete breakdown of rewards, benefits and features for each card on its online or mobile app dashboard; travel and dining credits, retail protections like rental car damage coverage are often common across Amex cards. In addition, eligible users may qualify for targeted Amex Offers that give bonus points, discounts on purchases made and additional benefits in their accounts.
Are Amex credit cards worth their annual fees? That depends on your spending patterns and preferences; many top cards from Amex come with significant rewards rates in everyday spending categories like supermarkets and gas stations as well as transit and online shopping that may help offset this fee easily.
American Express cards that offer cash back are among the best available, including Blue Cash Preferred, Everyday and Magnet Cards from American Express. Each offers generous 3% earnings on grocery, streaming media and transit purchases and 1% earnings elsewhere; furthermore they all feature generous welcome offers of $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 within six months of membership.
Membership Rewards from American Express cards offer you a way to redeem points for statement credits, merchandise or travel. Furthermore, Amex partners with hotels and airlines that can convert these Membership Rewards into frequent flyer miles or hotel loyalty points with higher per-point value when used compared with direct redemption of Membership Rewards points; some cards require you to meet specific criteria before redeeming points for free travel or other rewards.
4. Membership rewards
If you are an avid traveler, it may make sense to open multiple American Express credit cards with membership rewards programs. Each card provides distinct bonus categories and benefits. The Platinum Card provides unrivaled luxury travel amenities, including airport lounge access and mid-tier hotel elite status – not to mention travel protection features and benefits. American Express Travel offers 5x points on hotels booked through American Express Travel and on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel, up to $120 annual dining credits at Cheesecake Factory, Grubhub, Goldbelly and select Shake Shack locations as well as $10 Uber Cash every month and statement credits toward CLEAR membership and airport security clearance (both benefits require enrollment).
Other Membership Rewards cards provide bonus categories for airline, gas station and restaurant spending; purchases made with specific merchant partners; as well as cash back options where points can be redeemed against eligible charges – with specific redemption values determined by card.
Membership Rewards points can be earned in several different ways, from everyday spending to Amex offers, partnerships with retailers and services, charging your utility and subscription bills directly onto American Express cards and purchasing Membership Rewards points (though this is often not cost-effective).
American Express cards often include welcome offers when opening new accounts, although the specific details depend on which card it is. You can earn additional points by referring friends to American Express and meeting certain spending or referral thresholds; however, be mindful that they may close or claw back points from cardholders who violate terms and conditions – it is therefore wise to read carefully through all documentation prior to signing on!
5. Shopping protections
American Express credit cards provide benefits that go above and beyond standard offerings, including purchase protection. This feature reimburses eligible purchases if they are stolen or damaged and provides coverage against loss. Some cards also include coverage against lost items1.
American Express cards provide at least 90 days of purchase protection with any in-store or online purchase made using their card, while their highest level protection cards such as The Platinum Card(r) from American Express and Delta Reserve Business Card offer up to $10,000 of coverage; these policies exclude certain categories such as those used professionally or as part of military service as well as purchases made in cash.
American Express cards also provide return protection as part of their free offering, covering purchases at retailers that do not accept returns, including many major department stores and luxury brands. Policies typically require that original charges be made against the card before coverage begins; reimbursements usually are limited to the total cost of the purchase.
Other benefits you might find useful on an American Express card include roadside assistance, cell phone protection and complimentary ShopRunner membership. Details for these and other benefits vary by card, but help justify higher annual fees charged by premium cards from American Express. You can access your American Express account dashboard either by downloading their app or visiting their membership page; some benefits will automatically appear while others must be manually added to claim them.