ADVERTISEMENTSome offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure.Kendall Little · Senior Writer, Credit CardsBen Walker (CEPF, CFEI®) · Senior Writer, Credit CardsUpdated Wed, May 13, 2026 at 8:48 PM GMT+2 16 min readIf you’re a credit card rewards-seeker, you might already know just how coveted some American Express benefits and perks can be. (Centurion card? If you know, you know.) There is a range of American Express cards for different financial goals, whether you’re looking for cash back, travel rewards, an Amex credit card with an introductory 0% APR, or anything in between.Best American Express credit cards for May 2026Annual fee$0Welcome offerEarn as high as $200 cash back after spending $2,000 within the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at amazon.com checkout)Introductory Balance Transfer APR0% on balance transfers for 15 monthsOngoing Balance Transfer APR19.49%-28.49% VariableIntroductory Purchases APR0% on purchases for 15 monthsOngoing Purchases APR19.49%-28.49% VariableRewards rate3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%)3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%)3% cash back at U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%)1% cash back on all other purchasesCash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or on Amazon.com at checkoutBenefitsGenerous intro APR on purchases and balance transfersGet up to a $7 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites (subject to auto-renewal)Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee — select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan optionsWhy we like it: We like the Blue Cash Everyday for the value it can add to anyone’s wallet — whether you’re looking for a single catch-all cash-back card or want to round out the rewards you already earn. Not only does it cover everyday expenses at the supermarket and gas station, but the added online retail category can help you maximize purchases that usually aren’t included among credit card rewards categories. And with no annual fee, the annual credits can help put money directly back into your pocket each month.Related: Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card review: Earn solid rewards in common categoriesAnnual fee$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.Welcome offerEarn as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 within the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at amazon.com checkout)Introductory Purchases APR0% on purchases for 12 monthsOngoing Purchases APR19.49%-28.49% VariableIntroductory Balance Transfer APR0% on balance transfers for 12 monthsOngoing Balance Transfer APR19.49%-28.49% VariableRewards rate6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 in eligible purchases annually, then earn 1%)6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions3% cash back on at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit, including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more1% cash back on all other purchases*Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkoutBenefitsGenerous intro APR on purchases and balance transfersGet up to a $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites (subject to auto-renewal)Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee — select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan optionsWhy we like it: With 6% cash back for the first $6,000 you spend at U.S. supermarkets each year, the Blue Cash Preferred can help you earn up to $360 on your grocery shopping alone. Combined with great returns on other everyday spending, this card carries a lot of potential.Before you apply, make sure your spending aligns with each of the reward categories so you can guarantee at least more rewards than the annual fee cost.Read more: Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card reviewAnnual fee$325Welcome offerYou may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of membership. (Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.)Rewards rate5x Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x)4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x)3x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines, on AmexTravel.com, or on the Amex Travel App2x Membership Rewards points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App, and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com1x Membership Rewards points on all other eligible purchasesBenefitsEarn up to $10 in statement credits each month when you pay with your American Express Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder (enrollment required)Up to $100 in annual statement credits ($50 semi-annually) when you use your American Express Gold Card on eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants on the Resy app or Resy.comUp to $84 per year ($7/month) in statement credits after you enroll and pay with your American Express Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’® locations (enrollment required)Why we like it: We like the Amex Gold for travel rewards because it has a lot to offer both occasional and very frequent travelers. With 4x per dollar spent at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, you can rack up plenty of rewards on your regular food expenses at home to put toward future trips. And with valuable annual credits on common expenses, you may even earn back the annual fee cost before even accounting for rewards value.Just make sure you understand the Membership Rewards program before you apply for an Amex Gold Card. While there are plenty of redemption options, you’ll likely get the best value when you redeem points for flights through Amex Travel or transfer to one of American Express’ travel partners.