American Express is one of the leading card issuers in the United States. It's known for its top-notch customer service and some of the best rewards available. From ultra-elite business travel cards to everyday rewards, American Express has credit cards that are a good choice for many different types of cardholders.
American Express is a leading issuer of personal, small business, and corporate credit cards. The company's travel-related offerings include traveler's checks, credit cards, corporate and personal travel planning services, tour packages, and agencies for hotel and car-rental reservations.
Competitive Advantages
Their extremely high spending customers (paired with their great credit) bolster this advantage. Additionally, their closed loop system gives them numerous fee-based and data based advantages unmatched by any other company.
Yes, the American Express Platinum card is considered a status symbol because of its exclusive benefits, high annual fee, and reputation as a premium metal credit card.
For example, American Express cards are accepted in more than 160 countries worldwide, which lags behind Visa and Mastercard that are both accepted in more than 200 countries. While it's easier to find places in countries like Canada or Australia that accept American Express, it is harder across Europe and Asia.
The different fees often make or break a deal for a merchant. This is why many merchants, especially small businesses, don't accept American Express. American Express' interchange fee is just too high. Providers like Visa and Mastercard charge between 1.15% and 2.5%, while Amex charges merchants between 1.43% and 3.3%.
Because Visa is offered by so many more card issuers than American Express, there are more types of Visa cards, so it's typically easier to get approved for a Visa card with a lower credit score than an American Express card.
Yes, the American Express Platinum card is a luxury card, as it offers hundreds of dollars per year in statement credits for various purchases and a bonus offer of 80,000 points for spending $6,000 in the first 6 months. The card also gives luxury benefits like airport lounge access and gold status at certain hotels.
Having an American Express card means that you likely have good or excellent credit, and some people might assume that you have an above-average income and good employment. Owning an Amex card also means you can use your card at any merchant or financial institution that accepts cards on the American Express network.
What is the American Express Centurion Card? The American Express Centurion Card is the official name of the Amex Black Card. The Black Card is a high-end, exclusive charge card issued by American Express. Cardholders must meet certain criteria to be extended an invitation.
Disadvantages of AmEx cards
Since they do not rely on financial companies, such as Rupay, Mastercard or Visa, and have their own payment network, they charge additional fees on the transactions. This is one of the primary reasons, small businesses generally do not accept these cards.
The hardest Amex card to get is the Centurion® Card from American Express. Also known as the “Black Card,” this Amex card is hard to get because it is available by invitation only, and potential candidates are rumored to need an annual income of at least $1 million.
American Express's main direct credit card competitors are Mastercard, Visa, and Discover. While Mastercard and Visa have a different business model than American Express, they all compete in the credit card space. Financial institutions that issue credit cards also compete with American Express for consumer business.
Amex is so popular because it offers high-end credit cards with great rewards and luxury perks, which have become status symbols in popular culture over time.
Approximately 10.6 million U.S. merchants take American Express cards, which is only 1% fewer than Visa, Mastercard and Discover. It's generally a good idea to have a backup card with you when traveling, in case you happen upon one of the merchants that doesn't take American Express.
Things That Make Amex Cards Special
Amex allows other banks and credit unions to issue cards on the Amex network as well. The cards often have rewards. American Express is known for having a large selection of rewards cards, from travel to cash back to cards that are co-branded with merchants.
Yes, it's hard to get an American Express card because you will need a good or excellent credit score for approval, along with enough income for monthly bill payments. The easiest American Express cards to get are those that require a minimum of good credit for approval, as opposed to excellent credit only.
American Express does not disclose a specific income requirement, but it must be enough to make payments on the card and to afford the $250 annual fee. Amex doesn't openly state any other Amex Gold card requirements, but there are plenty of other factors that Amex considers during the approval process.
What Credit Card Do the Super Rich Use? The super rich use a variety of different credit cards, many of which have strict requirements to obtain, such as invitation only or a high minimum net worth. Such cards include the American Express Centurion (Black Card) and the JP Morgan Chase Reserve.
If there's one card most associated with celebrities, it's the American Express Business Centurion Card, often referred to as the Amex Black Card. It's an invite-only card, and although you don't need to be famous to get it, the spending requirement for an invite is rumored to be at least $250,000 per year.
The rarest credit card in the world is likely the Centurion® Card from American Express, also known as the “Black Card.” This card is available by invitation only, and you will reportedly need to spend at least $250,000 per year on other Amex credit cards and have an income of $1 million+ to get it.
Places Where American Express is Not Accepted: Cuba, Sudan, South Sudan, Iran, Syria. Major Retailers That Accept American Express: Amazon, IKEA, Sears, Target, Walmart, Lowe's, Apple, Best Buy, Staples, CVS. Major Retailers That Don't Accept American Express: Costco, small non-chain stores/restaurants.
Centurion® Card from American Express
Why It's One of the Most Exclusive Credit Cards: The most exclusive, prestigious credit card is without a doubt the American Express Centurion Card, otherwise known as the Amex Black Card.