Marshall Jamieson, WalletHub Finance Consultant
@bergman77
No, American Express is not a credit card. It is a financial services company that operates the American Express card network and issues a number of cards, including credit cards, charge cards, prepaid debit cards, and gift cards.
As a card network, Amex decides where their cards can be used, and facilitates transactions between merchants and credit card issuers. Amex cards are widely accepted in the United States, but lag behind Visa and Mastercard by a few million merchants. Abroad, Amex cards are accepted in around 160+ countries and territories, while you can use your Visa or Mastercard cards in 200+ countries.
Here are some of the best American Express credit cards:
- Rates & FeesTerms ApplyBonus Rewards: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American ExpressBlue Cash Preferred® Card from American ExpressLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Rates & FeesTerms ApplyTravel Rewards: The Platinum Card® from American ExpressThe Platinum Card® from American ExpressLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Cash Back Rewards: American Express Cash Magnet® CardAmerican Express Cash Magnet® CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Rates & FeesTerms ApplyNo Annual Fee: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American ExpressBlue Cash Everyday® Card from American ExpressLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Rates & FeesTerms ApplyDining Rewards: American Express® Gold CardAmerican Express® Gold CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
American Express is definitely most well known for their credit cards and charge cards (a type of credit card that requires you to pay in full every month). And they have quite a few good options covering various needs, from financing to spending-based rewards.
2023's Best American Express Credit Cards
Compare Cards
Bill B, Member
@b_will
That's a vague question, really. I mean, Amex does issue credit cards, but they've also got a card network (like Visa), which includes debit cards.
People also ask
Is American Express Visa or Mastercard?
American Express isn’t a Visa or a Mastercard. American Express, Visa and Mastercard are three of the four major card networks, but American Express also extends credit and issue cards directly to consumers.
A credit card never has two networks, so you’ll never see an American Express Visa card or an American Express Mastercard. Furthermore, lots of the credit cards on the Amex network are actually issued by American Express itself. Visa and Mastercard, on the other...
read full answerDoes American Express have a prepaid credit card?
No, American Express does not have a prepaid credit card. In fact, “prepaid credit cards” aren’t actually a real thing. Prepaid cards don’t give you a line of credit or help you build credit. You can only spend what you deposit into the prepaid card account. A secured credit card, however, is a type of credit card that requires you to place a refundable security deposit. The deposit generally determines your credit limit and is held as...
read full answerWhat types of American Express cards are there?
There are several types of American Express cards for consumers and small business owners, including traditional rewards credit cards and charge cards that require payment in full each month. Among those two main types of Amex cards, there are offers with cash back rewards, rewards points, no annual fees, no foreign transaction fees and/or 0% introductory APRs. Some American Express cards are co-branded with airlines and hotel chains too.
The most common...
read full answerDid we answer your question?