Andreea Pintea, WalletHub Credit Cards Moderator
@andreea_pintea
Your Amex can be either a credit card or a charge card, as American Express issues both traditional credit cards and charge cards. For instance, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a credit card, while The Plum Card® from American Express is a charge card.
Generally, the main difference between a credit card and a charge card is that charge cards generally don’t allow you to carry a balance from month to month. Instead, you must pay off purchases in full each month. Technically, though, a charge card is a type of credit card – just not one with a revolving line of credit.
Amex Credit Cards vs. Amex Charge Cards
| Card Type: | Charge Card | Credit Card |
| Card Name: | Plum Card | Blue Cash Preferred |
| Annual Fee: | $250 | $0 intro 1st yr, $95 after |
| Rewards Rate: | 1.5% discount on balances paid before the due date | 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 spent per year), 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% back on other eligible purchases, received as rewards dollars (which can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout) |
| Initial Bonus: | N/A | $250 statement credit for spending $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months |
| Regular APR: | Not Applicable | 19.99% - 28.99% (V) |
Both types of Amex cards come with different features, fees, and rewards. When comparing options, it's important to look beyond how payments are handled and consider the benefits, annual fees, and terms that match your priorities.
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