Browse the Best American Express Network Cards

What is the American Express Network?

American Express (also known as Amex) is the third-largest payment network in the United States and the fourth largest globally. Approximately 10% of all U.S. credit cards feature an Amex logo – far lower than Visa or Mastercard.  Amex issues charge cards (like the famed Amex Gold), credit cards, and prepaid debit cards.

Interestingly, while American Express has fewer cardholders than Visa or Mastercard, the American Express brand has a higher purchasing volume than the other two. This discrepancy is due to many Amex users having larger budgets than other credit cardholders.

Because of this disparity in personal finance, the Amex brand (and its helmet-clad logo) has an air of prestige and affluence about it. Perhaps that’s why cards from American Express continue to attract attention and new accounts.  

How Does Amex Differ from Visa and Mastercard?

American Express, like Discover, both issues credit cards and acts as a payment network for other banks. In this regard, the two issuers differ from Mastercard and Visa significantly. Both of those payment networks only issue cards. 

Because Visa and MasterCard do not issue their own cards, they make their money through fees. These processing fees are shared between the bank, the merchant, and the cardholder. Both American Express and Discover operate their own in-house payment network, simplifying the process and reducing the number of fees passed on to the consumer.

More and More Merchants Are Now Accepting American Express

While the American Express Network payment system is streamlined, this doesn’t always mean lower fees for all. Amex cards used to be known for high merchant fees (also known as interchange fees or swipe fees). This was because all American Express cards were formerly charge cards. Charge cards require payment in full each month, so don’t earn interest in the same way as other credit cards.

To make money, Amex charged higher fees to stores. Because of this, many retailers refused to carry American Express Cards, as they were too expensive to be worthwhile.

Fortunately, the American Express Network has made great strides in lowering fees, through negotiations with merchants. This process is reducing the cost of accepting Amex cards. Today, more than 99% of U.S. merchants accept American Express, making it an excellent option for those in the United States.

The Amex network still has strides to make abroad, however, as the Amex network still lags Visa and Mastercard internationally.

How Amex is Similar to Other Payment Networks

While both Amex and Discover issue their own credit cards (and charge cards in the case of the American Express Network), they also operate as a payment network for other banks. Discover only offers a few other cards through Comenity. American Express, however, provides a wide variety of credit cards through other banks and financial institutions, including:

• Wells Fargo
• S. Bank
• Comerica
• State Bank of India (California)
• Credit One Bank
• Navy Federal Credit Union
• USAA
• Bank of Missouri

Features of Many American Express Network Credit Cards

Many American Express payment network cards feature similar benefits and protections from the issuing banks, including:

• No Foreign Transaction Fees
• EMV Chips
• Contactless Payment
• Emergency Global Cash Access
• Digital Wallet Integration (through Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay)

What Are the Best American Express Network Cards for 2021?

Because American Express network cards are so diverse, it can be difficult to pick the right one for you. Amex cards don’t only come from American Express. While most Amex cards, like the Blue, Plum Card,Amex Everyday Preferred, Schwabb Investor Card, and Bloomingdales Amex Card, others are issued by regional banks. These cards include the Bank of Missouri Premier Rewards, BankUnited Cash rewards, BOK Cash Rewards, Park National Cash Rewards, Peoples United Premier Rewards, SimplyCash Business Card, USAA military Affiliate, and more.

Here are some of the top American Express charge cards, prepaid cards, and Amex offers of 2021:

• The Platinum Card® – Best Luxury Travel Card
• Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Card – Best Military Credit Card
• Bluebird® by American Express – Best Prepaid Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card – Best Hotel Card
• Amazon Business Prime American Express Card – Best Card for Small Business
• American Express® Business Gold Card – Best Business Charge Card
• Delta Reserve® Credit Card – Best Airline Card
• American Express® Green Card – Best Travel Card