People ask me constantly which card they should apply for first, and Amex comes up more than any other issuer. I get why. Membership Rewards points are some of the most flexible currency in this whole hobby, strong transfer partners, solid earning categories, and cards for every kind of spender.
I carry the Gold Card myself, mostly because my spending leans heavily into dining and groceries, and the 4X in both categories adds up faster than people expect. But Gold isn’t the right pick for everyone, so let me walk through the lineup.
Why Amex Points Are Worth Chasing
Membership Rewards transfer to airline partners like ANA, Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada, and Avianca, plus a growing list of Avios programs (British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Finnair) that open up some of the best sweet spots in the game. That flexibility is the reason I keep points here instead of chasing straight cash back.
The Lineup at a Glance
| Card | Annual Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| The Platinum Card | $895 | Lounge access, 5X on flights and Amex Travel hotels |
| Business Platinum | $895 | Business owners who want the same lounge perks plus 5X on flights and hotels |
| Amex Gold | $325 | Dining and U.S. supermarkets, 4X on both |
| Business Gold | $375 | Businesses with high spend in shifting top categories, 4X on your top two |
| Business Green Rewards | $95 | A low-cost way to start earning Membership Rewards |
| Blue Cash Everyday | $0 | No annual fee cash back, supermarkets, gas and online retail |
| Blue Cash Preferred | $0 intro, then $95 | Higher cash back rate on supermarkets and streaming |
If Lounges and Travel Credits Matter to You
The Platinum Card is the one people picture when they think “premium travel card.” Over 1,550 lounges, hotel credits, and 5X points on flights. It’s $895 a year, so it only makes sense if you’re actually going to sit in those lounges and use those credits, not just admire them on paper. Business Platinum mirrors most of the same perks for business owners.
If Your Spend Leans Everyday Categories
This is where I landed with Gold. 4X on dining worldwide and 4X at U.S. supermarkets covers a huge chunk of most people’s monthly spend, and the credits built into the card make the $325 fee easier to stomach than it looks at first glance.
Business Gold works differently, 4X on whichever two categories your business spent the most on that month, out of six options. Good fit if your spending shifts month to month instead of sitting in one lane.
If You’re Just Getting Started
Business Green Rewards is the lightest entry point, a $95 fee and a straightforward bonus. Nothing flashy, but a reasonable first step if you’re building toward bigger cards down the line. I go into that kind of staged approach in choosing a smart two-card setup, if you want the fuller picture.
If You’d Rather Skip Points Entirely
Not everyone wants to deal with transfer partners and award charts, and honestly, that’s a completely valid choice. Blue Cash Everyday has no annual fee and covers supermarkets, gas, and online retail at 3% each. Blue Cash Preferred pushes that to 6% at supermarkets, worth the $95 fee after year one if your grocery spend is high enough.
Before You Apply
Welcome bonuses are tempting, and they should factor in, but I’ve seen people chase a bonus on a card that doesn’t match how they actually spend, and it ends up sitting in a drawer a year later. My guide on common travel rewards card mistakes covers this if you want to avoid that trap. And once you do apply, my welcome bonus tracking guide walks through how I personally stay on top of hitting the spend requirement.
Where I’d Start
Frequent traveler who’ll use the lounges, Platinum. Heavy on dining and groceries, Gold, my own pick. Running a business, Business Gold or Business Platinum depending on spend. Want simple, no-fee cash back, Blue Cash Everyday.
You can compare the current offers on all seven cards here and see which one actually fits before you apply.
Have a great day,
Lisa 🏡✈️
