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Best Amex Credit Cards for Travel in 2024

American Express provides many appealing credit cards that serve different travel-related requirements. While some of these cards are co-branded, others are not. All the Amex travel credit cards we've selected offer reward points or miles.

Updated: March 14, 2024

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• Card Comparisons
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Travelers have multiple credit card options to choose from when they turn to American Express. If you favor using a particular airline or group of hotels over others, you might benefit by getting a co-branded Amex travel card. Irrespective of the card you choose from our selection, you stand to earn rewards in some form.

While some of the best Amex credit cards for travel come with annual fees, a few do away with them completely. This largely depends on the rewards and perks on offer. For example, while the benefit-laden Amex Hilton Honors Surpass Card charges an annual fee, the simpler Hilton Honors Card does not. However, it earns fewer points on bonus category purchases and includes fewer benefits. It is common for Amex travel cards to come with no foreign transaction fees.

• Our Top 5 Picks
• Summarized List of All Winners
• Tips for Comparing Credit Cards

This article is part of our larger series on Best Travel Credit Cards

MoneyGeek's Take: Top 5 Amex Credit Cards for Travel

Quick Summary

The best Amex credit cards for travel offer a variety of travel-related perks and high points/miles earn rates on category-based spending, although these tend to come at a cost. We’ve selected the top five cards from this category based on factors such as annual fees, APRs, welcome offers and value of points/miles.

A great miles rewards card with no annual fees

• up to 2 Miles per $1* Rewards Rate
• 20.99% – 29.99% Variable APR
• $0 Annual Fee
• Good–Excellent Recommended Credit

WHY WE GEEK OUT

We love the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card for more than its no-annual-fee feature. This card lets you earn 2X miles on restaurants worldwide and Delta purchases. All other purchases come with 1X miles.

An welcome offer gives you the ability to earn 10,000 bonus miles. All you need to do is spend at least $1000 on purchases within the first six months.

This card comes with no international transaction fees, which makes it perfect for use when traveling overseas. Other travel benefits include earning 20% as a statement credit when you use your card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases and complimentary car rental loss and damage insurance.

Cardholders also stand to benefit through purchase and fraud protection in different scenarios.

PROS & CONS

• No annual fee
• With welcome offer
• Gives perks for Delta purchases
• No foreign transaction fees
• Good/excellent credit needed
• Limited benefits compared to others
• No lounge access perks
• Less rewarding for non-Delta spend

CARD DETAILS

Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. No Annual Fee. Earn 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 2X Miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, and 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Pay with Miles: take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com. Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your Card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and audio headsets. No Foreign Transaction Fees. Terms Apply.

Terms, rates and fees apply

An excellent credit card for earning Hilton Honors points

• 3–12 Points per $1* Rewards Rate
• $150 Annual Fee

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is a fantastic option for travelers, especially those with a penchant for Hilton stays. Imagine walking into a Hilton property and enjoying complimentary upgrades, thanks to the Gold Status that comes with this card. Whether you're dining out stateside or shopping online, you're racking up points at an impressive rate. And for the globetrotters, there's no need to worry about those pesky foreign transaction fees. The card does have an annual fee, and while the perks cater primarily to Hilton enthusiasts, its broad rewards system can offer value to many.

• Generous welcome bonus
• Purchases from Hilton get bonus points
• Complimentary Hilton upgrades
• With annual fee
• Benefits mostly Hilton-centric

Earn 155,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio. Earn 6X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations. Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card. Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors™ Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year. $95 annual fee. Terms Apply.

A rewarding travel card for people who are casual guests at Hilton hotels and resorts

• 3–7 Points per $1* Rewards Rate

The Hilton Honors American Express Card is a traveler's dream come true. With no annual fee and a generous welcome bonus, it's a financial no-brainer for those frequenting Hilton properties or just seeking exceptional value. Whether dining out stateside or shopping abroad, you'll accumulate points seamlessly without those pesky foreign transaction fees. And here's the kicker — this card instantly boosts you to Hilton's Silver status! Want more perks? Just up your spending game, and Gold status awaits. This card truly embraces both the occasional and the dedicated traveler.

• High earning rates with Hilton
• Automatic Hilton Silver status
• Potentially high APR
• High credit requirement
• Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 4/17/24.
• Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
• Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
• Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
• No Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

An excellent card for earning Delta SkyMiles

• 1–3 Miles per $1 Rewards Rate
• $350 Annual Fee

We recommend the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card to people who fly with Delta frequently. While this card comes with a $350 annual fee, it offers a number of Delta- and SkyMiles-specific benefits.

A welcome offer gives you the ability to earn 50,000 bonus miles by spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months. All purchases made directly with Delta earn 3X miles, as do hotel bookings made directly with hotels. A couple of categories come with 2X miles and all others with 1X miles.

Cardholders may check their first bags on Delta flights for free, and they receive one domestic main cabin round-trip companion certificate every year. You also get a fee credit for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck. Using this card outside of the U.S. makes sense as it comes with no foreign transaction fees.

Cardholders stand to benefit through different travel insurance coverage and purchase protection.

• Generous welcome offer
• Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
• Free first checked bag on Delta flights
• Get to the next Medallion membership status faster
• Exclusive rate for Delta Sky Club access
• 20% back as a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases
• Statement credit toward Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
• Complimentary travel insurance and purchase protection
• $350 annual fee
• Cannot transfer miles to other airline loyalty programs
• Penalty APR may apply in case of late/returned payments
• Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Receive a Companion Certificate on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
• Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $20 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
• Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Resy Credit: With the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Resy Credit, earn up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
• $120 Rideshare Credit: You can earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Enrollment Required.
• Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
• Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive $100 back for Global Entry or up to $85 back for TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Official Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• $350 Annual Fee.

A great credit card for individuals looking for basic travel perks and more opportunities to earn miles

• 1–2 Miles per $1 Rewards Rate
• 0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 Annual Fee

We like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card because it comes with a sizable welcome bonus and multiple bonus categories for earning Delta SkyMiles. As a part of its welcome offer, you earn 40,000 Bonus miles if you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first six months.

This card offers 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

This card offers a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, after which it becomes $150. Additionally, it does not charge any foreign transaction fees. You receive a $200 Delta flight credit if you spend $10,000 on purchases each year. You save 20% when you use this card to pay for Delta in-flight purchases. All cardholders get access to priority boarding on Delta flights.

• No foreign transaction fee
• $200 Delta flight credit
• Free first checked bag
• Priority boarding
• Up to 20% savings on in-flight purchases
• Annual fee of $150 after the first year
• No luxury travel benefits
• Earn 40,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Enjoy a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $150.
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases in a year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.
• Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
• You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $60 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that’s a potential savings of up to $240 per round-trip flight.
• $100 Delta Stays Credit: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Members can earn up to $100 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com.
• Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
• Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
• With Send & Split®, you can send money and split your Card purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Enroll today.
• ( See rates and fees )

Summary of the Best Amex Cards for Travel

Check this brief Amex travel card comparison table that’s based on aspects such as APRs, annual fees and welcome offers.

• Credit Card Best For Avg. Reward Rate Annual Fee Credit Needed

While many travelers gravitate towards cards with no annual fees, you are often better off choosing a card with a fee. The included perks, like a free checked bag or annual free night, often outweigh any annual fee that you pay. -- Lee Huffman, credit card expert at BaldThoughts.com .

How to Compare Amex Credit Cards & Intro Offers

Features and benefits that you may find in one Amex travel card might be specific to the card in question. This requires that you pay attention to different aspects before arriving at a decision.

Co-branded or not

American Express offers co-branded cards in the form of Delta SkyMiles cards, Hilton Honors cards and Marriott Bonvoy cards. These cards might work well for you if you’re a frequent user of any of these brands. Otherwise, you can choose a card that earns Amex Membership Rewards points, which offer numerous redemption options.

Travel cards tend to come with higher APRs than cards that don’t offer any rewards/cash back. If you plan to carry balances from one month to the next, consider looking at what the top low-interest credit cards have to offer.

Annual fees

The annual fee you might need to pay depends on the features and benefits you’re after. For example, the no-annual-fee Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card comes with up to 2x miles on category-based spending. While the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card charges a $250 annual fee, it offers up to 3x miles on category-based spending. Besides, it comes with a more rewarding welcome offer as well as other perks such as an annual companion certificate, first checked bag free and credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees.

Welcome offer

All the top Amex travel credit cards give you the opportunity to earn bonus points or miles through different welcome offers. If you get the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card, you earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 miles by spending $500 on eligible purchases in the first three months. The Hilton Honors Card , on the other hand, offers 100,000 bonus points if you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months, and an additional 50,000 bonus points if you spend a total of $5,000 in the first six months.

Points/miles earn rate

The annual fee that you might or might not need to pay typically has a bearing on this aspect, so you need to weigh your options after accounting for your spending patterns. For instance, the no-annual-fee Hilton Honors Card lets you earn up to 7x points on category-based spending. This increases to 12x points with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card , which charges a $95 annual fee.

Value of points/miles

If you get a card that offers American Express Membership Rewards Points, their value may vary from 0.5 cents to 1 cent per point or higher based on how to choose to redeem them. If you get a co-branded card that offers miles or points linked to an airline or a hotel loyalty program, you typically get the best value when you use them to pay for flight or prepaid hotel bookings. In such cases, aspects such as dates, routes and specific properties may also affect the value of your miles/points.

Additional features

You may expect various card-specific features and perks from our selection of the best Amex credit cards for travel. These include no foreign transaction fees, no preset spending limits , complimentary travel insurance coverage, status upgrades in loyalty membership programs, weekend night rewards, Priority Pass lounge access, annual companion certificates and additional savings on in-flight purchases.

Further Reading

Best Business Credit Cards

Business vs. Corporate Credit Cards

About Rajiv Baniwal

Rajiv Baniwal is a journalist who has been covering financial topics for over 15 years. Meticulous in his research, he provides accurate and up-to-date information. His expertise includes mortgages, loans, credit cards, insurance and international money transfers.

Advertiser Disclosure

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American Express Travel: Your Guide to Booking Flights, Hotels, Car Rentals, & Cruises

Jarrod West

Senior Content Contributor

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What Is AmexTravel.com?

Fees for using the portal, searching for flights, insider fares, the hotel collection, american express fine hotels and resorts, standard hotel booking, searching for packages, compare flights+hotel to booking separately, searching for cruises, special offers, cruise privileges program, amextravel.com insiders, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

American Express is best known as a credit card issuer, but the company also offers other products and services, including travel booking and planning using AmexTravel.com.

While AmexTravel.com is available for anyone (not just cardmembers), holding an Amex card can definitely help you get extra value when using the program.

Here’s a look at what AmexTravel.com is, what services it provides, what the cost to use, the best ways to use it, and when it’s worth using!

At its most basic, AmexTravel.com is an online travel booking portal (or “online travel agency”) just like Expedia , Kayak , and Orbitz .

You can use it to book a whole trip or just a flight, hotel (or flight + hotel packages), rental cars, or even cruises. If you’d like extra assistance from a customer service agent, you can book by phone as well.

Flights booked through the portal can be subject to small fees. However, sometimes the benefits can make these fees worth it, and they’re waived for holders of the Platinum Card ® from American Express .

There are also a few “sub-categories” that fall under the AmexTravel.com umbrella, including the Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels and Resorts .

Why Should You Use AmexTravel.com?

The main reason to book with AmexTravel.com is the incredible customer service . If you run into any problems during your trip (like delays, cancellations, over-bookings, etc.), you can connect with a live travel agent by phone 24/7 who will work with you to find a solution.

Additionally, if you hold an Amex credit card that earns Membership Rewards points, you can often earn 2x points or more by using it to pay for travel services booked through AmexTravel.com.

Hot Tip:  If you use your Amex Platinum card , you can earn 5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or with AmexTravel.com. 

Anytime you book a flight through AmexTravel.com (either on its own or as part of a package), you’ll pay a fee of $6.99 for domestic flights and $10.99 for international flights .

These fees are waived if you have the Amex Platinum card and are logged into your account.

If you choose to book a flight by phone rather than online, there’s an added $39 phone service fee .

If you make changes to your flight, there’s a $39 reissue fee in addition to whatever fee the airline charges. This only applies to advance changes, not changes due to problems like canceled flights .

Below, we’ll take a look at how to use AmexTravel.com to book flights, hotels, vacation packages, rental cars, and cruises.

Booking Flights With AmexTravel.com

Searching for flights with AmexTravel.com is similar to other online travel agencies. You can search by city or by specific airport, select your departure and return dates, and click whether you want to search for lower fares within 3 days of your chosen dates.

On the results page, American Express lists the most relevant Delta result at the top highlighted as a “featured airline.” The featured airline is followed by the lowest available fares.

When you scroll down, you can use the controls on the left sidebar to filter the results by the number of stops, departure/arrival times, airline, or even specific flight number.

By default, flights are displayed in price order starting with the lowest, except for a featured Delta flight at the top (when available). At the top of the search window above the results, all available airlines are shown, as well as the lowest available price with each airline.

Depending on your search, you may see a blue tab labeled “Insider Fares Available” above some of the airlines listed at the top of the search window.

These are discounted fares, and they only apply if you pay for the entire flight with Membership Rewards rather than cash. Note that cash prices are rounded to the nearest dollar.

If you’re logged in and have enough Membership Rewards points to cover the entire flight, you will be able to see these discounted fares.

For example, in the below search, you’ll see an example of an Insider Fare available for purchase. The Insider Fare offered a slight discount rather than just matching the cash price in points with each point worth 1 cent (more on that below).

The difference can be fairly minimal. In the JFK-ATL example above, the discount was from 25,259 Membership Rewards points to 24,120 — changing the value from 1 cent per point to about 1.05 cents per point .

Amextravel.com charges a fee to book, but they bundle this into the displayed price. The fee is $6.99 per domestic ticket or $10.99 per international ticket. These fees are waived as a benefit of the Amex Platinum card , just make sure you’re logged into your Amex account when booking.

Hot Tip: AmexTravel.com now offers Trip Cancel Guard coverage that you can add when purchasing flights via AmexTravel.com whether paying with an American Express card, with Membership Rewards points using the Pay With Points option, or a combination of both. It provides for reimbursement of up to 75% of the cost of the non-refundable prepaid flight expense, penalty and change fees caused by the cancellation, or the amount of any expired vouchers/flight credits received for the canceled flight. Coverage is applicable when your flight is canceled for any reason and is valid until 2 full calendar days prior to your trip’s originally scheduled departure date.

When searching several different flights across different online travel agents, we found similar results to the below example each time.

To compare prices, we searched multiple online travel agents and portals using the same search parameters: departing John F. Kennedy-New York (JFK), arriving at London-Heathrow International (LHR), round-trip, 1 traveler, economy, and nonstop on specific dates.

We selected the lowest-priced nonstop flight available through AmexTravel.com: a Finnair flight operated by Oneworld partner , American Airlines.

When searching on AmexTravel.com, the flight was $595.86. This breaks down to $133 in base fare and $462.86 of government, airline, and American Express-imposed fees.

We received the same search results when we replicated this search on Finnair’s U.S. website, Kayak, and Orbitz.

In a second search, we looked for a domestic round-trip from Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) to Los Angeles International (LAX) on the same dates. This flight was priced at $199.40. Keep in mind, you would usually see this rate plus the $6.99 Amex booking fee, but again, this is waived for Amex Platinum cardholders.

When cross-referencing this itinerary on Delta’s website, we found the same price listed for a regular economy fare of $199.40. However, there was a basic economy option that was a bit cheaper, which was not available through AmexTravel.com.

Other online travel portals, including Orbitz and Kayak , listed the same price.

This means, if you’re already set on the specific itinerary you want to fly, booking through AmexTravel.com can often cost the same as booking directly with the airline, or through a third party . This assumes you receive waived booking fees for being an Amex Platinum cardholder.

However, what if you’re just looking for the cheapest flight on a particular day? If you do a general search for a route on set dates, will AmexTravel.com find the same rates as other portals? In our experience, the answer is no.

In our example search, here are the lowest available regular economy non-stop flights we could find between New York (any airport) and London (any airport) when searching the same set of dates on a few different websites (sorted by price ascending):

*Including a $10.99 AmexTravel.com booking fee.

The reason for these results is likely due to the fact that the Amex portal doesn’t include some low-cost carriers like Norwegian, so travel portals that do will often win on price.

Even excluding the low-cost carriers, though, other portals like Expedia and Orbitz were able to offer lower fares by about $15.

That said, AmexTravel.com was able to find about the same fares you would find when booking directly with an airline.

Hot Tip: If you hold The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express you can get a 35% rebate on select flights when you pay with points through AmexTravel.com.

AmexTravel.com Hotel Programs

There are actually 3 programs offered for booking hotels:

• Fine Hotels and Resorts
• AmexTravel.com booking (standard)

What Is The Hotel Collection?

The Hotel Collection is a program through AmexTravel.com only available to holders of certain cards:

• The American Express ® Gold Card and the American Express ® Business Gold Card

The Amex Platinum card and the Business Platinum Card ® from American Express

The Centurion card

Perks of The Hotel Collection

When you book a hotel through The Hotel Collection, you get certain perks including:

• Room upgrade at check-in (if available)
• Up to a $100 hotel credit for on-site amenities like the restaurant, bar, room service, or spa
• Ability to use Pay With Points on prepaid reservations
• 3x Membership Rewards points for Amex Gold cardholders on prepaid bookings
• 5x Membership Rewards points for Amex Platinum cardholders on prepaid reservations
• Up to $200 credit each year towards prepaid hotel reservations with either The Hotel Collection (2-night stay) or Fine Hotels and Resorts with select credit cards

Usually, American Express guarantees that any hotel booked through AmexTravel.com will have the lowest publicly-available rates (prepaid rates only), but this rule does not apply to bookings through The Hotel Collection per the terms & conditions . Be certain to check multiple booking options to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

Rooms have to be booked through AmexTravel.com. That means that if you book directly through the hotel or another service, you won’t get the perks, even if the hotel is a part of The Hotel Collection and you pay for the stay with your American Express card.

Further, you must stay a minimum of 2 nights , and you cannot book consecutive stays within 24 hours of each other.

The good news is that these benefits are available for up to 3 rooms per stay . So if you book 3 rooms for family members, you’ll get a total hotel service credit of up to $300.

Hotel Points and Elite Benefits

Typically, you won’t earn points through a hotel loyalty program if you book through a third party, and this includes the AmexTravel.com portal.

Further, you won’t get any elite benefits that you might otherwise be entitled to if you have status with that hotel chain.

Bottom Line:  The Hotel Collection is potentially useful if you’re planning to pay with your eligible Membership Rewards-earning card. This comes at the expense of hotel-specific elite benefits, including points and elite credits in any hotel loyalty program.

What Is the Fine Hotels and Resorts Program?

AmexTravel.com runs a second hotel program called Fine Hotels and Resorts (FHR). It can be a little bit confusing since it sounds like it would overlap with the Hotel Collection, but that’s not the case.

The Fine Hotels and Resorts program is exclusive to Amex Platinum cardholders (personal or business) , as well as those with the invitation-only Centurion Card .

FHR includes different hotels and resorts than The Hotel Collection, with minimal overlap. The FHR collection tends to be more geared toward leisure travelers who wish to book stays at higher-end properties.

Perks of Fine Hotels and Resorts

Booking hotels through the Fine Hotels and Resorts collection entitles you to a handful of potentially valuable perks, including:

• Early noon check-in (when available)
• Room upgrade on arrival (when available)
• Daily breakfast for 2 people
• Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• A unique amenity valued at $100 or more; examples include a property credit, dining credit, spa credit, or similar amenity

Unlike The Hotel Collection, rooms booked through Fine Hotels and Resorts are not all prepaid. In fact, most are standard rates that you’ll pay for at the end of your stay when you check out. In comparing several properties, including the Park Hyatt in Chicago, we found rates identical to the non-prepaid rates when booking directly through the hotel.

However, keep in mind that the hotel may directly offer prepaid and early-purchase options which may be much cheaper, though you won’t benefit from the Fine Hotels and Resorts perks.

There are fewer terms with Fine Hotels and Resorts than with The Hotel Collection. You must book through AmexTravel.com/FHR to receive the benefits .

As with The Hotel Collection, if you book directly with the hotel or through a different travel agency or portal, you won’t be able to claim FHR benefits even if it’s a participating hotel. Other terms vary by property.

Good news here! Unlike stays booked through The Hotel Collection, stays through American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts count as “qualifying rates” for hotel loyalty programs. That means if you’re staying at a hotel that’s part of a loyalty program, you’ll be able to earn points and receive the relevant benefits if you hold elite status.

Hot Tip: Want to know about the differences between these programs? Dig into our dedicated guide on the differences between the Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels & Resorts .

Searching Hotels

Searching for hotels at AmexTravel.com works more or less the same as with flights. You enter your city, dates, number of rooms, and guests. You can check a box to have properties from The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels and Resorts displayed at the top.

Of course, if you’re interested in booking through either of those programs, you could also just book on their dedicated pages.

By default, search results are ranked by “recommended,” which seems to be decided by an algorithm factoring in price, location, and reviews.

Terms vary by the specific hotel and rate you book, so make sure to read the fine print.

The site can be a bit confusing when trying to compare prices since American Express doesn’t include all taxes and fees in the price displayed (while some hotel websites do).

For example, we searched for a 4-night stay at the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill. American Express quoted an average of $337/night, which should make the total stay around $1,348. When you go to book, though, the total with fees is $1,625.

While it initially looks more expensive to book directly with Hyatt (where the cost is quoted at $404/night), that price includes all taxes and fees , so you’ll actually pay $1,611, or $14 less.

Our search for the Marriott Regent Park yielded similar results. It’s listed at $233/night in the search function, which implies the total to be $932.

In reality, once you click through, the total is $1,120. Booking directly with Marriott, rates are listed at $261/night, but that includes taxes and fees — for a total prepaid rate of $1,080.

For the 2 hotels in question, here’s how total prices compared through different portals (sorted by price ascending):

In both tickets, AmexTravel.com was within a few dollars of the other online travel agencies, which were all more expensive than booking directly through the hotel’s website.

Similar to The Hotel Collection, rates booked through AmexTravel.com aren’t eligible for elite benefits or hotel loyalty points.

Bottom Line:  Like most other online travel portals and agencies, prices can vary between AmexTravel.com and the hotel’s direct booking channel. You won’t get elite benefits or hotel points, so it might be worth booking directly if those are valuable to you. 

Flights+Hotel Packages

Like with many online travel portals and even airline websites, you can book packages that include flights and hotels through AmexTravel.com. Usually, the point of booking these packages is to get a discount, special perks, or promotions.

The search window for Flights+Hotels is simple: input airports (or cities), dates, number of travelers, and rooms. Results are listed in a recommended order by default just like when searching for a standard hotel.

Terms vary by the specific package you book, so make sure to read the fine print !

As with standalone flight reservations, AmexTravel.com charges a fee to book Flights+Hotel packages: $6.99 per domestic ticket or $10.99 per international ticket .

Again, these fees are waived for holders of the Amex Platinum card  or the Centurion card.

In the results field, a total starting price  per person is listed, including all taxes and fees with the cheapest flight option. American Express also lists how much you’re saving with the package, although this is missing for some hotels.

Once you select the hotel, you can customize your flight. The total price changes based on which flight you select.

In a sample search, we chose the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, and picked the cheapest nonstop flight: British Airways flight, which was Newark Liberty International (EWR) to LHR and London-Gatwick (LGW) to JFK. The package came to $1,446 per person, or $2,892 total.

Annoyingly, AmexTravel.com doesn’t show a breakdown of hotel and airfare costs and fees; instead, it just displays a total per person.

For comparison, you can search the flight and hotels separately. We tried searching for the flight first on the same day.

We found Finnair flights operated by American Airlines for $660 per person — an option that wasn’t offered as part of the package (although with the booking fee, the flights should have been $671). When we filtered the search to British Airways only, it showed a ton of options for $671.

Searching hotels next, we again chose the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill’s lowest prepaid rate. It was listed as $337 per night for 1 room (plus taxes and fees), for a total of $2,031. For the 2 flights and the hotel, that comes to a total of $3,351, or $1,675.50 per person.

In this case, booking the trip as a package saves almost $460, even though the search results page didn’t highlight any savings specifically.

The main downside to booking a package is that you have less flexibility. Say you want to change hotels for part of the trip or maybe stay with a friend for the last few days. This isn’t an option because you must book a single hotel for the entire time between your flights. It can also make solutions harder to find if there are any problems — although the AmexTravel.com customer support should make up for that.

Bottom Line:  If you’re using AmexTravel.com and your plans allow for the lack of flexibility, you might be able to save a lot of money with a package. Just make sure to compare the listed price to booking everything separately. Note that you can’t book a package retroactively: you have to book the flights and hotel at the same time. 

Rental Cars

AmexTravel.com also offers a rental car booking service. You can make reservations from rental stations at airports and elsewhere.

To search for rental cars, simply enter an airport or city . You can also click a button to search near a specific address.

Results are shown in a handy grid format, with each column showing a different rental company, and each row displaying the pricing for a different category of car (economy, compact, midsize, and so on).

Bookings of up to 4 days are charged a daily rate, while bookings 5-7 days are charged on a weekly basis. There are specific rates for weekends and weekdays, as well as monthly options, with specific details varying by the rental agency.

In several sample searches, prices were generally consistent with other online travel agencies — though sometimes lower by $1-$2/day. Prices were identical to booking with the rental company directly.

Bottom Line:  Renting a car through AmexTravel.com doesn’t get you any benefits above what you’d receive for paying with your credit card, such as the collision damage waiver for paying with your Amex Platinum card. However, the convenient search page makes it a great option for comparing multiple prices at once. 

AmexTravel.com also offers tools to book cruises . In addition to letting you search for cruises all over the world, AmexTravel.com periodically highlights special offers on cruises, usually in the form of credits to use onboard.

To search for cruises, you need to enter the region you want to travel in, the cruise line(s) you want to travel with (or search all available lines), the month you’re planning the trip for, and the approximate length of the cruise you want.

Results are shown in order, from the lowest-priced option to the highest . Note that this is based on the lowest available rate; hovering over any result will show all available cabin types and the corresponding prices.

Under each result, the information shown includes the port of departure/return, date of departure, and ports visited.

Hot Tip:  Wondering what to pack for your time at sea? Check out our ultimate cruise-based packing list  — it’s printable and complete with tons of tips and advice!

Cruise rates booked through AmexTravel.com were within $1-2 of rates found on other online travel agents and websites . We found identical prices on the various cruise company websites — though each online travel portal and cruise line offers different promotions, so it might be worth comparing them.

For example, during a sample search for a weeklong Caribbean cruise in December, we found that Royal Caribbean was offering a $50 onboard credit if you booked directly.

On the search results page, you might notice a tab labeled “Special Offers.” Those offers are generally onboard credits, but can also include discounts or other special features. If you aren’t committed to a specific cruise line, these are often worth exploring.

Those with the Amex Platinum card have special access to the Cruise Privileges Program . Like the Fine Hotels and Resorts program, this is only available on specific cruises, although it’s more limited than FHR.

It includes onboard credit (often higher than otherwise offered) and a special onboard amenity, like complimentary dinner for 2 or a bottle of premium champagne.

Bottom Line: It can be worth booking a cruise through AmexTravel.com, especially if there are special offers. Make sure to compare different booking sites , though, as some may have better or exclusive promotions.

AmexTravel.com offers a feature called Travel Insiders. When you use the program, American Express connects you with a travel expert who can help you plan an itinerary based around your desired destination. Fees vary based on location, length of the trip, and details of the itinerary.

AmexTravel.com can be a very useful tool when booking flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, or rental cars. In many cases, it may not offer the best rate options , but it’s worth comparing to other booking sites and airlines or hotels directly.

If you have an American Express card that offers access to the Hotel Collection or Fine Hotels and Resorts, the perks can be very worthwhile.

Additionally, the extra Membership Rewards points you earn by booking through AmexTravel.com can be valuable, as long as the price is right.

Aside from the Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels and Resorts, the real value of AmexTravel.com is in the customer service provided. Booking a trip on your own is easy — dealing with problems when they arise can be less so!

If you book through AmexTravel.com, you’ll have easy access to someone who can help you get on a new flight, find a new hotel, or manage whatever other issues come up day or night. So if you’re looking to have that extra support, then AmexTravel.com might be a great choice for you!

The information regarding the Centurion ® Card from American Express was independently collected by Upgraded Points and was not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of the American Express ® Gold Card, click  here . For rates and fees of the American Express ® Business Gold Card, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is american express travel.

AmexTravel.com is an O nline  T ravel  A gency (OTA), just like Orbitz , Kayak , or Expedia . You can book flights, hotels, rental cars, or cruises through AmexTravel.com.

Do I need an American Express card to use Amex Travel services?

Whether or not you have an American Express card, you can book flights, hotels, rental cars, or cruises through AmexTravel.com. If you do have an Amex card, you might be eligible for certain perks or rewards.

Does American Express Travel cost anything?

If you book a flight through AmexTravel.com, there’s a small fee ($6.99 for domestic flights, $10.99 for international) that fee is waived for Amex Platinum, Amex Business Platinum, and Centurion cardmembers. Other services, like hotels and cruises, do not have fees.

Why should I book with American Express Travel?

AmexTravel.com has very helpful customer service resources. If you have any problems with your trip (like a canceled flight), you can call an agent who can help solve the issue.

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About Jarrod West

Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times.

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What is the best American Express travel card?

American Express is noted for its excellent, unique and generous rewards programs, especially when it comes to premium cards like the American Express Platinum Card and Gold Card. The travel rewards offered by American Express are particularly noteworthy. Travel rewards cards from American Express typically feature substantial welcome bonus packages, airline fee credits, and access to airport lounges around the world. Not only that, but many premium travel American Express cards come with zero foreign transaction fees.

On top of that, American Express also enjoys partnerships with global lodging brands like Marriott and Hilton as well as Delta Airlines. This combination of airline and hotel partners gives travelers access to great deals for flights and lodging anywhere in the world.

Before you decide to take advantage of the travel rewards from American Express, you might want to do a little comparison shopping. We recommend checking out our article on the Best Chase Credit Card for Travel to learn more.

Otherwise, read on to learn more about the travel rewards and benefits possible with American Express.

Does American Express Have Foreign Transaction Fees?

Before jumping into the specific travel rewards cards available from American Express, it’s worth noting that American Express offers a wide variety of credit cards that do not charge foreign transaction fees. This is actually one of the noteworthy membership benefits available through the array of American Express rewards credit card programs for travelers.

You should be aware that while you won’t pay foreign transaction fees for using a number of premium AmEx cards abroad, these cards do usually come with higher annual fees. As an example, the American Express Platinum Card eliminates foreign transaction fees for spending abroad, but cardholders do pay a $695 annual fee. This makes the card well suited to those who do a lot of international travel.

By contrast, a card like the American Express Blue Cash card does not come with an annual fee, but you will pay 2.7% on foreign transaction fees.

So before you do seek out an American Express card without foreign transaction fees, be sure the combination of savings, travel rewards and annual fees makes sense for your travel needs and spending habits.

What’s the best American Express Travel Card?

The answer to that question depends on the type of travel rewards you’re looking for and the type of travel you plan to do using your card. The good news is that there are American Express Credit Cards designed specifically for every kind of traveler.

The Platinum Card may be right for frequent travelers, especially those who enjoy a taste of the finer things like airport lounge access and reservations with exclusive restaurants around the world. If you plan to book flights and hotels as business purchases, you may prefer the Gold American Express card.

If your top goal is to land great discounts through specific hotel collection bookings, you’ll probably want to learn more about the unique membership programs that AmEx keeps with Marriott and Hilton. And in the next section, we’ll discuss why you might want to fly Delta.

For now, here’s a quick look at some of the most highly recommended travel rewards cards from American Express as well as their fees and benefits.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

In the simplest terms, the Platinum Card offers the most generous and extensive array of benefits to cardholders. It does come with a high annual fee relative to other credit cards, even those in the AmEx portfolio. However, for frequent travelers and those who enjoy luxury perks like fine dining and extensive airport lounge access, it may be well worth the money.

• Annual Fee: $695
• 5X Membership Rewards® Points on up to $500,000 per calendar year on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel via amextravel.com or by calling 1-800-525-3355.
• 5X Membership Rewards® Points on eligible prepaid hotels booked at amextravel.com , including The Hotel Collection.
• 1X Membership Rewards® Points for all other eligible purchases made using your Platinum Card.
• Annual statement credits including $200 hotel statement credit, $200 Uber Cash credit, $200 Airline Fee Credit, and $189 CLEAR Plus Credit for faster security clearance when traveling through the airport.
• No foreign transaction fee when spending abroad.
• Comprehensive access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes more than 1,400 airport lounges in over 500 airports around the world.
• Access to the AmEx Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection suite of benefits including daily breakfast for two, complimentary coffee and free Wi-Fi access.
• Global Dining Access by Resy where you have preferred access to sought-after restaurant reservations and exclusive tables across the globe when you book using your American Express Platinum Card on the Resy app.
• Premium Car Rental Status, which means you’ll be eligible for special upgrades, exclusive discounts and priority service as an automatic member of the Avis Preferred®, Hertz Presidents circle, and National Car Rental® Emerald Club.

Learn More .

American Express® Gold Card

The American Express Gold Card is often a preferred credit card for business travelers. The combination of a modest annual fee–relative to the Platinum Card at least–and the triple points awarded for flight booking make it a sensible option for those who fly frequently for work.

• Annual Fee: $250
• 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide and for any spending at U.S. supermarkets for up to $25,000 per year.
• 3x points for flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel using your Gold Car.
• 1X Membership Rewards® Points on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 dining credit at select restaurants as well as for food delivery from participating vendors.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees when spending abroad.
• American Express® Preferred Access, which offers first dibs on premium seats for select cultural events, cultures, theater performance, and sporting events, depending on availability.
• The Hotel Collection, which gives you access to signature perks at the select upscale hotels available for booking through American Express Travel.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

If you travel frequently and you expect to visit numerous locations with Hilton lodging over the course of each year, you may be a strong candidate for the Hilton Honors American Express rewards program. Membership in this program will provide an array of benefits both for booking Hilton hotels and resorts, and for making purchases during your stay. It does bear noting that this card comes with a comparatively higher annual fee, so it really is only a recommended option for those who intend to make full use of its benefits. This is a card best suited to those who plan to pursue high end travel experiences.

• Annual Fee: $550
• 180,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 14x Hilton Honors Bonus Points per $1 of eligible purchases on your Card made directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
• 7x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for eligible purchases on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com as well as on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies
• 7x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for any spending at U.S. restaurants.
• 3x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases made on your Hilton Honors Card.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card

If you travel frequently and you expect to visit numerous locations with Marriott lodging over the course of a year, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card might make sense for you. You’ll accumulate generous rewards points for booking hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy collection as well as for spending with your Brilliant card during your stay. This card does carry a high annual fee, so it is generally geared toward frequent travelers, who are more likely to take full advantage of its extensive benefits.

• Annual Fee: $650
• Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy® Bonus Points after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• 6x Marriott Bonvoy® points on each dollar of eligible purchases  made at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.™
• 3x Marriott Bonvoy® points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines.
• 2x Marriott Bonvoy® points for all other eligible purchases.
• Gain Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite status, which makes it possible to receive room upgrades when available at select properties, including enhanced views or suites.

Keep in mind…

Because a lot of these travel rewards cards come with higher annual fees, it’s important to be sure that you are getting the right card for your travel needs, spending habits, and your preferences regarding hotel and airline loyalty programs. Whichever card you choose, it’s important to note that the perks and benefits outlined above are subject to change. This is especially true of the welcome bonus features, which often vary according to different periodical promotions.

Likewise, your eligibility for some of these rewards and welcome bonuses will depend in part on your personal financial outlook and your history with American Express Cards. To this end, if you have already taken advantage of an American Express welcome bonus at any time in your life, you would not be eligible for a new welcome bonus with your travel rewards card.

So before you choose the very best travel rewards card from American Express for your needs, it’s a good idea to take these factors into consideration and to visit the American Express website to check out the most up to date terms, limitations, and conditions.

If you’re simply looking for an American Express card that offers the ultimate in spending flexibility, you can jump to our look at the best AmEx credit cards with high credit limits.

The Best AmEx Credit Cards for Booking Flights

In addition to the premium rewards cards and hotel collection cards available from American Express, the credit card issuer enjoys a partnership with Delta Airlines. Through its Delta SkyMiles program, you can enjoy a wide variety of flight benefits. Of course, this benefit only applies if you use Delta Airlines for travel, so be sure that this is a smart investment for you based on your geography and the availability of Delta flights to your preferred destinations.

If you do fly through Delta, you will want to consider one of several Delta SkyMiles travel rewards cards from American Express. Broadly speaking, Delta SkyMiles benefits will include:

• Delta Airline Benefits : The Delta SkyMiles cards offer perks specific to Delta, such as priority boarding, a free checked bag for the cardholder and eligible companions, and discounted Delta Sky Club access.
• Earn SkyMiles : Cardholders can earn SkyMiles at an accelerated rate with every purchase made using the rewards card, including Delta purchases.. There are often welcome offers or bonuses for new cardholders as well, which makes it possible to accrue miles faster.
• Annual Fee Credits : While many American Express travel rewards cards come with higher annual fees, you will usually also receive certain statement credits for eligible in-flight, airport, or airline purchases, which can help offset that yearly expense.
• Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) : Higher-tier Delta SkyMiles cards may offer MQMs. Participation in this special Delta frequent flyer program helps you earn Medallion Status faster, providing access to elite benefits like priority upgrades and better seat selections.
• Travel Protections : Every one of the AmEx Delta SkyMiles cards comes with travel insurance benefits including trip delay or cancellation coverage, as well as insurance for car rental loss or damage and baggage insurance.
• Companion Certificates : While this will usually depend on the specific Delta SkyMiles card that you use, as well as the conditions surrounding your bookings, you may be able to get a companion certificate with annual card renewal, which can allow you to book a flight for a travel companion at a reduced fee or even for free.

[Check out our feature article on Companion Tickets from American Express to learn more about this highly desirable membership benefit.]

Which is the right Delta SkyMiles Card for you?

As the features above suggest, the Delta SkyMiles card caters entirely to those who fly with Delta Airlines. So naturally, it only makes sense to consider these options if you expect to fly frequently with Delta airlines. Otherwise, the fees associated with these cards may not be worth it for you. You might do better to focus on a more flexible (albeit more expensive) card such as the Platinum Card detailed here above.

That said, the right card for the right traveler can provide significant value through rewards, benefits, and protections. Consider a few of these options below:

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

• Fees : $0 introductory fee in the first year; $99 per year after the first year
• Earn 40,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months.
• Earn 2x miles on purchases made directly with Delta, at restaurants worldwide, and at U.S. supermarkets.
• Earn 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.
• First checked bag free on Delta flights for the cardholder and up to eight companions.
• Priority boarding and security on Delta flights.
• $100 Delta flight credit after spending a certain amount within the first few months

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

• Annual Fees : $250
• Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months.
• Earn 3x miles on purchases made directly with Delta and at hotels around the world.
• Earn 2x miles on purchases made at U.S. supermarkets and for dining at restaurants around the world.
• First checked bag free on Delta flights for the cardholder and up to eight companions
• Companion Certificate for a travel partner each year upon renewal, which generally amounts to a flight booking for free, excluding minimal taxes and fees.
• Priority boarding and discounted access to Delta Sky Club lounges at airports around the world.
• $100 Delta flight credit after spending a certain amount within the first few months.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

• Annual Fee : $550
• Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
• Earn 3x miles on purchases made directly through Delta Airlines.
• 1x miles for every eligible dollar you spend on purchases.
• Complimentary Delta Sky Club access at airport lounges across the world.
• 15% off when using Delta SkyMiles to book Award Travel through Delta.com or the Delta mobile app.
• Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) boost after hitting spending thresholds.
• Companion Certificate upon annual renewal so that a travel partner can book for free, with nominal taxes and fees.

With each of these cards, your Delta SkyMiles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, bag check, in-flight purchases and a host of other travel options.

The specific terms, benefits, and offers on these cards can change, and new offers may become available over time. Please check the American Express website or contact American Express directly for the most current information before applying for any credit card. Additionally, note that the benefits, rewards, and annual fees can vary or change based on individual eligibility and promotions at the time of application.

For questions about these benefits and any other membership rewards programs available through American Express, we recommend jumping to our listing of important customer service contact numbers.

Everything you need to know about currency exchanges

We've partnered with American Express to bring you personal finance insights, advice and more. Check out Credit Intel, Amex's financial education center, for more personal finance content.

Any offers or benefits mentioned below are subject to change at any time, and may no longer be available.

It can be lot of fun to visit a foreign country, as you can have the chance to enjoy exotic foods, see unique sites and meet people from a variety of different cultures. But one of the more stressful things about visiting another country is figuring out the most cost effective ways to acquire and spend the local currency.

Currency exchange basics

Just like at home, the two common ways people make purchases in a foreign country are with cash or with a payment card, typically a credit or debit card. Even if you plan on using a credit or debit card, it's a good idea to carry some local currency with you, especially in countries where payment card acceptance isn't as universal as it is in the United States. For example, traditional markets are very common in many places (which are kind of like what we call flea markets), and those vendors often don't take credit cards. Cash can also be necessary to pay taxi drivers or to tip service providers.

There are several ways to exchange your US dollars for local currency. First, you can do so at home, by visiting an American Express Travel Service center . Alternatively, you can exchange currency when you arrive at your destination. Most airports are home to currency exchange companies, but you can expect these locations to charge very high commissions. Also note that currency exchanges rarely buy or sell foreign coins, just paper bills.

Alternatively, you can obtain foreign currency by using an ATM card. Just be aware that you may be charged fees by your bank and the ATM operator. Furthermore, you bank may also impose a foreign transaction fee on purchases or withdrawals made outside the United States. However, you're sure to get the most competitive exchange rate.

Using your credit card to make purchases outside of the United States

One of the great things about credit cards is that they are accepted in nearly every country in the world. For example, American Express cards are accepted in over 160 countries around the world. Credit cards also have very strong exchange rates. A possible drawback of using your credit card to make purchases in a foreign country is the potential to incur foreign transaction fees . These are fees that are imposed on transactions processed outside of the United States, which isn't a foreign currency conversion fee. For example, there are some countries that use US dollars and some foreign merchants may charge you in US dollars, but a foreign transaction fee will still apply. Most credit cards that have this fee charge 3% of the amount of the transaction, and some American Express cards have a 2.7% foreign transaction fee.

Further Reading: What You Should Know About Foreign Transaction Fees

Thankfully, there are a growing number of credit cards that no longer charge foreign transaction fees . Typically, these are travel rewards cards that are designed for the needs of international travelers. There are no foreign transaction fees for the following American Express cards:

(Photo by Atit Phetmuangtong/EyeEm/Getty Images)You can find out if a new credit card has foreign transaction fees by looking at the legally mandated table of rates and fees that card issuers must provide. To find out if your current cards have foreign transaction fees, you'll want to contact your card issuer.

Using your credit card to access cash outside of the United States

When your credit card has no foreign transaction fees , it can be among the least expensive ways to make a purchase in a foreign country. But when you use your credit card to access cash from an ATM, it will likely be one of the more expensive ways to acquire foreign currency. That's because most credit cards will impose a very large cash advance fee on these transactions, often $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater. Furthermore, cash advance balances are immediately subject to interest charges, while you can generally avoid interest on purchases by paying your statement balance in full.

ATM transactions can also be subject to any foreign transaction fees imposed by the card issuer or other fees charged by the ATM operator. Therefore, you should consider using your credit card at an ATM as a last resort when you can't use your card directly with a merchant to make a purchase.

Further Reading: 7 Ways to Get More from Your Travel Points Credit Card

Understanding dynamic currency conversion

The last thing that you need to know about foreign currency exchanges is a "service" that some merchants offer called dynamic currency conversion. The idea is that a merchant will offer to charge your credit card in your home currency, which sounds reasonable enough. But while your receipt will appear in US dollars, you may be charged more than you would have been charged in your local currency.

Supposedly, merchants are required to request your permission before they impose this "service" on you. But between the limitations of foreign languages and the merchant's incentive to opt customers into it (merchants receive a commission on each transaction), it's not uncommon to find these extra charges added to you bill without your consent.

Bottom line

Once you know how foreign exchanges work, you can enjoy your trip to any country without having to worry about incurring unnecessary fees when you make purchases.

• For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here .
• For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here .
• For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, click here .
• For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, click here .
• For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click here .
• For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Card from American Express, click here .
• For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, click here .
• For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, click here .
• For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, click here .

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Upon landing in a foreign country, expect a lot of lines. There’s immigration, passport control and customs inspection. But there’s one line you can — and absolutely should — skip: the airport currency exchange.

Not only does the airport currency exchange counter’s line cut into precious time abroad, but it’s typically a terrible money move. Airport currency exchange rates are among the worst you’ll find.

It’s not uncommon to see airport exchanges charging 14% more than the current International Monetary Fund (IMF) exchange rate. NerdWallet even found some premiums exceeding 17%. Some also charge additional fees on top of the poor exchange rate.

So what do you do if you need cash upon arrival to order a cab or tip the bellhop? Consider ordering foreign currency before you fly.

Most banks allow you to order foreign currencies, which you can typically pick up at a local branch before your trip. Some banks offer to ship currencies to you, and sometimes they don’t even charge extra for postage if you order a certain amount.

Plus, the exchange rate can be good. For instance, at Bank of America, the exchange rates we checked in January 2024 average roughly 6% more than the IMF rates — and less than half of what the airport currency exchanges are charging.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

How to order foreign currency from your bank

While the exact process varies by bank, most major banks make it easy to order online.

Typically you can access the currency exchange webpage through your bank’s website or mobile app, or by phone. From there, you usually enter the currency you need, add the desired amount, select the pickup method and place your order.

While you can generally expect a solid exchange rate, use a trusted source such as Reuters or the International Monetary Fund to find current exchange rates and ensure you get a fair deal.

Additionally, understand all the fees involved. For example, Citi charges a $5 service fee for transactions under $1,000, though it’s waived for clients with premium bank accounts .

Or you might get charged a shipping fee. Bank of America’s standard shipping costs $7.50, but overnight shipping is $20. Sometimes you can avoid shipping fees by opting to pick up the cash at a local branch or by being a loyal customer. Bank of America Preferred Rewards program members get free standard shipping.

There’s also generally a minimum amount of foreign currency you can order ($100 or $200 is common) and a maximum ($10,000 within a 30-day period is common).

Other good ways to pay abroad

If it’s too late to order foreign currency from your bank, here are other ways to curtail currency fees :

Find an in-network ATM abroad

Major banks usually have branches abroad or partner with other banks to create a network. Using those ATMs often provides a decent exchange rate while eliminating out-of-network ATM fees.

If you end up using a non-network ATM, pay attention to ATM fees , which vary but usually run about $5 per transaction. Given that, consider limiting ATM debit transactions by withdrawing the amount you think you’ll need for the entire trip, or at least a large portion of it.

ATM availability is more common in some places than others. Macau has the highest number of ATMs per capita with 316 ATMs per 100,000 adults, based on 2021 data from the World Bank Group. Uruguay, Canada and Austria are other destinations with the most ATMs per capita.

But other countries tend to have far fewer. For example, Kenya had fewer than 7 ATMs per 100,000 adults and Nepal had only 20 ATMs per 100,000 adults, according to the same data.

Pay with a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees

Depending on the card, you might get dinged with foreign transaction fees of 1%-3% when you make purchases at non-U.S. retailers abroad.

That’s why it’s wise to carry a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card abroad.

on Chase's website

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. .

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel. .

Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. .

» Learn more: The best no-foreign-transaction-fee cards

And more international merchants are taking plastic. This wider card acceptance and increased security are reasons travelers are ditching cash, according to the Visa Global Travel Intentions Study 2023, which polled more than 15,000 people in the Asian Pacific region between April and June 2023.

While this type of card won’t help you pay at cash-only businesses or get money for tips, it’s otherwise one of the smartest ways to pay internationally.

» Frequent travelers: Consider a multicurrency account

Try paying in cash dollars

If all else fails, offer to pay in U.S. dollars. In fact, some merchants or individuals accepting tips prefer it in certain countries. You might find vendors willing to give you an even better deal if you pay with U.S. dollars.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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Find the best credit card for you

5 best credit cards that offer pre-approval or pre-qualification in 2024, pre-approval doesn't guarantee approval, but it can help you avoid an unnecessary hard pull on your credit..

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

When you apply for a credit card, the issuer performs what is known as a hard pull or hard inquiry , which shows up on your credit report. Hard pulls temporarily lower your credit score, which isn't the end of the world, but it's better to avoid racking up unnecessary hard inquiries since they can remain on your credit report for up to two years. One way to do this is by going through a card issuer's pre-approval or pre-qualification process before applying.

Getting a pre-approved offer for a credit card doesn't guarantee you'll be approved, but it can give you a better idea of your approval odds with no hard inquiry. There is no impact to your credit score until you formally apply.

Not every card issuer offers pre-approvals. Below, CNBC Select details the top credit cards that generally offer pre-approval or pre-qualification and how they work. (See our methodology for more information on how we made this list.)

Best credit cards for pre-approval

• Best for no annual fee: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
• Best for balance transfers: Citi Double Cash® Card
• Best for travel rewards: American Express® Gold Card
• Best for cash-back:   Discover it® Cash Back
• Best for premium perks: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates & fees )

Best for no annual fee

Wells fargo active cash® card.

Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate

Regular APR

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

Balance transfer fee

3% intro for 120 days from account opening then BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5

Foreign transaction fee

Credit needed.

Excellent/Good

See rates and fees , terms apply.

• Unlimited cash rewards
• $200 cash rewards welcome bonus
• No annual fee
• Introductory APR period for first 15 months
• Access to Visa Signature® Concierge
• Get up to $600 cell phone protection (subject to a $25 deductible)
• 3% fee charged on foreign transactions

Who's this for? The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (see rates and fees ) is a jack of all trades, with an easy-to-earn welcome bonus , generous intro-APR offer and a lucrative flat-rate rewards structure — all for no annual fee .

Standout benefits: This card earns unlimited 2% cash rewards on every purchase. This simple cash-reward rate takes the headaches out of maximizing the return you get on your credit card spending.

Wells Fargo pre-approval process: Fill out this Wells Fargo pre-qualification form with your name, address and the last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN). If you have a Wells Fargo online account, you can log in to expedite the process.

[ Jump to more details ]

Best for balance transfers

Citi double cash® card.

Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24

Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

0% for the first 18 months on balance transfers; N/A for purchases

19.24% - 29.24% variable

For balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening, an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies; after that, a balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies

Fair/Good/Excellent

Read our Citi Double Cash® Card review.

• 2% cash back on all eligible purchases
• Simple cash-back program that doesn't require activation or spending caps
• One of the longest intro periods for balance transfers at 18 months
• 3% fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
• Estimated rewards earned after 1 year:  $443
• Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $2,213

Who's this for? The Citi Double Cash® Card is ideal for those seeking a strong introductory APR offer for balance transfers and still want to earn valuable rewards.

Standout benefits: Eligible balance transfers qualify for an intro 0% APR for the first 18 months, then a variable 19.24% to 29.24% APR applies. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer completed in the first four months ($5 minimum). The standard balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies thereafter.

Citi pre-approval process: See what Citi credit card offers you're pre-qualified for with this form . Enter your name, email, address and the last four digits of your SSN.

Best for travel rewards

American express® gold card.

4X Membership Rewards® points at Restaurants (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 1X points on all other purchases

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Not applicable

See Pay Over Time APR

Read our American Express® Gold Card review .

• Up to $120 dining credit annually ($10 a month) for purchases made with Grubhub, Goldbelly and other eligible restaurants (after a one-time enrollment)
• Up to $120 Uber Cash annually ($10 a month) for U.S. Uber Eats orders and U.S. Uber rides (card must be added to Uber app to receive the Uber Cash benefit)
• Strong rewards program with 4X points earned at restaurants and 3X points earned on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com
• Baggage insurance plan covers up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage that is damaged, lost or stolen
• No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
• No introductory APR period
• $250 annual fee
• Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $1,074
• Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $2,969

Rewards totals incorporate the points earned from the welcome bonus

Who's this for? The American Express® Gold Card is great for earning travel rewards thanks to its generous bonuses on common spending categories like dining and groceries.

Standout benefits: Cardholders get up to $120 in annual dining credit (up to $10 per month at Grubhub , Goldbelly, The Cheesecake Factory and other participating restaurants; enrollment is required) and up to $120 in Uber Cash ($10 per month) to put toward rides in the U.S. and dining via Uber Eats (you must add your Amex Gold Card as a payment method in the Uber app to enroll).

American Express pre-approval process: See what American Express card offers you may be eligible for by filling out this form with your name, address, last four digits of your SSN and your annual income. If you already have an Amex account, you may need to open the form in incognito mode or clear your browser's cache to access the page.

Best for cash-back

Discover it® cash back.

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases-automatically.

Discover will match all the cash back earned for all new cardmembers at the end of your first year.

0% for 15 months on purchases

17.24% to 28.24% Variable

3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*

Good / Excellent

* See rates and fees , terms apply.

Read our Discover it® Cash Back review.

• Cash-back program
• Generous welcome bonus
• Cash-back categories must be activated each quarter
• Cash-back program limits earnings: Enroll every quarter to earn 5% cash back in various categories on up to $1,500 in quarterly purchases, then 1%

Who's this for? The Discover it® Cash Back is a relatively easy-to-get cash-back card with no annual fee and useful rotating bonus categories .

Standout benefits: This card has a unique welcome offer that can supercharge your cash-back earnings. Discover will match the cash back new cardholders earn in the first year. So, purchases that qualify for 5% cash back would effectively earn 10% back in your first year. Plus, the card has no foreign transaction fees.

Discover pre-approval process: Fill out this Discover credit card pre-approval form with your name, address, date of birth, housing payment, student status and gross income to see what offers you're eligible for. If you don't qualify for an unsecured card, you may want to consider a secured credit card such as the Discover it® Secured Card which doesn't require a credit score.

Best for premium perks

Capital one venture x rewards credit card.

Unlimited 2X miles on all eligible purchases, and 5 Miles per dollar on flights and 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booked via Capital One Travel portal

Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening

19.99% - 29.99% variable APR

$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you

Foreign transaction fees

Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review.

• Large welcome bonus
• No foreign transaction fees
• Up to $100 statement credits for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• High annual fee
• No introductory 0% APR period

Who's this for? The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is geared towards those seeking luxury benefits like airport lounge access, annual travel credits, various travel and shopping protections and more.

Standout benefits: Every year, Capital One Venture X Card members receive up to $300 in travel credits for bookings made through Capital One Travel and 10,000-anniversary bonus miles (worth $100 in travel). Those two benefits alone can offset the card's $395 annual fee (see rates and fees ).

Capital One pre-approval process: You can see what Capital One cards you're pre-approved for by filling out this form . You'll need to enter your name, address, email address, phone number, employment status, education, income, housing payment, date of birth, SSN and what type of bank accounts you have.

More on our top credit cards that offer pre-approval or pre-qualification

The  Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card  is a no annual fee card that can help you earn cash rewards, while enjoying various money-saving benefits.

• Unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases

Earn $200 in cash rewards after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Notable perks

Cardholders can take advantage of cell phone insurance when they pay their monthly bill with the card. This insurance covers damage, theft and loss of a cell phone and has a $25 deductible. You can be reimbursed for up to two claims per 12 months and up to $600 per claim.

Cardholders can also save on interest with the card's intro-APR offer. Purchases and eligible balance transfers qualify for an intro 0% APR for 15 months. then a variable 20.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% applies. To qualify for the intro APR, balance transfers must be completed within 120 days of opening the account. There is an intro balance transfer fee , and for the first 120 days you'll pay 3% of the amount of each transfer ($5 minimum). After the intro period, the balance transfer fee increases to 5% of the amount of each transfer ($5 minimum).

[ Return to card summary ]

The Citi Double Cash® Card is a cash-back credit card , but it earns cash back in the form of Citi ThankYou points , which which can be redeemed in lots of ways, including the option to transfer them to travel partners.

• 5% total cash back on Citi travel bookings (through Dec. 31, 2024)
• 2% cash back on all purchases: 1% back when you buy and 1% back as you pay

Earn a $200 cash bonus after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.

The ThankYou® points can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards and travel at a rate of one cent per point. Cardholders also have access to a small number of Citi's travel partners, including Wyndham, Choice and JetBlue. If you have a Citi card that enables full transfers, such as the Citi Premier® Card , you can combine the points you earn with your Double Cash and then transfer those points to all of Citi's partner hotel and airline loyalty programs.

There are also several special cardmember programs, including Citi Entertainment℠, which gives cardholders first access to purchase tickets for thousands of concerts and events. The card also provides access to Citi® Identity Theft Solutions, a service that will help you if you're a victim of identity theft.

The American Express® Gold Card is a travel rewards card with a long list of benefits that can easily make the annual fee worth paying (see rates and fees ). Plus, the Amex Membership Rewards points you earn with this card are some of the most valuable travel points out there since they can be transferred to a variety of airline or hotel partners.

• 4X points at restaurants (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.)
• 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X)
• 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on Amextravel.com
• 1X points on all other purchases

Earn 60,000 points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership.

$250 (see rates and fees )

Cardholders receive up to $120 in dining credit per year ($10 per month) at participating partners and up to $120 in Uber Cash per year ($10 per month) after you add your Amex Gold Card as a payment method in the Uber app. The card also offers no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees ), baggage insurance, rental car coverage (secondary), extended warranty, purchase protection and trip delay insurance .

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

The Discover it® Cash Back is a no-annual-fee cash-back rewards card that allows you to earn a generous 5% back on rotating spending categories.

• 5% cash back on the first $1,500 in purchases in rotating categories each quarter (when you activate), then 1% cash back. Check out Discover's 5% cash-back calendar .
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Discover will match the cash back you earn at the end of the first year.

New card members receive an intro 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and eligible balance transfers, then a variable 17.24% to 28.24% applies. An intro balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount you transfer applies to eligible transfers. The standard transfer fee on future balance transfers is up to 5% of the amount of each transfer. (See rates and fees )

The card charges $0 in  foreign transaction fees , which can save you money when traveling abroad.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees ) is a premium credit card with a straightforward rewards structure, a long list of benefits and a lower annual fee than other high-end cards with similar features.

• 10X miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel portal
• 5X miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• 5X miles on Capital One Entertainment purchases (through Dec. 31, 2025)
• 2X miles on all other purchases

Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

In addition to the annual $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, the Capital One Venture X Card comes with airport lounge access for the primary cardholder and authorized users. One great feature of this card is that you can add up to four authorized users for free and each cardholder gets access to Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges and Capital One Lounges .

Other benefits include:

• Hertz Presidents Circle status (enrollment required)
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® application fee credit (worth up to $100)
• Cell phone protection
• Visa Infinite Concierge
• Rental car collision damage waiver (primary)
• Trip cancellation and interruption coverage
• Trip delay reimbursement
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Extended warranty protection
• Return protection
• Purchase security

What's the difference between a pre-approval and a pre-qualification?

The terms pre-approval and pre-qualification both refer to the card issuers' pre-screening process that can help you determine whether you'll qualify for a credit card without a hard pull on your credit reports. Prequalified offers are typically initiated by consumers who want to check their approval odds, while preapproved offers are generally unsolicited offers from card issuers.

Does pre-approval or pre-qualification result in a hard credit pull?

Most credit card pre-approvals do not result in a hard pull of your credit. Some issuers require a Social Security Number (SSN) or the last four digits of your SSN to process a pre-approval, but this is generally done to verify your identity and shouldn't result in a credit check unless otherwise stated.

Does pre-approval guarantee approval?

If you qualify for a pre-approved credit card or receive a pre-screened offer in the mail, that does not guarantee you'll be approved. Your credit score, income and history with the card issuers are all taken into account, but won't be fully reviewed unless you submit a traditional card application.

Bottom line

Getting a pre-approved, pre-qualified or pre-screened credit card offer doesn't guarantee you'll get approved for the card if you apply. However, seeing whether you're pre-approved for a card offer is easy and typically doesn't require a hard credit pull. So it doesn't hurt to explore what offers you may qualify for.

Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.  Sign up here .

Why trust CNBC Select?

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card   article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card   products .  While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See  our methodology  for more information on how we choose the best business credit cards for LLCs.

Our methodology

To determine which business cards offer the best value and pre-approval, CNBC Select analyzed the most popular credit cards available to U.S. consumers that also had a publicly available pre-approval or pre-qualification process at the time of writing. We compared each card on a range of features, including the annual fee, employee card fee, rewards, welcome bonus, introductory and standard APR and foreign transaction fees. We also considered additional perks, the application process and how easy it is to redeem points.

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of  credit cards ,  banking  and  money , and follow us on  TikTok ,  Facebook ,  Instagram  and  Twitter  to stay up to date.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click  here .

For rates and fees of the   Discover it® Cash Back, click here .

For rates and fees of the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, click here .

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