Best American Express Travel Credit Cards

By John Csiszar

October 19, 2021

andresr / Getty Images

American Express has a long history of offering travel-related services, so it should be no surprise that it offers an excellent range of travel credit cards. Some cards are affiliated with other banks or credit unions, making them an obvious choice for those customers, while others provide a variety of benefits for both travel-related and general spending.

5 Best American Express Travel Credit Cards

To see which card might be a match for your needs, take a look at this overview of the best American Express Travel Credit Cards.

U.S. Bank FlexPerks Gold American Express Card

Best for: U.S. Bank customers

If you’re a customer of U.S. Bank, you might find the U.S. Bank FlexPerks Gold American Express Card to be a good option for you. Unlike other American Express cards, this one pays rewards in the form of U.S. Bank FlexPerks, which can be redeemed for airfare, car rentals, hotel stays and more at a rate of 1.5 cents per FlexPoint. This makes the card’s sign-up bonus of 30,000 FlexPerks after $2,000 in eligible purchases in the first four months worth $450.

The U.S. Bank FlexPerks Gold American Express Card is also generous in terms of earning FlexPoints. The card pays five times the FlexPoints on prepaid hotels and car rentals, three times the FlexPoints at restaurants, two times the FlexPoints at airlines and gas stations and one FlexPoint per dollar on everyday spend.

In addition to FlexPoints rewards, this card also has a host of attractive features, including an automatic statement reimbursement for TSA Precheck® or Global Entry, complimentary Boingo Wi-Fi, and flexible points redemption for merchandise, travel, gift cards or even cash back.

American Express Green Credit Card

Best for: Travelers seeking Membership Rewards points

Frequent travelers who like to rack up Membership Rewards points will enjoy the features and benefits of the American Express Green Credit Card.

The card provides triple Membership Rewards points on global restaurant spending and all travel charges, including hotels, flights, tours and taxis. An additional 1 point per dollar spent are paid on all other expenses.

The perks of the card are also tailored to travelers and include a $100 annual LoungeBuddy credit, a $100 annual CLEAR credit and a free Baggage Insurance Plan. New cardholders can earn 45,000 Membership Rewards points by spending $2,000 in the first six months of card membership, in addition to a 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months after opening the card.

American Express Gold Credit Card

Best for: General spending

If you’re looking to rack up Membership Rewards points through your general everyday spend, you might have a match in the American Express Gold Credit Card. Nearly everyone spends money on restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, and this card rewards that spending with an exceptional four Membership Rewards points per dollar. Additionally, card holders earn three points per dollar spent on all air travel. Coupled with the $100 hotel credit for stays of at least two nights with the Hotel Collection and the lack of foreign transaction fees and it’s clear that travelers can benefit handsomely from this card.

Additional perks that should appeal to all potential card holders include a 60,000-point sign-up bonus, an introductory 0% APR on all purchases for the first 12 months, 12 months of the Uber Eats Pass with $0 fee and a $10 monthly dining credit.

Navy Federal Credit Union More Rewards American Express Credit Card

Best for: Navy Federal Credit Union customers

As the name would imply, the Navy Federal Credit Union More Rewards American Express Credit Card is tailored to the needs of Navy Federal Credit Union members. One of the best features of the card is its high earnings rate, at three points on a wide variety of spending categories, from supermarkets and gas to restaurants, transit and food delivery. The card delivers one point per dollar on all other purchases.

The Welcome Offer on the card is relatively modest, at just 20,000 points after $2,000 in spend within the first 90 days. However, the card provides members with tremendous savings in the form of fees. There are no annual fees, foreign transaction fees, cash advance fees or even balance transfer fees with the card, and it also comes with a 0% introductory APR on the purchases for the first 12 months of card ownership.

This 0% APR also applies to balance transfers in the first year. Even if you carry a balance, the card can save you money with some of the lowest APRs on the market, with variable rates ranging between 9.65% and 18.00%.

Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express

Best for: Frequent Delta Airlines travelers

If you like to fly Delta Airlines and you’re looking for some credit card perks, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card should be near the top of your list, especially right now.

Currently, the card is offering an enhanced 90,000-mile sign-up bonus for spending $3,000 in the first three months of card membership. Additionally, those hitting the minimum spend requirement will earn 10,000 Medallion Qualifying Miles, making elite status qualification that much easier. Those looking for additional MQMs can earn another 10,000 at both the $25,000 and $50,000 annual spending thresholds.

Delta flyers will also enjoy priority boarding and a free bag every time they fly, in addition to 20% back on in-flight purchases and discounted access to the Delta Sky Club, at just $39 per visit per person. No matter what airline you fly, this card will also grant you a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre Check.

Earnings levels on the card are good for travelers, as the card pays three miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and those made directly with hotels. Double miles at supermarkets and restaurants and single miles on all other purchases also come with this card, which carries a $250 annual fee.

Methodology: GOBankingRates.com identified the best travel credit cards by analyzing the following factors: (1) annual fees; (2) APR for purchases; (3) promotional APR; (4) sign-up bonuses; (5) rewards and features; (6) foreign transaction fees; and (7) travel perks. All fees and rates are subject to change at the credit card issuers’ discretion. Some bonus offers may or might no longer be available on the credit card issuers’ websites, depending on how one accesses the web page. Data was sourced from each financial institution’s website or promotional material between Aug. 4, 2021, and Sept. 27, 2021. Please verify terms and conditions before opening an account. 

About the Author

John Csiszar

After earning a B.A. in English with a Specialization in Business from UCLA, John Csiszar worked in the financial services industry as a registered representative for 18 years. Along the way, Csiszar earned both Certified Financial Planner and Registered Investment Adviser designations, in addition to being licensed as a life agent, while working for both a major Wall Street wirehouse and for his own investment advisory firm. During his time as an advisor, Csiszar managed over $100 million in client assets while providing individualized investment plans for hundreds of clients.