Bank-wise comparison
Browse All Cards
American Express Credit Cards
All 6 publicly applicable American Express cards in India compared — fees, reward rates, lounge access and who each card actually suits.
6Cards covered
2Charge cards
4.5/5Top-rated card
Overview
Choosing the right American Express card
American Express runs its own card network in India rather than issuing through Visa, Mastercard or RuPay, and its lineup is smaller and more focused than most Indian banks. Two cards — Platinum and Gold — are charge cards with no pre-set spending limit, while the other four are standard revolving credit cards. Availability is concentrated in metro and Tier-1/Tier-2 cities. Use the grid below to open a full review of any card, or scroll down for a side-by-side comparison.
All cards
Compare every American Express card
Charge Card
American Express Platinum
★★★★½ 4.5/5
Read full review →
Charge Card
American Express Gold
★★★½☆ 3.8/5
Read full review →
Credit Card
American Express Membership Rewards
★★★★☆ 4.2/5
Read full review →
Credit Card
American Express SmartEarn
★★★★☆ 4.0/5
Read full review →
Credit Card
American Express Platinum Travel
★★★★☆ 4.3/5
Read full review →
Credit Card
American Express Platinum Reserve
★★★★☆ 4.1/5
Read full review →
Side by side
Fee and rating comparison
| Card | Type | Joining fee | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Platinum | Charge Card | ₹66,000 + GST | 4.5/5 | High-net-worth frequent travellers who will actively use lounge, hotel and golf benefits |
| American Express Gold | Charge Card | ₹1,000 + GST | 3.8/5 | Cardholders who want rewards on everyday categories like utility bills, without a fixed credit limit |
| American Express Membership Rewards | Credit Card | ₹1,000 + GST | 4.2/5 | Reward-focused spenders who can consistently hit the monthly milestone spends |
| American Express SmartEarn | Credit Card | ₹495 + GST | 4.0/5 | Frequent online shoppers on Zomato, Flipkart, Uber, Ajio, Nykaa, BookMyShow and Amazon |
| American Express Platinum Travel | Credit Card | ₹5,000 + GST | 4.3/5 | Domestic travellers who want airport lounge access and milestone-based travel rewards |
| American Express Platinum Reserve | Credit Card | ₹10,000 + GST | 4.1/5 | Premium spenders who want golf, dining and lounge privileges with a realistic path to a fee waiver |
Common questions
FAQs
How many credit and charge cards does American Express offer in India?
As of 2026, American Express issues six publicly applicable cards in India: SmartEarn, Membership Rewards Credit Card (MRCC), Gold Charge Card, Platinum Travel, Platinum Reserve and the Platinum Charge Card. A seventh, the Centurion Card, is invite-only.
Which American Express card has the lowest fee?
The SmartEarn Credit Card has the lowest fee at ₹495 plus GST, and that fee is waived entirely once you spend ₹40,000 in the preceding card year, making it the most accessible Amex card in India.
Which American Express card is best for airport lounge access?
The Platinum Charge Card offers unlimited global lounge access, the strongest in the lineup. Platinum Reserve and Platinum Travel both include lounge access at a fraction of the Platinum Charge Card's ₹66,000 fee, making them more realistic for most people.
Is American Express available in every Indian city?
No. Amex cards are issued mainly in metro and Tier-1/Tier-2 cities, and the company periodically pauses new applications in select locations. Always confirm current availability for your city on the official American Express India website.
Does American Express use the Visa or Mastercard network?
No. American Express runs its own payment network in India, separate from Visa, Mastercard and RuPay. This gives Amex tighter control over its rewards programme but means acceptance can be patchier at smaller offline merchants.
Which American Express card is easiest to get the annual fee waived?
SmartEarn has the easiest waiver at ₹40,000 annual spend. MRCC needs ₹1.5 lakh spend for a full waiver, and Platinum Reserve needs ₹10 lakh. Gold and the two Platinum-tier cards do not currently offer an official spend-based waiver.
Compare cards from other banks
Browse the full credit card directory on SearchLocally.in.