American Express

The good point first: It is perceived to have some snob value. There is some sort of mystique around the American Express brand. You are supposed to think that AMEX card "Members" are well off, have a concierge at their beck and call and get recognition and privileges granted to them at posh restaurants. In reality, it means nothing. Don't think that the "exclusive" Black Centurion card is only for millionaires, movie stars and Tiger Woods either. I know and work with people who have these cards and they have modest houses and mortgages just like the rest of us. They certainly aren't worth ... more

I've been a customer of American Useless through work (we received Corporate Credit Cards). My experience of them is not at all positive. I'll describe the Blue card. USABILITY The Amex card can't be used everywhere as they seem to charge retailers high prices for the pleasure of receiving them. However, given that most people use their cards with the weekly shopping, Tesco (for instance) do accept this as a method of shopping. CASHBACK Without a doubt, Amex Blue offers the best cashback around at the moment (with the exception of Morethan which offers 0.8%, and double that for the next 6 ... more

Having a corporate Amex card, I obtained a "companion" gold card for personal use when the company stopped allowing us to use it privately. I signed up for the membership rewards programme as I do a fair amount of business travel and so a few thousand pounds passes through the card each year. The personal spend on the Gold Card contributes to the same account. This is all right. The points can be used for flights on big airlines, or for meals in restaurants etc but it does cost £23.50 a year to be a member. I am sure there are other schemes with other cards which are more worthwhile. If I ... more

Having more than 20 Credit, store and charge cards, including gold, platinum, Diners and world signia cards. I must say that I have found The American Express Centurion card to be one of the most useful and most rewarding card to use. I have had the Centurion card for about ten years now. I was invited to Join the exclusive club after having a platinum charge card and regularly using it (at times spending more than £10,000 per month) I always ways make a point of paying off my balances on all my cards every month, (it's the only thing which allows me to sleep at night!!) There is a fee of 700 ... more

The American Express Platinum charge card is no longer "invitation only", but is it worth the £275 a year annual fee? When i was first upgraded from a gold card, the platinum fee was just under £200 a year. If you travel a few times a year and take at least one family holiday, then this fee was worth the cards unique travel benefits. Along with the usual consumer protection benefits the cardholder receives: 1. Free worldwide travel insurance for their spouse, dependant children and themselves. This benefit is worth around £100 on its own, particularily if you holiday more than once a year. 2 ... more