American Express is consistently one of the highest rated credit card issuers. This could be because the customers are demographically different than average Visa and MasterCard customers. American Express customers are generally individuals and businesses with higher credit ratings, and they are more likely to make better financial decisions. Additionally, many American Express cards are charge cards. Charge cards don’t have associated interest rates, so every bill is due in full. As a result, American Express customers generally don’t buy what they can’t afford to pay back within 30 days.

In the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 credit card satisfaction survey, American Express received five out of five in all ratings categories: overall satisfaction, credit card terms, rewards, and benefits. This is the fifth consecutive year that AmEx has taken the highest honors. American Express also won the highest accolades from personal finance bloggers, taking home the Best Credit Card in the First Annual Plutus Awards last year, with the Blue from American Express card.

Here’s an overview of the major credit and charge cars from American Express and reviews for each.

The Platinum Card® from American Express is the flagship charge card, offering the best benefits American Express can offer. Members who enroll and select an airline, may receive up to $200 annually in statement credits for incidental airline fees such as checked bags, in–flight refreshments, and change fees. When cardholders use AmEx’s travel services, they can benefit from a companion ticket for discounted travel with the purchase of a qualifying first- or business-class international ticket. In addition, members will have access to private lounge areas at over 600 airports worldwide to pass the time in comfort. AmEx has a 24/7 concierge available to tend to all customers’ needs. Businesses can receive similar features with the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN.

These benefits come at a significant cost. With an annual fee of $450, the Platinum Card is not for the faint of heart. The potential benefits could outweigh this annual fee, but this is a personal decision. This card would simply not be the best match for many consumers due to that annual fee.

Sitting in between the Platinum Cards and the regular Gold Card is the Premier Rewards Gold Card from American Express. New cardholders will receive 25,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $2,000 in the first three months of card membership. On purchases, you cardholders earn points quickly, with three points per dollar on airfare, two points per dollar on gas and groceries, one one point per dollar on all other purchases. These points can be used to fly anytime, anywhere, on any airline. Members receive exclusive access to buy tickets for popular events.

This card carries a $175 annual fee, much less than the Platinum Card, but the benefits are not as extensive. The annual fee is waived for the first year.

The American Express® Gold Card offers some of the same features as the Platinum card, but at a lower level. Benefits include 24-hour roadside assistance, and exclusive, early access to purchase tickets for events. With the business version, The Business Gold Rewards Card® from American Express OPEN, you can earn points faster, get rewarded for what your business already spends.

Both versions of the charge card waive the annual fee for the first year. Thereafter the American Express Gold Card comes with an annual fee of $125, while the business version comes with an annual fee of $175.

For travelers that fly on Delta Airlines frequently, the Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express is one of the best ways to earn relevant and valuable rewards. The introductory offer is up to 30,000 miles, which converts to $300 in Delta airfare. You can continue to earn miles at the rate of two miles per dollar spent on Delta flights and one mile per dollar for all other expenses. The Gold Delta SkyMiles card offers free checked bags on Delta flights for up to nine people in your reservation.

While the annual fee for this credit card is $95, American Express waives the fee for the first year.

For consumers with excellent credit, the Blue Cash Preferred from American Express offers one of the best cash back programs the issuer has to offer. After a $150 sign-up bonus after spending $1,000 within the first three months of card membership, earn 6% on supermarket purchases, 3% on gasoline and department store purchases, and 1% on everything else. This is the best cash back offer American Express has, and it is better than offers from many other issuers, as well.

The Blue Cash Preferred from American Express comes with a $75 annual fee, but you can eliminate this fee or even make more money by referring qualified customers to the card.

Consumers with good credit can consider the Blue Cash Everyday(SM) from American Express, offering consumers one of the best cash back programs the issuer has available. Earn 3% on supermarket purchases, 2% on gasoline and department store purchases, and 1% cash back on everything else as well as $100 cash back bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases in the first three months. There are no spending thresholds to overcome before earning this cash back. Unlike the Gold and Platinum cards, Blue Cash Everyday is a credit card, so purchases are subject to interest fees if the bills are not paid in full.

There is no annual fee for being a member of Blue Cash Everyday.

The Blue Sky from American Express and the Blue Sky Preferred from American Express are credit cards, not charge cards, focused on travel rewards. With the Blue Sky card, spenders earn one point for every dollar spent on the card, but those points are about 33% more valuable than typical rewards programs. You need only 7,500 points to qualify for a $100 statement credit. The Blue Sky Preferred card has the additional feature of earning two points for ever dollar spent on hotels, dining and car rental purchases, as well as an annual $100 airline allowance to cover airline fees, like checked baggage.

The Blue Sky has no annual fee, and The Blue Sky Preferred Card comes with a $75 annual fee.

Without fail, the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express is the readers’ favorite at Consumerism Commentary. This credit card currently features an introductory bonus of 25,000 Starpoints, receive 10,000 Starpoints after your first purchase and an additional 15,000 Starpoints when you spend $5,000 in six months. Starpoints can be redeemed with more than 350 airlines and more than 1,000 hotels around the world. The business version of this card, the Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card from American Express OPEN, offers the same features for small businesses and their owners.

The Starwood cards comes with a $65 annual fee, waived for the first year.

The TrueEarnings® Card from Costco and American Express is another favorite among Consumerism Commentary readers. There is no bonus offer with this credit card, but the cash back arrangement is solid. Approved applicants can immediately begin receiving cash back at the rates of 3% on gasoline purchases up to $3,000 (1% thereafter), 2% on restaurants and travel, and 1% on all other purchases, including purchases at Costco.

For Costco members in good standing, this credit card has no annual fee.

All the above American Express cards, both credit cards and charge cards, have the same security features, extended warranty benefits, and purchase protection.

This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.

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For consumers with a poor credit history, the options for new lines of credit are limited. Far too often, lenders take advantage of people with poor credit by charging high interest rates and fees. Rather than improve their credit, the added debt only makes things worse. The world can be a much uglier place when your credit score is below 650. Before signing up for a new credit card, someone with bad credit should determine the cause of the low score. If it’s related to uncontrollable spending, this is the problem that should be solved before looking for new credit.

Many people with bad credit are interested in improving their credit score, and responsible use of credit is the perfect way to do this. Some credit card issuers offer products designed specifically for people with bad credit. Even though the terms may not be as favorable as other mainstream cards, these can be good instruments for proving to the financial industry one can now handle a credit card without creating more problems. The best credit cards for poor credit generally lack rewards and perks, but the cards you’ll find below do offer consumers a line of credit with reasonable interest rates and low fees. If you own a card designed for consumers with bad credit and you love it, let me know and I’ll add it to the list.

The cards on this list report your credit information to all three major credit bureaus, which will help improve your credit score if the behavior is positive.

Cards for bad credit

Capital One® Platinum Credit Card. The Capital One® Platinum Credit Card provides cardholders a 24.9% variable purchase APR and the lowest of annual fees, other than zero, at $19. That annual fee is waived for all first year cardholders. Customers who need to use this card for a cash advance will be subject to an APR of 24.9% variable. The Capital One® Standard Platinum Credit Card also includes 24-hour travel and roadside assistance. Any purchase you make with this card can qualify for extended warranties.

Platinum Zero® Secured Visa® Credit Card from Applied Bank®. For consumers with bad credit, a secured credit card is not only accessible, but it also a key piece of rebuilding credit. Rather than paying interest on carried-over balances, customers of this card pay a $9.95 monthly maintenance fee. Applied Bank extends a credit line for users of the the Platinum Zero Secured Visa Credit Card of between $500 and $5,000. Cash advances are subject to a variable APR of 9.99%, low among credit cards, but keep in mind you’re still paying a $9.95 monthly fee. In most cases, customers should avoid cash advances.

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