The American Express Card is no longer available to new cardholders. This page is kept as a record of what the card offered.

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The American Express Card was a charge card carrying a £60 annual fee. As a charge card rather than a credit card, the full balance had to be paid each month, and acceptance required a strong credit history.

Cardholders earned 1 Membership Rewards point for approximately every £1 spent. Depending on redemption method, points were typically valued at between 0.5p and 1p each, equating to a rewards rate of roughly 0.5% to 1% on spending — comparable to what Amex offered on some of its fee-free cards at the time.

The card's distinguishing features were not its earn rate but its protections, several of which weren't available on Amex's other rewards cards:

• Extended warranty — one additional year beyond the manufacturer's warranty on registered purchases, covering up to £1,500 per item for electrical or mechanical failure. Purchases had to be registered with Amex within 90 days.

• Purchase protection — up to £2,500 per item to repair, replace or refund a purchase stolen or damaged within 90 days.

• Global Assist — 24-hour access to English-speaking medical and legal support while abroad, including help contacting an embassy or arranging hospitalisation.

• Travel inconvenience protection, travel accident and baggage insurance when the card was used to pay.

• American Express Experiences, giving access to pre-sale and reserved event tickets.

A 2.99% fee applied to non-sterling transactions.

Membership Rewards is American Express's loyalty programme. Points earned on spending could be used against statement charges, spent at Amazon.co.uk, exchanged for gift cards, or put towards flights and hotel stays. Points could also be transferred to Amex's airline and hotel partners.

The value achieved varied considerably by redemption route. Statement credits and shopping redemptions sat at the lower end, while transfers to travel partners — particularly for premium cabin flights or upgrades — generally delivered more per point. There was no fixed conversion rate, and the value realised depended entirely on what the points were spent on.

The Amex Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card is Amex's current Membership Rewards card, earning points on spending with a welcome bonus and travel-related benefits.

Our Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card review covers its current earn rates, fee and features.