Best American Express Card for Students [2024 Review]

Between tuition, books, housing, and daily expenses, the costs of college life can quickly spiral out of control without careful planning. I found out that the wrong card choice could actually make quite a difference in my savings over time.

I conducted intense research after that to find the best American Express card for students. I am sharing my compiled list below for you to make an informed decision.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Our Top American Express Students Credit Card Recommendations

There are a few Amex cards students can use. That said, Amex does not have specified student cards. This is because students generally have a poor to average credit score. 

You must have a 700+ credit score to apply for these cards. Nonetheless, you can go through this list to find yourself the best American Express card for students.

• Best Overall: Amex Blue Cash Everyday
• Best for Students Supporting Families: Amex Blue Cash Preferred
• Best for Foreign Students: Amex Blue Delta SkyMiles

	Intro APR	Rewards	Welcome Bonus
Blue Cash Everyday	0% on purchases, Balance transfers, and cash advances for the first 15 months	3% cash back each in supermarkets, online retail, and gas stations up to $6,000	Earn a $200 statement credit on spending $2,000 within the first six months
Blue Cash Preferred	0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months	6% cash back on supermarkets up to $6,000; 3% unlimited cash back each on gas stations and transit	Earn a $250 statement credit on spending $3,000 within the first six months
Blue Delta SkyMiles	No intro APR	2x miles on each Delta purchase; 2x miles for spending on restaurants globally	Earn 10,000 bonus miles for spending $1,000 within the first six months

Best Amex Student Card Overall: Amex Blue Cash Everyday

With the Amex Blue Cash Everyday, you pay a $0 annual fee like most college student cards. You also pay a high APR with Amex Blue Cash Everyday like any top-tier card. Although you get an intro period, it can be expensive if you carry a balance. 

Reward Categories

Amex is generous with its reward categories. You get a 3% cash back on supermarkets located inside the US. However, there is a price cap of $6,000. That said, you may not spend that much through the year as a student.

You get a 3% cash back for shopping online from retail stores. You must make purchases from a website or an app that has an IP address inside the US. You get a $6,000 price cap on this, too.

The gas stations must sell gasoline as their primary business for you to earn 3% cash back until $6,000 yearly. Amex doesn’t consider supermarkets, clubhouses, or convenience stores selling gasoline as gas stations.

More Benefits

Amex offers a 15-month exemption from APR on purchases and balance transfers. It is a long time, equivalent to some top-tier cards. You can use it to pay off big educational purchases or student loans.

You also get a welcome bonus of $200 as a statement credit. However, like any other card, you have to spend money to receive that bonus. You must spend $2,000 within the first six months. Combine this with 0% APR, and you can quickly pay off your outstanding debts.

Pros

• You get 3% cash back for spending up to $6,000 on US physical and online marketplaces.
• You also get a 3% cash return on spending up to $6,000 on gas stations.
• You earn credit for buying entertainment streaming subscriptions. You get $7 monthly for spending at least $9.99 monthly.
• You pay a $0 annual fee and a lengthy intro APR period. You can use this time to pay off loans.

Cons

• You can incur up to a 29.99% interest on purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances separately.
• The Pay Later feature can push you to get carried away and spend more than you can afford.
• You can get more rewarding student cards that require a lower credit score. This card demands a good to excellent score.

Best Amex Card for Students Supporting Families: Amex Blue Cash Preferred

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred is a good choice if you decide to pursue higher studies while working and supporting a family. It may be easier as you will have an established credit score. Amex Blue Cash Preferred offers generous rewards compared to some top-tier family-oriented cards.

You get a hefty welcome bonus of $250 for spending $3,000 in the first six months. You also incur a 0% APR and a $0 annual fee for the first year. Blue Cash Everyday surpasses this intro offer because it has a longer intro period.

Reward Categories

This card has the best cash back for the most used category by families; a 6% return on grocery stores until you spend $6,000. You also get a 6% cash back on buying streaming subscriptions. This percentage is lucrative compared to several cash back cards.

You earn unlimited 3% cash back for spending at gas stations and transit inside the US. All categories are regularly used by students and families.

Pros

• You get a generous 6% cash back each on grocery stores and streaming subscriptions. It surpasses several cash back cards. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
• You don’t have to pay an annual fee, making this card affordable.
• You get a one-year 0% intro APR period to stabilize your finances before you start paying $95 yearly.
• You get an unlimited 3% cash return on US gas stations and commute each.
• You also get statement credits for making special purchases. You can earn a bit more if you are in those categories.

Cons

• You get a reward cap of $6,000 per year in the grocery category. This can be tricky if you spend more as a family.
• You incur a high APR of around 29.99% like all Amex cards which can be expensive.

Best Amex Card for International Students: Amex Blue Delta SkyMiles

While the Amex Blue Delta SkyMiles is a travel card through and through, here me out. If you’re an international student and planning to travel back home throughout the year, you can get solid benefits if you are a Delta loyalist. Although Amex has better Delta cards, Blue Delta SkyMiles is affordable for students.

This card offers an easy welcome offer, unlike the cards in this list. You get 10,000 miles for spending $1,000 in the first 6 months. Although you don’t get an intro APR, you pay a $0 annual fee. 

You get a straightforward reward structure here. You earn 2x miles on all Delta purchases, including in-flight food. Furthermore, you earn 2x miles on global restaurants. However, you earn this reward on take-out and delivery only in the US, like several travel cards.

Pros

• You earn 2x miles on every dollar you spend on Delta purchases, increasing your redemption miles.
• You can dine in and earn 2x Delta miles on worldwide restaurants. Take-out and delivery earn you miles inside the US only.
• You get a 20% discount on purchasing in-flight food and beverages with Delta Airlines.

Cons

• You don’t get an intro APR period which can stagger you a bit at the start.
• You don’t get more travel benefits like free checked bags and lounge access.

Features to Consider for American Express Card for Students

Although getting approved for an Amex card if you are a student is difficult, it is not impossible. You should consider these aspects before applying for one.

Reward Opportunities

Look for the reward categories that align with your needs. An example is Amex Blue Cash Preferred, which offers the largest cash back on grocery stores. Everyone shops for groceries so that is a benefit.

Payment Relaxations

Lengthy intro APR periods like Amex Blue Cash Everyday can provide you breathing space before paying more. Also, consider the Pay Later option Amex provides to plan big payments.

Financial Qualification

You need a good to excellent credit score to apply for all Amex cards. If you have just started your financial journey as a student, you can go for other student-specific credit cards. 

Related Questions

Conclusion

Amex Blue Cash Everyday is the best American Express card for students. It exempts you from an annual fee, has a long 0% APR period, and cash back categories. However, due to poor credit scores and financial history, Amex rarely approves students for its cards.