American Express Card in India: Eligibility & Fees

American Express card eligibility and pricing confuse many first-time applicants because Amex sells two kinds of products in India: credit cards and charge cards. Here is the lineup with fees as listed on our card pages, plus what actually decides approval.

Credit card vs charge card

A credit card has a set limit and lets you carry a balance (at a steep interest cost). A charge card, like the Gold Charge and Platinum Charge, is listed with no pre-set spending limit but expects the full bill paid by the due date. Our charge card vs credit card guide covers the trade-offs.

American Express credit card price in India

Fees are plus GST and as listed on our card pages. Check American Express's latest terms before applying.

American Express card eligibility

Amex does not approve on income alone. Expect it to look at:

• Age and residency: you must be an adult resident of India.
• Income: thresholds differ by card and by salaried or self-employed status. Amex's own site is the final word.
• City: Amex issues cards only in select serviceable cities, so check whether your location qualifies.
• Credit history: a clean CIBIL record matters; 750+ is a good target. See the minimum CIBIL score for approval.

The acceptance caveat

Amex is accepted at fewer Indian merchants than Visa or Mastercard, especially smaller shops. It also cannot be linked to UPI apps, since only RuPay credit cards can. Keep a backup card on another network.

How to get an Amex card

1. Pick the card from the table that matches your spending.
2. Check city and income fit on Amex's site.
3. Apply online with PAN, address proof and income proof ready.
4. Expect a verification call before approval.

Eyeing the top tier? Read Citi Prestige vs Amex Platinum or browse all American Express cards.