American Express (aka AMEX)
AMEX differs from Visa and MasterCard in that it is a direct issuer, rather than being an association of member banks. However, American Express does have member banks that issue their cards for them, meaning that AMEX credit cards are much more accessible.
American Express has typically been associated with the wealthy, exemplified by their unadvertised black card which is offered directly to customers who meet certain criteria. However, they now have cards for everyone, offering their customers many rewards and incentives for usage. They mainly specialise in benefits for travellers, including automatic flight insurance and baggage protection if you use the credit card to buy a flight ticket. Their recent 'blue card' is one of the most popular on the market due to it's extensive list of offers, including no annual fees, cash back on most purchases and online
