✓CredWiser.cc
American Express SmartEarn Credit Card
68/100
American Express
Low fee Amex with accelerated points on popular apps
Credwiser Score 68/100

American Express SmartEarn Credit Card

American Express • Low fee Amex with accelerated points on popular apps

SmartEarn keeps the Amex entry fee low and focuses on accelerated points at a set of online and app based merchants. The monthly caps mean the best return comes from controlled partner spending rather than very large volumes. It is a simple starter card, but it has no lounge benefit.

Annual Fee (+ 18% GST)₹495 (₹584 incl. GST)
Fee WaiverRenewal fee waiver on eligible spends of ₹40,000 or more in the previous year of cardmembership
Joining Perk₹500 cashback as a welcome gift on eligible spends of ₹10,000 in the first 90 days
Primary Reward1 Membership Rewards point for every ₹50 spent, with 10X points at select partners and 5X points on Amazon, subject to the monthly caps stated by Amex
Airport Lounge AccessNo complimentary lounge access on this card
Forex Markup3.5% + 18% GST
RuPay UPINo
Best ForFirst time Amex users who spend on Amazon, Flipkart, Zomato, Uber and similar partner brands

What We Like

  • Low annual fee of ₹495 plus GST
  • Fee waiver needs only ₹40,000 of eligible annual spend
  • 10X and 5X partner earn rates for popular online merchants, subject to caps

Watch Out

  • No complimentary airport lounge access
  • Accelerated points are capped every month
  • No base points on fuel, insurance and utility payments as stated officially

MITC & Hidden Charges

Annual fee ₹495 plus GST; total with 18% GST is ₹584. Other charges as per the issuer's MITC.

American Express SmartEarn Credit Card FAQs

How can the SmartEarn renewal fee be waived?

American Express states a renewal fee waiver on eligible spends of ₹40,000 and above in the previous year of cardmembership.

Does SmartEarn offer lounge access?

No. The official SmartEarn page lists accelerated points, cashback, vouchers and EMI, but no complimentary lounge access.

Alternatives to Consider

Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card
93/100
ICICI Bank
The most popular Lifetime Free card in Indian banking history.
Annual Fee₹0 LTF
Reward5% unlimited Amazon cashback for Prime members
LoungeNo complimentary lounge access
Apply Now →
HDFC Millennia Credit Card
89/100
HDFC Bank
HDFC’s flagship cashback card for young professionals.
Annual Fee₹1,000 + GST
Reward5% Cashback on Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy, Zomato, Uber, Myntra
Lounge4 Domestic Lounge visits per year (spend-linked)
Apply Now →
Axis Bank ACE Credit Card
91/100
Axis Bank
The undisputed bill payment powerhouse on Google Pay.
Annual Fee₹499 + GST
Reward5% on Google Pay Bill Payments + 4% on Swiggy/Zomato/Ola
Lounge4 Domestic Lounge visits per year (spend-linked)
Apply Now →