American Express Membership Rewards
American Express India · Checked 2026-10-09
American Express Membership Rewards is a paid card focused on shopping rewards, dining rewards and reward points, charging ₹4,500 annually before GST.
CardIQ editorial view
Our take
American Express Membership Rewards is a paid card focused on shopping rewards, dining rewards and reward points, charging ₹4,500 annually before GST.
Who it suits
- People who prioritise shopping rewards.
- People who prioritise dining rewards.
- People whose normal usage can recover the annual fee through relevant benefits.
Key strengths
- 1 Membership Rewards point per ₹50 on eligible purchases.
- Additional monthly milestone points require enrolment and qualifying spend.
- First-year fee is ₹1,000 + GST; renewal is ₹4,500 + GST, with conditional full or partial waiver.
Trade-offs to understand
- 1,000 bonus points for 4 eligible transactions of at least ₹1,500 in a calendar month.
- First-year fee is ₹1,000 + GST; renewal is ₹4,500 + GST, with conditional full or partial waiver.
- The ₹4,500 annual fee plus GST needs to be justified by benefits you will actually use.
CardIQ verdict
It deserves a place on the shortlist when your normal spending makes 1 membership rewards point per ₹50 on eligible purchases valuable enough to clear the fee. Factor in this condition: 1,000 bonus points for 4 eligible transactions of at least ₹1,500 in a calendar month.
Compare before deciding
- UCO Bank SBI Card ELITE — A higher-fee option to compare for broader benefits around shopping rewards and reward points.
- Bank of Maharashtra SBI Card PRIME — A lower-fee way to compare similar strengths in shopping rewards and reward points.
This CardIQ editorial assessment is maintained separately from issuer facts and commercial links. CardIQ may earn a commission from some applications. Verify current terms before applying.
Benefits, limits and conditions
- 1,000 bonus points for 4 eligible transactions of at least ₹1,500 in a calendar month.
- Additional monthly milestone points require enrolment and qualifying spend.
- First-year fee is ₹1,000 + GST; renewal is ₹4,500 + GST, with conditional full or partial waiver.