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Banking

American Express Rewards Checking review: Earn points with a debit card, plus a solid interest rate

CNBC Select reviews the American Express Rewards Checking Account for its benefits and perks.

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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Though American Express is known for its excellent card products, it also offers a consumer checking account for its cardholders.

The American Express® Rewards Checking account offers Amex Membership Rewards® points on all purchases made with its associated debit card. And you'll earn a respectable 1.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) as of June 18th 2025 on your balances along the way.

American Express® Rewards Checking Account

American Express National Bank is a Member FDIC.
  • Monthly maintenance fee

    $0

  • Minimum opening deposit

    $0

  • Minimum balance

    $0

  • Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

    1.00%

  • Free ATM network

    37,000+ MoneyPass® ATMs

  • ATM fee reimbursement

    None

  • Overdraft fee

    N/A

  • Terms apply.

Click here to view terms and conditions.

American Express Rewards Checking Account review

American Express Rewards Checking APY

The American Express® Rewards Checking account's current APY is 1.00% as of June 18th 2025 and you can start earning interest right away, with no minimum balances required in your account. This is notable as most checking accounts offer very little or no interest. The APY of this checking account is higher than some brick-and-mortar savings accounts and comparable to some of the best high-yield savings accounts.

American Express® compounds interest on your account daily and deposits it into your account monthly.

Benefits and perks

The American Express® Rewards Checking offers a few perks for a simple online bank account. Here are the benefits you'll have:

  • As you spend on the debit card, you'll earn one Amex Membership Reward® point for every $2 spent on eligible purchases.
  • The account earns 1.00% APY as of June 18th 2025 on the balance within the checking account.
  • Mobile check deposit

The American Express Rewards Checking comes with 24/7 customer support. Additionally, the debit card comes with purchase protection in case something you buy is stolen or damaged within the first 90 days from purchase. It's not common for debit cards to offer credit card-like perks like these.

Keep in mind the checking account is only available for current Amex consumer cardholders who've had a card account open for at least three months.

The Amex Rewards Checking is unique as there is no cap on the amount of rewards you can earn with the debit card. Many rewards debit cards offer cash back, but there's usually a small limit on the amount of rewards you can earn.

So if you're currently earning American Express Membership Rewards with a card like the American Express Platinum Card® or the American Express® Gold Card, all of your points earned from your cards will be deposited into the same place. If you don't currently have a card that earns Membership Rewards points you will not be able to use the points earned from the debit card for travel or to transfer to travel partners — you can only deposit your points into your checking account as cash.

On the American Express site

CNBC Select Rating
5

On the American Express site

Spotlight

The Amex Platinum Card provides access to Amex Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, Lufthansa Lounges, Escape Lounges and more. (Enrollment required)

Credit score

Good to Excellent

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Annual fee

$895

Welcome bonus

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points

See rates and fees, terms apply. Read our Amex Platinum Card review. The American Express Platinum Card® Welcome Offer: To view your personalized offer, you must first submit an application. If approved, you will: (1) receive your Welcome Offer details, (2) have the option to accept the Card with that offer, (3) be required to spend $12,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership, and (4) earn Membership Rewards® points. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. If you're approved and accept your offer, a credit check may be conducted, which could impact your credit score. Terms apply.

The American Express Platinum Card® is a premium card loaded with annual statement credits, entertainment benefits, extensive airport lounge access, elite status perks and more. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)

Highlights

Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.

  • You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
  • With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits (subject to visit limitations) when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass™ membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. *As of 01/2026
  • $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
  • $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
  • $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights™ by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. As a Platinum Card® Member you have special access to reservations on select nights at participating sought after Resy restaurants in select cities through Platinum Nights™ by Resy. Simply add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to book your reservation.
  • $219 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
  • Start your vacation sooner and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM late check-out.
  • $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Get up to a $12.95* statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
  • Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
  • $895 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees

Balance transfer fee

N/A

Foreign transaction fee

None

American Express® Gold Card

CNBC Select Rating
5

On the American Express site

CNBC Select Rating
5

On the American Express site

Spotlight

The Amex Gold Card offers over $400 in statement credits every year.

Credit score

Good to Excellent

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Annual fee

$325

Welcome bonus

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points

See rates and fees, terms apply. Read our American Express® Gold Card review. The American Express Gold® Card Welcome Offer: To view your personalized offer, you must first submit an application. If approved, you will: (1) receive your Welcome Offer details, (2) have the option to accept the Card with that offer, (3) be required to spend $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership, and (4) earn Membership Rewards® points. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. If you're approved and accept your offer, a credit check may be conducted, which could impact your credit score. Terms apply.

The American Express Gold Card is great for earning valuable Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets.

Highlights

Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.

  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You'll know upfront exactly how much you'll pay.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
  • Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
  • Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property. 
  • Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
  • Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees

Foreign transaction fee

None

Fees

There is a $0 minimum balance requirement and $0 monthly fees with the American Express Rewards Checking account. And there is no fee when you withdraw your cash from one of the 37,000 MoneyPass® ATM locations nationwide. If you withdraw money from a third-party ATM you may have to pay a fee imposed by that provider.

However, keep in mind that if you plan on using the card outside of the U.S. that there are foreign currency conversion fees.

Also, this checking account is completely online, so there are no brick-and-mortar branches to visit if you need to do any in-person banking.

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Bottom line

The American Express® Rewards Checking account is a great offer for current Amex cardholders. If you're already earning Amex Membership Rewards, this gives an additional way to keep earning valuable transferable rewards.

And while the interest rate won't make a huge difference to your account balance over time, it's an easy way to have a bit of passive income that is likely much higher than your current checking account.

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cardsbanking and money, and follow us on TikTokFacebookInstagram and Twitter to stay up to date.

For rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, click here.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.

Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.

American Express Rewards Checking Account Review 2026

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