MyFinCards
American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card

Joining Fee

₹1,000

Annual Fee

Rs. 4500 (Reversed on annual spends of Rs. 1.5 Lakhs)

American Express
Rewards
Best For: Reward points enthusiasts, Those who spend regularly and can meet fee waiver thresholds, Shoppers redeeming for lifestyle vouchers

American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card

Rewards Structure

Base Reward Rate

1% on spends

Point Value

1 Point = ₹0.25

Pros

  • Welcome gift of 4,000 Bonus MR Points on meeting spend criteria
  • Monthly bonus points milestones rewarding regular usage
  • Renewal bonus of 5,000 MR Points
  • Annual fee waiver available on higher spends
  • Attractive Gold Collection redemption options including Taj, Amazon, Flipkart vouchers
  • Fuel convenience fee waiver at HPCL
  • Up to 20% dining discounts at select restaurants
  • Low first-year joining fee of Rs. 1,000

Cons

  • Second year onwards annual fee of Rs. 4,500 is relatively high
  • No points earned on Fuel, Insurance, Utilities, Cash Transactions and EMI at Point of Sale
  • Limited acceptance compared to Visa/Mastercard
  • Card issued only in select cities in India

Hidden Catches (Transparency Policy)

To build trust with our users, we highlight the fine print that issuers often tuck away in policy documents.

Monthly milestone benefit requires enrollment

Welcome gift requires payment of joining fee and spending INR 15,000 within first 90 days

No MR Points on EMI options selected from merchant's website or terminal effective March 15, 2020

Annual fee waiver is only 50% if spends are between Rs. 90,000 and Rs. 1,49,999; full waiver only above Rs. 1,50,000

Fuel convenience fee waiver only applies to transactions below Rs. 5,000 at HPCL

Key Benefits & Features

24x7 Card Related Assistance, Dispute Resolution, Zero Lost Card Liability, Emergency Card Replacement, Contactless Payment.

Eligibility Criteria

Min. Annual Income

₹4.5 Lakhs

Age Requirement

18+ Years

Occupation

SALARIEDSELF_EMPLOYED

Notable Exclusions

No Membership Rewards Points on Fuel spends (petrol, diesel, CNG from Oil Marketing Companies).No Membership Rewards Points on Insurance spends.No Membership Rewards Points on Utility payments (electricity, water, gas bills).No Membership Rewards Points on Cash Transactions.No Membership Rewards Points on EMI conversion at Point of Sale or EMI options selected at merchant's website/terminal. Effective March 15, 2020.

*Exclusions may apply to EMI transactions, fuel, and wallet reloads based on current bank policy.

Official Terms & Conditions

About American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card

The American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card is designed for everyday spenders who want to turn their regular purchases into valuable rewards. With a joining fee of Rs. 1,000 and an annual fee of Rs. 4,500, the card offers meaningful fee waiver thresholds — a 100% waiver if annual spends reach Rs. 1,50,000 or above, and a 50% waiver for spends between Rs. 90,000 and Rs. 1,49,999, making it accessible for those who spend consistently. Cardmembers earn 1 Membership Rewards Point for every Rs. 50 spent, with bonus earning opportunities built in throughout the year. Spending four times on transactions of Rs. 1,500 or more in a calendar month earns 1,000 bonus points, while monthly spends of Rs. 20,000 or above unlock an additional 1,000 points. Upon card renewal, members receive 5,000 Membership Rewards Points, and new cardmembers enjoy a welcome gift of 4,000 bonus points on meeting initial spend criteria. Points can be redeemed through the Gold Collection, offering vouchers from brands like Taj, Shoppers Stop, Tanishq, Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra. Additional perks include dining discounts at select restaurants, a fuel convenience fee waiver at HPCL, EMI flexibility, and 24x7 card assistance — making this card a well-rounded rewards option for lifestyle-focused spenders.

Expert Review

Our Verdict

Earn Membership Rewards Points on every spend with welcome gift, bonus milestones & Gold Collection redemptions.

Frequently Asked QuestionsAbout American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card

ELIGIBILITYWhat are the eligibility criteria for the American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card?
To apply for this card, you must be a Resident Indian above 18 years of age with a good credit history and no payment defaults. Salaried applicants need a minimum personal annual income of INR 4.5 lakhs, while self-employed applicants need a minimum personal annual income of INR 6 lakhs with their business trading for more than 12 months. You must also have a savings or current account with an Indian or multinational bank in India and a current or permanent residential address in India.
ELIGIBILITYIn which cities is the American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card available?
The American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card is currently issued to residents of select cities in India, including Delhi/NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Indore, Coimbatore, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Nagpur, Nasik, Trivandrum, and Mysuru, subject to conditions. If you do not reside in one of these cities, you may not be eligible to apply for this card.
FEESWhat are the joining and annual fees for this card?
The American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card has a first-year joining fee of Rs. 1,000 plus applicable taxes. From the second year onwards, the annual renewal fee is Rs. 4,500 plus applicable taxes. The relatively low first-year fee makes it an accessible entry point into the American Express rewards ecosystem, though you should factor in the higher renewal fee from the second year when evaluating the card's overall value.
FEESCan the annual fee be waived on the American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card?
Yes, the annual membership renewal fee of Rs. 4,500 can be waived based on your spending in the immediately preceding membership year. If your total spends are Rs. 1,50,000 or above, the annual fee is waived 100%. If your spends are between Rs. 90,000 and Rs. 1,49,999, you receive a 50% waiver on the renewal fee. This makes it possible to significantly reduce or eliminate the annual fee by meeting the spending milestones.
REWARDSHow do I earn Membership Rewards Points on this card?
You earn 1 Membership Rewards Point for every Rs. 50 spent on eligible transactions. Additionally, you can earn 1,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points by using your card at least 4 times on transactions of Rs. 1,500 or above in a calendar month. You can also earn an additional 1,000 Membership Rewards Points by spending INR 20,000 or more in a calendar month (enrollment required). Note that points are not earned on fuel, insurance, utilities, cash transactions, or EMI conversions at the Point of Sale.
REWARDSWhat transactions are excluded from earning Membership Rewards Points?
You will not earn Membership Rewards Points on spends related to fuel (petrol, diesel, CNG from Oil Marketing Companies), insurance, and utility payments such as electricity, water, and gas bills. Additionally, effective March 15, 2020, points are not earned on EMI options selected at a merchant's website or terminal at the Point of Sale. However, you will continue to earn points on EMI transactions made through American Express SafeKey and on EMI conversions done post-purchase.
REWARDSWhat are the Gold Collection redemption options available with Membership Rewards Points?
You can redeem your Membership Rewards Points for attractive vouchers under the Gold Collection. With 24,000 MR Points (24 Karat Gold Collection), you can choose from a Taj voucher worth Rs. 14,000, Shoppers Stop voucher worth Rs. 10,000, Tata Cliq or Tanishq voucher worth Rs. 9,000, or Amazon, Flipkart, or Reliance Digital voucher worth Rs. 8,000. With 18,000 MR Points (18 Karat Gold Collection), options include a Taj voucher worth Rs. 9,000, Shoppers Stop, Tata Cliq, or Myntra voucher worth Rs. 7,000, or Amazon, Flipkart, or Reliance Digital voucher worth Rs. 6,000.
BENEFITSWhat is the welcome gift offered on this card and how do I qualify for it?
New cardmembers receive a welcome gift of 4,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points. To qualify, you need to pay the joining fee and spend INR 15,000 within the first 90 days of your cardmembership. This welcome bonus gives you a head start on accumulating points that can be redeemed for valuable rewards from the Gold Collection, including vouchers from top brands like Taj, Amazon, and Flipkart.
BENEFITSAre there any renewal bonus points offered on this card?
Yes, upon renewing your American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card for the first year and paying the annual membership fee, you will earn 5,000 Membership Rewards Points as a renewal bonus. These points are credited to your account within 90 days of card renewal. This renewal bonus helps offset the cost of the annual fee and adds significant value for continuing cardmembers who actively use their rewards points.
BENEFITSIs there a fuel convenience fee waiver on this card?
Yes, the American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card offers a fuel convenience fee waiver at HPCL fuel stations. There is a 0% convenience fee on fuel purchases at HPCL for transactions less than Rs. 5,000. For fuel purchases of Rs. 5,000 and above per transaction, a 1% convenience fee is applicable. Please note that fuel transactions do not earn Membership Rewards Points regardless of the transaction amount.
BENEFITSWhat dining benefits does this card offer?
With the American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card, you can enjoy exciting dining discounts of up to 20% every time you dine at select partner restaurants. This benefit allows regular diners to save significantly on their food bills throughout the year. To avail of the discount, you need to pay using your American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card at the participating restaurants. The list of partner restaurants is available on the American Express website.
USAGEDoes the American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card support contactless payments?
Yes, your American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card may be enabled for contactless payments. To check if your card supports this feature, look for the contactless symbol on the front and back of your card. Contactless payments allow you to make quick and secure transactions by simply tapping your card at compatible payment terminals, without needing to insert your card or enter a PIN for eligible transactions.
USAGECan I convert my purchases into EMI with this card?
Yes, the American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card allows you to convert your purchases into easy monthly instalments (EMI) through the American Express EMI facility. You can split the payment for big purchases into manageable monthly amounts. You can also pay your credit card bill fully or partially as per your convenience. Note that EMI options selected at a merchant's website or terminal at the Point of Sale (after March 15, 2020) do not earn Membership Rewards Points.
BENEFITSWhat security and assistance services are available on this card?
The American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card comes with several security and support services, including 24x7 card-related assistance, dispute resolution support, zero lost card liability, and emergency card replacement. In case your card is lost or stolen, you are protected from unauthorized transactions with zero liability, provided you report the loss promptly. American Express's round-the-clock customer service ensures you have access to help whenever you need it.
APPLICATIONHow do I apply for the American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card?
You can apply for the American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card online through the American Express India website. Before applying, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria, including being a Resident Indian above 18 years of age, residing in one of the eligible cities, and meeting the minimum income requirements (INR 4.5 lakhs per annum for salaried individuals or INR 6 lakhs per annum for self-employed individuals). You will typically need to provide identity proof, address proof, income proof, and bank account details during the application process.

Related Rewards Cards

Explore other premium credit cards that offer similar benefits and rewards.

View all Rewards cards
811 Dream Different Credit Card
RewardsCashbackFuel

811 Dream Different Credit Card

Interest-free cash withdrawal up to 48 days; cash withdrawal up to 90% of total credit limit; Rs. 100 processing fee per ATM withdrawal

Credit limit up to 90% of fixed deposit amount; credit limit known upfront at time of application

Joining Fee
N/A
Annual Fee
Rs. 0 + Taxes
ACE Credit Card
Rewards

ACE Credit Card

Detailed benefits inside

Joining Fee
₹499
Annual Fee
₹499
Adani One Platinum
TravelLifestyleRewardsFuel

Adani One Platinum

2 instances of Valet Parking annually at Adani-managed airports

2 instances of Premium car parking on card activation

Joining Fee
₹750
Annual Fee
₹750

More from American Express

Discover the full range of credit cards offered by American Express to find the perfect fit for your finances.

View all American Express cards
American Express Gold Card
RewardsLifestyleShopping

American Express Gold Card

No pre-set spending limit based on financials, spend pattern, credit record and account history.

Welcome Gift of 4,000 Bonus MR Points on spending INR 10,000 within 90 days in the first year.

Joining Fee
₹1,000
Annual Fee
₹4,500
American Express Platinum Card
TravelLifestyleRewards

American Express Platinum Card

Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits worth INR 44,300 per stay including guaranteed 4pm late check-out, room upgrades, daily breakfast for two, WiFi, and US$100 amenity credit.

Elite hotel tier memberships: Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, Hilton Honors Gold, Taj Epicure, Radisson Premium, Accor Plus Traveler, I Prefer Titanium.

Joining Fee
₹66,000
Annual Fee
₹66,000
American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card
TravelLifestyleRewards

American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card

Contactless payment enabled. Purchase Protection benefit included.

Joining Fee
₹10,000
Annual Fee
₹10,000