MyFinCards
American Express SmartEarn Credit Card

Joining Fee

₹495

Annual Fee

Rs. 495 (Reversed on annual spends of Rs. 0.4 Lakhs)

American Express
Rewards
Cashback
Shopping
Best For: Online shoppers on Amazon and Flipkart, Frequent Zomato and Uber users, Entry-level credit card users, BookMyShow regulars

American Express SmartEarn Credit Card

Rewards Structure

Base Reward Rate

1% on spends

Point Value

1 Point = ₹0.25

Pros

  • 10X rewards on Zomato, BookMyShow, Uber, Flipkart and more
  • 5X rewards on Amazon
  • Low annual fee of Rs. 495
  • Fee waiver on spends of Rs. 40,000
  • Rs. 500 welcome cashback
  • Milestone vouchers up to Rs. 1,500 per year
  • Fuel convenience fee waiver at HPCL
  • EMI facility at low 14% p.a.

Cons

  • No points on fuel, insurance, utilities, cash transactions
  • No points on EMI conversions at point of sale
  • Monthly cap on accelerated rewards points
  • Limited city availability

Hidden Catches (Transparency Policy)

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

10X points capped at 500 per month for Flipkart, Uber, BookMyShow and other partners combined

10X points capped at 500 per month for EaseMyTrip and Zomato combined

5X points capped at 250 per month for Amazon

No rewards on fuel, insurance, utilities, and EMI at point of sale

Zero lost card liability only if reported within 3 working days; beyond that max liability is Rs. 1,000

Welcome gift only available in 1st year on payment of annual fee

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 (petrol, diesel, CNG from Oil Marketing Companies)No Membership Rewards points on Insurance paymentsNo Membership Rewards points on Utility payments (electricity, water, gas bills)No Membership Rewards points on Cash TransactionsNo Membership Rewards points on EMI conversion at Point of Sale effective February 1, 2020

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

Official Terms & Conditions

About American Express SmartEarn Credit Card

The American Express SmartEarn Credit Card is designed for everyday spenders who want to maximize rewards on popular platforms. New cardmembers receive a welcome gift of Rs. 500 cashback as a statement credit upon spending Rs. 10,000 within the first 90 days, making it an attractive entry-level option backed by the trusted American Express network. The card's standout feature is its accelerated Membership Rewards programme. Cardmembers earn 10X points for every Rs. 50 spent on Zomato, BookMyShow, Uber, Flipkart, Ajio, Nykaa, and more, while Amazon purchases earn 5X points per Rs. 50 spent. Beyond these partner merchants, 1 Membership Rewards point is earned for every Rs. 50 on general eligible spends. Cardmembers can also earn gift vouchers worth Rs. 500 upon reaching annual spend milestones of Rs. 1.20 lakh, Rs. 1.80 lakh, and Rs. 2.40 lakh respectively. With an annual fee of just Rs. 495, the card offers strong value, including a renewal fee waiver on eligible annual spends of Rs. 40,000 or more. Additional benefits include American Express EMI conversions at interest rates starting from 14% per annum, fuel convenience fee waivers at HPCL, zero lost card liability, 24x7 card assistance, and contactless payment capability, making it a well-rounded card for budget-conscious, digitally active consumers.

Expert Review

Our Verdict

Entry-level Amex card with 10X rewards on top merchants and Rs.500 welcome cashback at just Rs.495/year.

Frequently Asked QuestionsAbout American Express SmartEarn Credit Card

ELIGIBILITYWhat are the eligibility criteria for the American Express SmartEarn Credit Card?
To apply for the American Express SmartEarn Credit Card, you must be a Resident Indian above 18 years of age. If employed, you need a minimum personal annual income of INR 4.5 lakhs; if self-employed, INR 6 lakhs and above (with your business trading for more than 12 months). You must have a savings or current account with an Indian or multinational bank in India, a current or permanent residential address in India, and a good credit history with no payment defaults.
ELIGIBILITYIn which cities is the American Express SmartEarn Credit Card available?
The American Express SmartEarn Credit Card is currently issued to residents of Delhi/NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Indore, Coimbatore, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Nagpur, Nasik, Trivandrum, and Mysuru. If you do not reside in one of these cities, you may not be eligible to apply at this time.
FEESWhat is the joining fee and annual fee for the SmartEarn Credit Card?
The American Express SmartEarn Credit Card has a joining fee of ₹495 plus applicable taxes and an annual renewal fee of ₹495 plus applicable taxes. However, you can get a renewal fee waiver if your eligible spends in the previous Cardmembership year are ₹40,000 or above. Eligible spends exclude cash advances, express cash transactions, drafts, balance transfers, and fees.
FEESHow can I get a renewal fee waiver on the SmartEarn Credit Card?
You can get the annual renewal fee of ₹495 waived if your eligible spends reach ₹40,000 or above in the previous Cardmembership year. Eligible spends do not include cash advances, express cash transactions, drafts made from the account, balance transfers, and fees. This makes the card effectively free if you meet the spending threshold, which is quite achievable for regular card users.
BENEFITSWhat welcome benefit do I get with the SmartEarn Credit Card?
As a welcome gift, you receive ₹500 cashback in the form of a statement credit when you spend ₹10,000 in eligible transactions within the first 90 days of Cardmembership. The statement credit is issued within 10 working days of completing the eligible spends. This welcome gift is available only in the first year upon payment of the annual fee. Eligible spends exclude cash advances, express cash, balance transfers, and fees.
REWARDSHow do Membership Rewards points work on the SmartEarn Credit Card?
The SmartEarn Credit Card offers three reward tiers: 10X Membership Rewards points for every ₹50 spent on Zomato, Ajio, Nykaa, BookMyShow, Uber, EaseMyTrip, and other select partners; 5X points for every ₹50 spent on Amazon; and 1 point for every ₹50 spent on all other eligible purchases. Points are not earned on fuel, insurance, utilities, cash transactions, and EMI conversions at the point of sale.
REWARDSIs there a monthly cap on accelerated Membership Rewards points?
Yes, there are monthly caps on accelerated points. Under the 10X category, points are capped at 500 per month for Flipkart, Uber, BookMyShow, and other partners combined, and separately capped at 500 per month for EaseMyTrip and Zomato combined. Under the 5X category, points are capped at 250 per month for Amazon. In total, you can earn up to 1,250 Membership Rewards points per month by spending approximately ₹7,500 across these partners.
BENEFITSWhat are the gift voucher milestones on the SmartEarn Credit Card?
The SmartEarn Credit Card rewards you with gift vouchers worth ₹500 each time you reach spending milestones of ₹1.20 lakhs, ₹1.80 lakhs, and ₹2.40 lakhs in a Cardmembership year. This means you can earn up to ₹1,500 worth of gift vouchers annually by meeting all three milestones. These milestone vouchers are in addition to the regular and accelerated Membership Rewards points you earn on your spends.
REWARDSOn which spends will I NOT earn Membership Rewards points?
You will not earn Membership Rewards points on fuel (petrol, diesel, CNG from Oil Marketing Companies), insurance payments, utility bill payments (electricity, water, gas), cash transactions, and EMI conversions at the point of sale — including EMI options selected on a merchant's website (e.g., Amazon, Flipkart) or at a merchant's terminal. However, you will continue to earn points on EMI transactions through American Express SafeKey and on EMI conversions done post-purchase.
BENEFITSDoes the SmartEarn Credit Card offer a fuel convenience fee waiver?
Yes, the American Express SmartEarn Credit Card offers a fuel convenience fee waiver at HPCL (Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited) petrol stations. This helps you save on surcharges typically applied when paying for fuel with a credit card. Please note that while the convenience fee waiver is available, you will not earn Membership Rewards points on fuel purchases made at any fuel station.
USAGECan I convert my purchases into EMIs with the SmartEarn Credit Card?
Yes, the American Express SmartEarn Credit Card offers an EMI facility through American Express EMI, which allows you to convert purchases into easy monthly instalments at an interest rate as low as 14% per annum. You also have the flexibility to pay your credit card bill fully or partially. Note that EMI conversions at the point of sale will not earn Membership Rewards points, but post-purchase EMI conversions and EMI via AmEx SafeKey will still accrue points.
BENEFITSWhat is my liability if my SmartEarn Credit Card is lost or stolen?
The SmartEarn Credit Card offers Zero Lost Card Liability protection. If you report the loss or fraud to American Express within 3 working days, your liability is nil. If reported after 3 working days, your maximum liability is limited to ₹1,000. It is important to report a lost or stolen card to American Express as soon as possible to minimize any financial risk. American Express provides 24x7 card-related assistance for such emergencies.
USAGEDoes the SmartEarn Credit Card support contactless payments?
Yes, the American Express SmartEarn Credit Card may be enabled for contactless payments. You can check if your card supports this feature by looking for the contactless symbol on the front and back of your card. Contactless payments allow you to tap your card at compatible payment terminals for quick and secure transactions without needing to insert your card or enter your PIN for smaller amounts.
DOCUMENTSWhat documents are typically required to apply for the SmartEarn Credit Card?
While the page does not list specific documents, standard requirements for an American Express SmartEarn Credit Card application typically include: proof of identity (PAN card, Aadhaar), proof of address (utility bill, passport, or Aadhaar), proof of income (recent salary slips or ITR for self-employed), and details of your Indian or multinational bank savings or current account. You must also be a Resident Indian with a permanent or current residential address in India.
APPLICATIONHow can I apply for the American Express SmartEarn Credit Card?
You can apply for the American Express SmartEarn Credit Card directly through the American Express website. American Express is currently accepting applications for select cards. Before applying, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria — you must be a Resident Indian aged 18 or above, with a minimum annual income of ₹4.5 lakhs (employed) or ₹6 lakhs (self-employed), residing in one of the supported cities, and having a good credit history with no payment defaults.

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