New applications paused in India
American Express SmartEarn Credit Card Review
The American Express SmartEarn is the most accessible Amex in India — a low-fee entry card that earns accelerated Membership Rewards on popular online brands. American Express has temporarily paused new card applications in India, so this review is mainly for existing cardholders. Here is the verified review.
- 10X MR on Flipkart, Zomato, Uber, Myntra, Nykaa, Blinkit & more
- 5X MR on Amazon
- Low ₹495 fee, waived at ₹40,000 spend
- ₹500 welcome cashback + milestone vouchers
- Flexible Membership Rewards that don’t expire
- 10X capped at 500 points/month per bucket (two buckets); Amazon 5X
- at 250
- Base 1 MR/₹50; fuel/utilities/insurance excluded
- Amex acceptance narrower than Visa/Mastercard
- Best value within the bonus brands
- Reward value via redemption choices
Fees & rewards
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Joining/renewal fee | ₹495 each (renewal waived on ₹40,000 spend) |
| Base earn | 1 MR point per ₹50 |
| 10X brands | Zomato, EaseMyTrip, Flipkart, Uber, Myntra, PVR, BookMyShow, Ajio, Nykaa, Blinkit (caps apply) |
| Amazon | 5X (capped 250 points/month) |
| Welcome | ₹500 cashback on ₹10,000 in 90 days |
| Milestones | ₹500 vouchers at ₹1.2L / ₹1.8L / ₹2.4L |
Eligibility & documents
Age
18+
Income
₹4.5 lakh (salaried) / ₹6 lakh (self-employed); select cities only
Recommended CIBIL
~720+
Network
American Express
Best for
Online shoppers; first Amex
Documents
PAN, Aadhaar, income proof
Rewards — the real math
The SmartEarn’s strength is the 10X/5X on everyday online brands: route Flipkart, Zomato, Uber, Myntra, Nykaa and Blinkit spends here and the effective rate is strong — until the monthly caps (500 points for Zomato + EaseMyTrip, a separate 500 for the other 10X brands, 250 on Amazon). Beyond those, the 1 MR per ₹50 base (2 points per ₹100) is modest, and Membership Rewards don’t expire. With the fee waiving at ₹40,000 spend, it’s a low-cost, high-utility first Amex.
Who this card is for
- Best fit: online shoppers who want a low-fee card with strong brand multipliers and a first Amex.
- Skip if: you need wide offline acceptance or spend mainly on excluded categories.
How to apply & how to cancel
Apply: via americanexpress.com/in. Cancel: call Amex after clearing dues; redeem MR points first.
Final verdict
The Amex SmartEarn is one of the best low-fee online rewards cards — 10X on a wide set of popular brands, 5X on Amazon, Membership Rewards points and a fee that waives at ₹40,000 spend. Work within the monthly caps and Amex acceptance, and it works well for existing cardholders who shop online.
Frequently asked questions
Which brands earn 10X?
Zomato, EaseMyTrip, Flipkart, Uber, Myntra, PVR, BookMyShow, Ajio, Nykaa and Blinkit — subject to monthly caps; Amazon earns 5X.
What is the fee?
₹495 joining and ₹495 renewal, with the renewal waived on ₹40,000 annual spend.
Are the accelerated rewards capped?
Yes — 10X is capped at 500 points/month for Zomato + EaseMyTrip and another 500 for the other 10X brands and Amazon’s 5X at 250 points/month.
Do Membership Rewards expire?
No — Amex Membership Rewards points don’t expire.
Data current as of October 2026, cross-checked against American Express India official information. Confirm current terms on americanexpress.com/in before applying.