American Express India Refreshes its Credit Card Designs

American Express India is beautifying their credit card designs and they’ve started with the work slowly since early 2024. From what I see, this is more of a global move in which most cards would now look similar across the world. 

Amex has been gradually implementing it in India in the past few months. From what I understand, they’re doing it in batches for certain cards

• Batch 1: Plat/Gold charge & Corporate Cards
• Batch 2: Plat Travel Card
• Batch 3: Reserve (Probably)
• Batch 4: MRCC/Smart Earn (Probably)

If this goes as I assume, eventually they would have redesigned almost all cards by year end. Here’s a quick look at some of the cards in its updated design alongside the old design, so you know what changed:

Batch 1

Amex Platinum Charge Card

The changes on Platinum Charge Card are subtle but it now looks crisp, simple, clean & elegant. The border has become smaller and that makes it feel like a bigger card when you hold it in hand.

Not to mention that the name “Platinum” now goes to the back of the card, which is quite a surprise.

Amex Gold Charge Card

The changes on gold charge card are more evident and it now looks as good as plat charge but in gold. The gold colour is slightly lighter than the old design.

Personally, the best thing that I like about the new gold charge card is that the card numbers at the back are “bigger” and in beautiful font. The simple embossing of numbers is even better than the one on plat charge. 

Speaking of gold charge card design, I hope India someday gets the “rose gold” design in future. I’m quite positive that we’ll get one soon (maybe 2025 or later), but let’s see when!

Corporate Cards

Amex has 3 corporate cards in India: Plat, Gold, Green. While Plat & gold cards are similar to the personal cards with word “corporate” on it, the green card is the new & noteworthy design change and it looks beautiful for sure.

Batch 2

Amex Plat Travel

Amex Platinum Travel Card got a complete refresh and looks lot better than how it used to be. If you look closer, it’s actually the same design as on the existing Smartearn card but in silver/grey colour.

That said, it looks like Amex is getting away with “platinum” in the travel card, obvious because people often get confused with the platinum charge card. So likely they’ll now call it as “travel card”

Batch 3

Reserve (Prediction)

While this is pending and likely go live by May 1st week along with the change in benefits, I’m assuming it will be same as Travel card with “Reserve” on it or maybe a darker version of the travel card as below:

Batch 4

Amex MRCC (Prediction)

Of all the cards that Amex has, MRCC is perhaps the only card that actually needs a design refresh as it’s one of the “ugliest” of all the designs that I know of and definitely not an Amex standard. 

While this is also still pending, it’s probably queued for the last batch. If I predict it right, they might bring the yellow/golden tint design of travel card to MRCC, like below. 

Amex SmartEarn (Prediction)

While the current design on Smartearn Card is decent, the blue tint is too dark. Rather, some lighter versions like below as seen in other countries would be great to have.

Card Replacements

If you like the new designs that has gone live on Batch 1 & 2, simply open your Amex app and request for replacement at free of charge. While replacing, the card number doesn’t change but the CVV’s will change. If you need the card numbers to change, you may call support and request for the same as well.

And if you don’t prefer to change the card numbers/cvv and still wish to see the new design, you may apply for the “account card” from your amex account. It’s basically a supplementary card on your own name which cardholders can use to segregate expenses.

I took the account card for plat charge because my cvv’s are fancy and I don’t wish to loose them.

Bottomline

As you might know, design is one of the factor that I consider while reviewing credit cards and there are at times when I get cards just for the design (not a suggestion for others!).

While design doesn’t reward you, it somehow gives you a good feel while taking that card out each time. I don’t get that “feel good” factor on HDFC Infinia, so I can say that, lol.

And of all cards with Amex, Amex Gold Charge used to give a great feel good factor every-time I used to use it back in time when Amex was restrictive in issuance. Not only the design is good, but also Merchants used to wonder from which country I got the card and with name “American” on it, they mostly ask, “Are you from America?” 😀

So it’s good to see that Amex is refreshing their cards to have a beautiful uniform design across the globe. 

That said, what’s your take on the new Amex credit card designs that’s already live? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.