American Express Credit Card South Africa — Terms, Fees & Interest Rates 2026
All fees below are effective from 1 January 2026 and include VAT at 15%, as per the Nedbank/American Express fee schedule. The South African Reserve Bank's repo rate is 6.75% (effective January 2026), giving a prime lending rate of 10.25%. Interest rates on Amex cards are personalised and disclosed before contract signature.
Card Types Comparison
| Feature | Amex Gold Credit Card | Amex Platinum Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly service fee | ~R137 | ~R515 |
| Annual fee equivalent | ~R1,644/year | ~R6,180/year |
| Minimum monthly income | R17,000 (gross) | R62,500 (gross) |
| Interest rate | Personalised (from prime) | Personalised (from prime) |
| Maximum interest rate (NCA cap) | 20.75% per annum | 20.75% per annum |
| Interest-free period | Up to 55 days | Up to 55 days |
| Minimum payment | 5% of outstanding balance | 5% of outstanding balance |
| Credit limit | Subject to credit assessment | Subject to credit assessment |
| Membership Rewards earning | 1 pt per R5 spend | 1.5 pts per R5 spend |
| Sign-up bonus | 5,000 pts on R10k spend in 3 months | As announced by Nedbank |
| Travel insurance | Up to R4 million | Up to R10 million |
| Lounge access | Bidvest Premier Club (SA) | 1,200+ global lounges |
| Supplementary cards | Available | Available |
| Face-to-face card delivery | Standard | Complimentary on first issue |
| Budget facility | Available | Available |
Interest Rate — How It Is Calculated
South African banks must comply with the National Credit Act, which caps the maximum interest rate on credit cards at the repo rate × 2.2 + 10% per annum. At the current repo rate of 6.75%, the NCA cap is approximately 24.85% per annum. Nedbank's practical maximum for Amex cards is 20.75% per annum. Your personal rate depends on your credit score, income, existing debt levels and the SARB's prevailing repo rate.
Example calculation: If your credit limit is R50,000 and you carry a balance of R10,000 at 18.5% per annum, your monthly interest charge is approximately R154.17 (R10,000 × 18.5% ÷ 12).
Membership Rewards Points — Earning Rates
| Card | Earning Rate | Minimum Spend for Lifestyle Voucher |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | 1 pt per R5 eligible spend | R3,500/month |
| Platinum | 1.5 pts per R5 eligible spend | N/A |
Points do not expire. They can be redeemed for flights, hotels, gift vouchers or transferred to airline partner programmes.
Airline Partner Transfers
| Airline Programme | Transfer Ratio |
|---|---|
| British Airways Executive Club (Avios) | Subject to current Amex SA rates |
| SAA Voyager | Subject to current Amex SA rates |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | Subject to current Amex SA rates |
| EL AL Matmid Frequent Flyer | Subject to current Amex SA rates |
Transfer ratios are updated by American Express SA — check the current rates at https://www.americanexpress.com/en-za/network/benefits/rewards/.
Applicant Requirements
- South African citizen or permanent resident with valid SA ID
- Foreign nationals require a valid passport and valid SA work permit
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Minimum gross monthly income: R17,000 (Gold) / R62,500 (Platinum)
- Satisfactory credit record and affordability assessment
- Residential address in South Africa
Risk Warning
A credit card carries a personalised interest rate. Carrying an unpaid balance means interest accrues daily. Failing to make the minimum monthly payment will result in penalty fees, credit bureau reporting and may lead to legal action. Only apply for an Amex card if you have a stable income that comfortably covers the monthly repayment. For debt advice contact the NCR helpline: 0860 627 627 or visit https://www.ncr.org.za.