About American Express
American Express is unique - it operates as both a payment network and a card issuer. Unlike Visa and Mastercard, Amex issues most of its own cards.
How to Identify an Amex Card
- Starts with 34 or 37.
- Card numbers are 15 digits (not 16).
- CVV (CID) is 4 digits on the front.
Amex Card Products
| Product | Segment | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Amex Green | Consumer | Entry-level with travel credits. |
| Amex Gold | Consumer | Dining and grocery rewards. |
| Amex Platinum | Consumer | Premium travel with lounge access. |
| Amex Centurion | Consumer | Invitation-only ultra-premium. |
| Business Gold | Commercial | Flexible business rewards. |
| Business Platinum | Commercial | Premium business travel card. |
| Corporate | Corporate | Enterprise expense management. |
Amex vs Visa/Mastercard
| Feature | Amex | Visa / Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| BIN Prefix | 34, 37 | 4 / 51-55 |
| Length | 15 digits | 16 digits |
| CVV | 4 digits (front) | 3 digits (back) |
| Issues Own Cards | Yes | No (bank-issued) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What digits do Amex cards start with?
American Express cards start with 34 or 37 and are 15 digits long.
Why are Amex numbers 15 digits?
Amex uses a 15-digit format: a 6-digit BIN, an 8-digit account number, and a 1-digit check digit.
Does Amex issue its own cards?
Yes. Amex is both a card network and a card issuer. It also licenses to partner banks via GNS.