American Express does not disclose specific minimum income requirements for its credit cards, but the higher your income is, the more likely you are to be approved.

In 2026, American Express (Amex) does not have a single "global" minimum salary, as it varies significantly by country and specific card tier. In the United States, there is no officially published minimum, but a total annual income of $30,000 to $35,000 is generally considered the baseline for entry-level cards like the Blue Cash Everyday. For premium cards like the Platinum, an income above $50,000 to $60,000 is preferred, though credit score is often a more critical factor. In markets like India for 2026, the SmartEarn card has a minimum income requirement of Rs. 4.5 Lakhs for salaried individuals, while the Platinum card requires Rs. 25 Lakhs or more. Amex looks at your "Debt-to-Income" (DTI) ratio; in 2026, they care more about your disposable income and your history of managing high-limit credit than a raw salary figure. For 2026 students or low-earners, the "Amex Rise" or similar starter products are the primary entry points.