Credit Card Benefits & Features
The American Express Essential™ Credit Card offers the flexibility you need.
How the Essential Card can help you save on interest payments.
Life moves fast, don't let interest slow you down. With a low annual interest rate of 12.99% and a $25 annual fee,1 the American Express EssentialTM Credit Card offers an easy way to save on interest payments if you choose to carry a balance and make your minimum monthly payments on time.2 It gives you the flexibility to carry a balance for big and small purchases.
American Express EssentialTM Credit Card
Payment Flexibility with Plan ItTM*
Enjoy added flexibility and control over your purchases when you use Plan It, the American Express® Installment Program. A feature built into your card, Plan It allows you to split purchases into equal monthly installments for a fixed fee and no additional interest3.
$100,000 Travel Accident Insurance4†
You can be covered up to $100,000 of Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance when you fully charge your common carrier (plane, train, ship or bus) tickets to your American Express Essential™ Credit Card.
Buyer's Assurance® Protection Plan5†
You can be insured for eligible items charged to your American Express Essential™ Credit Card for 90 days from the date of purchase in the event of accidental physical damage or theft for up to $1,000 per occurence (for all purchased items combined).
Purchase Protection® Plan6†
Your coverage can automatically extend manufacturer's original warranty upto one additional year when you fully charge eligible items to your American Express Essential™ Credit Card.
American Express Experiences®
With American Express® Experiences** get access to entertainment, dining, wellness and retail events across Canada including access to virtual events to enjoy from home and advance access to tickets through Front Of The Line®**.
Front Of The Line®** Advanced Access
Cardmembers can purchase Front Of The Line presale tickets or make Front Of The Line reservations to some of the most in-demand virtual concerts, online theatre productions, restaurants and special events, often before the general public.
Front Of The Line®** Reserved Tickets
During the public on-sale period for many major events, Cardmembers can purchase Front Of The Line® tickets from a block of great seats reserved for American Express.
Front Of The Line® E-Updates
Subscribe to receive Front Of The Line® Entertainment e-Updates to get some of the hottest event listings sent directly to your inbox.
Special Offers & Experiences for all Cardmembers
Throughout the year, Cardmembers can purchase a variety of special offers created just for American Express. From livestream sporting events, to special online and in-store shopping deals, it’s never been easier to have an experience you’ll never forget.
Emergency Card Replacement
If your Card or any Additional Cards are lost or stolen, no worries. Simply call us at 1-800-869-3016 and we’ll arrange to get you a replacement Card. If you are travelling, we’ll work with your itinerary to get a Card to you as soon as possible.
24/7 Customer Service
If you have a question about your American Express Essential™ Credit Card, you can rely on us 24/7 to assist you. Simply call the number on the back of your Card to speak to one of our Customer Care Professionals. That’s one way we deliver Relationship Care for Cardmembers like you.
Fraud Protection Guarantee
Use the American Express Essential™ Credit Card online or offline, and you won’t be held responsible for any fraudulent charges, as long as you’ve taken reasonable care to protect your account details, PIN and any device on which you have added your account information. Notify us at once if your Card or eligible device is lost or stolen or you suspect it is being used without your permission.
Account inquires, Lost or Stolen Credit Cards or General Information
| In North America |
1-800-869-3016 |
| International (please call collect) |
(905) 474-0870 |
We’re here to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Visit us at www.americanexpress.ca for more information.
Account inquires, Lost or Stolen Credit Cards or General Information
| Travel Accident Insurance3† |
1-877-777-1544 |
Buyer’s Assurance® Protection Plan4†
Purchase Protection® Plan5†
| In Canada/U.S. |
1-800-243-0198 |
| Outside Canada/U.S. (please call collect) |
(905) 475-4822 |
Questions? We’ve got answers!
The new changes will automatically come into effect on September 5, 2023, with the Essential Card you currently have in your wallet.
Effective September 5th, 2023, there will be a $25 Annual Fee for the Basic Card.
The new $25.00 annual fee will be charged to your account on the first statement after your next Cardmembership anniversary following September 5, 2023, and once a year thereafter (regardless of Card activation). For example, if your next Cardmembership anniversary is January 1, 2024, you will be charged the new $25.00 annual fee on the first statement following your January 1, 2024, Cardmembership anniversary date.
Please note that the $0 Annual Fee will still be applicable for the first year of Cardmembership for all applications received before May 23rd, 2023.
There will be no new changes to your insurance benefits. You can continue to enjoy the same great insurance coverages that currently come with your Essential Card.
Please refer to the Important Notice of Change which was mailed to you for the changes applicable to your account. If you are enrolled in the American Express Financial Relief Program, please refer to the terms of the program as those will apply.
Feel free to call us at 1-800-869-3016. You can also connect with our customer service quickly and easily using Mobile Messaging on the American Express® App . Scan the QR code1 to download the American Express® App and enjoy all the added benefits of going digital.
1. iOS and Android only.
**Purchase must be charged in full to an American Express Card. Subject to availability and to event and ticketing terms, restrictions, verification procedures and fees. Tickets and packages may not be transferable and should not be resold. No refunds and no exchanges subject to merchant’s obligations under applicable law.
1. The preferred rate for purchases and funds advances is 12.99%. If you have Missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 24.99% and/or 26.99%. See the Information Box and Disclosure Statement you received with your Card for the definition of Missed Payment and which rates apply to charges on your account and other details. Annual fee of $25 applies.
2. Accurate as of May 2023. This is not a promotional rate and does not have a predetermined expiry date. This does not guarantee that the rate will not increase in the future. American Express reserves the right to periodically increase interest rates in accordance with the Cardmember Agreement and applicable law.
3. When you create an installment plan, you will be charged a monthly installment fee. The monthly installment fee percentage will be disclosed to you during plan creation. This is not a promotional or special rate offer. The fee charged is comparable to the interest you would have paid if you carried this balance on your account, without being in an installment plan. Please see the Plan ItTM (American Express Installment Program) section in your Cardmember Agreement or the program Terms and Conditions for more details. Plan It is currently not available in Quebec, Nova Scotia, PEI or Nunavut.
4. Underwritten by Chubb Life Insurance Company of Canada (“Chubb Life”).Use your Card to book tickets for your spouse, dependent children (under 23) or any Supplementary Cardmember and they can also be covered. Spouse and dependent children (under 23) of Supplementary Cardmembers can also be covered. You may contact the insurer at 1-877-777-1544 in Canada or visit www.chubb.com/ca.
5. Underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada. Applies to eligible items fully charged to your Card worldwide, provided the manufacturer’s warranty is valid in Canada and the U.S. and does not exceed five years. You may contact the insurer at 1-888-877-1710 in Canada and the U.S. or visit www.rsagroup.ca.
6. Underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada. You may contact the insurer at 1-888-877-1710 in Canada and the U.S. or visit www.rsagroup.ca.
† All Insurance coverage is subject to the terms and conditions of their respective master policies. Certain limitations, exclusions and restrictions apply. Please read your Certificates of Insurance carefully.
TM, TM*, ®: Used by Amex Bank of Canada under license from American Express.