American Express Essential Credit Card

Relevant if: you confirm that its features match your spending.

Less suitable if: you do not recover at least $25 in value to offset the annual fee.

Annual fee: $25
Reward type: Not available
Welcome offer: No confirmed offer
First-year estimate (without the offer): -$25

Data verified on August 27, 2026

Estimate with my spending

Futello estimate

Estimated net value — first year, without the offer

-$25

Annual fee thereafter: $25
First-year fee: To be confirmed — recurring fee of $25

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View calculation details

This estimate combines the card’s ongoing value in a balanced scenario with the portion of its welcome offer earned during the first 12 months.

Ongoing net value in the scenario: -$25
Recurring annual fee already deducted: $25
Welcome-offer value earned during the first 12 months: No confirmed offer included
First-year fee: To be confirmed — recurring fee of $25

Balanced reference scenario

Value calculated with a balanced spending basket of $36,000 per year.

Everyday purchases$11,250
Gas / charging$4,500
Groceries$11,250
Pre-authorized payments$4,500
Restaurants$4,500

No confirmed welcome offer is included in this estimate: it only covers the card’s recurring value minus the first-year fee.

The total amount matches the selected level and is applied entirely to this card. Rewards are projected from the certified balanced scenario; fees are never multiplied. A first-year fee rebate is applied only when confirmed in the published offer. Ordinary rewards on required spending are not counted twice.

First year

Welcome offer

No confirmed welcome offer

No welcome offer is confirmed for this card; Futello does not invent history.

Email me if this offer changes

Earning

Rewards

Category rates are not confirmed in the current catalogue.

Fees and eligibility

Annual fee thereafter: $25
Additional card: $0, up to 9 cards
Published minimum income: Not documented
Availability in Quebec: Available

Geographic eligibility never guarantees approval.

Benefits

Not documented

Insurance

Extended warranty Not documented

Conditions

Buyer's Assurance Protection Plan
View source
Purchase protection Not documented

Conditions

Purchase Protection Plan
View source
Travel accident insurance Not documented

Conditions

Travel Accident Insurance
View source

Go further

Evergreen guides with no numbers that go stale, and the full Futello methodology.

Sources and uncertainties

Unconfirmed information remains distinct from an absence. Always review current terms with the issuer.

View source