I was curious about this because American Express is known for its premium credit cards, which usually come with strict eligibility criteria. Since most students in India have little to no credit history and limited income, I wondered if Amex offers any student-friendly options or alternative ways to get an Amex card, like secured cards or add-ons.
If you’re a student in India hoping to get an American Express credit card, I hate to break it to you, but Amex isn’t exactly student-friendly here. They usually require a solid credit history and a decent income, which most students don’t have. I tried applying back in college, and yeah… no luck.
But here’s the good news—there are some great starter cards that’ll help you build credit until you’re ready for Amex. If you shop online a lot, SBI SimplyCLICK is a solid pick for Amazon and Cleartrip rewards. HDFC MoneyBack+ is great for cashback, and ICICI Amazon Pay is literally free for life (plus, it gives extra cashback on Amazon). If you just want a simple no-strings-attached card, IDFC FIRST Classic or Axis Neo are good bets.
Now, if you don’t have a steady income yet, you can go for a secured credit card—basically, you open a fixed deposit (₹10K+), and the bank gives you a card against that. SBI Unnati and HDFC’s FD-backed card are decent options to start with. I know a few people who did this, built their credit, and later got an Amex without a hitch.
Once you hit a decent income (₹4.5L+ per year), you can try for the Amex SmartEarn (good for beginners) or the Amex Membership Rewards Card. Until then, just grab a good starter card, build your score, and Amex will be way easier to get down the road!
Yeah! Great question- and you’re absolutely correct!
Can Students in India get an American Express card?
- There are some eligibility criteria that you need to follow:
- Stable Income (Usually Rs. 6-9 lakh p.a.)
- Good Credit score and history
- Age 18+, with proof of Indian Resident.
Alternative ways for students to Access Amex
- Get an add-on card from a parent or sibling who already holds an Amex. You can enjoy all the benefits, linked to the primary cardholder’s account.
- Get a basic student credit card (Like from SBI, ICICI, or HDFC) to build your credit score. After 12-18 months of on-time payments, you will likely qualify for Amex.
- Though Amex doesn’t currently offer secure credit cards in India, but you may get from SBI, ICICI, Axis, or AU Small Finance Bank by placing FD.
- Some companies or elite B-schools have Amex tie-ups offering special eligibilty.