American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card MRCC

Key Features & Benefits

The American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card is designed for individuals who seek reliable rewards on their everyday retail purchases. With a base earning rate of 1 Membership Rewards Point for every ₹50 spent, you enjoy a solid 2% return on most transactions excluding fuel, insurance, utilities, and cash withdrawals. This straightforward reward structure makes it easy to accumulate points quickly on your regular shopping.

What sets this card apart are its milestone-based bonuses that reward consistent usage. Make four transactions of ₹1,500 or more in a calendar month and earn an additional 1,000 points. Spend ₹20,000 or more monthly (after enrollment) and receive another 1,000 bonus points. These milestone rewards can significantly boost your overall returns, potentially increasing your effective reward rate to 3-4% for active users.

The redemption options through the Gold Collection offer excellent value, with vouchers ranging from ₹6,000 to ₹14,000 for popular brands including Taj Hotels, Shoppers Stop, Tata Cliq, Tanishq, Amazon, Flipkart, and Reliance Digital. Plus, you’ll receive 5,000 bonus points upon paying your first renewal fee, adding further value to your long-term card membership.

All You Need to Know About: American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card MRCC

The American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card is a mid-range rewards credit card issued by American Express Banking Corp. (India) that focuses on delivering consistent value for everyday retail spending. Launched to cater to the growing Indian middle class seeking premium rewards without ultra-premium fees, this card has established itself as a solid option for those who appreciate the American Express brand and its customer service reputation.

The card’s reward structure is refreshingly straightforward compared to many competitors. You earn 1 Membership Rewards Point for every ₹50 spent on eligible purchases, which works out to a 2% reward rate. This applies across all retail categories including online shopping, dining, groceries, shopping, and entertainment. The exclusions are standard – you won’t earn points on fuel purchases, insurance premium payments, utility bills, cash advances, or EMI conversions at the point of sale. What makes this card particularly attractive is the milestone-based bonus structure. If you make four separate transactions of ₹1,500 or more within a calendar month, you automatically receive 1,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points. Additionally, by enrolling in the program, you can earn another 1,000 bonus points when your monthly spending exceeds ₹20,000. These milestones can significantly boost your overall returns if you’re an active card user.

The fee structure requires careful consideration. The first-year joining fee is quite affordable at ₹1,000 plus GST, but this jumps to ₹4,500 plus GST from the second year onwards. The good news is that American Express offers a comprehensive fee waiver program. Spend ₹1,50,000 or more in your membership year and the entire annual fee is waived. Even if you fall short, spending between ₹90,000 to ₹1,49,999 gets you a 50% fee waiver, reducing your renewal cost to ₹2,250. This tiered waiver structure makes the card accessible to users with varying spending patterns. As an added incentive, you receive 5,000 Membership Rewards Points when you pay your first renewal fee, which are credited within 90 days.

The welcome benefits have evolved over time. Currently, new cardholders receive 4,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points upon paying the joining fee and spending ₹15,000 within the first 90 days of membership. This changed from an earlier offer that required only ₹2,000 spend within 60 days. The redemption ecosystem centers around the Gold Collection, where you can convert your accumulated points into vouchers for premium brands. Options include Taj Hotels for luxury stays, Tanishq for jewelry, Shoppers Stop for fashion and lifestyle, Tata Cliq for online shopping, Amazon and Flipkart for e-commerce, and Reliance Digital for electronics. The voucher values typically range from ₹6,000 to ₹14,000 depending on the points you redeem, offering meaningful value for your accumulated rewards. Eligibility criteria are moderate with a minimum annual income requirement of ₹6 lakhs for salaried, business owners, and self-employed individuals. The application process involves standard documentation including income proofs and KYC documents, with processing typically completed within 7-15 days.

Pros & Cons

How to Apply

Applying for the American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card is a straightforward online process. Visit the official American Express India website and navigate to the Membership Rewards Credit Card page. Click on the “Apply Now” button and fill out the online application form with your personal details, employment information, and income details. You’ll need to provide KYC documents including PAN card, Aadhaar card, address proof, and income proof (latest salary slips or ITR for self-employed). After submission, American Express will verify your application and documents. Once approved, your card will be delivered to your registered address within 7-15 business days. You can track your application status online using your reference number provided during application.

Detailed Fee Structure

The American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card comes with a joining fee of ₹1,000 plus 18% GST (total ₹1,180) charged upon card issuance. From the second year onwards, an annual renewal fee of ₹4,500 plus 18% GST (total ₹5,310) applies. However, this annual fee is completely waived if you spend ₹1,50,000 or more in the preceding membership year, and you’ll receive a 50% waiver (₹2,250 refund) if your annual spends fall between ₹90,000 and ₹1,49,999.

Beyond the basic fees, there are several ancillary charges to be aware of. Add-on cards cost ₹1,500 plus GST annually. Cash advances attract a fee of 3.5% of the withdrawn amount with a minimum charge of ₹250. Late payment fees are levied based on your outstanding amount. The finance charge on revolving credit is 3.5% per month (42% annually), which is quite steep if you carry a balance. International transactions incur a 3.5% foreign exchange markup plus applicable GST. Understanding these fees helps you use the card optimally while avoiding unnecessary charges.

Who Should Get This Card?

The American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card is ideal for mid-to-high income earners with stable annual income of ₹6 lakhs or above who regularly shop at retail stores, both online and offline. If you’re someone who makes frequent purchases at e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, or shops at premium retailers like Shoppers Stop and Tanishq, this card’s 2% base reward rate will work exceptionally well for you. The milestone bonuses make it particularly attractive for those who can easily make four transactions of ₹1,500+ monthly or spend ₹20,000+ per month. However, if you prioritize airport lounge access, travel benefits, or need a card with wider merchant acceptance, you might want to explore other options. This card is not recommended for those who primarily spend on fuel, utilities, or insurance as these categories don’t earn rewards.

Alternatives & Competitor Comparison

Feature	American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card MRCC	Amex Gold Credit Card
Card Image
Card Network	Amex	Amex
USP	The American Express Membership rewards Credit Card delivers a consistent 2% reward rate on everyday retail spending with attractive milestone bonuses of up to 2,000 extra points monthly, making it an excellent choice for regular shoppers who want straightforward, high-value rewards redeemable for gold vouchers at premium brands like Taj, Tanishq, Amazon, and Flipkart.	American Express Gold Credit Card offers premium rewards and exclusive lifestyle benefits, making it ideal for frequent spenders on dining, travel, and shopping. With accelerated Membership rewards points on everyday expenses and welcome bonuses, it’s perfect for those seeking high-value rewards and luxury perks. Enjoy enhanced earning potential and curated experiences that add exceptional value to your spending.
Annual Fee	4500 Plus GST	4500
Joining Fee	1000 Plus GST	1000
Welcome Benefits	4,000 Membership rewards points on paying joining fee and spending ₹15,000 within first 90 days	Get 4,000 Membership rewards points (equivalent to approximately 1,000 INR value) as a welcome gift, which can be redeemed for the Amex Gold Collection or other rewards.
Lounge Access	N/A	N/A
Reward Rate	Earn 1 Membership rewards Point per ₹50 spent (2% reward rate) on retail purchases. bonus 1,000 points on 4 transactions of ₹1,500+ monthly, plus 1,000 points on ₹20,000+ monthly spends with enrollment.	Earn 1 Membership rewards Point per Rs. 50 spent (equivalent to roughly 2% rewards rate). Categories like fuel, insurance, utilities, cash transactions, and EMI conversions do not earn rewards. reward rates can effectively be higher when redeeming points for select Amex Gold Collection items.
Interest Rate	3.5% per month (42% per annum)	N/A
Best For	N/A	Travel
Apply Now	Apply Now	Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions