Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
FREQUENT FLYER GLOSSARY
What is a credit score?
A credit score is a figure that generally indicates creditworthiness and demonstrates an ability to repay a loan. American Express India describes it that way, and says lenders check a credit score to understand a person's credit profile, behaviour patterns and repayment habits before they process an application. [3]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- American Express India describes a credit score as generally indicating creditworthiness and demonstrating an ability to repay a loan, and says lenders check it before they process an application. [3]
- On the same pages, a credit limit increase is reviewed case by case, with factors such as payment history, personal income and credit score considered before approval. [3]
- Rewards earning sits in a separate document: under the US Membership Rewards Program terms, points post only when the minimum amount due is paid on time. [6]
What is a credit score and what does it measure?
American Express India says a credit score generally indicates creditworthiness and demonstrates an ability to repay a loan, and that lenders check it to understand a credit profile, behaviour patterns and repayment habits before they process an application. [3]
The same pages also refer to Credit Information Companies (CICs). American Express India says a cardholder can pay the minimum amount due to avoid late payment fees and to prevent a negative reporting to CICs, but that interest is charged on the unpaid amount; paying the total amount due means no interest is charged. [3]
Income is listed as a separate item from the score. American Express India says factors such as payment history, personal income and credit score are considered before a credit limit increase is approved, and that every request is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. [3]
How do card issuers use a credit score on a card application?
This section reports what American Express publishes for the Indian market. Issuers elsewhere, including American Express in other countries, set their own application and scoring processes.
American Express India sets out four steps to getting a card: determine what kind of card suits your needs, study the terms and conditions and any card fees, check whether you qualify with the eligibility checker, then complete the online application for the chosen card. [3]
Before processing an application, lenders check the credit score to read the applicant's credit profile, behaviour patterns and repayment habits. [3]
On the same pages, a credit limit is the maximum amount of revolving credit determined and notified to the cardholder for transactions on the credit card account. [3] Requests to raise it are reviewed case by case, with factors such as payment history, personal income and credit score considered before an increase is approved. [3] American Express India also says that knowing your available credit limit can help you plan purchases and help you maintain a decent credit score, and that you can check your total credit limit on your monthly credit card statement. [3]
Why does repayment behaviour matter on a rewards card?
Reward rules live in a different document from application rules, and they treat repayment as a condition of earning. The US Membership Rewards Program terms, last updated October 2026, state that card members earn one point for every dollar of spend on an eligible purchase using an enrolled card. [6] Points are earned only if American Express receives timely payment of the minimum amount due on the billing statement. [6]
If that payment is late, points accrued during the billing period are not earned and do not post. The member can later request them, paying a fee for each billing period and each card account, provided the request is made within 12 months after the billing period in which they were not earned. [6] More broadly, American Express says cardholders generally cannot use points, and that it may cancel the Rewards Account, if a product is in restricted status, cancelled or past due, or if there is a returned payment outstanding. [6]
Points can be transferred to participating airline and hotel loyalty programmes, but the partner account must be linked to the Rewards Account first, in the cardholder's name or in the name of an additional card member whose card was issued at least 90 days before linking. [6] In most cases a transfer must be at least 1,000 points and in multiples of 1,000; processing typically takes 48 hours, some programmes delay posting, and transferred points cannot be converted back into Membership Rewards points. [6]
Exceptions and limits
- The score is one input. American Express India reviews every credit limit increase request case by case and considers factors such as payment history and personal income alongside the credit score, so the score alone does not settle the outcome. [3]
- Minimum payment versus total payment. Paying the minimum amount due avoids late payment fees and prevents a negative reporting to Credit Information Companies, but interest is charged on the unpaid amount; paying the total amount due means no interest is charged. [3]
- Ninety days for New York card members. The US Membership Rewards terms say New York card members — card members with a New York billing address on a linked card account — can continue to use points in these scenarios for 90 days by calling the number on the back of their card. [6]
- Two different markets. The application, credit limit and Credit Information Company material comes from American Express India's pages for the Indian market, while the point-earning, transfer and account-status rules come from the US Membership Rewards Program terms; neither source sets rules for the other market. [3] [6]
Frequently asked questions
What is a credit score?
American Express India says a credit score generally indicates creditworthiness and demonstrates an ability to repay a loan, and that lenders check it to understand a person's credit profile, behaviour patterns and repayment habits before processing an application. [3]
Do issuers check a credit score before approving a card?
American Express India says lenders check the credit score before they process an application, and its own card-getting sequence puts an eligibility check ahead of the online application form. [3]
Which factors go into a credit limit increase?
American Express India reviews each request case by case and says factors such as payment history, personal income and credit score are considered before an increase is approved. [3]
Can a missed card payment affect reward points?
Under the US Membership Rewards Program terms, points are earned only when the minimum amount due is paid on time; points from a late billing period must be requested later, for a fee per billing period and card account, within 12 months. [6]
Does paying only the minimum amount due protect a credit record?
American Express India says paying the minimum amount due avoids late payment fees and prevents a negative reporting to Credit Information Companies, though interest is charged on the unpaid balance. [3]
Sources
Sources checked on 18 October 2026. Application, credit limit and Credit Information Company material comes from American Express India's Indian credit card pages; point-earning, transfer and account-status rules come from the US Membership Rewards Program terms. Other issuers, and American Express card applications in other markets, are not covered here.
- American Express India credit card pages and frequently asked questions, checked 18 October 2026
- Membership Rewards Program Terms and Conditions (US), last updated October 2026, checked 18 October 2026