Head to head
American Express EssentialTM Credit Card vs BMO Preferred Rate Mastercard
Fees, rates, rewards, and welcome offers side by side. Every figure links to the issuer's own page.
| Issuer | American Express | BMO |
| Network | American Express | Mastercard |
| Annual fee | No fee | $29 |
| Purchase APR | 12.99% | 13.99% |
| Cash advance APR | 12.99% | 15.99% |
| FX fee | n/a | n/a |
| Welcome (est. value) | n/a | See offer |
| Top earn rate | n/a | n/a |
| Lounge visits | n/a | n/a |
| Min. income | n/a | n/a |
Frequently asked
- Is the American Express EssentialTM Credit Card or the BMO Preferred Rate Mastercard better?
- Neither is universally better. The American Express EssentialTM Credit Card charges a No fee annual fee at 12.99% purchase APR, while the BMO Preferred Rate Mastercard charges $29 at 13.99%. The right pick depends on how you spend and whether you carry a balance. Confirm all details on each issuer's page before applying.
- Where do these numbers come from?
- Every fee, rate, and offer here is pulled from the card issuer's own product and application pages, never an affiliate feed. Rates and offers change, so always verify on the official issuer page before you apply.
- Is this financial advice?
- No. This is an educational comparison to help you weigh two cards. It is not financial advice.
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