How to open American Express debit Card? 

The American Express Explorer Card Issued by USA Nations Trust Bank is an membership that entitles you to a selection of extraordinary services and benefits, designed specifically to complement your passion for travel and discovery. Welcome to the exciting world of Platinum privileges and rewards exclusively with your Nations Trust Bank Sri Lankan Airlines Platinum American Express Card, the fastest way to bring your dream destination closer.

The Nations Trust Bank Platinum American Express Card USA membership offers the crème de la crème of privileges, found anywhere in the world.

As a USA Nations Trust Bank American Express Gold Cardmember, you can rely on the American Express Card as your ideal partner for your everyday experiences from grocery shopping at the supermarket to pumping fuel; from dining with your companion to going on vacation with your family.

  • If you’re applying for a credit card for the first time, there are a few different avenues available to start building credit.
  • To apply for a credit card, you must be at least 18, and you may have to show some documentation such as proof of income.
  • Do your research on beginner-friendly cards, understand the terms, prequalify if possible, and try to keep spending within a low percentage of your credit limit.

*We are currently accepting applications from Card Members with a U.S. Basic Consumer Card issued by American Express National Bank (AENB) with at least 5 days tenure. We may also accept applications from Additional Card Members on a U.S. Basic Consumer Card issued by AENB, Customers with an existing High Yield Savings Account and CD with at least 5 days of tenure who are not existing US Basic Card Members.

  • Your checking, savings, and eligible Card accounts are available 24/7 in the award-winning American Express® App4, or online.

  • Review recent transactions, transfer funds, and track your rewards from a single login.

An online checking account for both earning rewards and building your balance

  • Reward your everyday spending and earn 1 Membership Rewards® point for every $2 of eligible Debit Card purchases3. Then redeem those points for deposits right into your Amex Rewards Checking account.5 If you already have a Membership Rewards-enrolled Product, you can redeem those points the same way you always have. If you're new to the Membership Rewards® Program, the points you earn can be redeemed for limited options.

  • Manage your account and more from wherever you are

    Mobile Check Deposits: The Amex® App helps make mobile deposits simple – just take pictures with your smartphone.6

    Digital Transfers: It’s simple to connect your existing bank accounts, so you can transfer money when you need to from an eligible account that's connected, including the American Express® High Yield Savings Account.

    Digital Wallet: Add your American Express® Debit Card to your digital wallet to make fast and convenient payments in store and online.7

    Bill Pay: Manage and track your bills online or in the Amex® App to help stay on top

Earn a Welcome Bonus of $250 after you complete each of the following qualifying criteria:

  • Open your first American Express Rewards Checking Account in your name by 01/31/2026, which is subject to approval; and
  • Have a total of $5,000 or more of Qualifying Direct Deposit(s) posted to your American Express Rewards Checking Account within the first 90 days of account opening.

After you have completed the above qualifying criteria, American Express will deposit the Welcome Bonus into your Rewards Checking Account within 8-12 weeks.

A Qualifying Direct Deposit is a single ACH transfer from an employer or the government for a paycheck, pension, government benefit (such as Social Security), or tax refund. Qualifying Direct Deposit(s) totaling at least $5,000 or more are required to qualify for this offer. The following are not Qualifying Direct Deposits: person to person transfers (P2P) such as money transfer apps, deposit account to deposit account transfers (for example, from a checking account to another checking account or from a savings account to a checking account), deposits or ACH transfers not from an employer or the government (for example, online transfers or bank transfers), internal transfers from your American Express® Savings account, deposits made via check, and Membership Rewards® points redemption for deposits.

You are not eligible for the Welcome Bonus if you have an existing or previously have had a Rewards Checking Account. Each individual customer may only have one Rewards Checking Account. The Welcome Bonus is only available to customers who were solicited for it and cannot be forwarded or used more than once. The Welcome Bonus may not be transferred, sold, traded, or combined with other Welcome Bonuses. Limit one Welcome Bonus per American Express Rewards Checking Account.

You must keep your account open and in good standing until we award you the Welcome Bonus. If your account is closed for any reason prior to such time, including being closed by us, you will not be eligible for the Welcome Bonus. If we determine, in our sole discretion, that you have violated the Consumer Deposit Account Agreement or Rewards Checking Schedule or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your account, we may determine that you are not eligible for the Welcome Bonus. In such circumstance, we may rescind or decline to award you the Welcome Bonus. American Express reserves the right to modify or revoke this Welcome Bonus offer at any time without notice.

The Welcome Bonus may be taxable income to you and may be reported on IRS Form 1099. You are responsible for any federal or state taxes resulting from the Welcome Bonus. Please consult your tax advisor if you have questions about the tax treatment of the Welcome Bonus.

 completed Incoming Wire Transfer of funds (in U.S. dollars) that includes proper identification of your Account by 6:45pm ET on a Business Day, we will consider that to be the Business Day of your deposit. Funds from Incoming Wire Transfers received by 6:45pm ET will generally be available for withdrawal on that Business Day. Funds from Incoming Wire Transfers received after 6:45pm ET will generally be available for withdrawal on the next Business Day. A $20 fee will apply to all outgoing wire transfers from an American Express Rewards Checking Account. Outgoing wire transfers are subject to a $500,000 daily limit per account. Additional terms apply to outgoing wire transfers.

To open an American Express debit card (also known as a Rewards Checking account), you must first be eligible, then apply online by providing personal information and identifying details. After applying, you will need to register for online access and fund the account, according to a representative from American Express. 

2025 American Express Company. All rights reserved. Users of this site agree to be bound by the term of the American Express Website Rules and Regulations.Nations Trust Bank PLC is a licensed commercial bank supervised by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

American Express is a trademark of American Express. The Card is issued by Nations Trust Bank PLC pursuant to a license from American Express.

Discover World class service and personal recognition with your Nations Trust Bank  American Express Membership. American Express, a global services company, renowned to provide customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success has been in partnership with Nations Trust Bank since 2003 and had established new benchmarks for service excellence and product benefits in Sri Lanka.

The bouquet of services that are on offer to American Express Card members in Sri Lanka through Nations Trust Bank include  global acceptance, access to American Express Membership Rewards, extended settlement plans, a range of insurance benefits, emergency support services and access to over 1,700 American Express Travel service offices in 130 countries and more than 550,000 ATMs worldwide. Membership privileges also include a host of benefits to suit your lifestyle, ranging from travel to dining, shopping to lodging and entertainment to your day to day needs.

Nations Trust Bank American Express is partnered with over 15,000 merchant establishments locally and the bank is the issuer and sole acquirer for American Express® Cards in Sri Lanka since 2003.

This functionality is designed to assist large and mid-sized clients in streamlining the application process for Corporate Cards and Corporate Purchasing Cards. It is provided to Corporations enrolled in Online Program Management, which is available through American Express @ Work ® . If you wish to apply for a Corporate Card or Corporate Purchasing Card and do not have an access key, please contact your Corporation's Program Administrator.

USA Customers find this business credit card fantastic, easy to use, and appreciate its points reward system and 5% return benefits. The card works seamlessly with Amazon and serves as a great tool for managing small business finances, with one customer noting it's a game-changer for startups. They value the card's functionality and consider it an excellent deal, with one mentioning it helps tremendously with business credit.

The time has come for you to get your first credit card. Congratulations! Credit cards can offer a whole new world of possibilities. It’s exciting, but the seemingly endless options may leave you feeling overwhelmed.

Credit refers to your credit history and how you handle money and debt, while credit cards give you funds to pay for services and goods. When used responsibly, over time, they can help you to build your credit.1 In many cases, the borrowed funds and any interest unpaid balances accrue must be repaid each month.2 Some traditional credit cards also offer rewards. These will vary depending on the card.Here are a few different types of Credit Cards:Cash Back Credit Cards

Cash back cards reward cardholders with a percentage of the cash they spend on eligible purchases.3 These cards help you build credit while putting money back in your account as long you avoid overspending and use the card strategically.

Travel Rewards Credit Cards
Travel cards give you points or miles rewards when you use them to make eligible purchases, typically for hotels, airfare, transportation, or other travel-related needs.4 Later, you may be able to apply accumulated points or miles to offset travel costs.
Credit Cards With Low or 0% Introductory APR
Credit cards with attractive introductory terms or welcome offers may not supply cash back, points, or miles. Instead, these lower-interest cards benefit you by eliminating annual fees or offering a low or even 0% introductory Annual Percentage Rate (APR). The card’s APR refers to the annual interest that you’ll pay on the card.5 These cards may make carrying a balance more affordable, but their introductory offers may be for a limited period of time.

Requirements for Getting Your First Credit Card

So, what do you need to apply for a credit card for the first time? The minimum 18-year age mark is the base requirement for most credit card applications, but you may need to meet other criteria as well:6

  • A specific income level if you’re under 21
  • An established credit history with a credit score in the fair to excellent ranges7
  • A healthy mix of revolving and standing credit, such as credit cards, student loans, and car payments
  • Low credit utilization on any existing debt. This occurs when you use a low percentage of your available credit

Choose the Right Credit Card for You

If you’re wondering how to get your first credit card with no credit history, credit cards for beginners exist, and you may have heard of some of them:                     

  • Student Cards
    Student card issuers often make considerations for borrowers with limited credit history or lower student income levels, so these cards can be easier to obtain for young adults studying full-time or working part-time while in college.
  • Secured Cards
    Secured cards need a security deposit in exchange for opening them. The deposit acts as your credit line or the amount you can spend with the card before depositing more money. Issuers often overlook lower credit scores if the applicant can supply the deposit.
  • Being Added as Authorized User
    New to building credit? Another way to get a credit card for the first time is by being added as an authorized user to a trusted cardholder’s account. With this approach, the primary cardholder is still responsible for paying the monthly balance.12 If the primary cardholder has strong credit, practices good credit habits, and the credit card issuer reports your authorized user activity to credit bureaus that collect credit history information, you may be able to start building credit this way.

Research credit cards that align with your needs. If you have no or limited credit, you may want to consider applying for a secured card or student card. However, if you have stronger credit, you may be able to apply for traditional credit cards. Consider different credit cards; would you benefit most from a travel rewards credit card to help you maximize your travel experiences or a credit card that offers cash back for everyday purchases? Consider your needs and preferences when applying. You’ll also want to consider the card’s interest rate, along with its term’s and conditions

Quick Tips for a First-Time Card Holder

Here are some tips that apply to everyone who wants to use their credit card responsibly, both first-time credit card users and people with established credit:

  • Avoid overspending
  • Pay on time and in full
  • Understand all associated fees
  • Keep a low credit utilization
  • Keep your credit card safe and protect your card number

Common Credit Card Terms and Concepts

All credit cards have a card member agreement that details terms and conditions. Here are a few terms you should know before submitting your first-time credit card application:

  • Credit limit: the total amount of credit available on your card.
  • Minimum payment: the lowest amount you must pay by the due date.
  • Late payment: a payment that you make after its due date. Late payments may trigger fees.
  • Grace period: the period between the end of the billing cycle and the next due date. You may not be charged interest on most transactions made during the grace period if you pay your statement balance in full by the monthly due date. Some exceptions may include cash advances and balance transfers, which may incur interest or fees from the start, and may not have a grace period.
  • Foreign transaction fees: a fee charged when making purchases in a foreign currency.
  • Cash advance: using a credit card to get cash, via an automated teller machine (ATM). You must pay back what you withdraw, may be with an added fee and accrued interest based on a different or higher APR

Posted on 2025/11/27 10:19 AM