Can I use a third-party payment provider (i.e. PayPal) to make a purchase and will I still get credit?

You must pay for purchases using your linked American Express Card directly with the store at the store’s checkout – not through a third-party payment provider like PayPal.  However, if the merchant only offers a third-party payment provider (i.e. PayPal), you can use your linked American Express Card with that third-party payment provider to qualify.