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Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, deta...
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Finding an everyday spending card that doubles as a travel rewards card and earns valuable Membership Rewards Points on all those purchases is a sweet yet productive combination.
The American Express® Gold Card shines with strong earnings on everyday purchases at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants, a variety of ways to earn/redeem rewards, plenty of mid-tier travel benefits, perks, savings, and special offers. And this card does it all without a super-premium annual fee!
Many premium travel rewards credit cards come with annual fees as high as $550. With those cards, you typically receive a package of corresponding premium travel benefits such as complimentary lounge access, Global Entry fee reimbursement, and even a large statement credit toward travel purchases.
The Amex Gold Card strikes a perfect balance with generous earning potential, plus enough perks, benefits, credits, and protections to improve your travel experience with a lower annual fee to match — plus it’s a sleek metal credit card with a shiny finish!
Let’s dig a bit deeper into all the benefits the Amex Gold card has to offer, and see why this card is quickly earning a place in the savvy consumer’s wallet.
Earn Valuable Membership Rewards Points Plus More
Amex Gold Card
The Amex Gold card has strengths as both an everyday earning card and a travel rewards card since it has the earning elements for both and strong redemption value for the traveler.
1. A Generous Welcome Bonus [$1,320]
While welcome bonuses can vary, the bonus you earn after meeting spending requirements in the first 3 months after card approval can significantly jump-start your earnings. Check for the latest welcome bonus offer and review rates and fees before applying.
2. Generous Earnings at Restaurants, Supermarkets, and for Airline Flights [$2,200]
With this card, you’ll earn:
4 Membership Rewards Points per dollar spent at restaurants
4 Membership Rewards Points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets. Up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; after that, earn 1x.
3 Membership Rewards Points per dollar spenton flights booked directly with the airline, as well as airfare booked through American Express Travel
1 Membership Rewards Point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Membership Rewards points are valuable because they are flexible and can be redeemed in several different ways. Your Membership Rewards points also don’t expire as long as you have an active Membership Rewards-earning credit card open.
If you spent $25,000 in a year on 4x earning bonus categories alone, you would earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points.
Bottom Line: The Amex Gold card offers tremendous earning potential, both initially with the generous welcome bonus and ongoing with dining, supermarket, and airline flight bonus category earnings.
Shopping Discounts, Perks, and Credits
Image Credit: American Express
3. Monthly Dining Credits [up to $120]
In addition to earning Membership Rewards points on your purchases, you’ll enjoy up to $120 per year in dining statement credits (up to $10 per month) at participating restaurants, including Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
4. Amex Offers [$200]
Believe it or not, some American Express cardholders aren’t aware of Amex Offers — but they should be! Amex Offers can save you hundreds of dollars a year or more.
Save hundreds of dollars each year with Amex Offers. Image Credit: Amex
When you log in to your card account online, you’ll find the Amex Offers and Benefits listed below your account information and current summary. Just add the offer you think you might use to your card by clicking the Add to Card button.
When you use your card at that merchant, the offer will automatically be applied as a statement credit, or if the offer is for bonus Membership Rewards points, those points will be added to your account after the purchase has been verified.
Amex Offers can be quite lucrative! Previous offers have included $75 back for spending $75 or more at AT&T, and an offer for 10% back on every Sam’s Club purchase (the Sam’s Club offer was even applicable for gift cards!).
Hot Tip: Adding Amex Offers to one of your American Express cards can eliminate it from the list of your Amex Offers for different cards. Be sure to review the offers on each card so you’ll add the best offers to your desired cards!
5. ShopRunner [$30]
ShopRunner is all about taking the hassle out of online shopping by providing free 2-day shipping and easy free returns. There are over 100 stores represented, and members receive ongoing special offers.
Enroll in the service once you receive your card, then log in to the ShopRunner website before shopping at your favorite retailer to receive the benefits of free shipping and returns.
A normal ShopRunner membership costs $79 per year, but it’s included free as a perk on dozens of credit cards. Fortunately, your Amex Gold card is one of these cards.
We value this perk at just $30 based on a modest estimate of potential savings on shipping rather than the cost of an annual membership which you might not otherwise purchase.
6. American Express Auto Purchasing Program [Value Varies]
The American Express Auto Purchasing Program is a sleeper — you don’t hear much about it, but it can save you plenty and give you peace of mind when you’re shopping for a vehicle!
First, you’ll get to see what others paid for the car you want. How valuable is that?! You’ll also get a guaranteed savings certificate so you know what you’ll be saving even before you visit a dealership.
If you purchase your vehicle at one of the selected certified dealers, you can use your Amex Gold card to cover at least $2,000 of the purchase price; some dealers will allow you to charge even more.
Shopping Protections [Value Varies]
Hopefully, these are protections you never have to use, but if you do, you’re sure to find economic value in having these coverages.
7. Extended Warranty
Warranties always seem to expire just when you need them. With extended warranty coverage, you’ll receive up to 1 additional year of warranty coverage for eligible purchases that have a U.S. manufacturer’s warranty of 5 years or less.
Coverage is limited to the amount you charged on your Amex Gold card, and only up to $10,000 per item (maximum $50,000 per year).
8. Purchase Protection
Eligible purchases are protected when accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost. Purchase protection provides coverage for eligible items purchased within the past 90 days, and can even include coverage for your cell phone.
There is a $10,000 limit per occurrence and a $50,000 limit per calendar year.
Travel Benefits That Add Value
Book a 2-night stay at The Hotel Collection properties and receive a $100 credit to spend at the hotel. Image Credit: Christine Krzyszton
9. The Hotel Collection Benefits [$100]
Cardholders of the Amex Gold card will enjoy an elevated travel experience when booking a 2-night stay at properties included in The Hotel Collection, including perks like:
Upgraded room at check-in, when available
$100 credit to use at the hotel
Ability to pay with points
Double points for prepaid bookings
Cardholders must book a minimum of 2 consecutive nights and pay with their card or Membership Rewards Points. The $100 credit can be used toward food, beverages, spa, resort activities, and other eligible expenses and will be applied at checkout.
You can book up to 3 rooms per stay through American Express Travel or The Hotel Collection website. One $100 credit is applied per room per 2-night stay, so your total credit could be a total of $300 if booking 3 rooms.
Additionally, when you pay for your room with your Amex Gold card, you’ll receive double Membership Rewards points! That’s 2 points for every dollar spent.
Keep in mind that booking through any third party (including Amex Travel) versus booking directly on the hotel’s website can result in not receiving your elite hotel loyalty program benefits or stay credit.
Bottom Line: Cardholders can enjoy unlimited savings since the $100 hotel credit can be used each time you book a 2-night stay at The Hotel Collection properties. This is an especially good value as there are plenty of hotels in The Hotel Collection that are conservatively priced (not just high-end expensive properties).
10. Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance [$175]
The Amex Gold card comes with secondary car rental insurance but offers the option to purchase primary Premium Protection for 1 low fee that covers the entire rental period. Prices range from $12.95 to $24.95 depending on location and coverage selected.
If you rent a vehicle just 10 days each year, you could pay $200 or more for car rental protection — Amex Premium Protection could save you plenty.
Use your Amex Gold card to reserve and pay for your entire car rental, decline the rental car company’s collision damage waiver, and you’ll be covered if the car is stolen or damaged.
Rental vehicles are covered for the first 30 consecutive days with protection that will pay up to a maximum of $50,000 for repair or replacement of the vehicle. Restrictions apply.
For a complete description of the rental loss and damage coverage, access the Amex Gold card benefits guide for coverage details.
Bottom Line: The Amex Gold card delivers hundreds of dollars of additional dining and travel benefits each year with high points-earning levels for everyday spending.
Additional Travel Benefits and Protections
11. Lowest Hotel Rate Guarantee
Book your prepaid hotel with American Express Travel — if you find the same room for a lower price before taxes and fees, you’ll receive a refund for the difference.
12. Global Assist Hotline
Having access to 24/7 medical, legal, financial, or emergency assistance services when traveling more than 100 miles from home can save the day. Examples of these worldwide services include passport replacement, wiring money, and assistance with lost luggage (note that the cardholder is responsible for any costs charged by the service providers).
13. Baggage Insurance Plan
Never worry about lost, damaged, or stolen luggage when you purchase your plane, train, ship, or bus ticket with your Amex Gold card. Coverage is provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and $500 for checked baggage. Limits, exclusions, and restrictions apply.
1 call gives you expert advice and personalized travel services. You can get assistance with flights, hotel bookings, and ground transportation, though fees do apply for flight bookings.
Using the Card — Costs and Fees
15. Negating the Annual Fee
While the card does charge an annual fee, the generous earnings rate makes it easy to accumulate Amex points quickly. The value you receive for Membership Rewards points when redeemed for travel contributes to a very low break-even point for owning this card.
For example, you would need to spend just $6,250 per year in 4% earning categories to offset the annual fee. This assumption is based on a conservative value of 1 cent per Membership Rewards point, but it’s possible to receive much more value when transferring points to travel partners.
Bottom Line: U.S. supermarket spending alone can more than offset the cost of the annual fee, but the welcome bonus, additional earning potential in bonus categories, credits, and benefits can deliver value far beyond the cost.
With so many ways to earn Membership Rewards Points, they’ll add up quickly. Now, let’s take a look at the options available and the level of value you can expect when redeeming your points.
16. Redeem Points With American Express Travel
The American Express Travel website is simply an online travel agency booking site similar to Orbitz or Kayak. However, since the portal caters to American Express cardholders, you’ll find its customer service exceptional.
You receive the highest value for your Membership Rewards Points on Amex Travel when redeeming for flights instead of hotels, cruises, or vacation packages. Image Credit: Amex Travel
Note that the best value for your Membership Rewards points is to use them for booking flights. There are fees for using American Express Travel, but these are minimal compared to the peace of mind that if something goes wrong during your trip, you’ll have its customer service team to help make it right.
The fee for domestic flights is $6.99, or $10.99 for international flights.
Hot Tip: When you’re not using Membership Rewards points to book with American Express Travel, you’ll want to use your Amex Gold card to pay for your flights — you’ll be earning 3 points per dollar spent!
17. Transfer Points to Airline Partners
Transfer your Membership Rewards points to any of Amex’s transfer partners. Image Credit: Christine Krzyszton
Having choices when it comes time to redeem your Membership Rewards points is a good thing! The value you receive for different redemption options, however, varies greatly. When redeeming your points for airline miles, you’ll notice that transfer ratios depend on the frequent flyer program you’re transferring points to.
You’ll find plenty of opportunities for good deals when transferring your Amex points to the Amex travel partners.
One sweet spot is transferring Membership Rewards points to British Airways for Avios, BA’s term for redeemable frequent flyer miles. Its award chart is distance-based and offers some great opportunities for short-haul flights. For instance, outside of the U.S., flights that are 650 miles or less can cost as few as 4,000 Avios. You can actually build an open-jaw itinerary by flying into 1 city, returning from another, and using short-haul flights to journey between them.
If you’d rather fly in premium class, consider transferring your Membership Rewards points to the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program and booking with a domestic airline partner such as United Airlines. Both airlines are partner members of the Star Alliance, but United Airlines charges less for some business and first class award tickets.
Bottom Line: Airline partners within the same alliance can charge different amounts for award flights on the same route. Check award charts on partner airlines within the same alliance to find the best award ticket pricing. Utilize that airline’s frequent flyer program for your Membership Rewards points transfer to make your points go further!
18. Find the Sweet Spot When Transferring to Hotel Partners
Hilton is one of the Membership Rewards hotel transfer partners. Image Credit: Christine Krzyszton
In addition to transferring your Membership Rewards points to airline partners, you have the option to transfer them to your choice of a few hotel loyalty programs:
Transferring Membership Rewards points to hotel loyalty programs is not always a good value. However, knowing there are some gems to be found can make the treasure hunt worthwhile.
Hot Tip: Always check the hotel transfer partner’s website for opportunities where the cash cost of the room is high but point redemption options are relatively low. When you find this combination (and you will!), it can yield good value when transferring your Membership Rewards points to that hotel partner.
Before transferring any Membership Rewards points to airline or hotel partners, you’ll want to be sure you have an active frequent flyer or hotel loyalty account with the program where you want the miles or points to end up.
You’ll also want to allow time for the points to transfer into the loyalty program. Some transfers happen nearly instantly, while others take a few days or more.
One of our experts has put together a strong collection of the best ways to redeem Membership Rewards points, including some creative suggestions at Choice Hotels. You’ll also find a vast selection of airline transfer partner sweet spots on the list that will help make your Membership Rewards points go further.
Bottom Line: It is possible to get substantially more than 1 cent of value per Membership Rewards point when transferring your points to travel partners. However, note that once you transfer to any of these partners, the transfer cannot be reversed!
19. When 10,000 Membership Rewards Points Are Worth $100
When you choose to redeem your points for travel, gift cards, merchandise, statement credits, services, or donate to charity, Membership Rewards points can be worth anywhere from 0.5 cents to 1 cent per point.
Redemption Option
The Value of 10k Membership Rewards Points
Select retailers: Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg, Staples, Boxed, Seamless, Rite Aid, and Amex Express Checkout
$70
Select gift cards
Up to $100
Ticketmaster or AXS
$50
Donate to charity with MembersGive
$100 up to 500,000 points per year; $50 above 500,000
Expedia
$70
Prepaid hotels, vacations, cruises, booked with Amex Travel
$70
Flights booked with Amex Travel
$100
New York City taxi fares
$100
Statement credit
$60
Amex shopping mall portal
$50
Let’s look at the redemption options that deliver the best value on the chart of 1 cent per point. Booking flights with American Express Travel, certain gift cards, NYC taxis, and charitable donations through the American Express MembersGive program all offer value of 1 cent per point.
20. Booking Flights Through American Express Travel
Amex Travel is similar to other online travel agencies like Orbitz. You select the flights you want and pay for them with Membership Rewards points, cash, or a combination of points and cash. You’ll receive 1 cent per Membership Rewards point when booking flights, which is among the best values for your points.
However, American Express Travel charges fees: $6.99 per domestic airline ticket and $10.99 per international ticket.
You’ll have a vast selection of gift card redemption options, but some deliver less value than others. Image Credit: Amex Travel
21. Redeeming for Select Gift Cards
Realizing a full 1 cent in value for your Membership Rewards points is easy when you redeem your points for select gift cards — you’ll find dozens of $100 gift cards available for 10,000 Membership Rewards points.
Gift card categories include Air/Lodging, American Express, Car/Rail, Dining, Experience, and Retail.
Unfortunately, the category that allows you to redeem your Membership Rewards points for American Express gift cards is a poor choice, as you’ll receive only 0.5 cents in value per point.
You can view a complete list of gift cards available on the Membership Rewards website (even if you don’t have a Membership Rewards-earning card yet).
22. Paying for NYC Taxis
You’ll receive a value of 1 cent per point when using your Amex Gold card for rides in New York City taxis.
American Express has arranged to allow cardholders to use Membership Rewards points when paying for VeriFone and CMT-enabled taxis in New York City. You’ll be prompted on the payment screen within the taxi to use points to pay for your fare.
23. Making a Charitable Donation
American Express offers charitable giving via its MembersGive program. You’ll receive a value of 1 cent per Membership Reward point for donations up to 500,000 points in a calendar year. Above 500,000 points and the value decreases to 0.5 cents each.
Hot Tip: Using a value of 1 cent per Membership Rewards point as a guideline helps you determine whether you’re getting a good redemption value for your points.
Everyday Benefits and Protections
24. Entertainment Access
You’ll feel like a VIP with exclusive access and advance notice for shows, concerts, and sporting events near you. You’ll also get invited to cardmember-only events.
25. American Express Preferred Seating
Receive access to premium seating at select cultural and sporting events when available.
Additional Services
26. Personal Loans for Select Cardholders
Cardholders can be pre-approved for loans between $3,500 and $40,000. These personal loans come with no origination fee or pre-payment penalty and have fixed rates as low as 6.98%. There’s also no credit score impact to apply.
27. 24/7 Card Member Services
Whether it’s replacing a lost card or simply asking a billing question, you can talk to a representative and get assistance 24/7.
28. Mobile Access
Get fraud alerts, find offers near you, and manage your account no matter where you happen to be with the Amex mobile app.
29. Annual Summary
Download the annual summary of your account to keep track and manage all of your expenses.
Final Thoughts
The Amex Gold card is a clear winner with strong rewards in the dining category! Consider the same level of rewards for supermarket purchases and you’ve got an everyday spending card with serious earning potential.
Plus, if you’re a traveler, you’ll enjoy the fact that the card earns 3 Membership Rewards Points per dollar for flights purchased with the airline and with American Express Travel. Add in the stellar redemption options for travel, and we see this card can function as both an everyday spending card and a travel rewards card.
If you’re put off by the high annual fees of most premium travel rewards cards and fewer benefits/earnings on many cards that don’t carry an annual fee, you might find a happy medium with the Amex Gold card.
I wouldn’t struggle with this annual fee either, since most people’s yearly supermarket spending alone would easily earn enough rewards to offset its cost.
Having access to flexible reward redemption options offers a lot of value as well. Perhaps you need to top off your frequent flyer account and book a last-minute award ticket, or you choose to redeem your rewards for a Home Depot gift card to take care of that unexpected home repair. You have that option here.
For everyday spending and travel rewards you’ll use, you’ll find plenty of value in this mid-tier travel rewards card!
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
Featured Image Credit: Upgraded Points
Frequently Asked Questions
Since the Amex Gold card is a charge card and not a credit card, you will be required to pay off the balance each statement period. For that reason, there is no interest rate on the card.
To receive ongoing benefits that exceed the annual fee, you’ll need to be spending in purchase categories that multiply the points you earn: flights, restaurants, and U.S. supermarkets. If you’re doing that and taking advantage of the Amex offers, and other value-added benefits, this card is worth far more than the annual fee.
No. Once a transfer request has been processed, it cannot be reversed.
Cardholders may qualify for special options that allow them to pay off balances over time, but you must apply for these programs and be approved by American Express. The pay-over-time options charge interest and can incur late fees and penalties.
How much your points are worth will depend on your redemption choice. Generally, you will find redemption options that result in a value between 0.5 cents and 1 cent per Membership Rewards point. However, there are some redemption options (such as specific transfers to airline and hotel partners) where you can far exceed the 1 cent per point value.
While you can’t receive cash-back in the form of a check in the mail or money in your bank account, you can redeem your Membership Rewards points for statement credits at the rate of 0.6 cents per point. A redemption of 10,000 points would equal a $60 statement credit. That said, it is not the best value for your points.
As long as you have at least 1 active Membership Rewards-earning card open, your points do not expire.
Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.
Disclaimer: Any comments listed below are not from the bank advertiser, nor have they been reviewed or approved by them. No responsibility will be taken by the bank advertiser for these comments.
19 comments
Jake
March 03, 2019
It looks like AMEX Gold has limited their 4x on restaurants and groceries by using the top two categories that include these and electronics and travel. So if travel is your highest pay category, you will only get 4x on one of the next highest or no 4x bonuses if say electronics are the second highest. These new rules were just mailed to me a week ago.
AMEX seems to like to confuse its members with all sorts of convoluted limitations – especially when applying for new cards and getting/keeping the signup bonus.
Hi Jake, and thanks for reading. The American Express Gold Card continues to have 4X earnings on restaurant/grocery purchases and 3X earnings on travel. The top highest spending categories are not an earnings factor. I believe you are referring to the American Express Business Gold Card which functions differently than the personal credit card. We have also written about the business version here: /american-express-business-gold-card-benefits/
mark french
March 07, 2019
Don’t know if I want to sign up for another $250.00 next year; not sure that it’s good for me. I need to know what other ways go without the yearly fee. Thanks.
Hi Mark. Sounds like you might not be gaining enough benefit from the card to offset the cost of the annual fee. If that is the case, you can always call American Express and explain your situation. It is a long shot but they may give you a break on the annual fee. You can also ask them to product change the card to one that doesn’t charge an annual fee. There are some ideas in this article for no annual fee American Express cards. /credit-cards/travel-rewards-credit-cards/
GENE Selke
June 01, 2019
I have the Gold Card and a Skymiles card. I use the Skymiles card exclusively for travel and purchases. Is there any reason to keep both?
Hello Gene and thanks for the question. I don’t know your spending habits or travel preferences but the Gold Card is great for everyday purchases such as dining out and purchases at grocery stores where you earn 4X Membership Rewards. You will also earn 3X Membership Rewards points on airline tickets booked directly with any airline. Depending on the card, making these purchases with the SkyMiles-branded card earns just 1 mile per dollar spent other than Delta flights where you earn 2 miles per dollar. Also, the miles you earn on the SkyMiles card are not transferable or flexible as you can only redeem them on Delta and Delta partner airlines. Membership Rewards earned on the Gold Card can be used to purchase travel on any airline. You also receive $100 statement credit for airline incidental fees.
Dylan
July 07, 2019
So is the AMEX Gold Hotel Collection Credit $100 or $75?
There is no set income requirement in order to be eligible for the Amex Gold card.
Thanks for reading!
George Smith
March 04, 2020
I have purchased flights on Malaysian Airlines with my card. These were return flights in economy between Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh City.
A few days before the flights were due to leave from KUL, Malaysian changed the day and time of the outward flight, which meant that the trip was no longer of the use for what was originally intended. I refused the new dates and times, but Malaysian have refused to refund the fare. They claim that this is within their terms and conditions, which were not presented when flights were booked.
Does Amex provide any insurance for this kind of loss? The amount is GBP226.00.
Hello George. Some of the premium Amex cards offer trip cancellation/interruption/delay coverage. Here is a link to a description of the coverage and corresponding cards that offer it. http://www.americanexpress.com/tciterms. The American Express Gold Card does not offer any coverage that would apply in your situation.
Here is also an article on the best credit cards for trip cancellation/interruption/delay coverage: /best-credit-cards-trip-cancellation-interruption/
John J
April 20, 2022
How about a head-to-head comparison with another $250 card, Chase Sapphire Reserve. What, you say, no way, the AF on the CSR is $550. True, but the $300 travel credit is a no-brainer without all of the qualifiers of Amex Gold. In my book it’s a $250 AF card with far better benefits than Amex Gold for the traveler. Btw, I’m not a shill for Chase, just an average consumer trying to get the best out of what credit cards have to offer without making it my life’s work. Here’s a start on the comparison:
– 1.5X when using points for travel (air, car, hotel) using Ultimate Rewards: 10,000 points = $150
– Significantly better car and travel insurance benefits
– Amex Travel – I didn’t know they charged a fee — what’s with that! And the points are worth less than 1.0 for non-air travel…ouch.
– $10 Uber and Dining credits don’t roll over if not used
– Shop Runner – in most cases you’re better off using a Cash Back portal
– Auto Purchase – why not go direct to Truevalue.com
– Amex Offers – I get those on my other Amex cards
– Point value – 2.2 only counts for aspirational travel which, I suspect, does not apply to the majority of readers
– But the Amex card does come thru if you are going to max the $25k supermarket spend – but covering the $250 can drop it from 4% to 3% if you don’t use the Uber and Dining credits
Alex!
April 26, 2023
Can I buy a brand new Harley with the American Express Gold card?
![29 Benefits & Perks of the Amex Gold Card [$4,385+ Value]](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Amex-Gold-Upgraded-Points-LLC-23-Large.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1420&height=650&fit=crop)
19 comments
Jake
March 03, 2019
It looks like AMEX Gold has limited their 4x on restaurants and groceries by using the top two categories that include these and electronics and travel. So if travel is your highest pay category, you will only get 4x on one of the next highest or no 4x bonuses if say electronics are the second highest. These new rules were just mailed to me a week ago.
AMEX seems to like to confuse its members with all sorts of convoluted limitations – especially when applying for new cards and getting/keeping the signup bonus.
Christine Krzyszton
March 03, 2019
Hi Jake, and thanks for reading. The American Express Gold Card continues to have 4X earnings on restaurant/grocery purchases and 3X earnings on travel. The top highest spending categories are not an earnings factor. I believe you are referring to the American Express Business Gold Card which functions differently than the personal credit card. We have also written about the business version here: /american-express-business-gold-card-benefits/
mark french
March 07, 2019
Don’t know if I want to sign up for another $250.00 next year; not sure that it’s good for me. I need to know what other ways go without the yearly fee. Thanks.
Christine Krzyszton
March 07, 2019
Hi Mark. Sounds like you might not be gaining enough benefit from the card to offset the cost of the annual fee. If that is the case, you can always call American Express and explain your situation. It is a long shot but they may give you a break on the annual fee. You can also ask them to product change the card to one that doesn’t charge an annual fee. There are some ideas in this article for no annual fee American Express cards. /credit-cards/travel-rewards-credit-cards/
GENE Selke
June 01, 2019
I have the Gold Card and a Skymiles card. I use the Skymiles card exclusively for travel and purchases. Is there any reason to keep both?
Christine Krzyszton
June 01, 2019
Hello Gene and thanks for the question. I don’t know your spending habits or travel preferences but the Gold Card is great for everyday purchases such as dining out and purchases at grocery stores where you earn 4X Membership Rewards. You will also earn 3X Membership Rewards points on airline tickets booked directly with any airline. Depending on the card, making these purchases with the SkyMiles-branded card earns just 1 mile per dollar spent other than Delta flights where you earn 2 miles per dollar. Also, the miles you earn on the SkyMiles card are not transferable or flexible as you can only redeem them on Delta and Delta partner airlines. Membership Rewards earned on the Gold Card can be used to purchase travel on any airline. You also receive $100 statement credit for airline incidental fees.
Dylan
July 07, 2019
So is the AMEX Gold Hotel Collection Credit $100 or $75?
Jarrod West
July 07, 2019
Hi Dylan,
The American Express Gold Hotel Collection credits is $100. The post has now been updated as well. Thank you for spotting that!
monthlymale
August 13, 2019
Thanks for the comprehensive guide. I like the benefits offered by Amex and would get the Platinum Card.
Christine Krzyszton
August 13, 2019
Good choice. Thanks for reading.
KATHLEEN NOLL
October 04, 2019
I purchased a gazebo from Costco and now it is on sale for $300 less. Can I get a rebate?
Jarrod West
October 04, 2019
Hi Kathleen,
Unfortunately, the Amex Gold card does not offer a price protection benefit. So you cannot get a rebate for the Gazebo.
Thanks for reading!
Tochukwu
October 27, 2019
Hi there, what income range is sufficient to be approved the Amex gold?
Jarrod West
October 27, 2019
Hi Tochukwu,
There is no set income requirement in order to be eligible for the Amex Gold card.
Thanks for reading!
George Smith
March 04, 2020
I have purchased flights on Malaysian Airlines with my card. These were return flights in economy between Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh City.
A few days before the flights were due to leave from KUL, Malaysian changed the day and time of the outward flight, which meant that the trip was no longer of the use for what was originally intended. I refused the new dates and times, but Malaysian have refused to refund the fare. They claim that this is within their terms and conditions, which were not presented when flights were booked.
Does Amex provide any insurance for this kind of loss? The amount is GBP226.00.
Thank you
Christine Krzyszton
March 04, 2020
Hello George. Some of the premium Amex cards offer trip cancellation/interruption/delay coverage. Here is a link to a description of the coverage and corresponding cards that offer it. http://www.americanexpress.com/tciterms. The American Express Gold Card does not offer any coverage that would apply in your situation.
Here is also an article on the best credit cards for trip cancellation/interruption/delay coverage: /best-credit-cards-trip-cancellation-interruption/
John J
April 20, 2022
How about a head-to-head comparison with another $250 card, Chase Sapphire Reserve. What, you say, no way, the AF on the CSR is $550. True, but the $300 travel credit is a no-brainer without all of the qualifiers of Amex Gold. In my book it’s a $250 AF card with far better benefits than Amex Gold for the traveler. Btw, I’m not a shill for Chase, just an average consumer trying to get the best out of what credit cards have to offer without making it my life’s work. Here’s a start on the comparison:
– 1.5X when using points for travel (air, car, hotel) using Ultimate Rewards: 10,000 points = $150
– Significantly better car and travel insurance benefits
– Amex Travel – I didn’t know they charged a fee — what’s with that! And the points are worth less than 1.0 for non-air travel…ouch.
– $10 Uber and Dining credits don’t roll over if not used
– Shop Runner – in most cases you’re better off using a Cash Back portal
– Auto Purchase – why not go direct to Truevalue.com
– Amex Offers – I get those on my other Amex cards
– Point value – 2.2 only counts for aspirational travel which, I suspect, does not apply to the majority of readers
– But the Amex card does come thru if you are going to max the $25k supermarket spend – but covering the $250 can drop it from 4% to 3% if you don’t use the Uber and Dining credits
Alex!
April 26, 2023
Can I buy a brand new Harley with the American Express Gold card?
Christine Krzyszton
April 26, 2023
Hi Alex. It would depend on the dealership and whether they would accept the credit card for payment. They may accept a partial payment.
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