American Express® Gold Card Review
If your goal is to travel more in the coming year, start now with a credit card that helps you go further, faster. The American Express® Gold Card is an excellent choice with impressive benefits and earning potential. With a focus on dining and travel, this card offers substantial rewards on common spending categories and perks useful for both traveling and daily life. The flexibility of Amex Membership Rewards points is unparalleled, offering access to valuable award tickets to destinations like Europe and Asia.
Overview of the American Express Gold Card
The American Express Gold Card stands out from other cards, primarily appealing to those who earn valuable rewards from everyday spending. Its key features and benefits include a generous rewards program, statement credits, and reliable travel protections.
- Generous rewards on dining, groceries, and travel: The Amex Gold Card earns 4 points per dollar spent on dining and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $50,000 and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, respectively), 3 points on flights booked directly or via Amex Travel, and 1 point on all other purchases.
- Dining credits and Uber Cash: Enjoy up to $10 in monthly dining credits and $10 in monthly Uber Cash.
- $100 Resy Credit: Earn up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year for eligible Resy purchases.
- The Hotel Collection Benefits: Receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com.
- Travel protections: Secondary rental car and baggage insurance are included when making travel reservations with your Amex Gold Card.
Pros
- Generous Rewards Program: Excellent rewards for dining, U.S. supermarkets, and airfare. Earn Membership Rewards points, redeemable for travel, statement credits, and more.
- Travel Benefits: Includes baggage and rental car insurance, plus credits on hotel stays.
- Dining Credits: Combined annual credits offset the card’s annual fee.
Cons
- $325 Annual Fee: Higher than the average for a travel rewards card.
- Limited Travel Protections: No comprehensive travel insurance and secondary rental car coverage.
- Subject to Amex’s Once-Per-Lifetime Rule: Previous rewards bonus recipients may not qualify again.
American Express Gold Card Benefits
The American Express Gold Card boasts many benefits that can make it an excellent addition to your wallet. These include generous rewards, travel protections, and statement credits that can save you money. Here’s a complete look at all of the Gold Card’s benefits:
Welcome Bonus
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in your first 6 months. Additionally, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases within the same period, up to $100 back. This limited-time offer ends on 11/6/24.
Earning Points
The Amex Gold Card excels at earning points on everyday purchases. Earn 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide, 3 points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel, and 1 point on all other purchases.
Travel Benefits
The Amex Gold Card has no foreign transaction fees and access to The Hotel Collection, providing a $100 experience credit for select two-night hotel stays. It also offers baggage insurance and secondary rental car insurance, protecting your travel itinerary.
Annual Credits
Enjoy up to $120 in dining credits each year at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Additionally, utilize $10 monthly Uber Cash and $7 in monthly Dunkin’ credits. These credits considerably enhance the overall value and offset the card’s annual fee.
How to Redeem Membership Rewards Points
American Express Membership Rewards points are extremely valuable. They can be transferred to 21 airline and hotel loyalty programs, or redeemed at a flat rate for travel bookings, gift cards, or statement credits. This flexibility makes the Membership Rewards program one of the best in the industry.
Transfer to Membership Rewards Travel Partners
Membership Rewards points can be transferred to 21 airline and hotel partners, maximizing point value. Most transfers are at a 1:1 ratio, with occasional promotional bonuses for specific partners, ensuring flexibility and excellent opportunities for saving on travel expenses.
- Aer Lingus AerClub
- AeroMexico Rewards
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- All Nippon Airways Mileage Club
- Avianca Lifemiles
- British Airways Executive Club
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Choice Privileges
- Delta SkyMiles
- Emirates Skywards
- Etihad Guest
- Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
- Hilton Honors
- Iberia Plus
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Marriott Bonvoy
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Comparison to Other Credit Cards
When compared to the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, the Amex Gold Card shines in dining and grocery bonuses but lacks some premium travel benefits. Conversely, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a lower annual fee and robust travel protections.
Is the American Express Gold Card Worth Getting?
Whether or not the Amex Gold Card is worth it depends on your spending habits and travel aspirations. If dining out frequently and spending significantly on groceries, the rewards and benefits can outweigh the annual fee. However, for those seeking lower annual fees and additional travel protections, there are more suitable alternatives such as the Capital One Venture or the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
FAQ
How do I maximize the dining credits on the Amex Gold Card?
Maximize your dining credits by using the card for eligible dining expenses and taking advantage of monthly dining credits, along with Uber Cash and Dunkin credits.
Can I transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to airline partners?
Yes, you can transfer points to 21 airline and hotel partners, which allows for flexibility in redeeming rewards for travel.
Does the Amex Gold Card offer rental car insurance?
The Amex Gold Card provides secondary rental car insurance. Users can also purchase Premium Car Rental Protection to upgrade coverage.
How does the Amex Gold annual fee compare to other premium cards?
While the Amex Gold Card’s $325 annual fee is higher than many standard travel rewards cards, it offers valuable benefits compensating for its cost.
