If we had to pick just one credit card to use to pile up points for future travel, there’s an obvious choice: the *amex gold*.
Other cards may be better for getting into airport lounges or the better fit for beginners just dipping their toes into the world of points and miles. But no card comes quite so close to doing it all as the Amex Gold Card.
It earns a ton of points on the things you’re spending money on each day – and valuable points you can use to book that big future trip. It comes with some money-saving credits that help offset a reasonable annual fee. And it’s out with a potentially sizable welcome bonus.
Let’s dive into why we love this card more than ever.
Learn more about the *amex gold*
Earn 4x at Restaurants & Grocery Stores
If there’s one reason to open this card and keep it at the top of your wallet, it’s this.
The Amex Gold Card earns 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 of spending a year, then 1x), plus 4x per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 of spending a year, then 1x). For the average American, those are two of the biggest expenses – especially for the younger crowd. And it allows you to maximize how many points you rack up on your everyday expenses.
Let’s say you and your family spend $1,500 a month combined on groceries and eating at restaurants (and yes, that includes takeout and delivery). Shift that spend to a Gold Card, and you’d be earning another 72,000 American Express Membership Rewards points each and every year. That’s more than you’ll earn on almost any card.
Check out our favorite ways to spend a big Amex points bonus!
That can go a long way. And to us (and many Gold cardholders), that return on everyday spending alone is enough to justify the card’s $325 annual fee (see rates & fees).
Temporary bonuses for buying groceries or spending at restaurants come and go on other cards, but this one is permanent. It’s a big part of why we think it’s the best all-around credit card.
The Biggest Bonuses We’ve Ever Seen
Earning extra points on food year in, year out is one thing. But American Express has sweetened the deal throughout the pandemic to make the Amex Gold card even more alluring with a massive bonus. And that big bonus is here to stay.
Historically, you’d earn 60,000 points. Now, you can earn a lot more: bonus_miles_full
Combine that big welcome bonus with the ongoing points you can earn on groceries and at restaurants, and that can add up fast.
Learn more about the *amex gold*
Rose Gold is Back
You asked, and American Express answered: The Amex Rose Gold Card has officially returned.
For reasons we can’t quite explain, the internet has gone crazy for this rosy-hued metal card. It disappeared for years after American Express briefly made it available when relaunching the Amex Gold Card back in 2018.
Now it’s back – and back for good. New cardholders can choose between the traditional Gold finish and Rose Gold when applying for the card. Already have a Gold Card and want to go Rose? Just message American Express and ask for a replacement.
An Easier-to-Stomach Annual Fee
With an annual fee of $695, top travel cards like the Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates & fees) don’t come cheap. Of course, those cards come loaded with premium travel benefits like airport lounge access, annual travel credits, credits to cover a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application, and more.
But paying a boatload for those perks won’t make sense for everyone. The Gold Card slots in the middle of the market.
The Gold Card carries a comparatively mild annual fee of just $325 (see rates & fees). While that’s up after an increase last year and may not be for everyone, it’s much easier to stomach than far pricier cards. And it makes the Gold Card an easy way to start earning lots of points for travel.
Is the Amex Gold Card worth its $325 annual fee?
But doing the math on whether the Gold Card is worth it goes beyond the points.
Credits Make it Even Easier to Come Out Ahead
The Gold Card comes with a few different statement credits that could quickly zero out the cost of that annual fee.
It starts with up to $10 monthly credits for Uber – or Uber Eats – on the Gold Card. Add that up over the course of a full year, and that’s up to $120 in easy-to-achieve savings whenever you order an Uber or order takeout or delivery via Uber Eats in the U.S. All you need to do is add your Gold Card to your Uber app and the credits will kick in as Uber Cash.
Then, there’s a separate up to $120 annual credit for dining, which is also doled out in $10 installments. It’s also fairly easy to use, as it will kick in for orders through GrubHub, The Cheesecake Factory, Wine.com, Goldbelly, Wine.com, & Five Guys. Enrollment is required for this benefit. GrubHub alone makes it easy to use this credit each and every month.
Last year, the bank added a few more credits to the card. The best is easily $100 toward Resy restaurants.
Each year, cardholders get up to $100 in statement credits when dining at U.S. Resy participating restaurants. In classic Amex fashion, statement credit is broken up twice a year: You have $50 to use from January through June and another $50 from July through December.
Finally, Gold cardholders now also get up to $84 per year at Dunkin’ – the artist formerly known as Dunkin Donuts. But that’s split into monthly installments … of just $7 a month.
Much like the new Resy credit, you’ll need to enroll your card in this benefit before taking advantage of it. Once you do, simply swipe your Gold Card when purchasing your morning coffee at Dunkin’, and you’re all set. Amex will automatically reimburse you up to $7 per month.
All of these are use-them-or-lose-them benefits. Didn’t use your $10 for Uber or dining in January? It won’t roll over to February – It’s gone for good.
Maximize all these credits every month and add it up, and you can get up to $424 in value compared to the $325 annual fee. Of course, that’s easier said than done.
Read more: Tips to Use (& Not Lose) Your Amex Statement Credits
Get Big Value Out of Amex Transfer Partners
When it boils down to it, it’s all about the points. You can earn a lot with the Amex Gold, but where can they get you?
The best way to use Amex Membership Rewards points is by utilizing Amex transfer partners. You can send the Amex points you earn from the Gold Card straight to roughly two dozen different airline and hotel chain accounts. Here’s the full list.
| Program | Type | Transfer Ratio | Transfer Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aer Lingus | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| AeroMexico | Airline | 1:1.6 | 3-5 days |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Air France/KLM | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| ANA | Airline | 1:1 | 1-2 days |
| Avianca | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| British Airways | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Cathay Pacific | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Delta | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Emirates | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Etihad | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Iberia | Airline | 1:1 | Up to 24 hours |
| JetBlue | Airline | 1.25:1 | Instant |
| Qantas | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Qatar Airways | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Singapore | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Virgin Atlantic | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
Of course, some of these options are better than others. Some of the options on this list stand out – and others are complete duds. We’ve got some favorites on this list:
- Want to pad your Delta SkyMiles balance? American Express Membership Rewards are the only credit card points that transfer to Delta, making these credit cards a strong option if you want to hop on the next great SkyMiles flash sale with deeply discounted rates like 37,000 SkyMiles to New Zealand.
- Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is great – especially if flying business class is your thing. The airline charges just 75,000 miles for a one-way trip in business class to Asia on knockout airlines like EVA Air or ANA. But it’s also a good option for transcontinental flights on United Airlines or flights from the West Coast to Hawaii.
- Looking to fly to Japan in business class for the same amount of miles most airlines charge for economy? Or book roundtrip flights to Europe in business class for just 100,000 miles? ANA is your answer, and it’s another great transfer partner.
- Virgin Atlantic is one of our absolute favorite Amex transfer partners, and it’s another great option. From overseas fares to short domestic flights, Virgin Atlantic can be a great way to save miles to fly Delta. Frequent transfer bonuses of 30% – like one that or more just make it better.
- Keep Iberia in mind if you want to get to Europe in style: Iberia offers one of the cheapest ways to get to Europe in business class using miles.
- Air France and KLM’s Flying Blue program can be worth a hard look, especially if you’re catching a big discount on one of the monthly Flying Blue Promo Rewards tickets to Europe. Flying Blue slashes economy, premium economy, or business class award tickets on select routes between the U.S. and Europe by as much as 50% each month.
Bottom Line
For years, we’ve considered the Amex Gold Card the best all-around credit card for travelers. While other cards might pack a bigger punch with travel perks, you cannot beat earning 4x points on all your restaurant bills and grocery shopping.
It has earned a spot firmly at the front of many travelers’ wallets. And by the looks of it, it’s not going anywhere.
Learn more about the *amex gold*
