The American Express® Gold Card is a premium travel rewards card with expanded bonus categories for earning Membership Rewards® points on dining, groceries, and airfare. But does the increased earning power justify the $250 annual fee? This in-depth Amex Gold Card review covers everything you need to know to decide if it deserves a place in your wallet.
Introduction to the American Express (Amex) Gold Card
The American Express Gold Card sits in the middle of Amex’s lineup of Membership Rewards credit cards, positioned above the Green Card but below the ultra-premium Platinum Card. With 4x points on dining and U.S. supermarkets and 3x points on flights, this card amplifies earning on common purchases. The $250 annual fee is reasonable for a card with solid rewards and some nice benefits.
In this review, we’ll analyze the earning structure, annual fee, approval requirements, and alternatives to evaluate if the Amex Gold Card aligns with your spending habits and financial priorities.
American Express Gold Credit Card Quick Facts
| Category | Rewards Rate | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 4X Points | At restaurants worldwide |
| U.S. Supermarkets | 4X Points | On first $25,000 in purchases annually, then 1X |
| Flights Booked Directly with Amex Travel | 3X Points | On airfare purchases |
| All Other Eligible Purchases | 1X Point | No category restrictions |
What Is the American Express Gold Credit Card Best For?
The American Express Gold Card makes the most sense for:
- Foodies who dine out frequently and spend a lot on groceries
- Travelers who can maximize 3x points on flights
- Responsible cardholders who pay balances off monthly
If you don’t spend heavily in the bonus categories of dining, groceries, and airfare, the increased earnings may not outweigh the annual fee.
American Express Gold Credit Card Rewards
Here’s how the Amex Gold Card earns points:
- 4x points at restaurants worldwide
- 4x points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per year (1x after)
- 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com
- 1x points on all other eligible purchases
There are no foreign transaction fees, allowing you to earn 4x points on dining out internationally as well.
New cardholders can earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership. Valued at $600 – $1,200 when redeemed for travel.
American Express Gold Credit Card Benefits
Beyond rewards, the Amex Gold Card includes:
- Up to $120 in Uber Cash annually
- Up to $120 dining credit annually
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for statement credits
- Extended warranty and purchase protection
These benefits offset some of the annual fee cost.
American Express Gold Credit Card Fees
The main fees of the Amex Gold Card besides the $250 annual fee include:
- No foreign transaction fees
- Balance transfer fee of 3% or $5 minimum
- Cash advance fee of 5% or $10 minimum
- Late payment fee up to $40
- Returned payment fee up to $40
As long as you pay your bill on time and in full each month, you can avoid interest charges and most fees.
American Express Gold Credit Card Requirements
This card is designed for those with good to excellent credit (690+ credit score). Reported minimum income requirements are around $50,000 or more annually based on your credit limit. Having an existing relationship with American Express can help your approval odds.
Authorized user status can allow applicants with shorter credit histories get approved.
Compare the American Express Gold Credit Card With Other Cards
The Amex Gold Card offers elevated bonus rewards compared to other mid-tier cards like:
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card – 2x flat-rate rewards
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – 3x on dining and travel
- Citi Premier® Card – 3x on dining, gas, air travel, hotels
But those cards have lower annual fees of $95-$99 and offer premium travel redemptions and perks.
For groceries and dining, the Amex® Blue Cash Preferred® Card earns similar bonuses but has a lower $95 annual fee.
The premium Chase Sapphire Reserve® outpaces the Amex Gold for travel rewards but has a $550 annual fee.
How To Maximize American Express Gold Credit Card
Rewards
Follow these tips to get the most from your Amex Gold Card:
- Use for dining out and grocery purchases to earn 4x points
- Book airfare directly with airlines or through AmexTravel for 3x points
- Add employee cards to rack up more points faster
- Redeem points for airlines transfers and travel to maximize value
- Use airline and dining credits each year to offset the annual fee
- Review Amex Offers in your account for additional savings
American Express Gold Credit Card Transfer Partners
Transfer points to the following travel loyalty programs to maximize redemptions:
- Delta SkyMiles®
- Emirates Skywards
- British Airways Executive Club
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
Always compare transfer rates to get the best value.
Fine Print
Things to know about the Amex Gold Card:
- High APR of 15.99% – 25.99% variable
- Balance transfers incur a fee of 3% or $5 minimum
- Cash advances incur a fee of 5% or $10 minimum
- Late and returned payment fees up to $40 each
Avoid interest charges by paying your bill in full each month.
How the American Express Gold Card Stacks Up
The Amex Gold Card shines for:
- Dining and grocery bonus rewards
- Valuable Membership Rewards point transfers
- Nice combination of credits and protections
Downsides are the high interest rates and fees beyond the annual fee. But overall an excellent option for heavy spenders in the key rewards categories.
Is the American Express Gold Card for You?
The Amex Gold Card makes sense if you’ll spend heavily on dining, groceries, and flights to outweigh the $250 annual fee. Just be sure you can pay off balances monthly. Overall an excellent card for foodies and travelers who can maximize the 4x and 3x bonus categories.
Methodology
To determine if the Amex Gold Card is ideal for you, consider:
- Your monthly spending in the bonus categories
- How you prefer to redeem credit card rewards
- Your credit score and income level
- Your ability to pay balances in full each month
- Whether other cards with lower fees or rates may be a better option
Doing the math on potential earnings versus costs will clarify if it aligns with your profile.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong rewards on dining and groceries | $250 annual fee |
| Good welcome bonus | High APR and fees |
| Nice credits and perks | Good to excellent credit needed for approval |
For big spenders who dine out often and shop at grocery stores, the elevated bonus rewards can outweigh the annual fee cost. But the card comes with some big costs to factor in.
Overall the Amex Gold Card stands as an excellent mid-tier option for maximizing dining and grocery expenses.
The Bottom Line
The increased earning on dining, groceries, and flights is significant for the right cardholder. But the $250 annual fee is high if you won’t use the credits or leverage point transfers. Compare your spending and redemption habits to make sure the Gold Card aligns. Overall an excellent card for food and travel enthusiasts.