American Express® Gold Card review: The gold standard for foodies
The Amex Gold makes me feel better about all the food I buy with points that fund a chunk of my annual travel.
Written by
Edited by
The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for .
Snapshot
4.9
Bottom line
The Amex Gold card is an incredible option for earning travel rewards if you spend a lot at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. The annual fee is pretty steep, though, so you should make sure you have a handful of trips planned each year to make the travel rewards you earn worthwhile.
Best for dining
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees, Terms ApplyIntro offer
Earn 60,000 points
Rewards rate
1X - 4X
Annual fee
$325
APR
See Pay Over Time APR
4.4
Cardholder rating
Extra perks
Online tools
Rewards value
Customer service
4.9
Bankrate score
Rewards value
APR
Rewards flexibility
Features
Remove a card to add another to compare
Remove a card to add another to compare
American Express® Gold Card overview
I applied for The American Express® Gold Card because of its numerous dining perks, its high rewards rate for my most common purchases and the value of American Express Membership Rewards points. Its high annual fee freaked me out a little bit, but when I evaluated the credits and forecasted what my rewards could be worth, I didn’t think much about what it would cost to access benefits that were definitely helping to reduce my spending.
Its ongoing rewards for airfare, restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases, along with its credits really help to offset its annual fee. But the credits come with some restrictions that make them difficult to fully utilize depending on your spending habits. I’ll also admit that Membership Rewards are only worth the trouble when you redeem them for travel or transfer them to an eligible travel partner. If you travel fewer than two times per year, you may want to consider a different card.
-
Rewards
- 4X points on restaurant purchases worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points) and U.S. supermarket purchases (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points)
- 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or via Amex Travel
- 2X points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases via Amex Travel
- 1X points on all other purchases
Expert Appraisal: Exceptional
See our expert analysis -
Welcome offer
- 60,000 points after spending $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership.
Expert Appraisal: Good
See our expert analysis -
Rates and fees
- $325 annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- No intro APR on purchases or balance transfers
-
See Pay Over Time APR
Expert Appraisal: Unimpressive
See our expert analysis -
Other cardholder perks
- Up to $120 in annual dining credits (up to $10 in monthly statement credits) for purchases with GrubHub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys (enrollment required)
- Up to $120 annual credits for Uber Cash (as $10 in automatic monthly Uber Cash) toward Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. The Amex Gold must be a method of payment and you can redeem with any Amex card. Point caps and terms apply.
- Up to $100 in credit towards eligible charges with The Hotel Collection every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property
- Up to $100 in credits each calendar year for Resy restaurants in the U.S. and other eligible Resy purchases (up to $50 semi-annually; enrollment required)
- Up to $84 in credits each year for U.S. Dunkin' purchases (as up to $7 monthly statement credits) when you enroll and use your Amex Gold to pay at U.S. Dunkin' locations
- Travel protections, including baggage insurance, car rental loss and damage insurance*
- Complimentary Shoprunner membership (enrollment required)
Expert Appraisal: Exceptional
See our expert analysis
American Express® Gold Card pros and cons
Pros
-
It's one of the best cards on the market for dining and travel with bonus credits that easily justify the annual fee.
-
The card’s welcome offer is impressive, and you have six months to meet the spending requirements.
-
There is no preset credit limit, so the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history.
Cons
-
The $325 annual fee could be hard to offset if you don’t use the card’s annual credits and transfer partners.
-
Unlike some competing premium travel rewards cards, it doesn’t offer lounge access or travel credits.
-
Points have the highest value when redeemed for travel, making this card less than ideal for occasional travelers.
First-year value vs. ongoing value
The first year with the Amex Gold is where I saw the most value. It’s likely where most people will see the most value, too, because of its generous welcome offer. I’ve had it for three years now and still offset my annual fee by making the most of its credits and rewards rates. However, the longer you have this card and the more times you pay the annual fee, the tighter the gap closes between what you have gotten from the card and what you pay to hold it. We’ve calculated the Amex Gold card’s first-year and ongoing value based on our card scoring formula, a $22,500 annual spend and the potential 1-cent value through Amex.
| Benefits and Costs | First-year value | Ongoing value (no welcome offers) |
| Yearly rewards | +$492 | +$492 |
| Welcome offers | +$600 value (60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership) | — |
| Perks (of monetary value) |
|
|
| Annual fee | -$325 | -$325 |
| Total value | $1,291 | $691 |
Why you might want the American Express Gold
I have a fairly large appetite for food and travel, so I find it hard to beat the Amex Gold’s inclusive bonus categories, excellent rewards value and generous annual credits toward dining and hotel activities.
Rewards: Top value across popular categories
Of all American Express cards, the Amex Gold provides the greatest point-earning opportunities (especially if you’re a frequent diner) with categories that reward everyday spending. Few cards carry bonus categories for restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets and offer dining credits. Plus, the American Express Gold sets itself apart by offering one of the highest rewards rates for these categories. These factors make the Amex Gold one of the best cards for restaurants and one of the best for groceries, especially if you plan to transfer points to travel partners.
I manage to offset my annual fee with rewards earnings from grocery and dining spending even though I fall under the spending profile of the average person, who spends roughly $22,500 annually with a credit card.
When you redeem your Membership Rewards, the most valuable options include booking travel or transferring points to American Express travel partners (usually at a 1:1 value, but varies by partner). Points are worth 1 cent each when redeeming for flights or upgrading your airfare class through the American Express Travel portal, but tend to fall under 1 cent per point when redeemed for other options.
If you want the fastest track to offset your annual fee, you can spend $8,125 in your 4X-point categories to break even with 32,500 points with a point valuation of 1 cent per point. But if you want to maximize your points, like I and other card experts do, you can whittle your monthly 4X-point category spending down to about $340 per month provided you transfer your points to a travel partner with a redemption value of around 2.0 cents per point.
I’ll usually sit on a pile of points until I find a redemption rate worth jumping at, and while 1 cent per point is a fair rate, I know Amex points can be worth so much more. I seldom redeem points for a valuation lower than 2.0 cents per point because I want to make the most of the rewards I spend hard to earn.
Perks: Some of the richest dining perks available
The Gold Card doesn’t disappoint with its excellent benefits for foodies. Major benefits include monthly credits for:
Dunkin'
Participating restaurants (including The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys)
Uber rides and Uber Eats orders
You can also enjoy up to $100 additional credits toward eligible restaurant reservations and other purchases through Resy (up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually; enrollment is required). You can also enjoy The Hotel Collection perks, which offer up to $100 credit for qualifying dining, spa services, resort activities and more, depending on the property.
Just the dining and Uber credits more than make up for the annual fee without eating into your hard-earned rewards, but taking advantage of all five credit options could rake in a whopping $524 in credit value each year. But some cardholders may have a hard time taking full advantage of these credits since they can be pretty niche other than Uber Cash. I’ve managed to use these perks habitually since opening my card and they’ve come in handy on date nights, which makes this a great card for couples.
I’ve also never really been a Dunkin’ customer. I make my coffee at home. But I did learn that I can load a Dunkin’ card in the Dunkin’ app with $7 every month to earn the $7 monthly credit for Dunkin’ purchases. I’ve currently hoarded $21 on a Dunkin’ card and will continue to add to it every month with my Amex Gold card’s Dunkin’ credit. I’ll likely use that money to buy a dozen donuts and a Box O’ Joe the next time I host friends.
Welcome offer: Good head start on your next trip
As a new cardholder, you can earn an impressive 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases within your first six months of card membership. This can be worth up to $600 based on the redemption option you choose. While the card's ongoing perks and rewards provide enough value to make the annual fee worthwhile, you will rarely match the rewards earned in your first year because you aren’t getting a chance to add 60,000 Membership Rewards points to your regular rewards earnings.
The welcome offer was one of the deciding factors for me when I opened this card, and its value is something I’ve been quite cognizant of. Because I won’t see a lump sum of points this large land in my account again, I have made a priority of maximizing the card’s perks.
Despite this offer being valuable, the spending requirement is quite high compared to some competing cards. If you spend less than $1,000 per month on your card, it may not be worth going for. I timed my application around some furniture purchases though, and would recommend anyone to do the same with big purchases they have coming up. I knew I would be spending more in the months following my application, so it made meeting the spending requirement much easier.
If you want to maximize your rewards, the Amex Offers program allows you to activate limited-time deals with participating retailers and earn bonus points (usually up to a spending cap). You can also earn a referral bonus (up to 55,000 points per year) when someone you refer applies to and opens any American Express card.
Why you might want a different travel card
The Amex Gold can be worth its weight in food-focused monthly credits and rewards rates if you make the most of them. However, the annual fee can be intimidating, especially if you expect comparable travel perks you’d find with other premium cards.
Rates and fees: A sizable annual fee you can’t ignore
Although the Amex Gold card offers plenty of annual credits and rewards opportunities, its hefty $325 annual fee may give you second thoughts. Whether the American Express Gold is worth it depends on how much you plan to use the card and whether you can take advantage of its perks.
I’ve had my share of doubts, especially now that the fee is $325 because the fee was $250 when I first opened my account. Amex added some credits when it raised the fee, but this just added another thing for me to keep track of. If you aren’t interested in using the services that provide you credits to offset the annual fee, this card is definitely not worth its price tag for you.
I travel and dine out often, so it’s relatively easy for me to earn rewards in the Amex Gold’s bonus categories and find value with travel redemptions. And Bankrate’s ongoing value estimates show that the average spender, like me, may not have much trouble offsetting the $325 price tag. But making up for the annual fee could be more challenging if the monthly dining credits don’t fit your usual dining plans. It can also be tiring keeping track of your rewards to ensure you’re justifying the cost of the card every year. If I never used the credits and didn’t have extra time to spend looking for the best way to redeem my points, I certainly wouldn’t be able to justify holding onto this card for as long as I have.
Travel benefits: Competing cards have stronger features
It’s worth noting that this card focuses more on dining and groceries than travel — it’s why I applied for it. It helps you leverage your everyday spending into a travel rewards strategy. The 3X-point travel category only rewards flights booked directly with airlines or through the American Express Travel portal, and the other travel perks are rather unremarkable. But I thought the travel rewards rate wasn’t all that bad because I definitely spend more on food and groceries than I do on flights.
Despite its lack of travel perks I’m still happy with the Amex Gold. I don’t care much for extra airport perks, so lounge access and faster security clearance on other cards didn’t appeal to me. That said, you won’t receive some popular travel benefits that you’ll find on other premium cards like airline credits, a TSA PreCheck® credit or lounge access.
Bankrate staff experience
Bankrate staff frequently use the Amex Gold in their everyday lives to boost their Membership Rewards points balances and redeem them for travel.
Bankrate staff insights
I never go grocery shopping without this card. Membership Rewards points are very valuable to me, and this card earns a lot of them. I easily offset the annual fee with Uber and GrubHub credits, which I use regularly. This is as high of a return as you can get with groceries and restaurants, so it’s a great choice for those frequently used categories. This card is my main vehicle to generate tons of Amex points, which helps me go on all sorts of great travel adventures using all of Amex’s different travel partners.
Ryan Flanigan, Bankrate credit cards writer
The Amex Gold covers all my bases when it comes to spending. As a young adult who dines out and travels to visit family often, I love earning 4X Membership Rewards Points on purchases at restaurants and grocery stores and 3X points on flights through Amex Travel. Plus, I chose this card due to its robust lineup of transfer partners, including Delta SkyMiles and Hilton Honors, which are my natural go-to choices anyway.
Madison Hoehn, Bankrate credit cards editor
Best cards to pair with the American Express Gold
I pair my Amex Gold with the Citi Custom Cash® Card* and the Prime Visa. I use the Custom Cash for gas purchases (rewarded at 5 percent cash back up to $500 spent each billing cycle, then 1 percent back) and I buy household essentials or anything else I need on Amazon, so I earn 5 percent cash back on almost everything that I buy outside of what I use my Amex Gold for.
It could be worth pairing the Amex Gold with another Amex card that earns bonus rewards for travel or a hotel rewards card that could help you rake in a lot of bonus rewards on hotel stays. Another option is to pair the Amex Gold card with a cash back card if you have a lot of spending outside the Gold card’s bonus categories.
How the American Express® Gold Card compares to other travel cards
I use the Amex Gold like I would any other credit card for everyday spending, so it works for me because I take a handful of trips each year when I make the most of the points I would be earning anyway. But the Amex Gold lacks the nuance of other travel cards that might be more rewarding, specifically for travel purchases. Other options may also provide a more rewarding experience, especially if you’re looking for luxury travel perks or want better value for your travel rewards.
Annual fee
Intro offer
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Rewards rate
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Recommended Credit Score
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Annual fee
Intro offer
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Rewards rate
10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. 5 Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel. 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
Recommended Credit Score
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Annual fee
Intro offer
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Rewards rate
5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries. 2x on all other travel purchases. 1x on all other purchases.
Recommended Credit Score
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Is the American Express® Gold Card right for me?
The American Express Gold Card is a great choice if you’re looking for travel rewards from everyday expenses and can make the most of its niche perks. Although it lacks perks familiar to other travel cards, you can make the most of this card if you:
- Spend at least $8,125 at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants annually
- Use Uber at least once per month or dine at Resy-eligible restaurants
- Take two or three trips per year with an eligible Amex travel partner
Alternative picks
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Best for flat-rate travel rewards
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Best for families and groceries
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
*The information about the Citi Custom Cash® Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
Frequently asked questions
How we rated this card
We rate credit cards using a proprietary card scoring system that ranks each card’s estimated average rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, welcome bonus value, APR, fees, perks and more against those of other cards in its primary category.
Each card feature is assigned a weighting based on how important it is to people looking for a card in a given category. These features are then scored based on how they rank relative to the features on other cards in the category. Based on these calculations, each card receives an overall rating of 1-5 stars (with 5 being the highest possible score and 1 being the lowest).
We analyzed over 150 of the most popular rewards and cash back cards to determine where each stacked up based on their value, cost, benefits and more. Here are some of the key factors that influenced this card’s overall score and how the score influenced our review:
What cardholders think
American Express® Gold Card
In May 2024, Bankrate collaborated with third-party SliceMR to survey 6160 cardholders nationwide. Bankrate and Slice MR collected, averaged and presented website analytics and cardholder responses to six questions on a 5-point scale. Responses are based on individual cardholder’s product details, and therefore cannot be verified for accuracy. Users received an incentive for their feedback. User ratings are unedited and have not been reviewed or approved by credit card issuers, nor do these ratings reflect Bankrate’s own reviews of these cards.
Community Reviews
* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.
