<bi-shortcode id="disclaimer" class="mceNonEditable" data-type="pointsguy"> </bi-shortcode><bi-shortcode id="commerce-link" class="mceNonEditable" data-cardtype="credit-card" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6" data-type="undefined">American Express Gold Card</bi-shortcode><bi-shortcode id="summary-shortcode" data-type="summary-shortcode" class="mceNonEditable" contenteditable="false">Summary List Placement</bi-shortcode><bi-shortcode id="disclaimer" class="mceNonEditable" data-type="pfifinancialresponsibility"> </bi-shortcode><bi-shortcode id="table-of-contents-sticky" class="mceNonEditable" data-type="h2">Table of Contents: Masthead Sticky</bi-shortcode><h2><strong>Review: Is the Amex Gold card right for you'</strong></h2><p>While its big brother, the <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78df992d654f251532f27d">Platinum Card from American Express</bi-inline-shortcode>, often gets all the hype for premium travel rewards, and the <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78f7af1378e3021541b1c8">American Express Green Card</bi-inline-shortcode> has a lower annual fee, the <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6">Amex Gold Card</bi-inline-shortcode> comes with some great rewards and a potentially useful statement credit that make it worth consideringespecially if you like to eat out.</p><p>The <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6">Amex Gold Card</bi-inline-shortcode> comes in a sleek metallic finish, but it's more than just good looks. It offers up to 4 points per dollar on popular categories. In fact, depending on your spending habits, it may even be more valuable to you than the ultra-premium <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78df992d654f251532f27d">Platinum Card from American Express</bi-inline-shortcode>.</p><p>That's because the <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6">Amex Gold Card</bi-inline-shortcode> earns 4x points at restaurants worldwide and 4x points on up to $25,000 spent at US supermarkets each calendar year (then 1x). These bonus categories make the card an excellent option for maximizing both dining and grocery purchasesand the Amex Platinum card doesn't earn bonus rewards in either of these categories <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="annual_fee_display" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="false" data-pid="5fa03efcbe509c166a3dc50d">(Note: New cardmembers can earn 10x points on eligible purchases at U.S. Gas Stations and U.S. Supermarkets, on up to $15,000 in combined purchases, during the first 6 months of card membership)</bi-inline-shortcode>.</p><bi-shortcode id="related-article-module" class="mceNonEditable" data-type="5d717edff4fc24316e409eca" data-title="My 5 favorite credit cards for earning rewards on dining out, no matter how much you spend" data-url="https://www.insider.com/best-credit-cards-for-dining-restaurants-food" data-thumbnail="https://i.insider.com/5d717edef4fc24316e409ec8" data-shortcode-display-text="Related Article Module: My 5 favorite credit cards for earning rewards on dining out, no matter how much you spend"> </bi-shortcode><p>Plus, the <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6">Amex Gold Card</bi-inline-shortcode> is currently offering its best-ever welcome bonus: <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="intro_bonus_display" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="false" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6">60,000 points after you spend at least $4,000 in your first 6 months of account opening</bi-inline-shortcode>. The card's standard welcome offer is 35,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months, so the current bonus is a huge step up.</p><p>Beyond that, the <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6">Amex Gold Card</bi-inline-shortcode> comes with up to $10 in statement credits each month when you use your card at participating restaurants and delivery services. The card does charge a $250 annual fee <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5f4fb2315b83c02491724765">(See Rates)</bi-inline-shortcode>, but depending on your spending and shopping habits, it could be well worth the cost.</p><h3>Bottom line: If food and dining take up a major portion of your budget, which is common because everyone has to eat, the <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6">Amex Gold Card</bi-inline-shortcode> can get you massive bonus rewards for each burrito lunch, sushi dinner, and dinner cooked at home. Plus, now is an especially good time to apply because the card's offering a high welcome bonus.</h3><h2>Amex Gold card versus other Amex cards</h2><table style="height: 150px; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="10px"><tbody><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"> </td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6">Amex Gold Card</bi-inline-shortcode></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78df992d654f251532f27d">Platinum Card</bi-inline-shortcode></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78f7af1378e3021541b1c8">American Express Green Card</bi-inline-shortcode></td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"><strong>Annual fee</strong></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">$250</td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">$550 <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5fa03efcbe509c166a3dc50d">(See Rates)</bi-inline-shortcode></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">$150</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"><strong>Earning rewards</strong></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><p>4x points at restaurants worldwide and at US supermarkets*</p><p>3x points on flights booked with the airline or Amex Travel </p><p>1 point per dollar on all other purchases</p></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><p>5x points on flights booked with the airline or Amex Travel (starting January 1, 2021, earn 5X points on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year)</p><p>5x points on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel</p><p>1 point per dollar on all other purchases</p></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><p>3x points on travel and restaurants</p><p>1 point per dollar on all other purchases</p></td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"><strong>Welcome bonus</strong></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="intro_bonus_display" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="false" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6">60,000 points after you spend at least $4,000 in your first 6 months of account opening</bi-inline-shortcode></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="intro_bonus_display" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="false" data-pid="5e78df992d654f251532f27d">60,000 points after your spend at least $5,000 in your first 3 months of account opening</bi-inline-shortcode></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">30,000 points after you spend $2,000 in the first 3 months</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"><strong>Statement credits</strong></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><p>Up to $10 in dining credits each month**</p><p> </p></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><p>Up to $200 in airline fee credit</p><p>Up to $200 in Uber credit</p><p> Up to $100 in Saks credit</p></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><p>$100 CLEAR credit</p><p>$100 LoungeBuddy Credit</p></td></tr><tr style="height: 45px;"><td style="width: 25%; height: 45px;"><strong> </strong></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 45px;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="Learn more" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6">Amex Gold Card</bi-inline-shortcode></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 45px;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="Learn more" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78df992d654f251532f27d">Platinum Card</bi-inline-shortcode></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 45px;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="Learn more" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78f7af1378e3021541b1c8">Amex Green Card</bi-inline-shortcode></td></tr></tbody></table><p>*the Amex Gold card earns 4x points on up to $25,000 spent at US supermarkets each year, then 1 point per dollar.</p><p>**the Amex Gold offers up to $10 in dining credits each month when you use your card at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Boxed, and participating Shake Shack locations.</p><h2>Amex Gold card versus other rewards cards</h2><table style="height: 150px; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="10px"><tbody><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"> </td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6">Amex Gold Card</bi-inline-shortcode></td><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px; text-align: center;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e67d55684159f610676c264">Chase Sapphire Preferred Card</bi-inline-shortcode></td><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px; text-align: center;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="false" data-pid="5e8216c32d654f76756d3cd2">Citi Premier Card</bi-inline-shortcode></td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"><strong>Annual fee</strong></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">$250</td><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px; text-align: center;">$95</td><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px; text-align: center;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="annual_fee_display" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="false" data-pid="5e8216c32d654f76756d3cd2">$95</bi-inline-shortcode></td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"><strong>Earning rewards</strong></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><p>4x points at restaurants worldwide and at US supermarkets*</p><p>3x points on flights booked with the airline or Amex Travel </p><p>1 point per dollar on all other purchases</p></td><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px; text-align: center;"><p>5x points on Lyft rides***</p><p>2x points on travel and dining</p><p>1 point per dollar on all other purchases</p></td><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px; text-align: center;"><p>3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and on air travel and hotels</p><p>1 point per dollar on all other purchases</p></td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"><strong>Welcome bonus</strong></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="intro_bonus_display" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6">60,000 points after you spend at least $4,000 in your first 6 months of account opening</bi-inline-shortcode></td><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px; text-align: center;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="intro_bonus_display" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e67d55684159f610676c264">80,000 points</bi-inline-shortcode> after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months </td><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px; text-align: center;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="intro_bonus_display" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="false" data-pid="5e8216c32d654f76756d3cd2">60,000 bonus ThankYou Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening</bi-inline-shortcode></td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"><strong>Statement credits</strong></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><p>Up to $10 in dining credits each month**</p><p> </p></td><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px; text-align: center;">N/A</td><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px; text-align: center;">$100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees)through thankyou.com once per calendar year</td></tr><tr style="height: 45px;"><td style="width: 25%; height: 45px;"> </td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center; height: 45px;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="Learn more" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6">Amex Gold Card</bi-inline-shortcode></td><td style="width: 25%; height: 45px; text-align: center;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="Learn more" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e67d55684159f610676c264">Chase Sapphire Preferred</bi-inline-shortcode></td><td style="width: 25%; height: 45px; text-align: center;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="false" data-pid="5e8216c32d654f76756d3cd2">Citi Premier Card</bi-inline-shortcode></td></tr></tbody></table><p>*the Amex Gold card earns 4x points on up to $25,000 spent at US supermarkets each year, then 1 point per dollar.</p><p>**the Amex Gold offers up to $10 in dining credits each month when you use your card at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Boxed, and participating Shake Shack locations.</p><p>***the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 5x points on Lyft rides through March 2022.</p><h3>Using Amex points</h3><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/amex-membership-rewards-points-ways-to-use" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amex Membership Rewards</a> is one of the top travel rewards programs for credit card holders, only competing with <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/guide-earning-using-chase-ultimate-rewards-points" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chase's Ultimate Rewards</a> for the top slot.</p><bi-shortcode id="related-article-module" class="mceNonEditable" data-type="5e29e01824306a70d1356d48" data-title="Amex and Chase points are the two most valuable types of credit card rewardswe break down their biggest differences" data-url="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/chase-points-vs-amex-points-comparison" data-thumbnail="https://i.insider.com/5e2b0d5e62fa81178f650822" data-shortcode-display-text="Related Article Module: Amex and Chase points are the two most valuable types of credit card rewardswe break down their biggest differences"> </bi-shortcode><p>You can redeem Membership Rewards points for gift cards, cash back, merchandise, and more, but the most valuable way to use them is to book travel. You can either redeem points directly through Amex Travel, or you can move them over to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/american-express-membership-rewards-points-transfer-partners" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amex's airline and hotel transfer partners</a>.</p><p>The latter option (Amex transfer partners) gets you the most value, because depending on what you book, your points could get you anywhere from 2 to upwards of 6 cents apiece. That's because the value of your points isn't a flat rate; it fluctuates depending on the cash price of the airline seat or hotel room you're looking to bookand first-class and business-class seats represent especially good deals.</p><p>Just keep in mind that you'll need to do a bit of research to narrow down the best transfer partner to book withAmex has nearly 20 airline partners, plus three hotel partners.</p><h2><strong>American Express Gold card features</strong></h2><p>This card's value doesn't stop at the Membership Rewards points you earn. The <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6">Amex Gold Card</bi-inline-shortcode>, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-american-express-cards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">like other premium Amex cards</a>, is loaded with benefits useful for travel and shopping. Some even put a few dollars back in your pocket depending on where you spend.</p><h3>Up to $10 in monthly dining credits</h3><p>Get up to $10 per month back in statement credits, worth $120 per year, when dining with Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Boxed, and participating Shake Shack locations.</p><p>This is an easy way to get some money back on your dining purchasesand it's especially easy if you order through Grubhub or Seamless, since you can choose from all available restaurants.</p><p>Just keep in mind you need to make the purchase with your <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6">Amex Gold Card</bi-inline-shortcode> to get up to $10 back each month.</p><h3>Travel and shopping protections and benefits</h3><p>The card also includes baggage insurance, rental car insurance, a global assistance hotline, and perks at certain hotels when booked through American Express. The <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6">Amex Gold Card</bi-inline-shortcode> now <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amex-adding-trip-cancellation-delay-insurance-2019-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">offers trip delay insurance</a> of up to $500 per trip when your trip booked with the card is delayed by six hours or more.</p><p>When you're shopping, this card offers <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/credit-card-purchase-protection-benefits-best-cards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">purchase protection</a>, return protection, and an automatic extended warranty. This is better than what the average card offers and makes big purchases a lot less stressful. You can skip the expensive added protections offered by some retailers when you make the purchase with the Gold card.</p><p>Cardholders also get a complimentary membership to ShopRunner. This service gives you free two-day shipping at a wide range of online retailers. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-included-in-amazon-prime-membership-best-benefits-2018-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">It works like Amazon Prime in a lot of ways</a>, but for purchases made outside of Amazon.</p><p>There are some additional benefits for shopping, travel, and entertainment common to Amex cards. They are not as popular or exciting as some other benefits, but <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/credit-cards-that-offer-presale-ticket-access-event-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ticket presales and reserved seating for Amex cardholders</a> at some events comes in handy to some sports fans or cardholders on the way to see a favorite band live.</p><bi-shortcode id="commerce-link" class="mceNonEditable" data-cardtype="credit-card" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6" data-type="undefined">Amex Gold Card</bi-shortcode><h2><strong>American Express Gold card costs and fees</strong></h2><p>Now for the less-fun part: fees. This card isn't free. It charges a $250 annual fee. But as we already established, between benefits and rewards, it is easy to earn that back and more in value if you use the card regularly.</p><p>The card charges up to $40 per occurrence for late and returned payments <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5f4fb2315b83c02491724765">(See Rates)</bi-inline-shortcode>. Just pay on time and make sure you have enough cash in the bank when paying to avoid these costs.</p><p>There is <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/best-credit-cards-no-foreign-transaction-fees" target="_blank" rel="noopener">no foreign transaction fee</a>, so you can use the card anywhere in the world that Amex is accepted without paying the typical 3% extra most cards charge. Keep in mind that American Express is not as widely accepted as other types of cards like Visa and Mastercard.</p><p>Other fees to note (and avoid) include:</p><ul><li><strong>Cash advance fee:</strong> 5%, with a minimum of $10 <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5f4fb2315b83c02491724765">(See Rates)</bi-inline-shortcode></li><li><strong>Late payment fee:</strong> Up to $40 <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5f4fb2315b83c02491724765">(See Rates)</bi-inline-shortcode></li><li><strong>Returned payment fee:</strong> Up to $40 <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5f4fb2315b83c02491724765">(See Rates)</bi-inline-shortcode></li></ul><p>Finally, you should always pay your balance in full each month no matter which card you use to practice good financial habits, but the <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6">Amex Gold Card</bi-inline-shortcode> is not the card to use if you need to carry a balance. There's a variable APR of 15.99% to 22.99% <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5f4fb2315b83c02491724765">(See Rates)</bi-inline-shortcode> when you use the Pay Over Time feature to carry a balance from one month to another.</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li><bi-shortcode id="related-content-module" class="mceNonEditable" data-type="more-credit-card-coverage">Related Content Module: More Credit Card Coverage</bi-shortcode></li></ul><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/amex-gold-card-review#comments">Join the conversation about this story »</a></p>
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