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- American Express® Gold Card
Best rewards card for frequent fliers and diners
- 1–4 Points per $1Rewards Rate
- See Pay Over Time APR*APR
- $250Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
The American Express® Gold Card provides a range of rewards and perks, particularly in the areas of dining and travel. For individuals who frequently dine out or travel, the rewards earned in these categories can generate significant value. Beyond rewards, this card also offers a suite of services and protections that enhance the cardholder's experience. However, it's important to note that the benefits it provides come with certain costs, namely a sizable annual fee.
American Express® Gold Card Overview
The American Express® Gold Card is designed to help you earn earn bonus points at restaurants, supermarkets and on select travel purchases. Additionally, it offers some useful annual credits for everyday expenses to help you offset the cost of the annual fee. Here's an overview of the card's details.
- Rewards rate: 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point per dollar), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel and 1X points on other purchases
- Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 membership rewards points after spending $4,000 on all eligible purchases within the first six months of your account
- Regular APR: See Pay Over Time APR (see terms)
- Annual fee: $250
- Intro APR offer: None
Important Card Details
The American Express® Gold Card has a lot to offer, but its high annual fee means it may not be right for everyone. It's important to make sure the features of this card align with your lifestyle and spending patterns in order to get the best value.
Rewards For Foodies
Whether you're a fan of dining out or eating in (or both!), this card has you covered on the rewards front, offering 4X points on restaurants and on purchases at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1X points). You'll also get a decent rewards rate on eligible flights, although it's not the highest around. It's worth noting that the cap for supermarket spending is pretty high and, depending on how much you spend on groceries, may yield considerably more in rewards than a card with a higher rate and lower cap.
Good Welcome Offer
While it's not the highest welcome offer we've seen for this card, you can currently earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $4,000 on all eligible purchases within the first six months. This is not an unreasonable spend requirement given you have half a year to earn it.
Regular APR
The APR for the American Express® Gold Card will vary depending on creditworthiness. See the Pay Over Time APR (see terms) for details.
High Annual Fee
This card has an annual fee of $250, which is on the higher side. However, you can more than offset the cost by making the most of the bonus reward categories and utilizing the additional credits.
Entertainment Credits
With annual credits for Uber, dining at eligible restaurants and various activities at The Hotel Collection, it's clear this card was made with luxury entertainment in mind. You'll also get access to presale event tickets, preferred event seating and discounts on select dining and entertainment offers.
No Foreign Transaction Fee
With no foreign transaction fees, you can easily use the card while on an international trip and earn points at the same time.
High Customer Satisfaction
According to J.D. Power's 2022 Credit Card Satisfaction Study, American Express scored the highest customer satisfaction rating among all major issuers.
How the American Express® Gold Card Compares To Other Cards
With its high rewards rate and no foreign transaction fees, the American Express® Gold Card holds its own against the competition. However, assessing how it compares to other rewards cards comes down to what you're looking for in a card.
How This Card Compares
American Express® Gold Card
- Rewards rate: 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point per dollar), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel and 1X points on other purchases
- Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 membership rewards points after spending $4,000 on all eligible purchases within the first six months of your account
- Regular APR: See Pay Over Time APR (see terms)
- Annual fee: $250
- Intro APR offer: None
- Best for: Foodies who like to travel
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Rewards rate: 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X miles on flights through Capital One Travel and 2X miles on other purchases
- Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months
- Regular APR: 21.99% to 28.99 % (variable)
- Annual fee: $395
- Intro APR offer: None
- Best for: Great travel bonus categories and a generous flat rewards rate
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