The American Express® Gold Card is one of the best cards for groceries and dining out, and comes with valuable benefits like $120 in Uber credits each year once you activate this perk. But it also has a hefty $325 annual fee (rates and fees).
For the right person, the Amex Gold Card is also a great mid-tier travel rewards card because it earns bonus points on flights, hotels, and rental cars.
Who Should Get the Amex Gold Card?
If you're just getting into the points and miles game, the Amex Gold Card can be a great compromise between a no-annual-fee card with everyday benefits and a premium card with airport lounge access that charges a sky-high annual fee to match.
The Amex Gold Card is best for young professionals who frequently go out with friends for dinner and cocktails, but also like shopping for premium groceries and cooking at home occasionally.
The classy metal card looks sleek when you pull it out at a restaurant, and comes with a $10 monthly Uber Cash credit to help you get home safely when you select the Amex Gold Card as the payment method in your Uber account. Cardholders can also enroll to get up to $10 a month in dining credits, up to $100 each year toward Resy restaurants, and up to $7 monthly Dunkin' credit to assuage your coffee and donut cravings. Terms apply.
Most importantly, you won't pay foreign transaction fees, so this card is a great option to take on international trips (rates and fees).
$325
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See Pay Over Time APR
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of Card Membership
Good to Excellent
- Great rewards for dining and for shopping at U.S. supermarkets
- Monthly statement credit for eligible dining purchases recoups some of the annual fee
- Underwhelming welcome bonus
Foodies and travelers alike will appreciate the American Express Gold's generous welcome bonus and Membership Rewards points earning. Its Uber Cash credits are useful for rides and Uber Eats, and monthly dining credits with participating merchants like GrubHub and Seamless are easy to use.
- 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.
- 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.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Amex Gold Card Rewards
The Amex Gold Card offers a smart way to maximize your spending on restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets.
Amex Gold Card Welcome Bonus
The Amex Gold Card offers a welcome bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership, worth at least $1,180 based on Business Insider's valuations of 1.8 cents apiece. Terms apply.
This welcome offer is particularly generous because new cardholders get plenty of time to reach the spending requirements. In contrast, most cards offer welcome bonuses that require spending the designated amount in half as much time.
Earning Rewards
The Amex Gold Card earns Amex points at the following rates (terms apply):
- 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar
- 4 points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 spent in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar
- 3 points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com
- 2 points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com
- 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases
Maximizing Rewards
If I spent $50,000 each year on restaurants, and an additional $25,000 at U.S. supermarkets, my Amex Gold Card would earn 200,000 points per year from dining out, plus another 100,000 points yearly from groceries, for a grand total of 300,000 Amex points. That's not including any rewards I'd earn from travel booked through Amex or spending on non-bonus categories.
And if I valued earning and using Amex points above all other reward "currencies," I could get additional Amex cards that maximize my earnings on different expenses.
If I added The Platinum Card® from American Express to my wallet for a $695 annual fee, I'd gain access to Amex Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass airport lounges worldwide, after enrollment. I'd also earn 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel, in addition to my earnings from the Amex Gold Card. And I'd have a combined Uber credit of up to $320 each year after enrolling each of my cards in this benefit by adding both cards as payment methods in my Uber account.
Redeeming Rewards
Business Insider's guide to what points and miles are worth values Amex points at an average of 1.8 cents apiece — one of the most valuable reward "currencies" available. That's because you can use Amex Membership Rewards in many different ways, particularly by transferring them to American Express points transfer partners.
For example, I like transferring Amex points to Delta Air Lines to fly to Taiwan in Delta One business class. When I book with points, I often pay as little as $5.60 in cash for a one-way flight worth thousands of dollars.
American Express has over 20 airline and hotel partners, all of which allow me to pay for flights and hotels with my Amex points.
I can also redeem my Amex points directly through American Express Travel by booking flights, hotels, or other travel through the Amex travel portal, and paying with points at check-out. This option typically provides less value, but can offer an easier way to book travel compared to learning about point transfers and finding the best flight routes or available hotel rooms through partners.
Finally, I can redeem Amex points for non-travel purposes such as gift cards or payment at check-out for retailers like Amazon. However, this is usually a poor use for my rewards, since I often get less than 1 cent per point when using them for gift cards, statement credits, and other redemptions.
Amex Gold Card Benefits
The Amex Gold Card comes with valuable perks for shopping, dining, and travel that save cardholders money, including monthly credits that can significantly reduce the card's $325 annual fee (rates and fees).
I recommend this card for households that frequently order takeout or food delivery. Remember: Many benefits are "use it or lose it," and don't roll over month to month.
Here are some of my favorite benefits of this card:
$300+ in Annual Dining Credits
If you're a foodie who lives in a city with a fun dining scene, you can get a few hundred dollars worth of free meals from the Amex Gold Card after activating this benefit via your account dashboard. Terms apply.
Cardholders receive monthly credits for purchases via Resy, Grubhub, and select restaurant chains:
Up to $50 Semi-Annually at Resy Restaurants ($100/year)
Resy is becoming ever more popular, especially with buzzy new restaurants that seem to have monthslong waitlists. I've found myself with Resy, Tock, and Open Table accounts that automatically link my phone number to my dining account.
Amex Gold Cardholders who enroll in this benefit receive two semi-annual credits of up to $50 apiece, totaling $100 a year. These credits apply to eligible dining purchases made at participating Resy restaurants between January and June, then July and December. Terms apply.
Up to $10 Monthly at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys ($120/year)
Amex Gold Card holders also get up to $10 a month back in statement credits on purchases at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys when enrolled. The complimentary credit automatically appears on your statement after you use your Amex Gold Card to pay for an eligible order. Terms apply.
I've found Grubhub credit to be the easiest benefit to use in this category, since cardholders have the full range of local Grubhub restaurants to choose from instead of limiting themselves to a handful of restaurants.
I've also begun ordering Grubhub or DoorDash to my hotel room instead of ordering room service, which typically tastes much better and gives me more options as well as costing me a lot less than hotel food. If you enjoy doing the same thing, this monthly benefit can save you a lot of pocket change.
Up to $7 Monthly on Dunkin' ($84/year)
Amex Gold Card cardholders also receive up to $7 each month in statement credits when making purchases at participating Dunkin' locations after enrollment. Terms apply.
Up to $10 Monthly in Uber Cash Credits ($120/year)
The Amex Gold Card also comes with $10 a month in Uber Cash credit after enrollment, again up to a maximum of $120 per year, toward eligible U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats purchases when the card is selected as the payment method in your Uber account. Terms apply.
It's always nice to have some spare Uber credit, but I personally find these small monthly amounts frustrating to use. I'd far prefer an annual credit of $120 that I can spend on a single pricy ride, rather than on several shorter ones at my discretion.
Up to $100 Annual Experience Credit, Plus Late-Checkout Privileges
Amex Gold Card holders get an annual statement credit of $100 toward eligible resort expenses when booking a hotel stay of two or more nights through the Amex Hotel Collection. Terms apply.
The credit doesn't apply to the cost of your hotel. Instead, it applies to add-ons such as spa massages, dining in the hotel restaurant, or any other on-property expense you may incur during your stay.
Cardholders also receive late check-out and early check-in benefits when available, plus a room upgrade at arrival whenever available.
If you don't stay in hotels often enough to chase elite status, this benefit can be a nice way to pamper yourself a little more than usual.
Travel Insurance Protections and Benefits
The Amex Gold Card comes with several coverage benefits for travel (terms apply):
- Secondary rental car insurance
- Baggage insurance
- Trip delay insurance
- Purchase protection
- Extended warranty
- Global Assist hotline
Secondary Car Rental Insurance
Secondary car rental insurance offers supplemental protection for any costs incurred if your rental car is stolen or damaged. You're eligible for this protection if you use the card to pay for your rental in full, and decline the rental company's collision damage waiver. Terms apply.
Baggage Insurance
Baggage insurance is helpful if you paid for airfare with this card and an airline loses or damages your luggage in transit. Amex Gold Card holders can claim up to $500 per person for checked bags, and $1,250 per person for carry-on luggage. Terms apply.
This is a generous amount by most standards; I've rarely lost luggage carrying more value than these limits.
Trip Delay Insurance
And if you've ever been on delayed flights like I have, you'll appreciate trip delay insurance. This benefit will reimburse you up to $300 for meals, lodging, toiletries, medication, and other personal items if you've paid for round-trip travel with your Amex Gold Card and you're delayed by 12 hours or more. Cardholders are eligible for up to two approved claims per consecutive 12-month period. Terms apply.
I've personally found trip delay insurance to be the easiest perk to use for travel compensation. You'll need official proof from the airline regarding your flight delay, so I typically email the customer service support team and request documentation detailing the specific issue. Once I have that in hand, the insurance company usually disburses my funds within 10 business days.
Many of these benefits have exclusions or specific eligibility conditions, so make sure you read the fine print in your cardholder agreement.
Amex Gold Card Fees
Annual Fee
The Amex Gold Card has an annual fee of $325 (rates and fees).
Amex increased the rate in 2024, but added the Dunkin' and Resy credits to offset the higher cost. The card's value will depend on whether you can utilize most or all of the included credits each year. Most people should be able to use the semi-annual Resy credits pretty easily, which drops the cost of holding the card right away.
Other Fees and Costs
The Amex Gold Card does not charge foreign transaction fees (rates and fees).
Like most other cards, the Amex Gold Card charges penalty fees for late or returned payments and transaction fees for cash advances.
Amex Gold Card Alternatives
The Amex Gold Card has a lot to offer, but it isn't the only good option for foodies.
I often recommend the cards below to friends and family who want to avoid annual fees. All earn bonus points on dining, and come with various benefits that enhance your lifestyle.
Amex Gold Card vs. Bilt Mastercard®
The Bilt Mastercard® is a no-annual-fee credit card that earns 3 points per dollar on dining expenses (rates and fees). Business Insider values Bilt Points at 1.65 cents apiece on average, which means I "earn" back nearly 5 cents of value per dollar I spend at restaurants. You must use the card at least five times each statement period to earn points.
In fact, the bonus rewards on the Bilt Mastercard® are exactly why I have this credit card, even though I don't pay rent. The Bilt Mastercard® is best known as a card for renters because it allows them to pay rent to earn rewards without paying any transaction fees, but even as a non-renter, there's a lot of value for me in earning so much return on dining. The card also earns 2 points per dollar on travel, and 1 point per dollar on everything else including rent (up to 100,000 points each calendar year).
Better yet, Bilt offers a monthly opportunity to earn double points, even on dining. Bilt program members can earn twice as many points per category, excluding rent, on the first day of every month, fondly known as Bilt Rent Day, up to a total of 1,000 bonus points. If you're doing the math alongside of me, that's 6 points per dollar on dining — or nearly 10 cents in Bilt Points value per dollar spent.
If you dine out more often than you cook, you'll come out ahead by choosing the Bilt Mastercard® over the Amex Gold Card — especially if you pay rent with this card. But if you value Amex points, or spend a lot at U.S. supermarkets, the Amex Gold Card still has a lot to offer you.
Read more about this card in our Bilt Mastercard card review.
Amex Gold Card vs. Chase Freedom Flex®
Another great option with no annual fee is the Chase Freedom Flex®. I'm partial to Chase credit cards because I find them extremely easy to use from my home base in Austin.
The Chase Freedom Flex® earns 3% cash back on dining and drugstore expenses, which is extremely handy because I find myself at CVS and Walgreens far more often than I think, especially during the winter months. This card also earns 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠.
Two other handy benefits of this card include bonus categories and partner cards. Chase Freedom cards have quarterly bonus categories that earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500, and sometimes those benefits stack with existing bonus rewards.
For example, hotels were a 5% cash back category in summer 2024 that also earned 5% cash back if booked through Chase Travel℠. Thus, cardholders like myself who booked hotels through Chase last summer earned additional cash back.
Like Amex cards, Chase also offers great "partner" cards that pair well together. When I combine my Chase Freedom Flex® with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, my rewards are worth 50% more when redeemed through Chase Travel℠. I can also unlock Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer partners by transferring my Chase Freedom Flex® rewards to the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
I recommend the Chase Freedom Flex® for people who want to avoid annual fees and are open to earning Chase rewards. But if you don't want to keep track of bonus categories that change every month, you won't be able to get max value from this card.
Read more about this card in our Chase Freedom Flex credit card review.
Amex Gold Card vs. Capital One Venture X Rewards
Unlike the other two recommendations in this section, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card swings in the opposite direction when it comes to annual fees.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards has an annual fee of $395, which is slightly more expensive than theAmex Gold Card. However, cardholders get an amazing benefit in exchange for this cost: Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide — for themselves and up to four additional authorized users on the credit card.
Priority Pass access costs several hundred dollars a year if you purchase membership outright, so this benefit alone can save you a lot of money every year, especially if you travel frequently and often purchase food or drinks at the airport.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards earns 10 miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 2 miles on all other purchases. If you don't book travel through Capital One, these reward rates are relatively mediocre. But if you value simplicity, this card can make it really easy for you to earn 2 miles per dollar on spending.
I recommend the Capital One Venture X Rewards for families who want to keep their credit card strategy simple and who don't dine out often, but really value the comfort of entering airport lounges when they travel. While theAmex Gold Card offers fantastic perks for foodies, it lacks travel-specific benefits that can make economy travel feel more luxurious.
Read more in our Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card review.
Amex Gold Card Frequently Asked Questions
You should get an Amex Gold Card if you spend $1,000 or more on dining and groceries each month. The card earns 4 Membership Rewards® points on purchases at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point), 4 points at US supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point), 3 points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com, 2 points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com, and 1 point on all other eligible purchases. Cardholders can also enroll to enjoy several dining credits worth a few hundred dollars a year, and an Uber Cash benefit. Terms apply.
Compared to other premium rewards cards, the Amex Gold Card offers some of the best rewards on dining and supermarket purchases. However, the annual fee recently increased to $325, and the card lacks some premium travel perks, such as airport lounge access, available from higher-tier rewards cards with comparable fees (rates and fees).
The current welcome bonus for the Amex Gold Card is 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership. Terms apply.
The Amex Gold Card is worth having if you can maximize its benefits. But it has a very high annual fee relative to competitors in the same category. People without high dining or grocery expenses may struggle to maximize enough value from this card to justify its $325 annual fee (rates and fees).
To maximize rewards, use the card for all dining and U.S. supermarket purchases to take advantage of the 4-point bonus categories (on up to $50,000 per year for dining and up to $25,000 per year for supermarkets). Utilize the card for flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com to earn 3 points per dollar. Take full advantage of the dining credit and Uber Cash benefits to offset the annual fee and enhance your overall value. Terms Apply.
Why You Should Trust Me: How I Reviewed the Amex Gold Card
I've been reviewing credit cards and travel rewards since 2015, and have more than two dozen active credit cards in my wallet. Friends and family frequently ask me for my best recommendations on credit cards right now, so I think about the various merits of popular cards all the time.
I compared the Amex Gold Card against leading competitors and rated this card based on the following criteria:
Annual fee — Is the card's annual fee in line with rates from competing cards? Is the fee justifiable compared to the card's offered benefits?
Earning potential — Does the card earn generous rewards on specific spend categories that average consumers can maximize each month?
Benefits and perks — Do the benefits included on this card significantly enhance the cardholder's lifestyle?
Rewards ecosystem — Are rewards earned on this card transferrable to other card accounts? Can they be redeemed or transferred for airline and hotel travel?
Learn more about how we rate credit cards at Business Insider.
