American Express® Gold Card Review

Last Updated on May 13, 2026

Offer Rating

4.0/5

The American Express® Gold Card, from our partner, is a rewarding card when used for dining, travel, and supermarket purchases. It does have an annual fee but makes up for it through rewards, statement credits, and a potentially large welcome offer.

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American Express Gold Card card art Rates & Fees

American Express® Gold Card

4.0 BCC Score
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on American Express' secure site

Welcome Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Rewards Rate
4X Membership Rewards® points at Restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X), 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
Intro APR
N/A, then See Pay Over Time APR
Annual Fee
$325
Credit Score Needed
Good, Excellent
Card Brand
AMEX
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • 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.
  • New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
  • Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
  • New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
  • Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
  • Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
  • Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.

Pros

  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on select purchases
  • Enjoy special statement credits with Resy, Dunkin', and more (enrollment required)
  • Pay no foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • The annual fee is not waived the first year
  • There is an annual cap on the 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants

OUR EXPERT REVIEW

Why We Like It

Maximize the rewards you earn on spending with the American Express® Gold Card. This card comes with very lucrative rewards rates offering 4X Membership Rewards® points at Restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X), 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. There are also no foreign transaction fees and an annual fee of $325.

To kickstart your rewards earning, our partner is offering new cardholders the opportunity to earn a welcome offer: Apply and find out your welcome offer. You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Plus, cardholders can enjoy exclusive credits with Uber and Dining services when you enroll and pay with your card (enrollment required). To top it off, there are no foreign transaction fees with the American Express® Gold Card, making it a great choice to carry when traveling outside of the country.

Who Should Get This Card?

Frequent Diners and Food Lovers: With 4X Membership Rewards® points at Restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X), this card is a boon for those who love to explore culinary delights or often find themselves ordering food​​​​. The addition of monthly dining credits further enhances its appeal to foodies.

Regular Grocery Shoppers: The card offers 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), making it one of the best credit cards for individuals or families who spend a significant portion of their budget on groceries.

Travel Enthusiasts: The absence of foreign transaction fees, along with 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines, positions this card as a strong contender for frequent travelers​​​​. Additional travel benefits add to its value for those who travel often, such as a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.

People Who Use Ride-Sharing Services: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.

Shoppers Looking for Additional Protections: The card provides purchase protection, extended warranty, and other shopping benefits that safeguard your purchases and provide peace of mind. This is particularly valuable for consumers who make significant purchases on their card and wish to have added security and protection.

Individuals Seeking Prestigious Perks Without the Highest Fees: While offering a suite of premium benefits, the American Express® Gold Card comes with a lower annual fee compared to some of the ultra-premium cards available. It strikes a balance between high-end perks and a manageable fee, appealing to those who want luxury card benefits without the highest possible cost.

Credit Card Rewards Maximizers: For those who like to get the most out of their credit card spending, the American Express® Gold Card offers lucrative rewards in categories where people tend to spend the most: food and travel. Coupled with the flexible redemption options through American Express Membership Rewards®, it's a strong choice for maximizing rewards​​​​.

In essence, the American Express® Gold Card is tailored to those who spend heavily in its bonus categories of dining and groceries, travel frequently, and make use of ride-sharing services, value purchase protections, and seek prestigious perks without paying the highest annual fees in the market. Its rewards structure and benefits package make it a compelling option for a wide range of consumers, particularly those who can leverage its unique perks to offset the annual fee and then some. If your spending aligns with the card's rewards structure and you can take advantage of its various credits and perks, it could be a very rewarding addition to your wallet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on select purchases
  • Enjoy special statement credits with Resy, Dunkin', and more (enrollment required)
  • Pay no foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • The annual fee is not waived the first year
  • There is an annual cap on the 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants

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