It offers bonus points on food-related purchases, plus dining and travel credits. Rewards are transferrable to travel partners.
Updated Aug 12, 2024 11:31 a.m. PDT · 1 min read Written by Robin Saks Frankel Robin Saks FrankelRobin is a former credit cards writer for NerdWallet. She previously worked at Bankrate and has been interviewed as an expert on credit and credit cards by such outlets as CNBC, Business Insider and International Business Times.
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For serious foodies, the benefits of the American Express® Gold Card are tailor-made for your wallet.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
Learn MoreIf you can take full advantage of everything this card offers, you'll easily be able to offset the $325 annual fee ( see rates and fees ).
The main course: elevated rewards for dining in, dining out and grocery shopping. But the card also serves up healthy side portions of airline benefits and other perks.
Here are the benefits of the American Express® Gold Card :
The American Express® Gold Card earns:
4 Membership Rewards points when you dine at restaurants, on up to $50,000 per year in purchases. This includes takeout. After that, 1X back.
4 points at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $25,000 per year in purchases. After that, 1X back. 3 points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. 2 points on prepaid hotels and other eligible travel booked through American Express. 1 point on all other spending. Terms apply.American Express describes it this way: " 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. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24. Terms Apply. "
The Membership Rewards points you earn with the American Express® Gold Card can be redeemed several ways, including for statement credits, gift cards or on Amazon.com. But transferring points to AmEx's multiple airline and hotel partners will almost always net you the most value per point. AmEx features more such travel partners than any other major U.S. credit card loyalty program. Here’s the list of Membership Rewards partners and transfer rates.
Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com and Five Guys.
Get up to $7 per month in statement credits when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Dunkin' locations. Enrollment required.
Get up to two $50 in statement credits semi-annually after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. Enrollment required.
Add your American Express® Gold Card to your Uber account and automatically receive $10 per month in Uber Cash, good toward U.S. Uber Eats orders or Uber rides. Unused Uber Cash from this benefit does not roll over from one month to the next.
Book a room through American Express Travel that's part of the Hotel Collection , stay two consecutive nights and get a $100 hotel credit to spend on qualifying resort experiences. Terms apply, and experiences may differ by property.
For select events, cardholders will have access to presale and/or preferred seating tickets purchased with their American Express® Gold Card .
Some credit cards add an additional 3% to 5% for using your card outside the U.S., but the American Express® Gold Card does not.
Read about the benefits of other popular credit cardsWhen you use your American Express® Gold Card to reserve and pay for your car rental, and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental car counter, you can be covered if the car is damaged or stolen. This coverage is secondary, meaning it kicks in after your personal auto insurance. Learn more about credit card rental car coverage. Terms apply.
You can be covered for lost, damaged or stolen baggage when you purchase your entire ticket on your card. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage. Terms apply.
If you enroll in AmEx's ShopRunner service and use your card to pay with a participating merchant, you'll get complimentary two-day shipping and free returns. Terms apply.
Insurance Benefit: Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance
Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.
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. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Insurance Benefit: Baggage Insurance Plan
Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Eligible Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible Account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.
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. About the authorYou’re following Robin Saks Frankel
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Robin is a former credit cards writer for NerdWallet. Her work has been featured by The New York Times, USA Today, Business Insider and other media outlets. See full bio.
New Cardholder Benefits Added!
American Express® Gold Card
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
Access over $400 annually in benefits value with the American Express® Gold Card on eligible dining and travel purchases. Learn more here.
Read Full ReviewWhether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
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