This American Express® Gold Card Makes TPG’s top charts annually as one of the best cards for restaurant dining. It comes with food-focused bonus categories and a slate of other valuable benefits that can help you save big — whether at home or on the road.
The card was refreshed in late July with an annual fee, more statement credits, a new earning rate cap and a limited edition color option.
While the annual fee is $325 (see Rates and Fees) and is not waived the first year, we’ll walk you through the card’s unique benefits to see how it can pay for itself.
Maximize the welcome offer
This Amex Gold The card comes with a limited-time offer of 60,000 points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of membership. Plus, new card members can earn 20% back as a statement credit on eligible restaurant purchases in the first six months of card membership (up to $100 back). Offer ends 11/6.
Based on TPG’s July 2024 valuation, this limited-time welcome offer is up to $1,300. Remember that you can be targeted for much higher offers through the CardMatch tool or referral offers.
Amex Membership Rewards points can be redeemed for anything from cash back to luxury flights in Singapore Airlines first-class suites. However, not all redemption options are equal. You’ll get the most value from this program by transferring points to partner hotel and airline loyalty programs.
Some of the major transfer partners include Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue and Hilton Honors.
Even better, Amex regularly offers transfer bonuses that you can take advantage of to get up to 40% extra value from your points. Just remember that we never recommend speculatively transferring points to a program regardless of specific usage, as miles can be devalued at any moment, and transfers cannot be reversed.
Related: How to Redeem American Express Membership Rewards for Maximum Value
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Use the card at restaurants and US supermarkets
It doesn’t matter whether you choose to dine in or out. If you love food – who doesn’t? – You should have no trouble maxing out Amex Gold Categories of Bonus Spending.
The card rewards 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide up to $50,000 per calendar year (1 point per dollar thereafter) and US supermarkets up to $25,000 per calendar year (1 point per dollar thereafter).
Based on our July 2024 valuation of 2 cents per point, Amex Gold offers a whopping 8% return on food purchases, beating most cards on the market.
These bonus categories may be valuable enough to open the card well before considering the welcome bonus. If you spend at least $4,075 per year on groceries and dining combined, you’ll come out ahead on the $325 annual fee.
Tip: Although the Amex Gold Does not carry any foreign transaction fees (see Rates and Fees), bonus points for supermarket purchases are awarded for spending in the US only
Related: Why Amex Gold is the Card We Can’t Live Without
Pay with this card while booking a flight
This Amex Gold Earn 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly through the airline or Amex Travel, a return of 6% based on TPG’s valuation.
Plus, if your baggage is lost, stolen or damaged while you’re traveling with a common carrier and you purchased your ticket with Amex Gold, you’ll be eligible for up to $1,250 in carry-on baggage and excess coverage. $500 for checked baggage.
Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Related: Best Travel Credit Cards
Make sure your Amex Gold is the payment method for Uber
By adding your Amex Gold On your Uber app, you’ll automatically receive up to $10 in monthly Uber Cash, which can be used toward Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. Although the credit doesn’t roll over from month to month, this benefit is for you. Should be easy. maximize.
Amex Gold must be added to the Uber app to avail this benefit. Conditions apply.
Related: Who Should (And Who Shouldn’t) Get an Amex Gold Card?
Use the annual dining credit
You’ll get up to $120 in annual dining statement credits (allocated in increments of up to $10 per month) when you pay with yours. Amex Gold At Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, wine.com And five guys.
Delivery services for Grubhub are available in most US cities, and it’s hard to imagine that buying from any of these merchants would cost less than $10 a month, so this benefit should be easy to use.
Olivia Mittak, author of TPG Credit Cards, uses her Amex Gold dining credit to cover the cost of a Grub+ subscription. Since she frequently orders delivery, this is an easy way for her to increase this benefit.
You must register through the Amex website to avail this benefit. Like the Uber Cash credit, the $10 dining credit expires at the end of each month, so you won’t be able to roll over any unused credit. Conditions apply.
Related: The Complete Guide to Amex Gold Dining Credit
Use racy credits
You’ll get up to $100 in Receipt credits, split into two $50 bi-annual credits (up to $50 from January through June and up to $50 from July through December).
You must register through the Amex website to use these credits. Once registered, all you need to do is pay your bill Amex Gold In any restaurant registered with Resy; No reservation is required. There are currently over 16,000 restaurants on Receipt, so if you live in or near the city you should be able to take advantage of this.
These credits are so easy to use that you might not even realize you’re using them. You must use up to $50 of credit in each half of the year and cannot roll over any unused portion. Conditions apply.
Use Dunkin’ Donuts Credits
Cardmembers get up to $84 in Dunkin’ Donuts statement credits (allocated in increments of up to $7 per month) when they pay with Amex Gold at Dunkin’.
Like other monthly credits, this Dunkin’ credit expires at the end of the month. Registration on the Amex website is required and terms apply. This credit is very straightforward and also very easy to use.
That said, this credit is more difficult to use if there are no Dunkin’ locations in your area. If that’s the case for you, check to see if there’s a Dunkin’ at the airport you’re flying out of. It can be a great way to use this advantage.
Related: Why Chase Needs a Rival to Amex Gold
Get elite benefits with Hotel Collection
A lesser known benefit of Amex Gold Card is accessible through booking Hotels by Amex’s The Hotel Collection.
By making a reservation of two nights or more, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar, a room upgrade at check-in (subject to availability) and a $100 on-site credit that can be used toward dining, spa or similar. Resort activities on property.
Booking just one or two of these stays a year can help you recoup a large portion of the card’s annual fee. Features may vary by location. Conditions apply.
Bottom line
Many credit cards are loaded with valuable benefits, but their value is only realized if you actually use them. Fortunately, the Amex Gold It makes it very easy to do. Between dining credits and hotel collection benefits, the card’s annual fee is easily covered.
Make restitution on food purchases, and you’ll come out ahead.
To learn more, check out our full Amex Gold review.
Apply here: American Express Gold Card
Related: Chase Sapphire Reserve Vs. Amex Gold
For Amex Gold Card rates and fees, click here.