This is the card that started it all. The American Express Gold Card set the standard that all the other cards have had to compare themselves to. There’s something about holding an AMEX Gold Card. You know you’ve been separated from the pack. You’re part of the chosen. Alright enough of that!
Is the AMEX Gold Card for beginners in the travel reward space? Yes. Let me explain. The biggest deterrent is the $250 annual fee but after we go through all the benefits you get each year with your card with is well over the annual fee you pay. The only time we don’t recommend this card is you are someone who would take advantage of the generous benefits that AMEX offers. We will delve deeper into the specifics of the card in just a bit but first you should be aware of the requirements they have. These requirements will determine whether this card is a good fit for you for your current circumstances. This is a very important point often over looked.
Important Considerations
720 or higher credit score is generally needed to qualify.
$250 annual fee.
Your welcome offer will vary between 60,000 to 90,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you apply. You may then choose to either accept of reject the offer before they run a hard inquiry.
Premium dining & Travel rewards
Earn American Express Membership Rewards® Points as you make purchases with your American Express Gold Card, including: earn 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on their very user friendly amextravel.com. Earn 4x points at restaurants, including delivery and takeout. Earn 4x points on groceries. $120 Dining Credit*. $120 Uber Cash.*
New Cardmember Bonus
60,000 to 90,000 AMEX Membership Rewards® Points after $6,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months of card membership. Different sites will value the 60,000 to 90,000 points from $600 to $900 towards travel but we here at FPTM are focused on Business & First Class tickets + Benefits that are received with those tickets at the time of travel and value the points at $1,800 to $3,500 easy.
Travel Credit Card Rewards & Benefits
$120 Dining Credit – earn up to $10 in statement credits at participating locations.*
$120 Uber Cash – Add and use your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month that you can use for Uber Eats or Uber rides.*
$100 experience credit with a two-night minimum stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel.*
4x points at Restaurants worldwide. This includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.*
3x points on Flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com*
3x points on Groceries at U.S. supermarkets up to $25,000 annually. (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).*
3x points on select streaming services.*
1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.*
More Ways To Pay – Pay It Pan It. Pay Over Time.
You’re in control with more ways to pay. You can choose to:
- Pay your bill in full each month
- Use the Pay Over Time‡ feature to carry a balance with interest¤ on eligible purchases
- Use Plan It® to select large purchases and split them into monthly payments with a fixed fee
Eligible cardmembers can break up card purchases of $100 or more into fixed monthly payments with Amex’s Pay It Plan It.* No interest, just a fixed monthly fee on only the purchases you selected for the plan.
Amex Membership Rewards transfer partners
Are you a member of a frequent travel program? With AMEX Membership Rewards®, you can transfer your points to leading frequent travel programs at 1 to 1 value.
Airline Travel Partners
Aer Lingus (AerClub)
Aeromexico (Club Premier)
Air Canada (Aeroplan)
Air France-KLM (Flying Blue)
All Nippon Airways (ANA Mileage Club)
Avianca (LifeMiles)
British Airways (Executive Club)
Cathay Pacific (Asia Miles)
Delta (SkyMiles)
Emirates (Skywards®)
Etihad (Guest)
Hawaiian Airlines (HawaiianMiles)
Iberia (Plus)
JetBlue (TrueBlue)
Quantas (Frequent Flyer)
Qatar Airways (Privilege Club)
Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer)
Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club)
Hotel Travel Partners
Choice Privileges
Hilton HHonors
Marriott Bonvoy®
Travel & Purchase Coverage
Baggage Insurance Plan
Travel more comfortably knowing you can be covered for lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage when you purchase the Entire Fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) on an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. High Risk Items are subject to $250 maximum per Covered Person. For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. Please read important exclusions and restrictions.*
Trip Delay Reimbursement
If you purchased your trip with the card and your travel is delayed more than 12 hours because of a covered reason, you’ll be eligible for reimbursement of up to $300 for eligible expenses such as meals, lodging and toiletries per covered trip. You are allowed up to two claims per eligible card account every 12 months.*
Car Rental Insurance
Use your card to pay for an entire car rental and decline the agency’s collision damage waiver and you will receive secondary coverage for damage of theft. There are exclusions to what types of rentals are covered, which regions or territories coverage is available in, and other conditions to be aware of, so be sure to read your benefits guide.*
**These benefits are available when you use your card. Restrictions, limitations and exclusions apply. Most benefits are underwritten by unaffiliated insurance companies who are solely responsible for the administration and claims. There are specific time limits and documentation requirements. Once your account is opened we will send you a Guide to Benefits, which includes a full explanation of coverages.
American Express Experiences
Stay in the know with exclusive access to ticket presales‡ and Card Member-only events in a city near you. Check out Broadway shows and concert tours, family and sporting events, and more‡ For more information, please visit americanexpress.com/entertainment.
American Express Preferred Access
With Preferred Access, you will have access to premium seats for select cultural and sporting events, based on availability.*
No foreign transaction fees
There is no foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the United States.***
Global Assist Hotline
Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, Global Assist® Hotline‡ is available for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services, including medical and legal referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Other terms and conditions apply.
