8 strategies to fully leverage the Amex Gold Card's benefits

The American Express® Gold Card consistently ranks among the top choices for dining, according to TPG's annual evaluations. It offers bonus categories focused on food and a range of valuable perks that can lead to significant savings, whether you're at home or traveling.

In late July, the card received an update featuring a higher annual fee, additional statement credits, a new earning rate cap, and a limited edition color choice.

Although the annual fee is set at $325 (see rates and fees) and is not waived for the first year, we’ll guide you through the card's distinctive benefits to help it pay for itself.

Optimize the welcome offer

The Amex Gold features a limited-time promotion of 60,000 points when you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. Additionally, new cardholders can receive 20% back as a statement credit on qualifying restaurant purchases made during the first six months (up to $100 back). This offer expires on 11/6.

According to TPG's July 2024 assessments, this special welcome offer can be valued at up to $1,300. Keep in mind that you may qualify for a much higher offer through the CardMatch tool or referral bonuses.

Amex Membership Rewards points can be exchanged for a variety of options, from cash back to luxurious flights in Singapore Airlines first-class suites. However, not all redemption choices yield the same value. The best way to maximize this program is by transferring points to partner hotel and airline loyalty programs.

Notable transfer partners include Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, and Hilton Honors.

Moreover, Amex frequently provides transfer bonuses that can boost the value of your points by as much as 40%. Just be cautious; we advise against transferring points to a program without a clear purpose, as miles can lose value unexpectedly, and transfers are irreversible.

Utilize the card at restaurants and U.S. grocery stores

Whether you enjoy dining out or prefer cooking at home, if you're a food lover — and who isn't? — you’ll find it easy to make the most of the Amex Gold's bonus categories for spending.

The card grants 4 points for every dollar spent at restaurants globally, up to $50,000 per calendar year (1 point per dollar thereafter), and at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year (1 point per dollar thereafter).

Based on our July 2024 assessment of 2 cents per point, the Amex Gold offers an impressive 8% return on food purchases, outpacing many other cards available today.

These bonus categories could be enticing enough to consider the card even before factoring in the welcome bonus. If your combined spending on groceries and dining is at least $4,075 annually, you’ll benefit from the $325 annual fee.

Tip: While the Amex Gold has no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees), remember that bonus points for supermarket purchases are only earned on spending within the U.S.

Use this card when purchasing flights

The Amex Gold earns 3 points for every dollar spent on flights booked directly through the airline or via Amex Travel, translating to a 6% return based on TPG's valuations.

Additionally, if your luggage is lost, stolen, or damaged while traveling with a common carrier and you purchased your ticket with the Amex Gold, you can receive coverage of up to $1,250 for carry-on bags and up to $500 for checked luggage.

Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more information. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Make sure to use your Amex Gold as a payment method for Uber

By linking your Amex Gold to your Uber app, you’ll automatically earn up to $10 in monthly Uber Cash, which can be applied to Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. Although this credit doesn’t carry over month to month, it should be straightforward to take full advantage of this benefit.

To access this benefit, the Amex Gold must be added to the Uber app. Terms apply.

Utilize the annual dining credit

You can receive up to $120 in annual dining statement credits (allocated in $10 increments each month) when you use your Amex Gold at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys.

Grubhub delivery services operate in most major U.S. cities, and it’s unlikely that any purchase from these merchants will cost less than $10 a month, making this benefit easy to utilize.

TPG credit card writer Olivia Mittak utilizes her Amex Gold's dining credit to pay for a Grubhub+ subscription. As she often orders delivery, this is a simple way for her to make the most of this benefit.

You must enroll via the Amex website to access this benefit. Similar to the Uber Cash credit, the $10 dining credit expires at the end of each month, meaning any unused credits cannot be carried over. Terms apply.

Make use of the Resy credits

You can receive up to $100 in Resy credits, allocated as two $50 credits every six months (up to $50 from January to June and another $50 from July to December).

To take advantage of these credits, you need to enroll through the Amex website. Once you’re enrolled, simply pay your bill with your Amex Gold at any restaurant affiliated with Resy; no reservation is necessary. Currently, there are over 16,000 restaurants available on Resy, so if you’re in or near a city, you should be able to utilize this benefit.

These credits are incredibly simple to use, so much so that you might not even notice you’re using them. Each $50 credit must be used within its respective half of the year, and any unused portion cannot be rolled over. Terms apply.

Utilize the Dunkin' Donuts credits

Cardmembers can earn up to $84 in Dunkin' Donuts statement credits (allocated in monthly increments of up to $7) when paying with their Amex Gold at Dunkin'.

Similar to other monthly credits, this Dunkin' credit expires at the end of the month. Enrollment through the Amex website is necessary, and terms apply. This credit is quite simple and easy to use.

However, using this credit can be challenging if there are no Dunkin' locations in your area. If that’s your situation, check to see if any airports you travel through have a Dunkin'. This can be a great way to take advantage of this benefit.

Enjoy elite-like perks with The Hotel Collection

A lesser-known advantage of the Amex Gold Card is available when you book hotels through Amex's The Hotel Collection.

When you book a stay of two nights or more, you’ll earn 2 points for every dollar spent, receive a room upgrade at check-in (subject to availability), and enjoy a $100 on-site credit that can be used for dining, spa services, or resort activities at the property.

Just booking one or two of these stays each year can help you recover a significant portion of the card's annual fee. Available amenities may differ by location. Terms apply.

Bottom line

Numerous credit cards offer valuable perks, but their benefits are only realized if you use them. Fortunately, the Amex Gold makes it relatively simple to do so. With dining credits and Hotel Collection perks, the card's annual fee is easily justified.

Considering the excellent rewards on food purchases, you'll definitely come out ahead.

For more information, be sure to read our comprehensive review of the Amex Gold.