American Express Gold Card Review: Perfect for Food Enthusiasts

American Express Gold Card Summary

The American Express® Gold Card is designed for those who enjoy dining out or cooking at home with groceries from U.S. supermarkets. It also offers various statement credits that can help you save money throughout the year. If you're passionate about food, the Amex Gold could be an ideal choice for your wallet. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

*Card rating reflects the opinions of TPG's editorial team and is independent of the card issuer.

While the $325 annual fee (see rates and fees) may seem high to some, the Amex Gold remains one of our top-rated rewards cards. Recently, it received an update with a fee increase, new perks for food lovers, and a stylish limited-edition color option.

With impressive earning rates on dining and grocery purchases, along with monthly credits that offer great value when used wisely, the Amex Gold remains a top choice for TPG staff.

I'm also a proud supporter of this card. It's one of the best in my wallet, thanks to its incredible 8% return (according to TPG's October 2024 valuations) on dining and U.S. supermarket purchases (up to $50,000 per year for restaurants and $25,000 per year for U.S. supermarkets, then a 2% return thereafter).

Additionally, its rose gold or white gold finish makes it a standout in my wallet.

If you have a good to excellent credit score (670 or higher) and are considering joining the Amex Gold community, here’s everything you need to know.

Amex Gold Advantages and Disadvantages

Amex Gold Sign-Up Bonus

For a limited time, new Amex Gold cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. Additionally, new cardholders will receive 20% back in statement credits for global restaurant purchases, up to $100, during the first six months. Offer expires on Nov. 6.

According to TPG's October 2024 valuations, this bonus is valued up to $1,300.

However, the CardMatch tool could help you secure an even better welcome offer of up to 90,000 points, so it's worth checking there to see if you're eligible (your offer may change anytime, and not everyone will receive the same one).

Amex Gold Features

The Amex Gold provides numerous fantastic benefits for cardholders. Here are the key ones you should take advantage of (enrollment is required for certain benefits; terms apply):

• Up to $120 annual dining credit: Get up to $10 in monthly credits when paying with the Amex Gold at participating dining partners like Five Guys, Grubhub, Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, and Wine.com.
• Up to $120 in Uber Cash annually: Earn up to $10 in Uber Cash each month for Uber Eats and Uber rides in the U.S. Add the card to your Uber app to receive the benefit. This perk mirrors the Uber Cash available on The Platinum Card® from American Express.
• Up to $100 in Resy credits annually: Earn $100 in Resy credits each year, split into two $50 credits biannually. This perk is similar to the Resy credit on Delta Amex cards.
• Up to $100 in hotel credits annually: Book a two-night stay or more through Amex's The Hotel Collection and receive up to $100 in on-site credits for qualifying activities, which could include dining or spa treatments, depending on the property.
• Up to $84 in Dunkin' credits annually: Earn up to $7 in monthly credits when you pay with the Amex Gold at Dunkin' locations.

• Baggage Insurance: If your luggage is lost, stolen, or damaged while traveling with a common carrier, and you've purchased your ticket with the Amex Gold, you'll be eligible for up to $1,250 in coverage for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage. For residents of New York State, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit per covered trip for all individuals covered.*
• Purchase Protection & Extended Warranty: Enjoy purchase protection and an extended warranty on eligible purchases made with your Amex Gold. There are exclusions regarding types of purchases covered, regions where coverage applies, and other conditions, so be sure to review your benefits guide.*
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: (see rates and fees) This card's absence of foreign transaction fees makes it ideal for international spending, particularly as you earn 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 spent annually, then 1 point per dollar thereafter).
• Send & Split: Amex's Send & Split feature simplifies splitting payments with friends. It links to your PayPal and Venmo accounts, enabling you to request payments through those apps and directly apply the funds to your Amex account.

The key benefits are the Uber, dining, Dunkin', and Resy credits. By maximizing these every month, you could accumulate a total of $424 in annual value, resulting in a net positive value of $99.

TPG reader Chris H. often uses two of these benefits, saying: "Uber and GrubHub credits.** I use them every month because they're available every month" (via Facebook).

Note: Reader submissions have not been edited, reviewed, or approved by the issuers, and do not reflect TPG's opinions of these cards.

The up to $10 Uber Cash benefit and up to $10 dining credit per month do not roll over, so it's important to use them within each month. The Resy credits are incredibly easy to redeem, and you may not even realize you're using them as all you need to do is dine at a Resy-registered restaurant. No reservation is required.

The often-overlooked Send & Split feature is probably my second favorite perk. I used to hesitate when paying for group dinners on my card — while I wanted to earn the rewards, I dreaded the process of collecting money from everyone else.

This feature allows me to quickly request payments from my friends and apply them directly to my balance, eliminating the need for chasing payments or multiple account transfers.

Cardmembers can easily track their progress toward statement credits through the benefits tab in the Amex app and on the website.

*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions, and restrictions apply. For more information, visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide. Coverage is provided by AMEX Assurance Company.

**Enrollment is required; terms apply. To access Uber Cash, the card must be added to the Uber app to activate this benefit.

Earning rewards with the Amex Gold

The Amex Gold stands out due to its excellent bonus categories and impressive long-term earning potential. It earns points at the following rates (terms apply):

• 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants up to $50,000 annually (then 1 point per dollar)
• 4 points per dollar on up to $25,000 in purchases at U.S. supermarkets annually (then 1 point per dollar)
• 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly from airlines or through amextravel.com
• 2 points per dollar on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases via amextravel.com
• 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases

These reward rates are among the most generous of any card. Earning four points per dollar on dining (up to $50,000 per year) and on groceries at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year) equals an 8% return on spending, based on TPG's October 2024 valuations.

While the Amex Gold isn't the top choice for earning points on general travel, its 3 points per dollar on flight purchases is a solid option for those who don't have another travel-focused card.

Redeeming Amex Gold points

The American Express Membership Rewards points earned through the Amex Gold are considered some of the most valuable reward points available.

Transferring your points to one of Amex's travel partners often provides the highest value, though there are other ways to redeem your rewards as well.

You can redeem points for gift cards, statement credits, Amazon purchases, or even Uber rides. Additionally, you can use your points to book travel directly through Amex Travel. However, opting for any of these redemption methods instead of transferring to a travel partner means you may not reach TPG's October 2024 valuation of 2 cents per point.

Transferring Points with the Amex Gold

Cardholders can transfer their Membership Rewards points to a wide array of airline and hotel partners, unlocking a variety of excellent travel possibilities. This includes several major U.S.-based programs, like Delta SkyMiles and JetBlue TrueBlue, but often, the best value can be found through international airline programs.

For example, transferring points to Virgin Atlantic opens up some great opportunities, including booking round-trip, first-class flights on ANA between the U.S. and Japan.

Another fantastic way to use points is by transferring them to Avianca LifeMiles for budget-friendly Star Alliance premium cabin redemptions.

TPG's senior points and miles expert, Ben Smithson, is a fan of transferring his Membership Rewards points to Air Canada's Aeroplan program, thanks to its vast network of airline partners and reasonable fixed award chart rates. He also values the option to transfer points to British Airways Executive Club to book short-haul flights from the UK to Europe for less than 5,000 points one-way.

When it comes to hotels, you can transfer your Membership Rewards points to Choice Hotels and Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio, or to Hilton Honors at a 1:2 ratio.

American Express frequently runs transfer bonuses, which present an excellent opportunity to maximize your points' value.

Which credit cards are in competition with the Amex Gold?

With an annual fee of $325, the Amex Gold sits between mid-tier and premium credit cards. While no card exactly matches its fee, several competitors offer comparable bonus categories and benefits.

• If you're seeking premium travel rewards: The Amex Platinum offers an impressive suite of perks including airport lounge access and complimentary hotel elite status. It earns 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel (on the first $500,000 per year, then 1 point per dollar), and 5 points on hotels booked through Amex Travel. To explore all benefits, check out our full review of the Amex Platinum.

For more options, browse our comprehensive list of the best cards for travel and dining.

Bottom line

The Amex Gold isn't just a pretty card. The earning rates at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets make it a strong pick for all food purchases.

Bottom line, the Amex Gold isn't just visually appealing. Its exceptional earning rates for dining and U.S. supermarket purchases make it a standout for food-related expenses. By fully leveraging its statement credits, the $325 annual fee is easily justified, making this card worth its weight in gold for food enthusiasts.

Before applying for the Amex Gold, make sure to use the CardMatch tool to check if you're eligible for any exclusive offers. These promotions can change at any time, and not everyone will receive the same deal.