Have the appropriate credit cards can bring significant advantages when it comes to spending. This is especially true if you enjoy dining out, traveling and ordering delivery services like GrubHub and Seamless.
If this describes you, consider the Amex Gold card (terms and conditions apply) as your premium card of choice. It offers generous rewards in specific categories as well as benefits that can help maximize earnings and help to build wealth faster.
1. Earn 4X points on dining
American Express is an excellent option for foodies, offering some of the most rewarding dining and grocery card rewards available. For example, their Gold card provides 4X points when dining (including takeout and delivery) or grocery shopping, 2X on gas stations/EV charging stations/streaming services like Netflix/Hulu/Spotify(r), Apple Music/Disney+/HBO Max streaming etc… Additionally it gives up to $200 annual Uber cash as well as access to their exclusive Amex Centurion Lounge network.
The Gold Card’s strong points-earning rate in these categories helps offset its $250 annual fee. Furthermore, you have the flexibility of transferring Membership Rewards points to airline partners such as Delta Air Lines, British Airways and JetBlue; or hotel programs including Marriott Bonvoy for even greater value-add that may surpass its annual fees each year.
Although no annual-fee cards offer more points per dollar on food spending, Amex Gold remains an ideal solution for travelers who frequently incur these expenses. Spend $500 monthly on groceries and another $150 at restaurants and you could potentially earn approximately 34,000 Membership Rewards points annually, more than enough to cover its annual fee.
Foodies might be drawn in by the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s signup bonus of 3X points on restaurant and grocery spending; however, its perks tend to focus more heavily on travel than dining perks. Amex Gold stands out as having dining-specific benefits such as Global Dining Access through Resy and up to $120 annual dining credits with Uber Cash as additional features.
Final analysis will depend on your dining and grocery spending patterns as well as travel goals to decide whether the Amex Gold’s high earnings and perks justify its annual fee. Some may find its perks sufficient, while others might benefit more from other cards that offer more generous signup bonuses or signup bonuses. To help guide your decision, see our complete review of Amex Gold.
2. Earn 4X points on U.S. supermarkets
The Amex Gold is an exceptional tool for accruing points on dining and grocery spending, as well as travel purchases. In comparison to premium cards like Chase Sapphire Reserve and Citi Prestige, its earn rate in these areas far surpasses others; even spending just $7 on your morning latte could net 28 points while spending $150 at Michelin-star restaurants could yield 600! Plus its benefits (up to $120 of dining and Uber cash annually) help offset its $250 card fee!
Amex Gold’s major drawback lies in its inability to cater to travelers; people who spend substantial amounts at restaurants or supermarkets would find more value in switching over to premium travel cards such as Chase Sapphire Reserve or Citi Prestige that offer better rewards redemption on these expenses.
However, if you plan to make most of your dining and grocery purchases with the Amex Gold card, there may not be many better cards out there. When considering its up to $120 annual dining credits and 3X points when booking directly with airlines (making up its $250 annual fee more manageable).
If you’re still uncertain if Amex Gold is right for you, use our CardMatch tool to see if you qualify for our 60,000-point welcome bonus and other great offers – but even if that doesn’t sound quite right to you, don’t fret — we have other great credit card offerings that could provide even more points and benefits on what matters to you most.
This article was updated on October 4, 2023.
3. Earn 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines
The Amex Gold is an ideal card for travelers who spend heavily on dining and groceries, appreciate travel rewards (worth up to 2 cents each when redeemed for flights with Amex), and who desire premium travel perks (like access to airport lounges). Furthermore, its three times points on airfare yields a return of approximately 6% according to TPG valuations; combined with up to $120 worth of annual dining credits plus Uber credits plus its generous welcome bonus this card more than covers its $250 annual fee.
Amex Gold’s most impressive perk is its 4X Membership Rewards points on restaurant purchases worldwide and U.S. supermarket purchases – spending that is commonplace for many households and on which few other cards provide better return rates than Amex Gold can easily offset its annual fee through this lucrative earn rate. Even conservative estimates indicate this card can easily cover its annual fee with this lucrative earn rate.
But this card truly shines when traveling and dining abroad — earning 4X points on restaurant and food delivery purchases as well as access to more high-end eateries not widely available in US cities. Plus, two times points on international airline and transit bookings plus no foreign transaction fees make this an excellent option for frequent travelers – whether heading out on an exotic dinner date or planning a quick weekend escape!
However, for greater flexibility in how you redeem your Amex points, consider The Platinum Card from American Express which offers 10X rewards on travel booked through Chase Travel portal and 3X rewards on dining and U.S supermarket purchases; in addition to an increased welcome bonus of up to 75,000 points as well as premium travel perks such as two annual club lounge passes and travel accident insurance. Or check out Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card which offers 3 percent back on dining & entertainment spending such as popular streaming services as well as grocery stores (excluding superstores) — all with no annual fees attached!
4. Earn $10 in monthly Uber Cash
Amex Gold is one of our go-to cards for dining out or cooking at home with groceries, thanks to its exceptional earning rates. Up to $120 in annual dining credits and $10 monthly Uber credits easily offset its $250 annual fee; not to mention travel purchases earning solid returns with premium benefits like complimentary airport lounge access! Foodies who want the maximum rewards should consider keeping this card around!
The American Express Gold Card allows cardmembers to accumulate Membership Rewards points quickly on dining (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and supermarket purchases up to $25,000 annually (after which points accrue at 1x). You’ll also earn 3X Membership Rewards points when booking directly with airlines through Amex Travel; 2X for rental cars; plus no foreign transaction fees which is especially helpful when traveling internationally.
Amex Gold cards feature a $10 monthly credit for rideshare spending that can be applied toward rides or food delivery orders through Uber Eats. You can redeem this credit on your mobile app by selecting Uber Cash as the payment method – keep in mind it only applies towards one Uber account at any one time and won’t roll over; use it either entirely to cover your order’s cost or reduce what needs to be paid by another payment method; additionally you could link your Uber Gold card to PayPal and use that payment option when paying with it for rides or food deliveries!
Though Amex Gold may not offer as many premium travel perks as other cards, it still provides up to $100 in hotel credits when booking two-night stays through The Hotel Collection – this credit can be applied towards spa treatments, dining and resort activities such as spa services or activities like tennis. Furthermore, this card also comes with airline fee credit as well as baggage and rental car insurance policies for added protection.
Amex Gold may not be suitable for everyone, but its excellent returns on dining and grocery expenses and generous perks make it one of our go-to cards for foodies. When combined with appropriate redemptions and strategies, this card can bring significant long-term value.