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Your Best Credit Cards has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Your Best Credit Cards and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on Your Best Credit Cards are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Your Best Credit Cards does not include all card companies or all available card offers. Commissions do not affect or prioritize placement within our Card Explorer results and not all cards displayed earn us a commission. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone.

* Suggested credit score ranges are supplied by QuinStreet, not from the issuers, and are guidelines, not a guarantee of approval.

American Express® Gold Card / Rose Gold Card

The perfect credit card for dining and supermarket spending, with a huge 4X points on both.

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(4.5) Our Review
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Your Best Credit Cards has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Your Best Credit Cards and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on Your Best Credit Cards are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Your Best Credit Cards does not include all card companies or all available card offers. Commissions do not affect or prioritize placement within our Card Explorer results and not all cards displayed earn us a commission. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone.

* Suggested credit score ranges are supplied by QuinStreet, not from the issuers, and are guidelines, not a guarantee of approval.

American Express® Gold Card / Rose Gold Card

The perfect credit card for dining and supermarket spending, with a huge 4X points on both.

BONUS OFFER

Earn 60,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you spend $6,000 in 6 months. Terms apply.

💵 Your Projected Rewards Value
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Key facts

American Express is a Your Best Credit Cards advertiser.

Annual Fee:

$250 (Rates and fees)

AVG Point Value:

$0.017 (Learn More)

Min. Credit Score for Approval:

670-739 * Good

Ongoing APR:

See Pay Over Time APR

Foreign Transaction Fee:

0%

The American Express® Gold Card is a heavy hitter for those with a lot of spend on dining, groceries, and airline tickets.

Reward multipliers

Beyond the large welcome bonus, the most important thing to know about your new Amex (or any credit card!) is how many Membership Rewards bonus points you earn per dollar on key bonus categories – and the Amex Gold card has got some good ones. It also does not charge any foreign transaction fees.

You’ll earn:

  • 4X American Express Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide plus U.S. takeout and delivery
  • 4X Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on U.S. Supermarkets* (up to $25,000 a year; 1X thereafter)
  • 3X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
  • 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases*

* American Express defines a supermarket as offering a wide variety of food and household products such as meat, fresh produce, dairy, canned and packaged goods, household cleaners, pharmacy products and pet supplies. (Superstores, convenience stores and warehouse clubs are NOT considered supermarkets.)

If you spend a lot of money each month on groceries and dining, the American Express Gold Card packs a tremendous 1-2 punch.

Earns bonus points for spend in the following bonus categories:

4X Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on U.S. Supermarkets* (up to $25,000 a year; 1X thereafter)

4x
Groceries

Estimated Rewards Value: 6.8%

At restaurants worldwide and on takeout delivery within the U,S.

4x
Dining Out / Food Delivery

Estimated Rewards Value: 6.8%

Booked directly with the airline or via AmexTravel.com

3x
Airfare

Estimated Rewards Value: 5.1%

1x
Everything Else

Estimated Rewards Value: 1.7%

Key features

1

Unique Card Benefits

Rose Gold Color Option

At long last, American Express is once again offering both new and existing cardholders the opportunity to get the Rose Gold version of the Gold Card.

Rose Gold American Express Card

American Express Gold Card – Rose Gold Color Option

When you apply, simply select the Rose Gold option. If you are an existing Cardmember, you can call the number on the back of your Gold Card and ask to be switched to the Rose Gold version (your card number will not change). You can also do this via chat in your online American Express account.

No Preset Spending Limit

While the American Express Gold Card used to be referred to as a charge card, it is no longer actively referred to in that way.

Unlike a typical credit card that has a Credit Limit, this Amex card has No Preset Spending Limit. This means that your spending limit is flexible and the amount you can spend changes based on things like your purchase, payment, and credit history.

It’s also important to note that as a card product that American Express used to classify as “charge” – meaning that it has No Preset Spending Limit – so it is not counted against your 5 Amex credit card limit.

The Gold Card will still be in the category of cards (former charge products) in which you can have up to 10. Those include the American Express Green, Gold, Platinum, and Centurion cards.

The reason it is no longer referred to as a Charge card is because the card now offers you the option to “Pay Over Time” if you opt into that card feature.

The Hotel Collection

You’ll get a $100 experience credit when you use your Gold Card Delight to book The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel. Minimum 2-night stay is required. Terms apply.

Part of the Corporate Advantage Program

If you have a Corporate American Express card and have that linked to your Gold Card, American Express will credit back $125 of your annual fee within 2-3 statement cycles of your annual fee posting, as long as you have signed up for the program. Call the number on the back of your Gold Card to enroll.

Enrollment Required for Some Benefits

Please note that you will need to login to your credit card’s online account after receiving your Card and “activate” both the $10 monthly statement credits for food purchases under your Card Benefits page.

2

Earns Transferable Points

Hotel and Airline Transfer Partners

The best use of American Express Membership Rewards points is to transfer them into an airline partner.

The option to transfer into hotel points exist, but they’re typically at a disadvantageous rate.

Here’s a complete list of Membership Rewards Airlines and Hotel transfer partners:

American Express Membership Rewards Transfer Partners
Transfer RatioApproximate Transfer Time *
Aeromexico1:1.6 (1,000 Amex = 1,600 Aeromexico)~4-7 days
Aer Lingus1:1Instant
Air Canada Aeroplan1:1Instant
Air France Flying Blue1:1Instant
ANA1 : 1 (transfers only from Amex and Marriott)~2-3 days
Avianca1:1Instant
British Airways Avios1:1Instant
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles1:1~1-2 days
Delta1:1 (subject to excise tax)Instant
Emirates1:1Instant
Etihad Guest1:1Instant
Hawaiian Airlines1:1 (transfers only from Amex and Marriott; subject to excise tax)Instant
Iberia Avios1:1~1-2 days
JetBlue TrueBlue250 : 200 (subject to excise tax)Instant
Qantas1:1Instant
Qatar Airways Avios1:1Instant
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer1:1~ 1-2 days
Virgin Atlantic1:1Instant
Choice Hotels1:1Instant
Hilton1:2 (frequent transfer bonuses - look for a better ratio if considering)Instant
Marriott1:1Instant

 

Whether you are looking fly economy, Business Class, or even First Class, there are ways to make that happen. You could transfer your Amex points to ANA and fly around the world in Business Class with up to 8 stopovers and spend just 125,000 Amex points or less.

Note: If you are transferring Membership Rewards points into a US airline, Amex will charge you $.0006 per point, up to a maximum of $99. American Express explains that this charge is to offset excise taxes that the airlines charge.

3

Annual Statement Credits

Credits Get You Back Most of the Gold Card’s Annual Fee

Each month you get $20 in statement credits if you are enrolled and use the credits in the month given.

The first is $10 in monthly dining statement credits which can be used at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required; terms apply. You will get a statement credit within a few days after making the purchase.

On top of that, you’ll automatically get $10 in Uber Cash (separate from the above dining credit) deposited into your Uber / Uber Eats account each month. You just need your Gold Card saved as a payment method in Uber to get the credits.

That’s a total of $20 in credits for dining purchases every month or $240 per year.

As you can see, the credits cover all but $10 of the annual fee.

4

Trip Protections

Trip Delay Insurance

If you book your entire trip (round trip) with your American Express Gold Card (cash or American Express Membership rewards points, but no other points), you will have Trip Delay Insurance which will reimburse you for reasonable additional expenses (including but not limited to meals, lodging, toiletries, medication, and other personal use items) incurred if you are delayed more than 12 hours for a covered loss.

Terms:

Up to $300 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
• Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
• Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company

Baggage Insurance Plan

The American Express Gold Card and Rose Gold card also offer the Baggage Insurance Plan. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. See the American Express website before applying for all details.

Terms

Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Eligible Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible Account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
• Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
• Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company

5

Secondary Car Rental CDW Waiver

The American Express Gold Card’s CDW (collision damage waiver) is secondary to your personal car insurance and covers Damage to or Theft of a Rental Vehicle in a Covered Territory when you use your Eligible Card to reserve and pay for the Entire Rental and decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) at the Rental Company counter. Not all cars are covered so call in advance of your rental if you are unsure. Does not cover vehicles in Australia, Italy, and New Zealand. This benefit does not include liability coverage.

Terms

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.
• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
• Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
• Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

6

Extended Warranty

You’ll get one extra year of coverage when the manufacturer offers a warranty of 5 years or less; additional terms apply which you can when filling out your application. The limits are $10,000 per covered purchase and $50,000 per year.

Terms

When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.

• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
• Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
• Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

7

Purchase Protection

For up to 90 days from making a covered purchase with your Card, you may be covered for up to $10,000 per occurrence ($50,000 per year). Additional terms apply which you can when filling out your application. Please read important exclusions and restrictions at the American Express website before you apply for all details.

Terms

Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply.

• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
• Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
• Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

8

No Foreign Transaction Fees

The Amex Gold Card doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees.

9

No Fees for Authorized Users

Additional cards are free for anyone you choose, like your child (aged 13+), spouse, or employee.

10

Metal Card

The American Express Gold Card is made of metal and weighs 18.5 grams.

11

Amex Offers

Card membership comes with access to Amex Offers, a free offering of discounts on assorted eligible purchases. They often offer things like up to 20% off an airline purchase or cash back for dining at a specific restaurant. They also often offer bonus points per dollar at select stores.

Earn more rewards by combining credit cards

American Express® Gold Card / Rose Gold Card
? Best Combo
See how much more you'll earn in rewards when you combine these two cards.
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Pros & cons

  • For a pure combination of spending on dining, groceries, and airfare, the American Express Gold card is unmatched
  • Although the annual fee seems high, all but $10 can be offset by using available monthly statement credits
  • Earns valuable American Express Membership rewards points and card membership includes the highly regarded American Express customer service
  • The annual fee of $250, despite the statement credits that can offset it, is steep for some
  • Bonus categories are limited to just three
  • Car rental CDW coverage is secondary to your own auto insurance

American Express® Gold Card / Rose Gold Card

Learn How to Apply Rates and fees

Our review

The American Express Gold Card (and the Rose Gold version of the Amex Gold Card) is one of my favorite credit cards on the market.

While many cards have more bonus categories or more features, the simplicity of a card that earns 4X American Express Membership Rewards points on both dining and at U.S. supermarkets, given how much of my monthly spend is in one of these two categories, makes it an easy top-of-wallet choice. 3X on airfare is also nice.

dining-american-express-gold-card-rose-gold-card

It helps that I have no problem at all using the included credits, living in a major metropolitan area. In fact, I’ve generally used both of the included credits at GrubHub and Uber Eats by the fifth of each month!

While I wouldn’t make it my only credit card, it definitely complements other cards nicely. If you already have the American Express Platinum Card, for example, you’d be better off using the Platinum card for its many benefits and 5X on airfare, but using your Amex Gold Card for your groceries and restaurant expenses.

Keep in mind that all of your American Express Membership Rewards points accrue to one master account. As long as you have at least one card open that earns Membership Rewards points, your points will never expire.

This includes no-annual fee cards like the Blue Business Plus.

Rates and Fees for the American Express® Gold Card

Frequently asked questions

1

Does the American Express Gold Card and the American Express Rose Gold Card have any differences?

Only the color! All other card features and benefits are identical. It’s just a different color on the same card.

2

Does American Express Gold Card get you into airport lounges?

No, the American Express Gold Card does not offer any lounge access. You would need to step up to the American Express Platinum card or consider any of the other cards we list with airport lounge access.

3

Is it hard to get the Gold Card?

You’ll need at least a “Good” credit score, meaning a 670+ FICO score

4

Is it worth getting the Amex Gold Card?

If you spend a lot at supermarkets and on dining (including takeout and delivery), card membership is absolutely worth considering.

5

How do I get 4X points with the American Express Gold Card?

You will earn 4X Membership Rewards points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases at U.S. supermarkets and on dining, including takeout and delivery.

6

How do I get 3X points with the Amex Gold Card?

You will earn 3x points on airfare booked directly with airlines or at amextravel.com.

7

Is there a better credit card than the Amex Gold Card?

As we always say, there is no one best credit card, there is just the best credit card (or cards) for you. Use our famous Card Explorer if you are not sure which card is best for you.

8

Does the American Express Gold Card have Baggage Insurance?

The American Express Gold Card and Rose Gold card also offer the Baggage Insurance Plan. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. See the American Express website before applying for all details.

9

Does the American Express Gold Card charge foreign transaction fees?

No, The Gold Card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.

10

Does the American Express Gold card have car rental coverage?

The Amex Gold’s CDW (collision damage waiver) is secondary to your personal car insurance and covers Damage to or Theft of a Rental Vehicle in a Covered Territory when you use your Eligible Card to reserve and pay for the Entire Rental and decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) at the Rental Company counter. Not all cars are covered so call in advance of your rental if you are unsure. Does not cover vehicles in Australia, Italy, and New Zealand. This benefit does not include liability coverage.
You can optionally buy an American Express offering called “Premium Car Rental Protection” which will give you primary coverage on up to $75,000 or $100,000 depending on which option you choose. You will pay one fee per rental to get this coverage.

11

Does the Amex Gold Card come with any elite statuses?

No, the Gold Card does not confer elite status with any airline or hotel chain.

12

Does the Golds Card offer extended warranty?

The extended warranty on the Gold Card extends the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty for up to one additional year. This benefit applies to warranties of 5 years or less on Covered Purchases in the United States or its territories or possessions. Note that you must pay for the product in full with your Card. This is a reason to avoid using gift cards on eligible purchases for which you want this coverage.

13

What credit score do I need to get a Gold Card?

You’ll need at least a “Good” credit score, meaning a 670+ FICO score.

14

What can I do with the points earned for spending on the American Express Gold Card?

You will be able to redeem these points for anything from gift cards to airline miles. We suggest only using them to transfer to their airline and hotel partners. We suggest that you read our guide to American Express Membership Rewards points to maximize the value you get from your points.

15

Does The American Express Gold Card have Cell Phone Protection?

No, Gold Card does not offer any cell phone protection benefits.

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