Last updated: 10/2/2022

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American Express Gold

Earns: American Express Membership Rewards

GigaTake:

One of the highest-earning cards available. The relatively high annual fee ($250) is partially offset by travel and dining credits. Cardholders get four Amex Membership Rewards points for every dollar spent on dining and groceries, and three for every dollar spent with airlines. Plus, Membership Rewards can be transferred to more than a dozen airlines.

This card is best for:

  • Dining
  • Groceries
  • Airlines

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Here’s how much you would earn with this card

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You could earn Worth Plus Welcome Bonus Total
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per year
${{totalPointsYouCouldEarnValue | number}} {{welcomeBonus | number}} points
worth ${{welcomeBonusValue | number}}
${{totalValueToUser | number}}

How’d we figure that out?

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${{welcomeBonusAmount | number}}Welcome Bonus


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Pros

  • The most lucrative card for grocery spending, earning 4 Membership Rewards per dollar.
  • Also excellent for dining, earning 4 points per dollar. Very good for airline spending.
  • Dining and Uber credits help offset annual fee.

Cons

  • $250 annual fee.

See how the American Express Gold compares to other credit cards

American Express Gold Other Cards


Hover the dots to view other Credit Cards

Reward Rate = 4x

Value = 1.7 cents per point
Effective Value = 6.8 %

0%
7%

Reward Rate = 4x

Value = 1.7 cents per point
Effective Value = 6.8 %

0%
7%

Reward Rate = 3x

Value = 1.7 cents per point
Effective Value = 5.1 %

0%
9%

Reward Rate = 1x

Value = 1.7 cents per point
Effective Value = 1.7 %

0%
3%

Welcome Bonus = 60,000

Value = 1.7 cents per point
Effective Value = $1020

$5
$1700

Annual Fee = $250

$0
$695
Welcome Bonus
60,000

Excellent

Bonus Rating

Excellent

In the top 15% of cards.

Points

After you spend $4,000 in 3 months

GigaInfo about Welcome Bonuses Welcome Bonuses 101 Article
Spending Rewards
4x U.S. Restaurants

Excellent

excellent

Excellent

In the top 15% of cards.

4x U.S. Grocery Stores (first $25,000 in purchases each year)

Excellent

excellent

Excellent

In the top 15% of cards.

3x Airlines

Excellent

excellent

Excellent

In the top 15% of cards.

1x All Other

Very Good

very good

Is this card right for me?

That depends on your individual spending patterns. We have a tool that figures it out for you. Learn what you could earn.

Program Name
American Express Membership Rewards
Gigapoints Value
1.7¢ per point
0.4¢ PER POINT
2¢+ PER POINT
Annual Fee
  • $250
Use this card for…

You can earn more rewards by using different cards for different purchases. We built a tool that tells you which card to use, when. Just plug in your favorite brand, store, or category to find out which card pays the most.

Use the Best Card For tool Go

Additional perks of owning this card

$120 dining credit

Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express(R) Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.

$100 airline fee credit

Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $100 per calendar year in statement credits when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your American Express® Gold Card account.

$120 Uber Cash

Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you’ll automatically get $10 in Uber Cash each month for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S.

The Fine Print

PURCHASES APR 18.99% – 25.99%
CASH ADVANCE APR 28.24% Variable
CASH ADVANCE FEE Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.
FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE 0%