American Express® Gold Card

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $325
• APR: 21.24%-29.99% variable
• Rewards: 5X on prepaid hotels via Amex Travel, 4X at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000/yr), 4X at US supermarkets (up to $25,000/yr), 3X on flights, 2X on car rentals via Amex Travel, 1X on everything else
• Bonus: Up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months (offer is personalized)
• Best For: Frequent diners and grocery shoppers who want premium rewards without an ultra-premium fee
• Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (700+)

Overview

The American Express Gold Card is widely regarded as the best card for dining and groceries. It earns 4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide on up to $50,000 per calendar year and 4X at US supermarkets on up to $25,000 per year, then 1X on both. Amex's 2026 update added 5X on prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com and 2X on car rentals booked through Amex Travel, plus Hertz Five Star status, without raising the $325 annual fee. Flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel earn 3X, and everything else earns 1X. The welcome offer now runs as high as 100,000 points after $8,000 of spending in 6 months — more points than the old 60,000 offer, but $2,000 more spending to earn it.

Beyond earning rates, the Gold Card provides up to $120 per year in dining credits ($10/month at participating partners including Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, and others), $120 per year in Uber Cash ($10/month), and up to $100 in hotel credit when booking through Amex Travel. These credits bring the effective annual fee down significantly for those who use them.

The Gold Card occupies a sweet spot between the no-fee Blue Cash cards and the ultra-premium Platinum Card. It lacks airport lounge access, but its earning rates on dining and groceries are unmatched by any competitor. Combined with Membership Rewards transfer partners, each point can be worth 1.5 to 2.5 cents, making the Gold Card one of the highest-value cards on the market for everyday spending.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 21.24%-29.99% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: N/A
• Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable
• Penalty APR: None

Note: This is a charge card for most purchases. The variable APR applies to Pay Over Time eligible purchases. There is no balance transfer option.

Benefits Overview

Dining and Grocery Rewards

• 4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1X), including takeout and delivery
• 5X Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com
• 2X Membership Rewards points on car rentals booked through Amex Travel
• Hertz Five Star status
• 4X at US supermarkets on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X
• 3X on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel
• 1X on all other eligible purchases

Annual Statement Credits

• Up to $120 in dining credits ($10/month at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, and select partners)
• Up to $120 in Uber Cash ($10/month in Uber credits)
• Up to $100 hotel credit on prepaid bookings of 2+ nights through Amex Travel

Travel and Purchase Protections

• No foreign transaction fees
• Trip delay insurance and baggage insurance
• Purchase protection covering eligible purchases for up to 90 days
• Extended warranty adding up to one additional year on eligible purchases
• Global Dining Access by Resy for preferred reservations

Rewards & Points

• 4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000/yr, then 1X)
• 5X Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
• 2X Membership Rewards points on car rentals booked through Amex Travel
• 4X Membership Rewards points at US supermarkets (up to $25,000/yr, then 1X)
• 3X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or via Amex Travel
• 1X Membership Rewards points on all other eligible purchases

Membership Rewards points transfer at 1:1 to 20+ airline and hotel partners including Delta SkyMiles, British Airways Avios, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Hilton Honors (1:2 ratio), and Marriott Bonvoy. Points can also be redeemed through the Amex Travel portal or for statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise.

Welcome Bonus

Amex advertises an offer as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership. Valued conservatively at 1 cent per point that is $1,000; transferred to airline partners for premium-cabin redemptions it can exceed $2,000. The requirement rose from $6,000 to $8,000 alongside the larger bonus, so it now averages about $1,333 a month. The offer is personalized — check your own eligibility before applying.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $325
• Balance Transfer Fee: N/A
• Cash Advance Fee: N/A (charge card)
• Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Additional Card Fee: $0 for additional Gold cards

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Frequent diners who eat out or order delivery regularly and want 4X on every restaurant purchase
• Grocery shoppers who spend significantly at US supermarkets and want market-leading 4X rewards
• Points maximizers who transfer Membership Rewards to airline partners for premium flight redemptions
• Credit users who want strong everyday earning without the ultra-premium Platinum fee
• Foodies who will use the monthly dining and Uber credits consistently

Not Good For

• Airport lounge seekers since the Gold Card does not include Centurion or Priority Pass access
• Balance carriers because this is primarily a charge card with no traditional revolving credit or balance transfers
• Low spenders who may not earn enough rewards to offset the $325 annual fee
• Cash back purists who prefer simple cash back over Membership Rewards points

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4X on dining worldwide is among the highest restaurant earning rates available, now capped at $50,000 a year
• 4X at US supermarkets with a generous $25,000 annual cap
• 3X on flights provides strong travel earning alongside dining and grocery rewards
• $120 annual dining credit and $120 Uber Cash effectively reduce the fee to $85
• Welcome offer as high as 100,000 points, worth $1,000 or more
• Membership Rewards transfer to 20+ airline and hotel partners
• No foreign transaction fees make it excellent for dining abroad
• Global Dining Access by Resy for preferred reservations at top restaurants
• Purchase protection and extended warranty coverage included
• Free additional Gold cards for authorized users

Cons

• $325 annual fee is significant compared to no-fee cash back alternatives
• No airport lounge access unlike the Platinum Card or competing premium cards
• Charge card structure requires most balances to be paid in full each month
• No balance transfer capability
• Dining credits limited to specific partner restaurants each month
• 1X earning rate on non-bonus categories is below average for a premium card
• Supermarket 4X does not apply at Walmart, Target, or warehouse clubs
• Limited travel insurance compared to the Platinum Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve

Alternatives to Consider

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

Including a 100,000-point welcome offer valued at $1,000, first-year value lands around $3,040 before the $325 annual fee — roughly $2,715 net. Points valued at 2 cents each through airline transfers push the total higher.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• You spend $500 or more per month on dining and restaurants combined
• You buy groceries at US supermarkets regularly and want 4X rewards
• You will use the monthly dining and Uber credits consistently
• You want Membership Rewards points to transfer to airline and hotel partners
• You fly a few times per year and want 3X on airfare
• You prefer a mid-premium card with top-tier dining rewards
• You dine internationally and want no foreign transaction fees

You Should Skip It If...

• You rarely eat out or order delivery and would not use the dining credits
• You shop primarily at Walmart, Target, or warehouse clubs instead of supermarkets
• You want airport lounge access included with your card
• You prefer to carry a balance and need a traditional revolving APR
• You want simple cash back rather than managing points and transfer partners
• Your overall spending is too low to offset the $325 annual fee

Information verified as of July 2026. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.