There’s a lot to love about travel credit cards, including lucrative welcome offers, enhanced earning rates and value-added perks. But when you combine all these features in a single card, it’s a package that’s hard to beat.
That’s why the American Express® Gold Card has long been among my favorite (and most frequently used) cards.
So, when I heard that the card was undergoing a refresh, I was interested to see whether it would retain its coveted spot in my wallet.
Thankfully, the recently announced overhaul has only added to its appeal for me.
Here’s why the changes have left me loving the Amex Gold even more than I already did and why anyone who loves eating — whether that’s a nice dinner out, a grab-and-go meal or even cooking at home — should strongly consider applying for the card.
Expanded dining credit
Since 2019, the Amex Gold Card has included a $120 dining credit benefit that allows me to enroll and earn up to $10 per month in statement credits when I pay with the card at participating partners. I’ve typically used these credits for Grubhub purchases, as few of the other eligible merchants were convenient for me. While I occasionally dine at Shake Shack while traveling, airport locations were excluded from qualifying for the statement credit.
However, Shake Shack and Milk Bar are no longer eligible dining merchants as of Sept. 26, 2024. Taking their place (effective immediately) is Five Guys — a chain with over 1,500 U.S. locations. It’s a brand that’s more accessible for me and my family (we live in Fort Pierce, Florida), and American Express has confirmed that Five Guys airport locations will qualify for the monthly statement credits.
Consider that $10 monthly credit as good as used.
New statement credits: Resy
In addition to the updated list of participating partners for the dining credit benefit, the Amex Gold Card has added new credits designed to appeal to all types of diners.
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I already have a reservation booked for later this month at a Resy restaurant in Minneapolis, and it’ll be great to use part of my $100 Resy credit benefit (up to $50 back semi-annually after you pay with the Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases after enrollment.) Plus, since I earn 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants with the Amex Gold Card (on up to $50,000 in purchases each calendar year; terms apply), I’ll earn bonus rewards on the remaining bill after the statement credit is applied.
New statement credits: Dunkin’
Those aren’t the only great new dining benefits.
Cardmembers can now earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits for purchases on the Amex Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations with the new $84 Dunkin’ statement credit benefit (enrollment is required; terms apply). This can be used in one fell swoop or over multiple transactions, so you can grab a coffee, a handcrafted beverage, a baked good or a breakfast sandwich.
There are three Dunkin’ locations within a few miles of my house, including one right on the way to drop my daughter off at school, so I’ll easily use this every month. In fact, I received the first $7 statement credit with a purchase the day after the refresh was announced.
Travel perks
Beyond the aforementioned dining benefits, the Amex Gold Card carries some notable perks that appeal to travelers like me. These include:
- $120 Uber Cash: When you add your Amex Gold Card to your Uber account, you’ll receive $10 in Uber Cash each month, valid for rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S. (Effective Nov. 8, 2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.)
- Bonus Membership Rewards points: When you use your Amex Gold, you’ll receive 3 points per dollar spent on airfare and 2 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked via amextravel.com.
- The Hotel Collection: When you book a stay of at least two nights at an eligible property in The Hotel Collection, you’ll enjoy a $100 property credit plus a space-available upgrade at check-in (eligible charges vary by property).
- Amex Offers: These targeted offers allow me to earn statement credits or points after activation through my online account or the American Express app. Since the beginning of 2020, I have saved $285 with my Amex Gold just by activating offers for purchases I was already going to make.
The only other perk on the card that’s been tweaked with this refresh is the earning rate on dining purchases. This remains at 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide but will be capped at $50,000 in total purchases each calendar year starting Jan. 1, 2025. (The other bonus category, 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets, also has a yearly cap — $25,000 in purchases, then 1 point per dollar.)
However, this change isn’t a major deal to me since that cap still averages out to over $4,000 per month in dining spending — well above my typical spending habits.
Valuable rewards — and a limited-time welcome offer
All of these new (and remaining) benefits on the Amex Gold Card are solid, but the thing I love most about this card is the fact that I earn Membership Rewards points. This currency is one of the most valuable out there when it comes time to maximize my award travel redemptions.
Cardholders can redeem Membership Rewards points for travel purchases via Amex Travel, but my favorite option is transferring points to one of the program’s 21 travel partners. Many of these loyalty programs have some incredible sweet spots that can offer outstanding value.
Here are some redemptions I’ve booked in the last few years:
- Iberia business class to Madrid: On off-peak dates, I’ve flown from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) for just 42,500 Avios each way in business class. From Northeast gateways, however, that price drops to just 34,000 Avios. You can transfer Amex points to British Airways at a 1:1 ratio to book this award.
- American Airlines flights to Turks and Caicos (booked using British Airways Avios): Select American Airlines flights can also be booked with British Airways Avios.
- Star Alliance business class to Europe: By transferring my points to Air Canada Aeroplan, I’ve been able to book one-way business-class flights on Star Alliance airlines from the U.S. to Europe starting at just 60,000 points.
For more inspiration, you can check out our guide to maximizing Membership Rewards points.
If any of these redemptions appeal to you, now could be a great time to apply for the Amex Gold Card. There is currently a limited-time welcome offer of 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership — plus, get 20% back in statement credits for eligible purchases at restaurants in the first six months, up to $100 back (terms apply). This offer ends Nov. 6, 2024.
Bottom line
I love my American Express® Gold Card and use it all the time to earn bonus points at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide. The recently announced changes add even more value to the card, even with the comparatively small increase in the annual fee, which has climbed from $250 to $325 for new applicants (see rates and fees). As an existing cardmember, I won’t see this higher fee until my first renewal on (or after) Oct. 1.
With a new dining partner and statement credits for eligible Resy and Dunkin’ purchases, the card will retain a premier spot in my wallet.
If you don’t currently have the Amex Gold, apply today to utilize all of these benefits — and have the chance to earn a limited-time welcome bonus.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.
