American Express® Gold Card Review and Details

In this article, we’ll review the American Express^® Gold Card from one of our partners, American Express. We’ll highlight who the card is for, the credit score requirements, fees, key characteristics, and more.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

This Article Contains:

(Click on a link to jump to the specific section)

Who is the American Express Gold Card for?
American Express Gold Card Benefits
American Express Gold Card Credit Score Requirements
American Express Gold Card Fees
Key Characteristics of the American Express Gold Card
Alternatives to the American Express Gold Card

Let’s get started.

Who is the American Express Gold Card for?

The Gold Card, from our partner American Express^®, is for someone wanting to go above and beyond. With a holistic rewards program and competitive perks, this rewards card suits customers that use their card more frequently than the average spender.

As such, it’s an ideal credit card for those seeking to maximize their rewards for spending on dining, shopping, and travel.

The $250 annual fee (See Rates and Fees) might seem high at first glance, but the handsome welcome offer, perks, and rewards more than make up for it.

Spending $4,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership qualify you for 60,000 Membership Rewards^® points.

The Gold Card is often seen as the precursor to The Platinum Card^® from American Express, which comes with a $695 annual fee (See Rates and Fees). If you are looking for a premium rewards card from American Express and The Platinum Card seems a bit too much, the Gold card is a solid option.

American Express Gold Card Benefits

Below are some of the benefits associated with the AmEx Gold card:

Flexible redemption options - You can transfer your AmEx Membership Rewards points to over 20 airline partners, including Delta, British Airways, Emirates, JetBlue, and more. You spend your points to buy various gift cards for stores like Apple, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, and more. You could also use your AmEx Membership Rewards points to pay for your Amazon purchases at 0.7 cents per point.
$120 Uber credit - Add your AmEx Gold Card to your Uber account and automatically receive $10 each month in Uber Cash for Uber Eats or your Uber ride in the US, totaling $120 in annual credits.
Dining credit - In addition to Uber credit, AmEx Gold cardholders can also earn $120 worth of dining credit each year. You can earn up to $10 each month when paying with your Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations.
Baggage Insurance - 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.When you purchase the entire fare for a common carrier vehicle (plane, train, ship, or bus) with your Gold Card, American Express can cover your carry-on baggage for up to $1250 and checked baggage for up to $500.

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance - 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.
Global Assist^® Hotline - You can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility.
- Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
- Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
- Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
Pay With Points - Use your Membership Rewards points to pay for your flight, prepaid hotel, prepaid car rental, vacation package (flights and prepaid hotel), or prepaid cruise booking.

Next, we'll take a closer look at the kind of credit score you need to apply for this card.

American Express Gold Card Credit Score Requirements

As with many cards targeting travelers and big spenders, you’ll need atleast a 'Good' credit score to receive approval for the AmEx Gold. A good score is anything above 670.

Although credit card companies factor in more than just your credit score, applying with a higher credit score will increase your approval odds and grant you better rates.

Next, let’s see what kind of fees you can expect.

American Express Gold Card Fees

Card membership costs $250 annually (See Rates and Fees).

Cash advances will cost you $10 or 5% of the cash advance, whichever is greater (See Rates and Fees).

Both, late payments and returned payments incur a penalty fee of up to $40. (See Rates and Fees)

There are no foreign transaction fee charges which make this an excellent card to carry on trips abroad. (See Rates and Fees).

Key Characteristics of the American Express Gold Card

Let’s look at some of the essential attributes of this AmEx card:

Premium design - Much like the Platinum Card, the Gold Card comes in a sleek metal finish. Cardholders can pick between two distinct gold hues to fit their style. The Gold Card is as much a status symbol as it is a wallet essential.
Generous welcome offer - Spending $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of account opening will net you 60,000 Membership Rewards points. Depending on how you redeem the points they can be worth up to $600.
Solid rewards rate - Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Enrollment required.
Flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express’ travel portal will reward you 3x points per dollar spent.

Alternatives to the American Express Gold Card

Below are a few alternative credit cards you can consider:

Final thoughts

The American Express Gold Card is an excellent rewards card for anyone looking for a solid travel rewards card. The annual fee is quite modest considering the appealing rewards rate, generous welcome offer, and annual credits. (See Rates and Fees)

You can apply for this card here.

Rates and Fees for the American Express Gold Card can be found here.

Rates and Fees for The Platinum Card from American Express can be found here.