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The Amex Gold standard
Take away housing and transportation, Americans spend more money on food than anything else. If only there was a card that aligned to those spend categories? Enter… the American Express Gold card that earns 4x points on restaurants anywhere in the world, 4x points US supermarkets, and a $120 annual dining credit, and $120 annual Uber Cash credit. They even have an Uber Pass promo running to give you $0 delivery and 5% off order of $15 or more. In terms of premium cards on the market – I’m not sure you could convince me there is anything better.
Amex didn’t just stop at food either – Amex Gold will earn you 3x points on flights purchased directly with the airline or Amex travel. Like swanky hotels? Use your Amex Gold to gain access to The Hotel Collection for upgrade opportunities and resort credits just booking via the portal
When this card debuted in 2018, I named it the most compelling card of the year. It still continues to get more swipes than any other card in my wallet, and my wallet has a lot of them.
Let’s take a deep dive into the American Express Gold Card.
60k is the highest public offer we’ve ever seen
I believe the highest targeted offer was 70-75k Membership Rewards, but that was highly targeted and sent via mail. When this card debuted back in 2018 the public offer was 35k. It had popped to 40k for most of 2019, and now it is offering a stellar 60k Membership Rewards after $4k spend in 6 months.
Historically, that minimum spend requirement needed to be completed in 3 months. Currently, you get 6 months to fulfill that requirement.
Amex Gold Benefits are truly incredible:
- 60k point welcome bonus after $4k spend in 6 months
- 4x points at restaurants worldwide
- 4x points at US supermarkets ( up to $25k a year )
- 3x points on flights purchased directly with the airline or Amex Travel
- $10 per month Uber/Uber Eats credit valid in US only
- $120 Dining Credit at select restaurants
- Grubhub, Boxed, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and participating Shake Shack locations. Excludes Shake Shack locations in ballparks, stadiums, airports and racetracks.
- Annual Fee is $250
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- 1x everywhere else
- Access to The Hotel Collection
That Sexy Rose Gold is back!
As you can see in our picture up above, we chose a Rose Gold Amex back in 2018. It doesn’t carry any additional benefits aside from the fact that it’s dope, a conversation starter, and even manages to make you feel sexy behind a mask wreaking of hand sanitizer.
If it’s something you’d prefer…you simply choose it
4x on US Supermarkets up to $25k a year
An average family of 4 spends $547.80 a month at supermarkets.
That’s almost 2200 points a month or over 25k points a year simply by spending what you’d normally spend a month at the supermarket.
I know quite a few people that when you combine dining out and supermarkets are easily spending a $1k a month. You’re talking about 50k a year just in those categories.
4x on dining everywhere
When the card was first introduced, the 4x on dining was limited to US restaurants. That is no longer the case, and as long as the restaurant codes as dining, you’ll earn 4x on dining anywhere in the world. That is incredible. You’ll also earn 4x on qualifying takeout, delivery, and Uber Eats.
$120 Dining credit
I’ve found that on months where I’m not going to hit one of the listed restaurants I can simply buy a gift card for that restaurant, in store, and use it down the road. These have been crediting, and after a few months I can go in and enjoy $20 or $30 all at one time. Or…I just have GrubHub deliver and enjoy $10 off my food. Win-win.
$120 Uber Credit
This is a $10 a month credit and can be applied to Uber Eats or Uber.
Uber Pass Promo
Uber Pass is available to Amex Green, Gold, Platinum and Centurion members and Is super easy to add. You’ll get 12 months of free delivery on orders over $15 plus 5% discount – after that it will automatically pop up to $9.99 a month so if you aren’t interested after the promo period…make sure you cancel.
Annual fee is $250
This is a premium card and the fee should definitely be considered, but if you’re making use of the dining and uber credits, you’re wiping $240 of that annual fee off without even factoring in the welcome offer or the bonus spend categories. Personally, I think it’s the most bang for buck
3x points on airfare
Sure there are Platinum variants that offer 5x, but this card offers you a great 3x earn rate on airfare purchased directly from airlines or Amex Travel and is $300 less than an Amex Platinum.
Access to The Hotel Collection properties
The Hotel Collection is a VIP hotel booking program, and is listed in our “Secret List of Hotel VIP programs.”
Amex Gold along with Platinum and Centurion cardmembers get access to The Hotel Collection program. This is a group of hotels that Amex has deals with to get guaranteed benefits just by booking via the portal.
It’s always worth checking rates and included benefits to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
Here’s a peek at the benefits you can expect to receive when booking via The Hotel Collection program.
The best part….Access to Membership Rewards!
The Transfer partners are amazing – and we included some aspirational redemptions
Lufthansa First Class for 87k points when transferred to Avianca.
87k points to fly in a cabin that would set you back 5 figures?! Avianca is also an instant transfer partner, meaning once you see the space, wham, bam, transfer your points and book your ticket.
Emirates First Class for 85k points when transferred to Emirates
One little “suite” spot of the Emirates chart is flying from Milan to New York on their A380, or Athens to Newark on their 777-300ER for 85k points. You’ll enjoy a suite with doors that close, top shelf champers, pjs, a vanity, and if your heart desires…a shower at 7 miles in the sky ( on the A380 ).
ANA First Class ROUNDTRIP for 110k when transferred to Virgin Atlantic.
One of the best bargains out there, and when you’re earning points in multiple programs that are partners with Virgin Atlantic, it makes access that much easier.
Singapore Suites for 76k when transferred to Singapore Airlines
Again, a mutual transfer partner of both Chase and Amex, and a great opportunity to fly in one of the world’s best first class products: Singapore Suites. For just 76k points you can fly between New York and Frankfurt sipping Krug and feasting on lobster Thermidor. Better yet…Singapore eliminated taxes and fees on their own metal. BYAH!
Fly up to 14k Miles in Business Class for 115k points when transferring to Asia Miles
Asia Miles is a transfer partner of Amex and has many hidden sweet spots. One of which is their multi-partner award chart. Check out the link above if you want to read all the ins and outs, but you can fly A LOT for just 115k miles when you use Asia miles and fly on 2 or more One World partners of Cathay Pacific.
Overall
Since it debuted in 2018, Amex Gold has been a staple in my wallet, and continues to be one of my most recommended cards for people looking to earn a bunch of points where they spend the most, and enjoy fringe benefits they will actually use.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
A Monkey Miles favorite for beginners and point pros alike because it earns unlimited 1.5x Ultimate Rewards with no annual fee.
♥ Earn 20k Bonus Points or $200 after $500 Spend in 3 months
♥5x on travel purchased via Chase Travel
♥3x on dining and drugstores
♥1.5x on all purchases, unlimited
Learn more
Do you know if they’ll allow plastic replacements for those that don’t like carrying a heavy card around in your wallet?
Tim – not sure…
Hey! You’re looking good today! Is that a new shirt??
Pick me please 🙂
Apply for an American Express Card with this link. We can both get rewarded if you’re approved! http://refer.amex.us/JEFFRPV3SS?XLINK=MYCP
Limited time 60k bonus points referral available! Apply here: http://refer.amex.us/NATHASnawD?xl=cp19
What would you say has the most all around value… Chase points or Membership rewards points?
Patrick – the loss of Korean was a big hit to Chase, but Hyatt provides outsize value hotel wise. Amex also routinely has big transfer bonuses and more partners ( aero is a big pricing and routing advantage ). I try and earn both at similar rates, but I’ve certainly gone more bullish on MR this year vs UR.
*For CANADIAN RESIDENTS*
Use my referral link to receive 25,000 points!
http://amex.ca/share/eRINR4S54?CPID=100200325
Thank you!
I have this card! The Gold Amex!! Thank you for explaining it, in more detail!! It was very helpful…..
Happy to hear it! Amazing card 🙂
Didn’t Lufthansa just blow fuel surcharges through the roof? Something like triple the surcharges? OMAAT did a post on it, but everyone else has been strangely silent on the subject.
Christian – I read the same article but haven’t seen them blown out on my end…could be there and I’m not replicating or could be similar to the Virgin/Delta fee glitch where they were currently improperly assessed.
If I add a family member /authorized user to my platinum card and opt for the gold card instead of adding a platinum, will that person get these bonus categories on spend that would be added to my account?
Ben – AUs on Plat wouldn’t have these bennies unfortunately
What are your thoughts on combining the Platinum Card with the new Gold Card to maximize MR earning? Obviously there would be a hefty annual fee expense ($800 per year), but if both cards’ benefits and credits are used, do you think the two together would be a good point-earning strategy?
Hey Sheed – Great question ( I actually have Gold + Personal Plat + Biz Plat ) So I’m in a similar situation and will definitely keep one of the platinums and quite possibly both. For me , both plats yield more value than the AF and provide different value sets
In terms of earn yield – you’d pick up 2x on airlines ( 5x vs 3x ) – but the real value of concurrently holding a plat is in the bennies – priority pass, centurion lounge, international airline program, hotel/rental elite status, fhr, boingo, etc. If you’re utilizing the airline fee credit, saks credit, and uber credit, you’re essentially getting all those free of charge. pretty good deal and you’d be earning the most points per dollar on your airline purchases.
The best company in the world…..i have it
The supermarket and restaurant premium points are limited to USA locations, correct?
Marc – ya that’s correct
If I infer correctly, my Platinum card @ $450/yr is not as good as the sexy Rose Gold $250 card? Heck I may have to agree…I need to downgrade!!! Clearly I need to ask Amex ‘what gives’ with this issue…shouldn’t I have/get more with the more expensive card?
Marie – I wouldn’t exactly say that – the Gold card does a great job at earning category bonuses – arguably the best out there – but the Amex Platinum offers a better suite of benefits than the Gold. Personally I think they complement each other quite well, but you would need to examine the benefits of each to decide which is best or both or neither
Good luck finding availability on SQ for suites at saver prices though. I was able to pull it off once, but been very tough since. Even a year out. I recently booked at the standard price because I had a big stack of krisflyer miles due to multiple covid cancelations. I know it’s awards travel sac relig, but what the hell, who knows if we’ll even be allowed to travel internationally in the future. Might as well burn the miles as fast as possible. I just hope we’re allowed to travel again.
Apply for an American Express Card with this link. We can both get rewarded if you’re approved!
Below is the link to the elevated offer of 60k MR, 4k min spend in 6 months.
Thanks
http://refer.amex.us/JANNGGOc4?xl=cp100b
Apply for an American Express Card with this link. We can both get rewarded if you’re approved!
Below is the link to the elevated offer of 60k MR, 4k min spend in 6 months.
Thanks
http://refer.amex.us/JANNGGOc4?xl=cp100b
Please use the link below to apply for the 60K Gold card. If you are approved, I would get referral points and you’ll get 60K. Help out a fellow MR collector 🙂
Thank you.
http://refer.amex.us/PHUONTpm1m?XLINK=MYCP
little off topic, but wondering what CC you’d advise in my situation. I’m qualified for the Amex Plat special offer of 125K points after $5K spend. I can also get Chase Ink Pref @ 100K points. I’m a little hesitant to do the Amex Plat now b/c of annual fee and i won’t use any of the travel perks during COVID. I don’t like to apply for more than 1 card every 6 months or so.
***FOR CANADIAN READERS***
Use my referral to earn 250,000 points
http://amex.ca/share/eRINR4S54?CPID=100200325 no
Thank you! 🙏🏻
Pls elaborate on this Amex Canada 250,000 points offer from your msg … all I see is 25k
Use my referral please! This card is my FAVORITE!
http://refer.amex.us/MATTHm6ZAu?xl=cp33
Thanks!
Please use my referral code, I’d really appreciate it! 🙂
Apply for an American Express Card with this link. We can both get rewarded if you’re approved! http://refer.amex.us/AISHaMNRYq?XLINK=MYCP
Here is my referral link – current offer is 60k points! Thanks!
http://refer.amex.us/CAITLDDxMy?xl=cp01
If you use my link I’ll send you a bottle of Rose to match your rose gold card!
Apply for an American Express Card with this link. We can both get rewarded if you’re approved! http://refer.amex.us/RICHAMBHes?XLINK=MYCP
Rose Gold? Pink. blue. Orange. Pffftt. Who cares. just give me more points 🙂
Apply for an American Express Card with this link. We can both get rewarded if you’re approved!
http://refer.amex.us/MARIADftDJ?XL=MIDCP