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The American Express® Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card comes with a lot of credits after its July 2024 update with a ton geared toward dining. Take away housing and transportation, Americans just like me spend more money on food than anything else. Let’s take a deep dive into the American Express® Gold Card
- Best of 2024
Reader Referral Link: up to 100k after $6k spend in 6 months + 20% back on restaurants worldwide for the first 6 months, up to $100
Information about this card has been collected independently by Monkey Miles. Card issuer is not responsible for the information or accuracy
Resy Link 75k after $6k in 6 months + up to $250 dining credit
Information about this card has been collected independently by Monkey Miles. Card issuer is not responsible for the information or accuracy.
American Express® Gold Card
This is point earning powerhouse. American Express® Gold Card Earns 4x on dining worldwide ( up to $50k, then 1x ) and U.S. Supermarkets ( up to $25k, then 1x ) making it one of the best for those categories on the market.
I’ve had this card since 2018 and it gets a lot of swipes
Welcome Offer
Up to 100k after $6k spend in 6 months + 20% back on restaurants worldwide for the first 6 months, up to $100
Points Earned
Transferrable American Express Membership Rewards
American Express revamped their Gold card in 2018 and we named it THE MOST compelling card of the year.
I’d argue it’s still one the most compelling card in 2024 as well. Earning 4x points on restaurants worldwide ( up to $25k, then 1x ), 4x on U.S. supermarkets ( up to $25k, then 1x ), 3x points on airfare purchased via Amex Travel and directly with airlines,
The Amex Gold card also earns Membership Rewards and I love using their points to transfer to programs like Aeroplan, Singapore Airlines, Air France, Emirates, Avianca, Qantas, and many, many more to access those super fancy cabins everyone loves. This is one of the absolute workhorses of my wallet.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide,
- on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets,
- on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar
- Spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar
- Spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar
- Spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold:
- Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- $84 Dunkin’ Credit:
- With the $84 Dunkin’ Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations
- $100 Resy Credit:
- Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit:
- Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. (Enrollment required.)
- The Hotel Collection
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
The best ever public has been 90k after $4k spend in 6 months + the $250 dining credit ( this was on Resy ); however, some people have gotten targeted 100k offers, but those are extremely rare.
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
Table of Contents
Amex Gold Benefits:
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide,
- on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets,
- on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar
- Spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar
- Spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar
- Spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold:
- Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- $84 Dunkin’ Credit:
- With the $84 Dunkin’ Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations
- $100 Resy Credit:
- Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit:
- Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. (Enrollment required.)
- The Hotel Collection
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
- Best of 2024
Reader Referral Link: up to 100k after $6k spend in 6 months + 20% back on restaurants worldwide for the first 6 months, up to $100
Information about this card has been collected independently by Monkey Miles. Card issuer is not responsible for the information or accuracy
Resy Link 75k after $6k in 6 months + up to $250 dining credit
Information about this card has been collected independently by Monkey Miles. Card issuer is not responsible for the information or accuracy.
American Express® Gold Card
This is point earning powerhouse. American Express® Gold Card Earns 4x on dining worldwide ( up to $50k, then 1x ) and U.S. Supermarkets ( up to $25k, then 1x ) making it one of the best for those categories on the market.
I’ve had this card since 2018 and it gets a lot of swipes
Welcome Offer
Up to 100k after $6k spend in 6 months + 20% back on restaurants worldwide for the first 6 months, up to $100
Points Earned
Transferrable American Express Membership Rewards
American Express revamped their Gold card in 2018 and we named it THE MOST compelling card of the year.
I’d argue it’s still one the most compelling card in 2024 as well. Earning 4x points on restaurants worldwide ( up to $25k, then 1x ), 4x on U.S. supermarkets ( up to $25k, then 1x ), 3x points on airfare purchased via Amex Travel and directly with airlines,
The Amex Gold card also earns Membership Rewards and I love using their points to transfer to programs like Aeroplan, Singapore Airlines, Air France, Emirates, Avianca, Qantas, and many, many more to access those super fancy cabins everyone loves. This is one of the absolute workhorses of my wallet.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide,
- on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets,
- on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar
- Spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar
- Spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar
- Spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold:
- Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- $84 Dunkin’ Credit:
- With the $84 Dunkin’ Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations
- $100 Resy Credit:
- Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit:
- Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. (Enrollment required.)
- The Hotel Collection
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
The best ever public has been 90k after $4k spend in 6 months + the $250 dining credit ( this was on Resy ); however, some people have gotten targeted 100k offers, but those are extremely rare.
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
4x on US Supermarkets up to $25k a year – US Only
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, up to $50k per year – Worldwide
If you’re like me, dining out is one of the purchases that hits the top of your monthly spend and Amex Gold rewards you with 4x points on those purchases. That is incredible. You’ll also earn 4x on qualifying takeout and delivery. This benefit is now capped at $50k per year…if you’re spending more than that, you may want to take a look at the American Express® Business Gold Card
$100 Annual Resy credit
Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$120 Dining credit – don’t forget to enroll!
Once you’ve enrolled your Amex Gold it’s time to save some buckaroos! 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 Cash Credit
This is a $10 a month credit and can be applied to Uber. Note that you need to add your card to enroll and receive a credit. Valid in the US only and an Amex needs to be selected for the credit to work.
Annual fee is $325
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.
Is this the highest public offer we’ve ever seen?
We keep a spreadsheet that features all the historical all time high offers – you can find it here.
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 102k 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 102k 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 via 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.
- Best of 2024
Reader Referral Link: up to 100k after $6k spend in 6 months + 20% back on restaurants worldwide for the first 6 months, up to $100
Information about this card has been collected independently by Monkey Miles. Card issuer is not responsible for the information or accuracy
Resy Link 75k after $6k in 6 months + up to $250 dining credit
Information about this card has been collected independently by Monkey Miles. Card issuer is not responsible for the information or accuracy.
American Express® Gold Card
This is point earning powerhouse. American Express® Gold Card Earns 4x on dining worldwide ( up to $50k, then 1x ) and U.S. Supermarkets ( up to $25k, then 1x ) making it one of the best for those categories on the market.
I’ve had this card since 2018 and it gets a lot of swipes
Welcome Offer
Up to 100k after $6k spend in 6 months + 20% back on restaurants worldwide for the first 6 months, up to $100
Points Earned
Transferrable American Express Membership Rewards
American Express revamped their Gold card in 2018 and we named it THE MOST compelling card of the year.
I’d argue it’s still one the most compelling card in 2024 as well. Earning 4x points on restaurants worldwide ( up to $25k, then 1x ), 4x on U.S. supermarkets ( up to $25k, then 1x ), 3x points on airfare purchased via Amex Travel and directly with airlines,
The Amex Gold card also earns Membership Rewards and I love using their points to transfer to programs like Aeroplan, Singapore Airlines, Air France, Emirates, Avianca, Qantas, and many, many more to access those super fancy cabins everyone loves. This is one of the absolute workhorses of my wallet.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide,
- on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets,
- on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar
- Spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar
- Spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar
- Spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold:
- Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- $84 Dunkin’ Credit:
- With the $84 Dunkin’ Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations
- $100 Resy Credit:
- Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit:
- Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. (Enrollment required.)
- The Hotel Collection
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
The best ever public has been 90k after $4k spend in 6 months + the $250 dining credit ( this was on Resy ); however, some people have gotten targeted 100k offers, but those are extremely rare.
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
Singapore Suites for 53k 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 53k points you can fly between Singapore and India sipping Krug and feasting on lobster Thermidor. Better yet…Singapore eliminated taxes and fees on their own metal. BYAH!
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.
To see the rates and fees for the American Express cards featured, please visit the following links: American Express Gold Card: See Rates and Fees
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Welcome Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee
$95
Points Earned
Transferrable Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 5x on all travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x on dining, including eligible delivery services for takeout & dining out
- 3x on select streaming services
- 3x on online grocery purchases
- (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
- $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit via Chase Travel℠
- The begins immediately for new cardmembers and after your account anniversary for existing cardmembers
- 2x on all other travel
- 10% Anniversary Bonus
- Every year you keep the card, your total spend will yield a 10% points bonus. If you spend $10k in a year, you’ll get 1k bonus points
- Chase Sapphire Preferred continues to redeem at 1.25c in the Chase Travel℠ and the slew of other benefits remain in tact including Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver ( primary ), purchase protections, etc.
- Points are transferrable to 14 Ultimate Rewards partners
- Redeem in Chase Travel℠ for 1.25 cents per point
- No foreign transaction fees
- Suite of Travel and Purchase Coverage
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver is my favorite
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
- $95 Annual Fee
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists the best ever offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Historically 80k is a very, very good offer and hit in both 2022 and 2023. In 2021, we saw the offer hit an all time high of 100k. Who knows if that will ever come back.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is exceptional starter card and offers transferrable Ultimate Rewards, and pairs well with other Chase cards.
If you carry this card alongside Chase’s cashback cards like the Chase Freedom Flex® and Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the business versions: Ink Business Cash® , Ink Business Unlimited® you can combine the points into Preferred account and transfer into hotel and airline partners
Annual fee is quite low at $95 a year + you get a 10% anniversary bonus on points + $50 hotel credit in Chase travel.
The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.