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American Express · gold

American Express Gold Card

4.7 / 5
Membership Rewards · Personal card

Still the strongest food-spend card in the market. The $325 fee nets down fast if the monthly credits fit your habits, and the 2026 refresh added real hotel earning.

See current offer Read issuer terms

At a glance

Issuer terms
Welcome bonus
100,000 points
Spend $8,000 in 6 months
Annual fee
$325
Year-one and ongoing
Purchase APR
See terms
No intro APR
FX fee
None
Rates accurate as of
Editorial

Our take

Still the strongest food-spend card in the market. The $325 fee nets down fast if the monthly credits fit your habits, and the 2026 refresh added real hotel earning.

Verdict

Pros & cons

Pros

  • 4x on restaurants and US supermarkets
  • Transferable Membership Rewards
  • 5x on prepaid Amex Travel hotel bookings
  • No foreign transaction fee

Cons

  • No trip cancellation coverage
  • Credits require monthly attention to capture
  • Travel protections are thin next to Chase rivals
Earnings

Earn rates

CategoryRateNotes
Restaurants4x pointsWorldwide, up to $50K in purchases per year, then 1x.·cap $50,000
US supermarkets4x pointsUp to $25K per year, then 1x.·cap $25,000
Prepaid hotels via issuer portal5x pointsPrepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel. Added in the 2026 refresh.
Flights direct or via Amex Travel3x pointsFlights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel.
All other purchases1x points
Benefits

Key benefits

4x where most people actually spend

Restaurants worldwide and US supermarkets are the two biggest everyday categories for most households.

$424 in annual lifestyle credits

$120 dining, $120 Uber Cash, $100 Resy, and $84 Dunkin credits, all in monthly or semi-annual installments.

5x on prepaid Amex Travel hotels

New with the 2026 refresh, matching the Platinum rate on portal hotel bookings.

Fit

Who this is best for

  • Households with heavy dining and supermarket spend
  • Membership Rewards collectors
  • Travelers who pair it with a flight-earning card
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the Amex Gold welcome bonus?
Earn as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months. Offers are personalized and vary by applicant.
Does the Amex Gold charge an annual fee?
Yes. The annual fee is $325 every year.
Does the Amex Gold have a foreign transaction fee?
No. The Amex Gold charges no foreign transaction fee, so it works well for international purchases.
What APR does the Amex Gold charge?
The purchase APR is See terms variable.
Who is the Amex Gold best for?
Households with heavy dining and supermarket spend. Membership Rewards collectors. Travelers who pair it with a flight-earning card.
Similar

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Apply

American Express Gold Card

Spend $8,000 in 6 months
See current offer

Rates accurate as of June 10, 2026. Issuer terms.