6+ Benefits of the AmEx Gold Card
In 2024, there are 47.5 million credit cards issued by American Express in the United States. It’s seven times less than Visa’s. Does it mean these cards aren’t for everyone?
What are the benefits of American Express Gold credit cards? We explain everything in this article.
Benefits of the American Express Gold Card
1. Rewards Program
First of all, the AmEx Gold Card rewards program is pretty generous. It provides a substantial welcome offer. Once they spend $6,000 on specific purchases throughout the first six months of Card Membership, new cardholders can receive 90,000 Membership Rewards points.
Moreover, you can earn points while shopping, paying for gas, or referring the card to family and friends. Members earn 4X points at restaurants and grocery stores in the United States, 3X on flights reserved through airlines or AmEx Travel, and 1X on other qualifying purchases. They can use these bonuses to transfer to various hotel and airline reward programs or redeem them for statement credits, travel, or gift cards. You’ll get the most AmEx gold card benefits from sending points to Delta SkyMiles, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, and Air France/KLM Flying Blue.
2. Dining and Grocery Rewards
Every cardholder gets AmEx gold benefits for meals through dining credits up to $120 per year. Every month you don’t utilize these credits, they lose value because they can’t be carried over. Only orders made at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar, and certain Shake Shack spots are eligible for the meal credits.
But there’s more to it. Additionally, customers get up to $120 in Uber Cash yearly, which they can spend on Uber Eats or Uber rides within the country. They can’t be rolled over and are distributed as $10 statement credits every month.
3. Travel Benefits
There are no international transaction fees in addition to 3X Membership Rewards points on scheduled flights, making it an ideal choice for international tourists. Benefits of AmEx Gold also include secondary insurance for auto rentals, a credit of one hundred dollars towards The Hotel Collection experience, baggage, and travel delay insurance.
When you use the Card to pay for your rental car, you receive secondary insurance against losing or damaging the vehicle, but liability coverage is not included. Cardholders receive a credit worth one hundred dollars for use at The Hotel Collection when booking at least two nights through American Express Travel. In addition, you can get value from baggage insurance coverage of up to $1,250 per person and up to $500 per person for checked baggage on public transit. Finally, travel delay insurance provides up to $300 in compensation for delays in traveling lasting more than 12 hours. However, it is important to remember that there are exclusions and limitations to all of these benefits.
4. No Foreign Transaction Fees
The American Express Gold Card doesn’t charge international transaction fees, allowing cardholders to make purchases overseas without facing extra costs. This feature makes the card especially valuable for worldwide travelers, as it helps save money on currency conversion fees and other international transaction costs. These American Express Gold benefits, along with the card's potential for earnings and insurance for traveling, make it an ideal choice for regular travelers outside of the United States.
5. Purchase Protections
American Express purchase protection covers destruction or theft for up to 90 days after the payment date. Each qualified purchase can receive up to $10,000 in coverage, and each qualifying card can receive up to $50,000 in compensation annually. Perhaps one of the most significant American Express Gold card benefits is the opportunity to receive a maximum of $500 in compensation in the case of a natural disaster.
6. Additional Perks
Expanded Leisure Options
Amex Gold customers get exclusive access to ticket presales. With this feature, you can learn faster about the events in your city and get more favorable deals. Besides, you can get access to first-class seats for many cultural and athletic events, if available, thanks to Preferred Access.
Send and Split
This feature boosts the potential to transfer money and split purchases with Venmo and PayPal customers directly from the American Express App. It allows you to pay friends without the typical Venmo or PayPal credit card fee. Additionally, you can easily split AmEx purchases and get statement credits for repayments. The best thing about it is that you still earn rewards for the purchases you split. Enrollment is necessary, and terms apply.
Plan It
This function allows you to pay in parts for purchases. To ease the burden of making a large payment at once, divide purchases of at least $100 into equal payments each month with a flat fee. Just choose the purchase on the American Express app or online profile to view the available plan alternatives. This way, you can earn points while shopping as usual.
Adding extra cards
You have the option to add more Card Members to your account. What’s even better is that you’ll still receive Membership Rewards points for members’ spending, just like you would for your own.
American Express Application
The AmEx app allows you to view Membership offers easily. Once downloaded, you can browse nearby deals and rewards, receive fraudulent warnings, and quickly manage your bank account from anywhere.
Assistance for Card Members
The AmEx Member Services team is dedicated to ensuring you receive exceptional care. Whether you need assistance with lost card replacement or have questions about your statement, online support is here to help you 24/7. From handling urgent issues to providing detailed account support, this team is always available to address your needs and ensure a smooth experience with your account.
Conclusion
Despite the pretty high annual fee, the benefits of the AmEx gold card outweigh the minor drawbacks. Hopefully, this article will help you maximize your gains but remember to review other advantageous options before signing up for any card.
