Cards

The American Express Gold: The Travel Card You Need

Irina Tsymbaliuk
The American Express Gold

Among the thousands of current payment methods, some can be called not just handy but the best for both traditional transactions and travel. According to Statista analysts, there were over 141 million AmEx cards worldwide as of 2023.

One of the best types of AmEx is the AmEx Gold Card, which reveals its advantages to the fullest when traveling, doing business, or other travels. Specifically:

  • Bonus and discount programs.
  • Loyal conditions for active users.
  • Wide network of terminals, ATMs, and POS systems where the card is supported.

The AmEx Gold Card (travel) is a tool for gaining benefits if you often leave home, visit dining establishments, hotels, use airline services, and more. Today, you will learn about the advantages of membership Gold, the annual fee for payment provider services, and the value of this type of card.

Features and Bonuses of the American Express Gold

Features and Bonuses of the American Express Gold

The AmEx Gold travel credit card offers benefits in the form of several specific bonus programs, which can be divided into two categories: cashback on expenses and point rewards for using partner networks, including hotels, transportation companies, and more. Let’s delve into both types of bonuses in more detail.

Ability to Compensate Part of the Payment:

  • During travel and beyond, you can receive up to $10 monthly credit for food in restaurant networks, cafés, and more.
  • You have up to $50 to compensate for hotel accommodation, lounge services, and more.
  • You get up to $120 per year for expenses on food delivery services, Uber rides, and more.

Earn Bonuses for Spending Funds in Partner Networks and Beyond:

  • Collect rewards for using the American Express Gold card to pay for airline tickets, etc. 3 points on flights booked with carriers or on amextravel.com.
  • Earn 4 points for dining in restaurants, and ordering takeout/delivery. Also, earn 4 points on each purchase, totaling up to $25,000 per year.
  • Use up to 60,000 (or 90,000) annual bonus points (welcome offer) to pay for services, get discounts in respective establishments and service companies.
  • Transfer bonuses to your main balance through the internal conversion system or use them as intended, i.e., compensate expenses. You can also count on additional privileges, but you need to submit a statement to participate in the “AmEx Offers” program.

The American Express travel credit card might help you save on expenses both during travel and daily, especially if you enjoy dining out and staying in hotels.

Here are some examples of partner networks where you can convert bonuses to pay for services:

Airlines:

Hotels:

  • Aer Lingus (1:1 ratio);
  • AeroMexico (1:1.6 ratio);
  • Air Canada. (1:1 ratio);
  • Air France/KLM (1:1 ratio);
  • ANA (1:1 ratio);
  • Avianca (1:1 ratio);
  • British Airways (1:1 ratio);
  • Cathay Pacific (1:1 ratio);
  • Delta Air Lines (1:1 ratio);
  • Emirates (1:1 ratio);
  • Etihad Airways (1:1 ratio);
  • Hawaiian Airlines (1:1 ratio);
  • Iberia Plus (1:1 ratio);
  • JetBlue Airways (2.5:2 ratio);
  • Qantas (1:1 ratio);
  • Qatar Airways (1:1 ratio);
  • Singapore Airlines (1:1 ratio);
  • Virgin Atlantic Airways (1:1 ratio).
  • Choice Hotels (1:1 ratio);
  • Hilton Hotels & Resorts (1:2 ratio);
  • Marriott Hotels & Resorts (1:1 ratio).

This list is not fixed and is constantly expanding with the addition of new brands to the American Express Membership program, including international ones.

Benefits for Travelers

Benefits for Travelers

The AmEx credit card for travel provides a safe and comfortable way to use travel infrastructure, including.

  • Privileged stays at Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection.
  • Compensation for airline transportation expenses and lounge access at leading American brands and more.
  • Rental car insurance during trips, for example, when you rent a car to travel around a region, etc.

You can also additionally insure the luggage you take on a trip and be guaranteed compensation in case of theft, destruction, or partial damage due to the carrier’s fault or external factors.

The AmEx Gold travel card is also optimal for users who rarely travel. Even in a metropolis, this payment method can be a profitable investment, offering preferential access to short trips, discounts, bonuses at dining establishments, and more.

Additional Advantages of the American Express Gold

Additional Advantages of the American Express Gold

The American Express Gold card travel benefits extend to almost all aspects of life, including additional perks such as:

  • Up to $1,000 annually if a seller refuses to accept a returned item and refund its cost.
  • Free two-day shipping through ShopRunner, which partners with AmEx and is widely used by sellers.
  • Preordering tickets for events, competitions, concerts, etc., with the possibility of booking and partial cost compensation.
  • No foreign transaction fees for purchases outside the USA, such as payments at POS, goods, and services.
  • Bonuses for entertainment, like subscriptions to Disney+ or credits for the Walmart+ program.

Note that American Express offers several iterations of premium cards, including Platinum and Gold. The Platinum card undoubtedly offers more benefits but costs over $695 per year. With the Gold card (service fee of $250 per year), you get favorable offers that help you save and convert expenses into profits (cashback).

Therefore, if you’re not ready to pay more and are unsure if you need Platinum, use American Express Gold to pay for dining, travel, and leisure.

Final Thought

Is AmEx gold good for travel? Absolutely, yes. Even more, the American Express travel card is helpful for those who do not travel but actively use restaurant services and carriers and make purchases in supermarkets and online. For just $250 a year, you get access to a preferential system, credit, and a bonus program that allows you to convert your expenses into cashback.