Is the American Express Gold Card Worth It?
The American Express Gold Annual Fee has increased from $250 to $325 beginning October 1, 2024. As someone who just opened the card, it made me give them the side-eye, but I am considering keeping it, Is American Express Gold Card worth it?
What benefits did they add to the American Express Gold Card?
Cardholders now have access to:
- $84 or $7 monthly Dunkin’ Donuts Gift Card
- $100 Resy Credit
You must enroll in both of these offers to utilize them. Personally, I love the Dunkin’ Donuts Credit because now I can get avocado toast or donuts for free monthly!
The Resy credit is $50 semi-annually. To learn more about Resy, head to the website, where you can check out the restaurants that participate in Resy and make reservations. You do not have to make a reservation to use this credit.
What benefits changed on the American Express Gold Card?
Shake Shack and Milk Bar were removed from the dining credit! Your dining benefit still covers Grubhub, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Five Guys, and Cheesecake Factory.
What is the best way to use the American Express Gold card to get the maximum benefits?
1. Enroll in all offers on your American Express Gold Card
With your American Express Gold Card, you have access to many credits where you need to enroll. When you get the card, I recommend enrolling in all of them, even if you are unsure you will use them.
2. Activate Offers
When you log into your account, you have offers you can activate offers that give you promotions to different shops. This can help decrease some of what you pay for different subscriptions, such as YouTube TV and Peacock or even other purchases from Prada Beauty, Bloomingdales, and other stores. These change monthly, so check back often to see what offers you have. Sometimes, there is even a Delta Airlines offer!
3. Utilize Transfer Partners
Earning American Express points can be very valuable. You can transfer your points to 18 airlines and 3 hotel partners, including Delta Airlines, Virgin Airlines, and Hilton. At times, there are bonus offers on transfers, which will make your points even more valuable.
4. Using your American Express Gold card for Groceries:
You earn 4x points on grocery store purchases up to $25,000 per year. After spending $25,000 on purchases, it is reduced to 1x points. This does not include superstores and warehouse clubs like Costco or Sam’s Club.
5. Using your American Express Gold Card for Flights
The American Express Gold card is a great card to use for flights. When booking a non-Delta-operated flight, this is my card of choice. I always book flights directly through the airline so that I can earn 3x points. The card also has built-in Travel Protection like Baggage Delay and Trip Delay.
6. Restaurants: Pay with your American Express Gold Card
With the American Express Gold card, you earn 4x points on Restaurants. So whether you are dining solo or out with friends and family, this is a great card to use to earn points on those purchases. A great way to make one of your trips to a restaurant cheaper is to dine at a restaurant that is on Resy.
Conclusion: Is the American Express Gold Card worth it?
Even with the fee increase, the Amex Gold Card is still a valuable addition to your points-earning journey. While you may not be able to utilize all the credits, the points you can earn from Groceries and Restaurants can help you cover future travel.
If you are interested in applying for this card, check it out here.
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We found that we were just not using the American Express card enough to make it worth keeping. Reading your post, it definitely sounds like there are ways to make it worthwhile.
Urgh, the American Amex cards are so much better than Europen ones. I have the gold (via Germany) and had it for years but it doesn’t have half the benefits you’re listing. That said, I agree with your roundup- given the benefits listed here, the fee pays for itself.