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American Express Gold Rewards Card

Best offer is available via a referral link

Signup bonus:, annual fee:, earning rate:, referral bonus:, perks & benefits:.

One of Amex’s iconic products, the American Express Gold Rewards Card  is in many ways a “lite” version of the famous Platinum Card. The Gold Rewards Card comes with many of the same features and fees, albeit scaled down for those who many not be able to take advantage of everything the Platinum Card has to offer.

While there may be better options for everyday earning rates and other benefits, the Gold Rewards Card is a good choice if you want a modest amount of premium perks without paying full premium annual fees.

Bonuses & Fees

The Gold Rewards Card offers up to 70,000 Membership Rewards points when applying with a referral link. The public link offers 10,000 fewer points as a signup bonus. The points are earned as follows:

• 10,000 MR points upon spending $4,000 in the first three months
• 5,000 MR points upon spending $1,000 in each of the first 12 months, for a total of up to 60,000 MR points

The annual fee of $250 is quite reasonable when you subtract the annual $100 travel credit, making the “effective” annual fee $150 per year.

Furthermore, as a cardholder, you’ll earn 7,500 MR points for every referral you make to any card in the Membership Rewards family, up to a maximum of 112,500 MR points per calendar year.

Earning Rewards

Not only does the Gold Rewards Card come with a generous welcome bonus, it’s a good card to use on a daily basis for earning rewards. You’ll earn:

• 2 MR per dollar spent at gas stations, grocery stores, and drugstores in Canada
• Earn 1 additional MR per dollar spent when booking your hotel or car rental through American Express Travel
• 1 MR per dollar spent everywhere else

Indeed, this is one of the only credit cards in the market that offers an accelerated earn rate for shopping at drugstores. If you have a large amount of spend at drugstores, the American Express Gold Rewards Card can be a worthwhile addition to your wallet.

Redeeming Rewards

The  Membership Rewards  program offers outstanding redemption opportunities as well. This is primarily because it’s a  flexible, transferable rewards currency.

You can transfer your MR points at a 1:1 ratio to  Aeroplan  and  British Airways Avios , as well as a host of other global frequent flyer programs (including  Cathay Pacific Asia Miles and Air France-KLM Flying Blue ) at a 1:0.75 ratio. Moreover, you also have the option of converting points to Marriott Bonvoy  at a 1:1.2 ratio for booking hotel stays.

Furthermore, you can redeem MR points directly for flights through the  Amex Fixed Points Travel  reward chart, although these are limited to round-trip flights departing from Canada.

Essentially, you can use a fixed amount of points towards the base ticket price of a regular cash ticket, up to a certain maximum. The number of points required and the maximum ticket price depends on the geographical region you are visiting (you can only book round-trip flights that originate in Canada).

Lastly, you have the option of redeeming MR points directly against travel purchases at a rate of 1 cent per point (cpp), although this is typically not recommended, as the value pales in comparison to what you could get by booking flights through Aeroplan, Avios, or even the Fixed Points Travel chart.

Perks & Benefits

The Gold Rewards Card has a handful of benefits, in many ways a slimmed-down version of what the Platinum Card offers.

For airport lounge access, you’ll get four complimentary visits to Plaza Premium lounges each year, a useful perk at many Canadian airports. You’ll also get a Priority Pass membership, although it doesn’t come with any free visits – you’ll have to pay to enter.

You’ll also get a $50 (CAD) NEXUS credit once every four years. This credit will be automatically applied to NEXUS application or renewal charges. Keep in mind that you’d still be on the hook for the rest of the fees, as it costs $50 (USD) for an application.

Additionally, you’ll get all of the standard perks of being an American Express cardholder, including Front of the Line event presale tickets, American Express Invites to exclusive experiences, and Amex Offers for extra everyday value when you use your card.

Finally, the card has a slick metal finish. You have the option to select the traditional Gold colour, or the distinct Rose Gold tone.

Insurance Coverage

Charge your travel purchases to your American Express Gold Rewards Card, and you’ll automatically enjoy a wide array of coverage, such as:

• Emergency medical insurance, for the first 15 days of each out-of-province trip, up to a maximum of $5,000,000 per insured person under 65
• Trip cancellation / trip interruption insurance: for Trip Cancellation, up to $1,500 of coverage per insured person, with a maximum of $3,000 for all insured persons, and for Trip Interruption, up to $1,500 of coverage per insured person, with a maximum of $6,000 for all insured persons on the same covered trip.
• Lost, stolen, or damaged baggage insurance, up to $500 per trip
• Travel accident insurance, up to $500,000, for you, your spouse, and any dependent children under 23
• Auto rental collision/loss damage insurance:  Comprehensive coverage for up to 48 consecutive days for cars with an MSRP of up to $85,000, which can help you save on the insurance fees that the car rental company would otherwise charge.

Additionally, the card also offers  Purchase Security  and  Extended Warranty Protection,  covering most eligible items you’ve purchased with your card should they be stolen or damaged within 90 days of purchase, as well as an extended one-year warranty period compared to the manufacturer’s warranty.

Historical Offers

The American Express Gold Rewards Card does not have a minimum income requirement to be eligible. You'll earn the best available signup bonus if you apply using a referral link. Consider supporting Prince of Travel by applying for the card via the link below.

39 Comments

I’ve got an offer to upgrade my existing green card to the Gold card. The lingo says “for up to 50,000 points bonus”. The publically available offer now is 5000 points * 12 months for $1000/mo spent = 60,000 points. a. is the upgrade offer going to rack 50,000 points on top of the publically available 60,000 points? b. there is a free supplementary card offered. Will that free card be eligible for the 4 Plaza Premium lounge visits at YYZ?

A. Highly doubtful. It’s probably 50,000 points alone, structured in some way – what do the terms say?

B. Nope, supplementary cardholders don’t get the lounge access benefit.

hey! I am just wondering how do you access the priority pass and the plaza premium lounge? and is it possible to bring a guest to the lounge?

I was just looking at the Gold Card on the Amex site – do I understand the travel credit correctly in that you have to purchase travel (flight, hotel?) through Amex Travel? And if so, is there an blog article on how to do this or is it not a preferred way of book (as I don’t often see you discussing this as a travel option). Thanks.

I was just looking at the Gold Card on the Amex site – do I understand the travel credit correctly in that you have to purchase travel (flight, hotel?) through Amex Travel? And if so, is there an blog article on how to do this as I don’t often see you discussing this as a travel option. Thanks.

For Aeroplan bookings: if you pay the taxes with this card, is the travel insurance valid for trip interruption / cancellation / delayed luggage etc?

Just looking into the rewards program, Walmart is not considered a grocery store for 2x points nor is shopper drugsmart consider a drugstore….. any idea where I can get this 2x points?

Shoppers Drug Mart is considered a drugstore.

Does the “old trick” work for the 100$ travel credit? (you know the trick used on the platinum card)

Don’t see why not.

Ron, curious to see if the travel trick worked?

Hello community! I’m new to the points game and over the next couple of months have some spending that will be refunded (basically free spending), is it worthwhile to apply for the Gold card as it is much easier to get those 50k points over 3 months and then 8-12 months down the line apply for the Cobalt card (as the bonus is based on monthly spending) and just not renew the Gold? Thanks for any info!

I had the Amex Gold card a few year ago, am I entitled to the new sign-up bonus if I apply for this ‘new’ product?

Hi, I’m holding an Amex gold card. I called in today and spoke to Amex customer service to know if there are any changes with benefits like the cobalt card which American express recently launched. I was been told very soon about Amex’s new gold card will be launched as a Cobalt card. But I’m not sure how far it is true. Do you have any info or updates about the new launch of the Amex gold card?

Hi Everyone, just a massive FYI and giving back to the community. For the Amex Gold reward card, as of July 24, 2021 (could have been before this date but this is when I called Customer Service), Amex is not taking new applications so you can’t get this card at this time. Even referral links will fail when you try to apply.

Thanks for the heads up Leo. We’ve edited the page to reflect this for now.

Does this also apply to the cobalt card as well? “Keep in mind that gas stations, grocery stores, and drug stores often sell gift cards for other stores that normally belong in the “everywhere else” category. You can effectively earn 2 MR per dollar spent on many purchases that normally fall into “everywhere else” by buying these gift cards and using them towards purchases that would normally earn 1 MR per dollar spent. This can be especially lucrative when purchasing big-ticket items, such as appliances, electronics, and furniture!”

I currently have an AMEX business plat. Is there a way to send myself a referral link for an Amex gold card? that way I can get referral bonus on both cards or does it have to be from gold -> gold? thanks

Self-referral is a huge red flag – high risk of being banned. Better to refer back and forth amongst family.

Business Platinum cannot refer to Personal Gold, only to Business Gold or Business Edge. Personal Gold can refer to and from Cobalt.

Never mind, Risky has already answered it. thanks

Hi Ricky! I already have an Amex Aeroplan Gold Card (which has now been rebranded as the Amex Aeroplan Card). Is there a way to switch my current card to this Amex Gold Rewards Card, and take advantage of this welcome bonus? Or is the only way to take advantage of the welcome bonus to apply as a new cardholder? Thank you!

Unless you get a specific upgrade/downgrade/switch offer, the only way to get the bonus with Amex is to apply for a new card. You could call and ask, but I wouldn’t count on it.

FYI. your referral link for this card does not seem to work.

Give it a go now – thanks.

Excellent, thanks.

Does the Amex Gold offer 4x back on spending for business advertising on facebook or Google? The american version does.

How can we get the American version of Amex gold? I’m spending so much USD on amazon advertising and I like to know which credit card works the best with USD expenditure ?

Not in Canada, unfortunately.

Thanks for the reply. If I got the American version, would I get 4x back on canadian Google ads spend?

I asked the same for shipping from China to USA. I think it depends if your ad spend is from google.ca or .com as it has to be a us based business

Do you know if we can use the CPA offer and do a referral at the same time?

Is the CPA offer dead?

The personal still works with the same rsvp. The business rsvp has changed.. any one have any insight?

Where do you see the personal one? I can’t seem to see it on the CPA Perks website!

Hey I applied for this card and surpassed $1500 but have only received 25,000MRP. I got a supplementary card at the time of signup. I also checked on AMEX website and it doesn’t say anything about 5,000 MRP with a supplementary card. Please let me know if I’m missing something.

The extra 5,000 MR points upon adding a supplementary card is only available if applying via a referral link.

That’s right, applied through Ricky’s referral link, 5000 points for the 2nd card arrived shortly after paying the first monthly fee

For the sake of decency I used the supplementary card once. But I guess if you don’t use it the 5000 bonus would still come

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Why the Amex Platinum Is the Only Card I’ll Use To Book Flights

Carissa Rawson

Senior Content Contributor

250 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 51 U.S. States Visited: 36

Stella Shon

News Managing Editor

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The Amex Platinum Card Earns Me the Most Points

The amex platinum card has excellent travel insurance, amex’s global lounge collection is industry-leading, amex points are my favorite flexible currency, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Although I’m not technically a digital nomad, I fly enough to qualify as one.

With trips taking me on roughly 100 flights per year, I’ve done a lot of research when it comes to booking airfare.

Though I have plenty of credit cards to spare, The Platinum Card ® from American Express always finds its way to the front when it comes time to pay — here’s why.

There are plenty of credit cards that earn bonus points on travel , and especially airfare. However, the Amex Platinum card personally beats out others, despite its $695 annual fee ( rates & fees ).

This is because it earns 5x American Express Membership Rewards points per $1 spent (up to $500,000 per year) on flights booked directly with the airline or via AmexTravel.com .

The Platinum Card ® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card  is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access , hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment ( airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit )
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
• Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
• Access to Amex International Airline Program
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates and fees )
• $695 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card ® , Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts ® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card ® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card ® . Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card ® .
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
• $189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card ® . Learn more.
• $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck ® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card ® . Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card ® . That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card ® . An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card ® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

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• Amex Platinum vs Delta Platinum
• Amex Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Capital One Venture X vs Amex Platinum
• Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve

If you travel often, you know that booking with a third party , such as Expedia, Priceline, Orbitz, or even an issuer’s travel portal, can save you some money. But it can also lead to huge amounts of headache s if your flight needs to be changed or canceled or if there are crazy delays and you need to be rerouted.

This is because booking through a third-party agency makes them responsible for your ticket rather than the airline, so they need to be the middleman.

Compare the Amex Platinum card’s earning rates to other premium travel rewards cards :

• Chase Sapphire Reserve ® : 5x points per $1 spent on Chase Travel; 3x points on all other travel purchases
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : 5x miles per $1 spent on airfare booked with Capital One Travel,

In order to earn these elevated rewards, you’ll need to book your flights with either issuer’s travel portal, which means you’ll be using a third party. That opens you up to issues in the event your travel plans change, which mine often do.

While the Amex Platinum card does have a limit on your 5x earnings up to $500,000 annually, I’ve never even come close to hitting the cap. This means that I’m always able to book directly with the airline while still earning the most rewards.

I’ll admit that I’m not the biggest proponent of travel insurance . I know that it’ll protect you if you get injured, lose your bags, or have travel delays, but purchasing a policy goes against my “spend as little as possible” ethos when it comes to travel.

That’s another reason why I love the Amex Platinum card and use it for my flights. As a premium travel card, it offers complimentary travel insurance . For it to kick in, I need to pay for my travel with my card and it will apply in eligible scenarios.

What kind of travel insurance is offered? A lot:

• Rental car insurance (secondary)
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Trip delay insurance
• Baggage insurance plan
• Premium Global Assist Hotline (emergency medical evacuation and emergency medical transport)

There are two things that really stand out when it comes to the Amex Platinum card’s travel insurance: emergency medical evacuation and emergency medical transport as part of the Premium Global Assist Hotline. Neither of these has a cap, which isn’t something you’ll find often, even when purchasing a policy.

There is only one exception where I’ll use a card other than the Amex Platinum card to pay for my flights, and that’s when I’ve booked an award flight.

This is because Amex has limitations on its baggage insurance plan for award flights, whereas competitors, such as the travel insurance on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card , do not. In this case, the Amex Platinum card won’t cover lost luggage unless you’ve paid the ticket in cash or you’ve used Amex Membership points for your flight. Other award flights outside of this don’t count :

“Other loyalty programs (i.e. non-American Express) do not qualify on purchases redeemed in part or full or pre-arranged travel cost,” according to the terms of baggage insurance plan on the Amex Platinum card. “An example would be common carrier frequent flyer miles point redemption.”

I’m not a snob about a lot of things, but airport lounge access is certainly one of them. I know that as more credit cards offer lounge access, they can be crowded.

That’s one reason I value the Global Lounge Collection offered by Amex’s high-end cards.

This collection includes a Priority Pass Select membership (upon enrollment), Centurion Lounges, Escape — The Centurion Studio lounges, Plaza Premium lounges, Lufthansa lounges (when flying Lufthansa), Delta SkyClubs (when flying Delta), and more.

That’s far more than you’ll get with other credit cards and lessens the chance that you’ll find yourself in a standing-room-only situation.

This is probably not the most popular opinion, but I think Amex Membership Rewards beat out Chase Ultimate Rewards , Capital One Miles , Citi ThankYou points , and Bilt Rewards .

While each currency has their own strengths and weaknesses, Amex points fit my travel style better than the others. Sure, I love that Chase has World of Hyatt (and it’s where I use my points most often) and that Citi transfer to Choice at double Amex’s rate, but Amex has more usable transfer partners .

I’ll be even more unpopular and say that I’ll often transfer Amex points over to Hilton Honors at a 1:2 ratio, especially when they’re offering a transfer bonus . This isn’t usually a good idea, but I spend my Hilton points at high-end resorts such as the Conrad Maldives and the Conrad Bora Bora , where I can easily net 5-10 cents in value per point. That makes it worth it for me.

Other transfer partners that I frequently use include:

• ANA MileageClub : For low-cost business class flights to Europe
• Avianca LifeMiles : For Lufthansa first class
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club : For first and business class redemptions on ANA
• Qantas Frequent Flyer : For cheap Air Tahiti Nui flights to French Polynesia

Beyond transfer partners and the Amex Platinum card, I also find Amex points easier to earn . This is due to a variety of reasons, including their robust lineup of Amex point-earning cards , Amex Offers (upon enrollment), and their Rakuten partnership.

I’m not going to throw out all my other credit cards in favor of the Amex Platinum card — I love points and miles too much ever to let that happen. But there’s certainly a strong case for it sticking around in my wallet.

Sure, it offers lots of statement credits (enrollment required for some benefits) and other perks. But I’ll keep the Amex Platinum card to book my airfare. And it’ll stay that way until someone else can match the high earnings and travel insurance offerings, which I don’t anticipate happening anytime soon.

For the car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of the Amex Platinum card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

For the trip cancellation and interruption insurance benefit of the Amex Platinum card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the trip delay insurance benefit of the Amex Platinum card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the baggage insurance plan benefit of the Amex Platinum card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the premium global assist hotline benefit of the Amex Platinum card, you can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Plus, we may provide emergency medical transportation assistance and related services. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by premium global assist hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

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About Carissa Rawson

Carissa served in the U.S. Air Force where she developed her love for travel and new cultures. She started her own blog and eventually joined The Points Guy. Since then, she’s contributed to Business Insider, Forbes, and more.

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The best way to spend your Amex points, according to the experts

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Your complete guide to being better off

American Express, or “Amex”, credit cards have made their way into millions of wallets since they first landed in Britain in 1963. Sixty years on and there are still tricks little known to most users that can boost your points far more than you might think.

In their flashy platinum, gold and British Airways branding, Amex cards have become one of the most popular cashback and rewards cards, as well as a status symbol. But are Amex as good as they seem, and are they worth it for everyone?

Here, Telegraph Money explains everything you need to know about the cards and how you can make the most of your points.

Where is Amex accepted?

You can use your Amex card in a large number of retailers across the country, and 66 million businesses globally, but not everywhere. 

For example, it’s accepted at every major supermarket chain in the UK, including Aldi and Lidl. You can also use your card at the Post Office, Argos and Airbnb (in most countries).

In the past few years B&M, Timpson, B&Q, H&M, Dulux and Lego have also started taking Amex payments. In 2023, Amex signed acceptance agreements with a host of further retailers including Savers, McColl’s and Morrisons Daily convenience stores.

Acceptance in charity shops has also recently expanded, and attractions such as Chester Zoo, The London Dungeon and Alton Towers now take Amex payments. 

Where can I use Amex points?

The Amex Membership Rewards scheme is available with certain cards, where you can earn points with eligible card spending.

You can spend your Amex Membership Rewards points online at over 1,000 retailers including Currys, Amazon and Holland & Barrett, order gift cards from a number of well-known brands and book travel on the American Express Travel website. 

You can also use the points as credit to clear your credit card balance. 

Alternatively, points can be donated to more than 9,000 charities via JustGiving or transferred to other travel and hotel loyalty programmes, such as Avios, Virgin Points, Emirates Skywards, Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors points. Amex points converted to Avios can then be switched for Nectar points, too. 

The points you earn depend on what card you have, but the basic offering is typically one point per £1 spent on purchases. There is usually a generous bonus for signing up, which is currently as high as 60,000 points on the Platinum card.

Is it actually worth getting an Amex card?

Not for everyone, according to Rob Burgess, editor of travel and credit card rewards website Head for Points. 

While the lure of bonus points for signing up and making purchases are attractive, when it comes to spending them, the best rewards – flights, hotel rooms and Eurostar seats – require high levels of points. 

Mr Burgess said: “Unless you are spending £100,000 a year on credit cards, Amex points are likely to be used to top up an existing Avios or other travel rewards balance, rather than provide 100pc of the points you need for a free flight or room.  

“Once you’ve spent your card sign-up bonus, most people will struggle to generate enough points for free flights or hotel rooms purely from card spend.”

But if you’re not interested in travel, the best reward is probably a little known trick transferring Amex Membership Rewards to British Airways Avios to Nectar, Sainsbury’s loyalty reward scheme, which gets you 0.66p of Nectar points per Amex point.

This beats the 0.45p per Amex point if you take statement credit and 0.5p per Amex point if you redeem for retailer gift cards. Oddly, it also beats the 0.5p per Amex point you get if you move Amex points directly to Nectar.

Secondly, customers should be mindful of the cost of borrowing on an American Express card.

Mr Burgess said: “As all Amex cards have high interest rates compared to the cheapest cards on the market, they’re not a great option for anyone who doesn’t repay their bill in full every month. This knocks out the 65pc of the UK population who don’t clear their balance every single month without fail.”

Thirdly, as Amex isn’t accepted everywhere, you’ll always need to take an alternative debit Visa or Mastercard card out with you anyway. 

Would an Amex card work for me?

With some cards, you can work out yourself if they are worth it based on your spend and the points you can earn.

There are 16 Amex cards to choose from, so it can be quite tough to know which one best suits you. You need to make sure you pay them off in full each month as, in most cases, the interest rates are comparatively high.

Here is a selection of the most popular and their benefits.

Amex Rewards Credit Card 

One of the most basic of Amex credit cards is the Rewards card. It doesn’t have an upfront cost. 

New members receive 10,000 Amex Rewards points if they spend £2,000 in their first three months. For everyday use, you earn one point for every £1 spent. You can also earn 4,000 points if you invite a friend and they are approved for a card.

The Amex Rewards Credit Card’s representative APR is 31pc variable.

Amex Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card 

The Amex Gold card is free in the first year, but has an annual fee of £195 from year two onwards. In exchange, there are freebies and potential extra points up for grabs.

New cardholders get a bonus of 20,000 Rewards points for spending £3,000 in the first three months. You can get three points for every £1 spent on American Express Travel (where members can book flights, hotels and make other travel purchases), two points for each £1 spent directly with airlines, and one point for every £1 spent elsewhere. 

You can also get up to 12,500 bonus points each year.

The card comes with four free Priority Pass airport lounge visits each year, and the chance to get £5 back on eligible Deliveroo purchases twice a month.

The Amex Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card has a representative APR of 88.8pc variable.

Amex Platinum Card 

The next step up the ladder after gold is the platinum card, which comes with an annual fee of £650. This is predominantly aimed at big spenders who travel a lot.

For the high  price, there are a number of perks available, which repeat each year, including Priority Pass airport lounge access, £150 credit to spend at UK restaurants, £150 credit to spend at international restaurants, £100 Harvey Nichols credit and worldwide family travel insurance. The credit benefits alone add up to £600, more than covering the cost of the card – but they may not appeal to everyone.

If you spend £6,000 in the first three months on the Amex Platinum Card you can earn 40,000 Amex Membership Rewards points. 

The Platinum Card has a representative APR of 704.6pc variable.

The best ways to spend your Amex points

Transfer your points to air miles.

Consider switching Amex Membership Rewards Points to airline miles. The value depends on which scheme you opt for but expect 1:1 conversions for Avios, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, Etihad, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Flying Blue, Qantas and SAS, and 3:2 for Singapore Airlines. 

The value of your points will depend on a number of factors including your destination, cabin and what class or airline you’d opt for if you weren’t using points. 

Be mindful, only high spenders will be able to earn enough air miles purely from card spend to get premium cabin free flights.

Switch to Club Eurostar points

Club Eurostar lets you use points on any train – if there is a seat available, you can pay for it in points. Mr Burgess values one Club Eurostar point at 12p and the 15:1 transfer rate from Amex points to Club Eurostar points means you are getting 0.8p per point. 

He said: “As with airline miles, you will find that your points have substantially more value if your lifestyle means that you are likely to need to travel at short notice when cash fares are higher.”

Convert to Nectar

Swap your Amex points to Avios and then to Nectar and get 0.66p per point if you use them at Sainsbury’s, eBay or Argos.

You can convert 50,000 Avios per month to Nectar at a rate of 300:400. This is more lucrative than transferring Amex points directly into Nectar which only gets you 0.5p per Amex point. 

Converting via Avios first results in a 32pc increase in points.

Amex does also offer a designated Nectar Credit Card, which is free in the first year (£30 in year two onwards). 

New members can get 20,000 Nectar points when they spend £2,000 in the first three months. You earn two Nectar points for every £1 spent.

This article was first published on May 7 2023, and has since been updated.

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Annual Travel Credit How will you spend yours? 

If your American Express® Card is eligible for an Annual Travel  Credit*, 

you can use your credit towards eligible bookings for  flights, hotels

or even car rentals at American Express Travel Online . 

How to use your Annual Travel Credit

Step 1: Log in

Log in  to your American Express account. If eligible & unused, your available Annual Travel Credit amount is in the top right corner of the page along with the Terms and Conditions and Policies

Step 2: Search

Begin your travel search through the American Express Travel Online  website. Your available payment options will be displayed in the results.

Step 3: Apply Credit

On the checkout page, redeem your Annual Travel Credit by selecting the ‘$$$ Annual Travel Credit’ button on the checkout page. Your credit can only be used in one single  booking. Minimum spend required. Terms apply.

Step 4: Book Trip

Book your trip using a combination of your Annual Travel Credit, American Express Membership Rewards points, and your American Express Card. 

See where your Annual Travel Credit

can take you

More about your Annual Travel Credit

If eligible, your Annual Travel Credit is issued each year based on your Cardmembership anniversary date.  It must be redeemed within the same anniversary year, and it cannot be carried forward to any subsequent year. 

Your Annual Travel Credit can be used towards a single travel booking equal to or more than the value of your Travel Credit.  

When you use your Annual Travel Credit, the full dollar amount will be charged to your American Express Card at the time of booking and it will take 2 business days for the credit to appear on your account.

Your Annual Travel Credit can be used towards flights (including the International Airline Program), hotels (including Fine Hotel + Resorts and The Hotel Collection bookings) and car rentals. 

Why book with Amex Travel?

Rediscover local getaways

• Frequently Asked Questions

When will my Travel Credit expire?

Please log on to your American Express online account to check the expiry date for your Travel Credit.

Can I redeem my Travel Credit for a booking of less than the value of Travel Credit?

No, you will not be able to redeem your Travel Credit for a booking of less than the value of the Travel Credit.

Is there an additional fee or charge for using my Membership Rewards points and/or Travel Credit to book travel?

No, there is no additional fee to redeem points or Travel Credit for travel booked on American Express Travel Online.

Can I pay for my booking using my Travel Credit and my Membership Rewards points?

Yes, to use your Travel Credit you must be logged on to your American Express online account. On the checkout page, redeem your Annual Travel Credit by selecting the ‘$$$ Annual Travel Credit’ button, and make sure that your payment amount on your Card is equal to or more than the total value of your Travel Credit (for example, you can use a $200 Annual Travel Credit towards a single travel booking of $200 or more). You may also use your Membership Rewards points by dragging the slider to the amount of points that you want to redeem.  

Can I redeem multiple Travel Credits for a single booking?

No, you can only use one Travel Credit per booking.

What happens if I use my Travel Credit to make a booking, and then cancel that booking?

Once the Travel Credit has been applied toward a booking, it counts as a one-time redemption.

Can I use my Membership Rewards points and/or my Travel Credit to purchase travel for my family and friends?

You will need to log on to your American Express online account in order to use Membership Rewards points and/or Travel Credit to purchase travel for your family and friends.

Can I use my Annual Travel Credit on Fine Hotels + Resorts and/or The Hotel Collection bookings?

Yes, your Annual Travel Credit can be used towards Fine Hotels + Resorts and/or The Hotel Collection bookings.  

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What types of travel insurance does the American Express® Gold Card provide?

Understanding the american express® gold card baggage insurance policy, how to get rental car insurance through the american express® gold card, american express® gold card trip delay travel insurance, how amex global assist works, american express® gold card travel insurance, recapped.

The American Express® Gold Card is best known for its dining, grocery and rideshare perks. However, this mid-tier rewards card also offers cardholders several benefits that can make it an appealing option for booking flights and rental cars. Terms apply.

Does the American Express® Gold Card have travel insurance ? Yes — in fact, several kinds. From travel protections to car rental damage waivers, let's find out how the American Express® Gold Card travel insurance works. Terms apply.

American Express offers four types of travel insurance and protections to holders of the American Express® Gold Card :

Baggage insurance that covers lost, damaged or stolen baggage.

Car rental insurance which covers damage to or theft of eligible car rentals.

Trip delay insurance reimburses expenses when your travel plans are delayed by more than 12 hours.

Global Assist helps coordinate services when things go wrong on a trip.

Terms apply.

Each of these travel protections has limits, exclusions and requirements. For example, you'll generally need to pay for trips with your American Express® Gold Card to get these travel protections. And the maximum benefit for each of these is capped at a certain amount. Let's dig into the details. Terms apply.

» Learn more: How to file travel insurance claims

Cardholders of the American Express® Gold Card can get baggage protection on their checked and carry-on bags when traveling on a common carrier — such as an airline. To activate this coverage, all you need to do is pay for the entire cost of the flight, train, bus or cruise with your American Express® Gold Card or American Express Membership Rewards points. Terms apply.

AmEx even covers the loss or damage of bags on the way to or from the "common carrier terminal" (e.g., the airport). And it's not just the cardmember's bags that are covered. AmEx also covers the bags of your:

Spouse or domestic partner.

Dependent children under 23.

Certain disabled dependents.

If you need any more incentive to pack light: AmEx protects up to $1,250 in loss, damage or theft for carry-on bags and $500 max for checked bags. Note that this limit is applied per person — and not per bag. So, you won't get a higher amount of coverage if you spread your personal items across several bags. Terms apply.

AmEx also places a $250 cap on the amount that it will reimburse for "high risk items" — such as jewelry, cameras, sports equipment, computers or other precious metals. Terms apply.

» Learn more: Rental car insurance explained

Another useful American Express® Gold Card travel insurance protection covers cardmembers when they rent a car. To activate this coverage, just pay for the entire rental with your American Express® Gold Card and decline the rental company's collision damage waiver product. Then, AmEx will automatically reimburse up to $50,000 in damage or theft for most rentals up to 30 days in length. Terms apply.

However, you'll need to be wary of several key restrictions:

Coverage is secondary. That means you'll need to file with your personal auto insurance company first.

AmEx doesn't provide coverage for vehicles rented in Australia, Italy or New Zealand.

Certain vehicle types are excluded — such as cargo vans, motorcycles, mopeds and campers.

This AmEx collision damage waiver, or CDW, covers damage and theft to the car you rent. You're still responsible for damage and injury done to others. So make sure your personal auto insurance covers your liability when renting cars.

» Learn more: The cheapest car rental companies, according to data

One of the newest travel insurance perks of the American Express® Gold Card (added as of Jan. 1, 2020) is trip delay insurance protections. This trip delay insurance kicks in when you pay for a trip with your American Express® Gold Card or AmEx points. Terms apply.

Then, if your flight is delayed for more than 12 hours for a covered reason, American Express will reimburse you up to $300 for reasonable expenses such as meals, lodging, toiletries, medication and other personal use items. Terms apply.

Unfortunately, not every flight delay will be covered. This American Express® Gold Card travel insurance takes effect only when your trip is delayed more than 12 hours due to:

Inclement weather.

An equipment failure of the airline or common carrier.

Lost or stolen passports or travel documents.

Terrorist action or hijacking.

Note that you must be on a trip starting from your city of residence to be covered. But, don't worry if you booked a complicated itinerary. This trip delay insurance is effective as long as you start from your home and pay for your entire trip with the American Express® Gold Card — including all round-trip and one-way travel along the way. Terms apply.

» Learn more: How to book better and avoid flight delays

Think of AmEx Global Assist as your travel assistant. AmEx Global Assist can help with everything from visa and vaccination information before your trip, to emergency cash wires if things go wrong during your trip.

AmEx provides many travel advice and assistance services free of charge. However, if you need outside help — such as emergency translation or legal assistance — you'll be on the hook for payments to third-party service providers.

The AmEx Global Assist Hotline services available to American Express® Gold Card members aren't as comprehensive as what you'll get on other premium AmEx cards. However, it can still be an excellent resource when you need help before or during your travels. Terms apply.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards may surprise you

While the American Express® Gold Card isn't a premium travel card, it still offers core travel insurance protections that can make it the go-to card for booking travel and rental cars. Terms apply.

Use your American Express® Gold Card to book travel to get up to $1,250 in coverage for lost or stolen baggage and up to $300 in reimbursements during a covered delay of 12 hours or more. Rent a car with your American Express® Gold Card to get secondary coverage of up to $50,000 for damage or theft. And you can fall back on AmEx Global Assist anytime you run into issues — when planning your trip or if you have an emergency during the trip. Terms apply.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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Credit Cards

American Express Business Platinum benefits guide 2024

Ashley Barnett

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Robin Saks Frankel

Published 6:04 a.m. UTC April 9, 2024

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With an eye-watering $695 annual fee (terms apply), there’s no denying that The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is an expensive card. But without a doubt, it’s also one of the best business travel cards , thanks to its extensive array of perks and ability to earn flexible, valuable Membership Rewards® points . Although the annual fee is high, it’s offset by valuable perks like statement credits, airport lounge access and top-notch travel and purchase protection¹.

All information about The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint.

Amex Business Platinum Card overview

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is one of the best cards for high-end travel benefits, lifestyle perks and ways to make your business run more smoothly. Of course, it all comes at a significant cost (a $695 annual fee). Therefore, it’s important to assess the card’s features to see if it’s worth it for you and your business. 

Those features include access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, elite status with select hotel and rental car partners, airline fee statement credit and CLEAR ® Plus reimbursement, business-focused statement credits like Dell, Adobe, Indeed and much more. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Looking for an Amex Business card with a less-lofty annual fee? Our list of the best American Express business cards will help you choose the right one for you.

Major Amex Business Platinum Card benefits

Travel benefits .

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , like the consumer version, The Platinum Card® from American Express , is a powerhouse for premium travel benefits. Let’s break it down: 

• Airport lounge access: You will have access to a wide range of airport lounges. They include The Centurion® Lounge ; Delta Sky Club® lounges (when flying on a same-day Delta flight; limited to 10 annual visits starting Feb. 1, 2025); Priority Pass Select lounges upon enrollment (but not Priority Pass restaurants); Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio Partner; Plaza Premium lounges and Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa Group (access varies depending on what airline and cabin you’re flying).
• Hotel elite status: You’ll receive complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status with enrollment. This offers benefits such as 25% bonus points on eligible hotel purchases, complimentary in-room Wi-Fi access and room upgrades at select properties (when available).
• Rental car elite status: You’ll get complimentary elite status with Avis Preferred Plus, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle and National Emerald Club Executive. One of the best parts of elite status, at select locations, is the ability to skip the line and go straight to your car at the start of your rental. In addition, you may receive car upgrades and waived second driver fees. Enrollment is required.
• Other hotel benefits: You will also get access to Amex’s Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection programs through Amex Travel. Perks include complimentary breakfast for two (varies by property), early check-in when available, late checkout, complimentary Wi-Fi and room upgrades when available (certain rooms may not be eligible for upgrade). At select properties, you’ll also receive an experience credit of at least $100. The credit can be used towards purchases of on-site services, such as dining or spa treatments. Experience credits vary by property and will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit.
• Airline fee credit: You’ll receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental airline fees charged to your card. One qualifying airline must first be selected in advance before receiving this benefit, which can cover fees such as changes and cancellations, seat selection, upgrades, checked bags, lounge access and more.
• CLEAR Plus reimbursement: You can get a credit for up to $189 per calendar year for Clear Plus membership fees. No advance enrollment is required for this benefit; pay with your Business Platinum card to automatically receive a statement credit.
• TSA PreCheck/Global Entry reimbursement : You’ll also receive statement credits to reimburse your application fees for Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85). This benefit is available every 4 years for Global Entry or every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck.
• Pay with Points airline bonus: With The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , you’ll get 35% of your points back (3.5 extra points for every 10 points redeemed – up to 1,000,000 bonus points per calendar year) when booking a flight with points through Amex Travel. This applies to flights in any cabin on your selected qualifying airline, or for first or business class flights on any airline.

Small business benefits 

As a small business card, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers tailored statement credits and perks to help companies run more smoothly (enrollment is required for select benefits):

• Adobe statement credit: You’ll get up to $150 back in Adobe statement credits for eligible annual prepaid business plans for Creative Cloud for teams or Acrobat Pro DC with e-sign for teams through Dec. 31, 2024.
• Dell statement credit: You can get up to $200 back semi-annually ($400 per year) on U.S. purchases with Dell technologies through Dec. 31, 2024. 
• Indeed statement credit: Through Dec. 31, 2024, you can also get up to $90 back quarterly ($360 per year) via statement credits for purchases with Indeed.
• Wireless credit: You’ll receive up to $10 back per month ($120 per year) in statement credits for wireless telephone service purchases made directly through a wireless provider in the U.S. on your Business Platinum card.

Insurance and protection benefits

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. has a robust array of travel and purchase protections¹. These include: 

• Trip delay insurance: Trip delay insurance applies to eligible round-trip travel expenses paid for with the Business Platinum. Coverage is good for up to $500 per trip, and for incidental expenses that apply (including meals, lodging, toiletries, medication and more) when a trip is delayed by six hours or longer. You are eligible to file two claims per 12-month period.²
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: Trip cancellation and interruption insurance will apply to eligible round-trip travel purchases charged to the Business Platinum card. This coverage is good for up to $10,000 per covered trip with a maximum benefit of $20,000 per eligible card every 12 months.³
• Baggage insurance: You’ll get automatic baggage insurance when paying with the card on a common carrier (like an airline or cruise line). This coverage is good for up to $2,000 per person for checked baggage and up to a combined $3,000 per person for checked and carry-on baggage.⁴
• Cellphone protection: Paying your cellphone bill with your card provides cellphone protection. There is a maximum of $800 liability per claim, and each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. There’s also a limit of two claims per eligible account in a 12-month period. You can maximize this perk by combining it with the wireless credit benefit above.⁵

Bonus points for spending

While The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. isn’t the best card to use for all spending categories, there are certain instances where it does make sense to use it — like on flights and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel, as well as on large purchases — cardholders earn: 

• 5 Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels through American Express Travel.
• 1.5 points per $1 at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software and cloud system providers, shipping providers, and purchases of $5,000 or more on up to $2 million per calendar year.
• 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases.

Additional benefits worth noting

• Global Dining Access with Resy: Global Dining Access perks include Priority Notify at all of Resy’s thousands of restaurants worldwide. This gives you special access to primetime tables at many of the most in-demand restaurants across the U.S. and internationally.
• Secondary Auto Insurance Coverage: Rental cars booked with The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. receive secondary car rental loss and damage insurance⁶. Consider getting a credit card with primary rental car insurance if you want primary, as compared to secondary, coverage.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Yes, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. has access to over 1,400 airport lounge locations worldwide with the Amex Global Lounge Collection.

First, to make the most of the Amex Business Platinum, be sure to maximize your points potential by meeting the minimum spending requirements to earn a welcome bonus.

Then, enroll your card in the statement credit offers such as those with Adobe, Indeed, Dell, select U.S. wireless telephone service providers, CLEAR and more. Also, sign up for hotel and rental car elite status programs that are included with the Business Platinum. Travelers will want to utilize lounge access, Resy benefits and more. 

Maximize the points you earn by putting larger purchases on The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. . Beyond earning as many points as possible, you’ll also want to maximize the value upon redemption .

Both cards serve different purposes. While The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is geared more towards frequent travelers with more premium perks like lounge access, the American Express® Business Gold Card * The information for the American Express® Business Gold Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. (terms apply) is tailored to those with high spending who may not travel as frequently.

Overall, it’s better to spend on the Amex Business Gold card, with bonus-earning spending categories that include purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media, U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, transit purchases such as taxis or rideshare, and more.

All information about American Express® Business Gold Card and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. does not come with a traditional preset spending limit. The amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history.

Yes, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. comes with travel insurance, including trip delay insurance², trip cancellation and interruption insurance³ and baggage insurance⁴.

The publicly available offer for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. waxes and wanes. The current offer is for 120,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of card membership. However, you may be targeted for even higher offers through your Amex account or via a tool like Cardmatch or even mailers.

¹Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

²Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

³The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

⁴Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

⁵Coverage for a Stolen or damaged Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per Eligible Card Account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per Eligible Card Account per 12 month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

⁶Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

*The information for the American Express® Business Gold Card and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Chris Dong is a travel, loyalty, and credit cards reporter. He has covered travel and personal finance content for national print and digital publications including The Washington Post, Business Insider, The Points Guy, Travel + Leisure, AFAR, Condé Nast Traveler, Lonely Planet, and more. When he’s not on the road, Chris calls Los Angeles home after nearly 10 years in New York City.

Ashley Barnett has been writing and editing personal finance articles for the internet since 2008. Before editing for USA TODAY Blueprint, she was the Content Director for an international media company leading the content on their suite of personal finance sites. She lives in Phoenix, AZ where you can find her rereading Harry Potter for the 100th time.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

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American Express Cobalt vs. Scotiabank Gold American Express Card

Updated: Apr 12, 2024, 12:31am

Table of Contents

At a glance: american express cobalt vs. scotiabank gold american express, side-by-side comparison summary table.

Welcome Bonus

Redeeming Points

Insurance coverage, alternatives to the american express cobalt and the scotiabank gold american express, bottom line, frequently asked questions (faqs).

When comparing the American Express Cobalt Card with the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card , it’s important to keep in mind that each card has its own unique features that cater to different spending habits and reward preferences.

The American Express Cobalt Card stands out for its flexible reward structure, offering up to 5 points per dollar on eats and drinks and a range of point redemption options, including travel and retail. The card’s monthly fee, when annualized, is slightly higher but justified by a rich earn rate in everyday categories.

Conversely, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card offers a competitive 6 Scene+ points per dollar on eligible grocery, dining and entertainment purchases in Canada. It also is one of the few credit cards in Canada with no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for travelers and international spenders.

In essence, if your spending leans heavily towards dining and entertainment, the American Express Cobalt Card may offer more value, despite its fee. However, for cardholders who travel or make foreign transactions frequently, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card could be a superior choice, especially with its foreign transaction fee waiver and higher point earning potential in multiple categories.

Ultimately, the better card hinges on your spending behaviour and reward preferences. The American Express Cobalt Card is tailored for maximized rewards on daily expenses, whereas the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card appeals to users seeking diverse point-earning opportunities and savings on foreign transactions.

Best Overall American Express and Travel Credit Card

American Express Cobalt® Card

Up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points

$155.88 ($12.99 per month)

Regular APR

The American Express Cobalt will not only earn you 2 American Express Membership Rewards per dollar spent on travel or gas purchases (make that 3 points per dollar if you make travel bookings online through the Amex Travel Portal), but it also comes with many valuable travel insurance coverages and a $100 USD hotel credit. Plus, Membership Rewards points are super flexible, with four ways to redeem them for travel purchases, including transferring them at a 1:1 rate to a myriad of other travel partners.

• 2 points per dollar on gas, transit and travel purchases and 3 points per dollar when you book online through the Amex Travel Portal.
• Amex Membership Rewards can be redeemed multiple ways.
• $100 USD hotel credit when you book at select hotels.
• 10 types of insurance, including $5 million in emergency travel medical coverage.
• Relatively high annual fee.
• Amex is still not accepted everywhere, including Loblaws stores and Costco .
• In your first year as a new Cobalt Cardmember, you can earn 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in net purchases on your Card. This could add up to 15,000 points in a year. That’s up to $150 towards a weekend getaway or concert tickets
• Earn 5x the points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery. Spend cap applies.
• Earn 3X the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
• Earn 2X the points on eligible ride shares, transit & gas in Canada
• Earn 1 additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via American Express Travel Online
• Earn 1X point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else
• Enjoy access to hotel bookings, and up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities when charged to the room for a stay of 2 or more consecutive nights through The Hotel Collection from American Express Travel
• Transfer points 1:1 to several frequent flyer and other loyalty programs
• Cobalt Cardmembers receive regular Perks such as bonus reward offers and access to great events
• Access Front Of The Line® Presale & Reserved Tickets to some of your favourite concerts and theatre performances and special offers and events curated for Cardmembers with American Express® Experiences
• American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment

Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card

Up to 40,000 Scene+ Points

With over $800 worth of rewards potential per year—and that’s with the annual fee factored in—this is the highest earning card on our list. It also gives you some of the highest earn rates at select grocery stores, on dining and movie theatre purchases—and its flexibility for redemption is excellent. Plus, it’s one of the few cards in Canada that doesn’t charge foreign exchange fees and it includes 13 types of insurance. In fact, the only reason it didn’t rank higher up on this list is because of that pesky annual fee and a few minor drawbacks.

Learn more:  Read our Scotiabank Gold American Express Card Review

• Earns Scene+ rewards on every purchase
• No foreign transaction fees
• Built-in travel insurance
• American Express perks like Amex Front Of The Line
• $120 annual fee
• Amex is not accepted at all locations
• Welcome bonus of up to 40,000 Scene+ points (Earn 20,000 points by making at least $1,000 in the first three months, get 20,000 points when you spend at least $7,500 in your first year). Must open card by July 1, 2024 to qualify.
• Earn 6 Scene+ points per dollar spent at select grocery stores including Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo and Foodland.
• Earn 5 Scene+ points per dollar spent at other grocery stores, restaurants and on food delivery and entertainment.
• Earn 3 Scene+ points per dollar spent on gas, transportation and streaming services.
• Earn 1 Scene+ points per dollar spent on everything else.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• American Express perks like Amex Front Of The Line.
• Comprehensive travel insurance covers emergency medical, trip interruption, flight delays, travel accidents, rental car collision and hotel burglaries.
• Includes mobile device coverage up to $1,000.
• Includes purchase security and extended warranty protection.

Featured Partners

On American Express’s Secure Website

• TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card

On TD’s Website

Up to $1200 in value†

Credit Score Description

Good/Excellent

On Scotia Bank’s Website

Up to 40,000 Scene+ points

The American Express Cobalt Card comes with a welcome bonus that can reach up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points, equalling a maximum of $300 if leveraged optimally through specific travel partner points transfers. This flexibility in redemption, particularly for travel, where points can be worth up to $0.02 each, offers significant value for cardholders seeking diverse redemption avenues, from airfare to hotel partners.

In contrast, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card’s welcome bonus of up to 40,000 Scene+ points translates directly to $400 if redeemed for travel or other eligible expenses, offering straightforward value for most cardholders. While this card’s dollar value is higher, Scene+ points maintain a consistent value of $0.01 across every category, lacking the higher potential value in travel redemption that the American Express Cobalt offers.

Bottom line: While the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card’s bonus initially appears more lucrative, the American Express Cobalt Card’s points provide a more flexible and potentially more valuable redemption choice for savvy users, especially when it comes to travel.

We break down average Canadian spending and how it would translate to rewards. We used the average redemption value of $0.01 for each Scene+ and Membership Reward point, though keep in mind, points for these cards in particular can have higher or lower value depending on how they are redeemed.

Both cards offer diverse redemption options, but the American Express Cobalt Card provides a potentially higher value for travel redemptions, especially when transferring points to airline and hotel partners. In contrast, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card offers solid and straightforward value across a variety of redemption options, like entertainment, travel, gift cards, donations and merchandise making it versatile for different types of spenders.

American Express Cobalt Point Value

With the American Express Cobalt Card, the value of Membership Rewards points varies by redemption option:

• Travel: Redeeming points for travel through American Express Travel offers $10 per 1,000 points (or one cent per point). Transferring points to airline partners could raise a point’s value up to $0.02 each, while hotel partners could value them at $0.10 each. Based on the total annual points of 62,538.4, travel redemptions could yield between $625.38 and $1,251.92 annually if transferred to airlines, or up to $6,253.84 annually with hotel partners.
• Statement Credits: Points redeemed for statement credits offer a consistent value of $10 per 1,000 points, equating to an annual value of $625.38.
• Merchandise: Points used for merchandise in Amex’s online portal maintain a value of $10 per 1,000 points, translating to $625.38 annually.
• Gift Cards and Certificates: Redeeming points for gift cards or certificates provides a flexible spending option, also valued at $10 per 1,000 points, or $625.38 annually.
• Experiences: Using points for unique experiences through the American Express Experiences program maintains the $10 per 1,000 points value, totaling $625.38 annually.
• Online Purchases: Points spent on Amazon.ca purchases are slightly less valuable at $7 per 1,000 points, resulting in an annual value of $437.69.

Scotiabank Gold American Express Point Value

Scene+ points from the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card also offer diverse redemption values:

• Travel: Points are worth one cent each when booking travel through Scene+ Travel or when applied to travel purchases, giving an annual value of $892.39 based on 89,239.1 points.
• Merchandise: Points redeemed for merchandise on the Scene+ portal are valued at one cent each, equating to $892.39 annually.
• Gift Cards: Exchanging points for gift cards or eCertificates maintains the typical one cent per point value, translating to an annual value of $892.39.
• Statement Credits: Using points for statement credits varies in value; the highest redemption rate is $0.71 per 100 points for a $100 to $150 credit, potentially offering up to $634.09 annually.
• Dining and Entertainment: Redeeming points in these categories maintains the one cent per point value, amounting to $892.39 annually.
• Special Experiences: Scene+ special experiences adhere to the standard point value, representing $892.39 in annual value.

American Express Cobalt Card

• Annual Fee: $155.88 (charged as $12.99 per month)
• Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.5%
• Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
• Annual Fee: $120
• Foreign Transaction Fee: 0%

Comparison and Outcome:

• Annual Fees: The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card’s annual fee is $35.88 cheaper than the American Express Cobalt.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: The American Express Cobalt has a standard 2.5% foreign transaction fee, whereas the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card has no foreign transaction fees.

Bottom line: In terms of fees, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card comes out on top, with a lower annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, offering better value for travelers and cardholders who frequently make purchases in foreign currencies. The American Express Cobalt Card, while offering robust rewards, has a higher annual cost when its monthly fees are calculated over the course of a year, plus the additional cost of foreign transactions.

• Out of Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance: Up to $5 million dollars in coverage for those under 65 for up to 15 consecutive days of travel
• Travel Accident Insurance: Up to a maximum of $250,000
• Flight Delay Insurance: Up to $500
• Baggage Delay Insurance/Loss or Stolen Baggage Insurance: Up to $500 (Amex counts these as two seperate coverages)
• Hotel Burglary Insurance: Up to $500
• Rental Car Loss/Damage Insurance: Up to 48 days
• Mobile Device Insurance: Up to $1,000
• Purchase Security: 90 days
• Extended Warranty: Up to one additional year
• Total Coverages: 9 insurance benefits.
• Travel Emergency Medical Insurance: Up to $1 million dollars in coverage for those under 65 for up to 25 consecutive days of travel (up to 3 consecutive days for people 65 and older)
• Travel Accident Insurance: Up to a maximum of $500,000 (to a maximum of $1,000,000 per occurrence)
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Up to $1,500 per person for travel expenses (maximum $10,000 per trip)
• Flight Delay Insurance: Up to $500 per person
• Delayed and Lost Baggage Insurance: $1,000 per person
• Hotel Burglary Insurance: Up to a maximum of $1,000
• Total Coverages: 10 insurance benefits.

While both cards offer a range of travel and purchase protection insurances, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card provides one additional key insurance benefit compared to the American Express Cobalt Card. The inclusion of Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance is a significant advantage for travelers, offering an extra layer of protection.

Bottom line: Considering the breadth and variety of insurance coverage that come with both cards, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card edges out the American Express Cobalt Card in this category with its additional trip cancellation/interruption insurance.

The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card and American Express Cobalt Card have many differences, but both credit cards are meant to appeal to different segments of the market.

The American Express Cobalt Card attracts everyday spenders and those travel-savvy cardholders looking to transfer points between loyalty programs for the most value.

Meanwhile, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card appeals to travellers when they reach their destination and are looking for strong earn rates and savings on foreign transactions.

The American Express Cobalt Card stands out for its strong rewards program, particularly in categories like dining and travel. Its flexible redemption options, especially the transfer to travel partners, are seen as a significant advantage. However, some cardholders might consider its monthly fee structure annoyingly unconventional compared to the typical annual fee model because of the frequency of the charge.

The Scotiabank Gold American Express is viewed favourably for its no foreign transaction fee feature, which is a standout in the Canadian credit card market. Additionally, its generous earn rates in popular spending categories like groceries, dining and entertainment make it competitive. However, some financial experts see its rewards as less flexible compared to the American Express Cobalt Card, especially for cardholders who value travel perks and transfer options.

Bonus categories

Bmo eclipse visa infinite card.

60,000 points

$120 (waived in the first year)

A premium rewards card with a competitive flat earn rate and a 10% boost on points for adding an authorized user.

• 10% more points for adding a supplementary card
• $50 annual lifestyle credit
• Limited travel insurance
• Travel redemptions only available through BMO Rewards
• Welcome bonus of 60,000 points (30,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months and 2,500 points for each billing cycle with $2,000 in purchases for 12 months)
• 5 points per dollar on groceries, gas, restaurants and transit (capped at $50,000 annually)
• 1 point per dollar on all other purchases
• Forbes Advisor estimates a rewards value of $432.99 in annual earnings based on average Canadian spending, with the annual fee factored in
• Earn 10% more points when you add another cardholder
• Exclusive benefits and discounts at Visa Infinite luxury hotels, dining series and golf resorts.
• Includes travel insurance for emergency medical care, car rental loss and damage and common carrier accidents

Best for no fee perks

Scotiabank american express® card.

Up to 7,500 bonus Scene+ points

Regular APR (Purchases) / Regular APR (Cash Advances)

19.99% / 22.99%

The Scotiabank American Express Card offers big rewards and generous reward categories with no annual fee.

• No annual fee
• Welcome bonus of up to 7,500 Scene+ points
• Earns Scene+ points on every purchase
• No travel insurance coverage
• $12,000 annual income requirement
• Earn up to 7,500 bonus Scene+ points within your first 3 months (that’s up to $75 towards travel).¹
• Earn 3x Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshcoand more
• Earn 2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on restaurants, fast food, drinking establishments and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
• Earn 2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spendon eligible entertainment purchases.Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
• Earn 2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on eligible gas and daily transit.Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
• Earn 2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on eligible select streaming sevices
• Plus earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
• Mobile Device Insurance coverage
• American Express Invites®
• Rates, fees and other information are effective as of Mar.1, 2023. Subject to change.
• ¹ To qualify for these offers make sure to open a new Scotiabank American Express credit card account (“Account”) by July 1, 2024.

Best for no annual fee

Rogers red world elite® mastercard®.

Regular APR (Purchases)

The Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard® is a great card to have on hand solely for the purpose of travel: It has no annual fee, a 3% cash back rate for purchases made in U.S. dollars and a variety of travel insurance benefits. Plus, it saves you that FX fee.

• No annual fee.
• Free membership to Mastercard Travel Pass, which gives you access to more than 1,300 airport lounges.
• Travel insurance coverage.
• High annual income requirement ($80,000 for individuals and $150,000 for households).
• Must spend at least $15,000 a year to keep this card.
• Lower cash back rate for purchases made in currencies other than U.S. dollars.
• No free lounge visits included.
• 2% unlimited cash back (exclusively for eligible Rogers, Fido or Shaw customers); otherwise, earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on non-U.S. dollar purchases.
• 3% unlimited cash back on U.S. dollar purchases.
• 5 Roam Like Home days at no cost with an eligible Rogers mobile plan (up to $75 value).
• 50% more cash back every time you redeem for Rogers, Fido or Shaw purchases.
• Annual income requirements of $80,000 personal and $150,000 household
• Complimentary membership to Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass with access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide at a cost of $32 USD ($41.72 CAD) per person, per visit
• Included insurance benefits: Extended Warranty and Purchase Protection, Rental Car Collision/Damage, Out-of-Province/Out-of-Country Emergency Medical, Trip Interruption and Trip Cancellation

Determining a clear winner between the American Express Cobalt Card and the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card depends on your priorities and spending habits.

Related: Best Rewards Credit Cards

The American Express Cobalt Card stands out for its robust rewards program, especially when it comes to earning on dining and entertainment. It scores big on flexibility when redeeming points, since you can transfer your Membership Rewards points 1:1 to other loyalty programs, like Aeroplan. Plus, the card’s array of insurance coverage is comprehensive, although slightly less extensive than the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card. However, its foreign transaction fees and monthly fee structure might be downsides for frequent travellers.

If you’re a frequent traveler or spend a significant amount in foreign currencies, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card likely offers better overall value with its no foreign transaction fees and strong insurance package. However, if your spending is heavily skewed towards dining and entertainment, and you value flexible travel rewards, the American Express Cobalt Card could be the better choice despite its higher fee structure and foreign transaction fees. Ultimately, the choice depends on your spending habits and priorities when it comes to card benefits and rewards.

Is the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card good?

Yes, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is considered good, particularly for individuals who spend significantly on groceries, dining and entertainment.The lack of foreign transaction fees makes it an excellent choice for travelers or cardholders who make purchases in foreign currencies. The card also offers a competitive welcome bonus and a comprehensive insurance package, adding to its appeal.

Is the American Express Cobalt Card worth it?

The American Express Cobalt Card can be very worthwhile, especially for cardholders who also spend heavily on dining and entertainment.Its flexibility when it comes to redeeming points, particularly transfers to travel partners, is also a huge plus that increases its value as a credit card along with how much you can earn from it each year. The card’s range of insurance coverage and its monthly fee structure might not be to everyone’s liking, but for the right user, the benefits here can outweigh the costs.

Is the Scotiabank Amex the same as a regular American Express card?

While the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is part of the American Express network and offers many of the benefits associated with American Express cards, it’s issued by Scotiabank, not American Express directly. This means it combines features typical of Amex cards, like access to Amex offers and experiences, with unique benefits provided by Scotiabank, such as the Scene+ rewards program.

What’s the best gold card in Canada?

Determining the “best” gold card in Canada depends on individual spending habits, reward preferences and financial goals. The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is often highly rated for its rewards structure and no foreign transaction fees, making it a strong contender as one of the best gold credit cards in Canada. However, the best card for one person might not be the best for another, so it’s essential to compare features, fees and rewards to find the credit card that aligns best with your financial lifestyle and goals.

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Kevin Nishmas is an expert financial content writer with a long and successful history of working with Canada's largest financial institutions. His knack (and passion) for transforming complex personal finance information into clear, compelling content has landed him in leading business publications such as Report on Business, Advisor’s Edge, Benefits Canada and Investor's Digest of Canada.

American Express Gold Card review: Best for foodies

American Express® Gold Card overview

The American Express® Gold Card wants a seat at your table, whether you're dining out at restaurants or buying groceries at U.S. supermarkets to cook at home. You might also benefit from its various statement credits to save money throughout the year. If you're a food lover, the Amex Gold may be a great option for your wallet. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

* Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

Although its annual fee of $250 (see rates and fees ) might seem pricey to some, the American Express Gold Card regularly ranks as one of our top rewards cards thanks to a couple of key features.

With stellar earning rates on dining and grocery purchases and monthly credits that can bring the effective annual fee cost down to just $10, the Amex Gold remains a TPG staff favorite .

And I'm a proud member of its fan club. This is one of the best cards in my wallet, thanks to its whopping 8% return (according to TPG valuations ) on my dining and grocery purchases. Plus, its rose gold shine makes it the star of the show when I pull it out of my wallet to pay for dinner.

If you have a good or excellent credit score (670 or above) and are considering joining the American Express Gold Card club, here's everything you need to know.

Amex Gold Card welcome offer

The Amex Gold is currently offering a welcome bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first six months of card membership. Based on TPG's latest valuations , that bonus is worth $1,200.

However, getting an even higher welcome offer of up to 90,000 points may be possible via the CardMatch Tool , so it's always a good idea to check there to see if you're targeted (offer subject to change at any time).

Related: The best time to apply for these American Express cards based on offer history

Amex Gold Card benefits

The Amex Gold offers several excellent perks for cardmembers, but here are the main ones to be aware of and to maximize:

• Up to $120 annual dining statement credit: Earn up to $10 in monthly statement credits when you pay with the Amex Gold Card at participating dining partners, including Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment through the Amex website is required.
• Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash: Earn up to $10 in Uber Cash monthly for Uber Eats and Uber rides in the U.S. You must add the card to the Uber app to receive the Uber Cash benefit. This perk is a monthly statement credit similar to the Uber Cash on The Platinum Card® from American Express . Enrollment is required.
• Up to $100 in hotel credits: Cardmembers who use their card to book a stay of two nights or more through Amex's The Hotel Collection receive a $100 on-site credit for qualifying activities. Depending on the property, this could include dining, spa treatments or other activities.

• Baggage insurance: If your luggage is lost, stolen or damaged when you're traveling with a common carrier and you've purchased your ticket with the Amex Gold , you'll be eligible for up to $1,250 in coverage for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage. For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all covered persons per covered trip.*
• Purchase protection and extended warranty: You'll get purchase protection and an extended warranty on eligible purchases made on your Gold Card. There are exclusions to what types of purchases are covered, which regions or territories coverage is available in, and other conditions to be aware of, so be sure to read your benefits guide.*
• No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees ): Avoiding foreign transaction fees makes this card a great choice to use for purchases when traveling internationally, especially because you'll still earn 4 points per dollar at global restaurants.
• Send & Split: Splitting purchases with a group is even easier with Amex's Send & Split feature. It connects to your PayPal and Venmo accounts to allow you to request payment through those apps and apply the payment directly to your Amex account. Enrollment required.

The standout benefits are the Uber and dining monthly credits. I'm able to maximize these each month to glean a full $240 in value annually, which brings my effective annual fee down to just $10.

But the underrated Send & Split feature is probably my second favorite benefit. I used to be torn when it came to putting a whole group dinner on my card — I wanted to earn the points but didn't want to deal with the hassle of collecting payment from everyone else.

This feature allows me to easily request payment from my friends and apply it to my balance, with no chasing down payments or multi-step account transfers needed.

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Related: Is the Amex Gold worth the annual fee?

Earning points on the Amex Gold Card

The Amex Gold impresses when it comes to its bonus categories and long-term earning potential. It accrues points at the following rates (terms apply):

• 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.)
• 4 points per dollar on up to $25,000 in purchases at U.S. supermarkets per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar)
• 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly from the airline or through Amex Travel
• 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases

These are some of the most generous earning rates of any rewards card. Earning four points per dollar on dining and groceries at U.S. supermarkets (up to that $25,000 annual cap) is equivalent to getting an 8% return on spending, based on TPG valuations.

And while this doesn't offer the most substantial earning rates on general travel, that 3-point-per-dollar earning rate on flights is nice for those who don't have another travel credit card .

Related: The best credit cards for dining out, taking out and ordering in

Redeeming points on the Amex Gold Card

The American Express Membership Rewards points you can earn with the Amex Gold are among the most valuable rewards points around.

You'll generally get the most value from your Amex points by transferring them to a travel partner, although that isn't your only redemption option.

You can use points to buy gift cards, cover charges on your billing statement, shop at Amazon or ride with Uber. You can also use points to book travel directly through Amex Travel . However, choosing a redemption option other than transferring your points to a travel partner means you'll fall short of TPG's 2 cents-per-point valuation.

Related: Why the Amex Gold is the perfect 'in-between' card

Transferring points on the Amex Gold Card

First, cardmembers can transfer their points to the program's many airline and hotel partners for excellent travel options. This includes a handful of U.S.-based programs — like Delta SkyMiles and JetBlue TrueBlue — but you'll often get even more value by leveraging international airline programs.

For example, Virgin Atlantic can provide some fantastic redemptions — such as the ability to score round-trip, first-class flights on ANA between the U.S. and Japan for as few as 145,000 points. Another excellent redemption option is transferring points to Avianca LifeMiles for cheap Star Alliance premium cabin awards .

TPG senior writer Ben Smithson loves to transfer his Membership Rewards to Air Canada's Aeroplan program for the huge range of airline redemption partners at sensible fixed award chart rates, as well as the ability to transfer them to British Airways Executive Club to book short-haul flights from the United Kingdom to Europe on British Airways for under 5,000 points each way.

On the hotel side, you can transfer Membership Rewards points to Choice Hotels and Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio and Hilton Honors at a 1:2 ratio.

American Express also regularly offers transfer bonuses , which can be a great way to squeeze even more value from your points.

Related: Redeeming American Express Membership Rewards for maximum value

Which cards compete with the Amex Gold?

The Amex Gold's $250 annual fee places it between mid-tier and premium-level cards. Although there's no direct comparison on the annual fee front, several cards offer similar bonus categories and perks.

• If you want to earn on dining and travel with a lower annual fee: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns 3 points per dollar on dining and 2 points per dollar on travel purchases, and the Chase Travel portal has a great slate of transfer partners. It has a $95 annual fee, making it a great option for anyone looking to keep their annual fees low. For more details, check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred .
• If you want to earn a flat rate on all your purchases: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns 2 miles per dollar on all purchases, making it a good option for anyone who spends a lot of their budget outside of specific bonus categories. It also has some solid transfer partners . For more details, check out our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards card .
• If you want more premium travel rewards: The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with a slew of perks like airport lounge access and complimentary hotel elite status. For more details, check out our full review of the Amex Platinum .

For additional options, check out our full list of best cards for travel and dining out .

Related: Does it make sense to have an Amex Platinum and Amex Gold card?

Bottom line

The Amex Gold isn't just a pretty card . The earning rates at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets make it a strong pick for pretty much all food purchases. If you can take full advantage of them, the up to $120 in annual statement credits on dining and up to $120 annually in Uber cash add even more value and make the $250 annual fee easily worth paying. For foodies, this card is worth its weight in gold.

Apply here for the American Express® Gold Card with a 60,000-point welcome bonus, though be sure to c heck the CardMatch Tool to see if you've been selected for an even higher welcome offer.

For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here .