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6 times I wish I had the Amex Gold card

March 13, 2023
6 min read
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I have a confession to make: Before this month, I hadn’t opened a new credit card in, well, a while.

But now that I’m able to start opening new lines of credit once again, the American Express® Gold Card is at the top of my list. And it has been for a while. That’s because I consistently run into situations when I think to myself, “If only I had the Amex Gold card in my wallet.”

And it was an increasingly frequent refrain during the years of the pandemic, since a bulk of my spend seemed to be on takeout orders, groceries and, ahem, whiskey delivery. So here are some of the reasons why you should consider this card for a slot in your wallet.

Every time I order from a restaurant…

The Amex Gold card is one of the top cards for earning bonus points at restaurants — you get 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar whenever you swipe your card at a restaurant. That’s an 8% return based on TPG’s most recent valuation.

I currently rely on my Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for my dining spend, which earns 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar.

… Especially when I splurge

Depending on the total bill, not having a credit card with a higher category bonus for dining out can hurt.

I find myself waiting for a Gold card to magically appear in my wallet whenever I order something listed at market price without asking first (most recently, a plate of Dover sole); or when I realize it’s a tasting menu — not a la carte.

A fine dining meal at New York City’s Lilia. ZACH HONIG/THE POINTS GUY

I’m also consistently disappointed that I don’t have the Gold card when I accidentally order a fancy bottle of still water instead of tap; when the breadbasket isn’t included; and when I meant to get the glass but actually bought the whole bottle.

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

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After my Seamless Amex Offer ended

I was getting bonus points on my Seamless orders for a long time when I paid with my The Platinum Card® from American Express. But when that Amex Offer expired, my weekly takeout order started to feel way more expensive.

The Amex Gold comes with a $10 monthly statement credit for Grubhub orders (plus purchases at select restaurants such as The Cheesecake Factory and certain Shake Shack locations). That’s a benefit I know I can easily use every month to the tune of $120 in value to me over the course of a year. Enrollment is required.

When I run out of Uber credits

ISABELLE RAPHAEL/THE POINTS GUY

The Gold card offers way more than just food perks. When the card is added to the Uber app, cardholders get up to $10 in Uber Cash in the U.S. every month ($120 annually).

I quickly blow through the $15 Uber Cash credit from my Platinum card between Uber rides and Uber Eats delivery orders, so I know I won’t leave this new benefit on the table. That’s another $120 in annual value to me that I’m currently missing out on.

Related: 4 of my favorite under-the-radar Amex Gold card perks

When I buy groceries

While I do still order takeout and such, I’m not sure if I’ve ever spent this much money on groceries in my life, and the Amex Gold card also earns 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar).

This benefit also works with grocery delivery services such as Instacart, so I could get quadruple points every time I place my weekly grocery order.

When Rose Gold made its comeback

JOHN GRIBBEN/THE POINTS GUY

Almost all of my credit cards are the same blue color, making it a real pain when I’m holding up the line at the drugstore rooting around my wallet for the one that will get me the most cash back on my vitamins.

Yes, I could get a different wallet. But I could also get the glitzy Amex Gold card in rose gold. I won’t lie: I felt pretty left out a few years ago when everyone at the office was flashing their upgraded rose gold cards and I was scrambling to meet minimum-spend requirements on other cards.

It’s always nice to have a hefty metal card in your wallet in a bright metallic hue that easily stands out in a pile of blue plastic. And, let’s be honest: having a pretty card always feels like a treat.

Bottom line

If you often think about missed opportunities to earn bonus points, you might also have a gap to fill in your wallet.

Based on how much I spend at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants, I need a card that performs better in that category — and with a $250-a-year annual fee (see rates and fees), the Amex Gold card is hard to beat.

I can easily take advantage of the card’s other perks, such as the monthly Uber credit. And, when I travel, I know I’ll also be able to take advantage of the 3 points per dollar bonus on flights booked directly with the airline (or through Amex Travel).

With this card's welcome offer, you can also earn 60,000 more Membership Rewards points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. However, you might be able to earn a higher sign-up bonus through a friend or loved one’s referral link through June 7.

Related: 5 amazing ways to use 60,000 Membership Rewards points for your next trip

Apply here for the Amex Gold card

Additional reporting by Emily Thompson.

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

Featured image by MELANIE LIEBERMAN/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
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3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
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  • Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
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  • Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
  • First checked bag free

Cons

  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
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  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
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TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
2XEarn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
1XEarn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer
    Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

    Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles
    50,000 Bonus Miles
  • Annual Fee

    $250
  • Recommended Credit
    Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

    670-850
    Excellent/Good

Why We Chose It

Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

Pros

  • Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
  • Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
  • First checked bag free

Cons

  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees