Name: American Express® Gold Card
Brand: American Express

Quick summary

A particular debit card is highlighted as a valuable tool for frequent travelers due to its worldwide ATM fee reimbursement feature.
The card is especially useful in destinations where cash is necessary, allowing travelers to avoid significant withdrawal fees.
While the debit card is reserved for ATM use, a mix of travel rewards and cash-back credit cards is used for purchases abroad, focusing on cards without foreign transaction fees.
The article details a strategy of using different cards for hotels, dining, flights and general purchases to maximize rewards and benefits.

What to consider

ATM fee reimbursements are credited at the end of each month, so travelers should plan accordingly.
Selecting local currency and declining dynamic currency conversion when withdrawing cash or making purchases abroad can help avoid extra conversion fees.
Some cards in the travel strategy provide lounge access and statement credits, while others are chosen for their acceptance and rewards flexibility.

What you'll miss from the article

A detailed breakdown of how to combine debit and credit cards for optimal travel spending, including specific scenarios and pro tips for minimizing fees abroad.

Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.

I'm always thinking about earning and redeeming points and miles and constantly asking myself, what's the best card to use?

Points and miles have helped me substantially fund my travels over the years, as I've traveled to nearly 90 countries.

Throughout my travels, there's one card I seem to use more frequently than expected. In fact, it's not a credit card — shocking, I know. It’s actually a debit card.

The Schwab Bank Visa® Platinum Debit Card is my go-to card when traveling domestically and abroad for one sole reason: fee-free ATM withdrawals worldwide.

I travel to many destinations where cash is king. Not having to pay hefty ATM withdrawal fees offers me peace of mind, knowing that when I land, I can go straight through customs, immediately head to the ATM and then get started exploring.

Let's look at why the Schwab Platinum Debit Card will always have a slot in my wallet when traveling abroad.

The information for the Schwab Bank Visa Platinum Debit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

What is the Schwab Platinum Debit Card?

The Schwab Platinum Debit Card is the debit card attached to the Investor checking account from Charles Schwab Bank.

The Schwab Platinum Debit Card will always have a place in my wallet, but not to make purchases. I only carry this card in the event I need to take money out of the ATM because Charles Schwab will reimburse unlimited ATM withdrawal fees worldwide at the end of each month.

Person tapping card at the ATM — BRIZMAKER/GETTY IMAGES

Even better, there are no fees to open an account and no monthly maintenance fees.

For instance, on my most recent international trip, I went to Serbia, which is a very cash-heavy country. I couldn't even leave the airport without having the local currency, as I needed to pay for a taxi.

Whether I was paying for public transit or buying sarma (stuffed cabbage rolls) from a food vendor, I needed cash on multiple occasions. I took out cash at least 10 times on this trip, and without the Schwab Platinum Debit Card, I would have spent close to $100 on fees.

Schwab checking account screenshot — SCHWAB

And I can’t lie—I do like to indulge in the occasional gambling at casinos. Often, when I go into a casino, I don't have any cash, so I have to go to the ATM to withdraw some. On this trip, I walked into a casino and saw a $20 ATM withdrawal fee that almost induced a mini-panic attack, but then I remembered my Schwab Platinum Debit card would reimburse me.

Pro tip: When withdrawing money or even paying for purchases abroad, always select the local currency and decline the dynamic currency conversion, as you will end up paying a conversion fee that won't be reimbursed.

How the Schwab Platinum Debit Card fits into my overarching points and miles strategy abroad

Since I don't use the Schwab Platinum Debit Card for purchases, my credit cards are still the focal point for me to earn rewards when abroad. With most of my credit card rewards, I generally earn and burn them, so I always need to be spending on my cards to replace them.

Great Wall of China — CHRIS NELSON/THE POINTS GUY

My credit card lineup when traveling abroad

Four other cards — three travel rewards cards and one cash-back card — anchor my credit card strategy when traveling abroad:

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees)
The American Express® Gold Card
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Apple Card

Each card plays a pivotal role in my strategy, but the Sapphire Preferred and Amex Gold get the lion's share of my use. None of these cards has a foreign transaction fee (for rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here; for rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here), so I will happy swipe them abroad. Plus, I diversify my rewards by earning different transferable rewards.

The information for the Apple Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Sapphire Preferred is my go-to card for hotel and all general travel purchases, as it earns 2 points per dollar spent on all travel.

I generally rely on my Amex Gold Card for dining purchases, but Amex isn’t widely accepted in many countries (and even in some major cities abroad), so I turn to my Sapphire Preferred as my secondary dining card since it earns 3 points per dollar spent on dining.

Because my Sapphire is a Visa, it tends to see the most use abroad.

The card earns very valuable Ultimate Rewards points, which I transfer to one of Chase's 14 airline and three hotel partners. My go-to partners for transferring points are United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt. On the same trip to Serbia, I transferred 6,500 points to Hyatt for a brief overnight stay before my flight at the Hyatt Place Amsterdam Airport, where the cash price was slightly over $200 for the night.

A mostly empty United Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Newark. — BEN MUTZABAUGH/THE POINTS GUY

Lastly, I make sure to use the Sapphire Preferred's annual $100 hotel credit for hotels booked through Chase Travel℠.

I always try to use this credit at a hotel not attached to a loyalty program since I would not get any hotel loyalty perks. Additionally, I like to save the credit for when I need an airport hotel or am in a city for just a night.

I view this credit as effectively a $100 discount on a one-night stay, and in the past years, I have even found a few hotels that cost under $100 per night (albeit these were in cheaper countries to visit), so it turned into a free night for me. It's important to note that you will not earn any points on the first $100 spent on hotel purchases on Chase Travel.

American Express Gold Card

I consider myself a foodie, and there is no better card for foodies than the Amex Gold. The $325 annual fee (see rates and fees) is worth all the points I can earn throughout the year on different bonus categories.

It's my go-to dining card as it earns 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).

Additionally, a lesser-known benefit of the Amex Gold is that it also earns 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines, amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App™, so this card has become my default card for making airline purchases.

fried seafood in Tropea — Fried seafood at the Taverna Antica Grotta in Tropea, Italy. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

This card earns very valuable Membership Rewards points, which I can transfer to one of Amex's 17 airline and three hotel partners. My go-tos are Air Canada Aeroplan, Iberia Club and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

It's important to note that I fluctuate between using the Sapphire Preferred and the Amex Gold depending on which rewards currency I am short on. For example, on my most recent trip, I used a good chunk of my Chase points balance to fund the trip, so I needed to replenish my account. I used the Sapphire Preferred for all my purchases, despite the fact that I could have earned more points by using other cards.

Amex Business Platinum

My Amex Business Platinum Card doesn't see much use on a day-to-day basis when I'm traveling abroad. In fact, I only really use this card now for the statement credits and travel perks provided.

The main purpose of this card is to provide me with airport lounge access, allowing me access to the Global Lounge Collection. The card comes with a Priority Pass Select membership, which allows me to enter the majority of lounges I visit internationally (enrollment required).

Centurion Lounge DCA — ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

These Priority Pass lounges abroad tend to be nicer than most domestic lounges, depending on the region of the world you're traveling in. This card has also granted me entry into some Centurion Lounges internationally, including locations in Mexico City International Airport (MEX), Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) and Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN).

Apple Card

In what might be a surprise to many, the Apple Card plays a role in my international travel card lineup. If I have any nonbonus category spending, I may use my Apple Card with Apple Pay to earn 2% back on all purchases. Typically, I would use this card abroad at places like pharmacies or souvenir stores. However, this is usually the last card I will use when abroad; sometimes, I even settle for the 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases my Sapphire Preferred or Amex Gold offers.

One benefit of using the Apple Card is that the cash back earned, known as Daily Cash, is available to use immediately instead of at the end of the billing cycle.

Bottom line

The Schwab Platinum Debit Card is a must-have for any traveler. Whether you're a beginner with credit cards or have 10-plus cards, like some of our staffers, this should be the next addition to your wallet, and the best part is that no hard inquiry is required.

When traveling, you never know when you'll need some cash. The Schwab Platinum Debit Card isn't a replacement for any credit cards, but it is a great card to consider if you travel often to places where cash is the main form of currency. Having this card can ensure you can withdraw cash from an ATM fee-free.

For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click (see here).
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click (see here).

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

TPG editor's rating

at American Express's secure site.
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

Rewards rate

Rewards rate
Rate	Category
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
5X	Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
3X	Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
2X	Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1X	Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Annual fee

$325

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Recommended credit

Excellent to Good

Pros + cons

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

More details

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.