How to maximize Amex Gold credits when traveling abroad
Editor's Note
The American Express® Gold Card is one of our top picks when it comes to earning bonus points on dining and groceries. However, offsetting its high $325 annual fee (see rates and fees) by maximizing up to $424 in annual statement credits takes a fair bit of effort — especially when you're abroad.
I've spent the past three months traveling through South America and have figured out some ways to get value from the card's credits. So, whether you're abroad temporarily or long term, here are my tips on how to get the most out of the Amex Gold's four statement credits.
Reload your Dunkin' balance
This is an easy one. While I'm abroad, I can't use the credit since it's only valid in the U.S., but I can still reload my balance for future use. Download the Dunkin' mobile app, go to the "Scan / Pay" tab and use your Amex Gold to reload your balance with $7 every month (enrollment required).
Because the purchase codes as "Dunkin' Mobile," it earns the 4 points per dollar Amex Gold awards at restaurants worldwide on the first $50,000 spent each calendar year (1 point per dollar thereafter).
I have done this each month since the statement credit was added in July 2024 and the credit has been backdated to the same day every time.
Buy a Goldbelly or Wine.com gift card
The Amex Gold gives cardmembers up to $120 per calendar year in statement credits — up to $10 per month — for dining purchases from select merchants (enrollment required).
Out of the five eligible dining statement credit merchants, my top recommendation is to buy a Goldbelly e-gift card. Goldbelly "delivers food and food gifts from iconic restaurants and food makers across the United States" — albeit at a premium price.
I have purchased a e-gift cards from Goldbelly twice and the credit has posted within three and nine days, respectively. Just note that there is a $25 minimum gift card purchase, so you'll be paying $15 out of pocket each time.
You can then combine multiple gift cards when placing an order, either for yourself when you're back in the U.S. or as a gift for a loved one. These items offer free shipping.
Buying an e-gift card from Wine.com also triggers the credit, which TPG credit cards writer Chris Nelson received within three days. However, there are two drawbacks:
- The minimum gift card purchase is $25 (like with Goldbelly)
- You can only use up to two gift cards per purchase
So, this is a good method if you want to buy a $30 bottle of wine every two months. You’d pay $50 total for two gift cards and Amex would give you $20 in statement credits. Effectively, the Amex credits cover the $19.99 shipping fee, meaning you're buying a $30 bottle of wine for $30 — with "free" shipping, courtesy of Amex.
As for the other three listed merchants, we tested buying e-gift cards from Grubhub and The Cheesecake Factory — and neither triggered the credit. And Five Guys only offers gift cards in person at one of their locations.
Order Uber Eats for a loved one
This has been the trickiest credit to maximize.
The best workaround I've found has been to pay for a loved one's Uber ride or Uber Eats order back in the U.S. It does require a good amount of real-time coordination with that person to organize the logistics of the ride or order, though.
You'll receive up to $120 in Uber Cash annually, which comes in the form of a $10 monthly credit.
Note that you can use any Amex card as your payment method in order to use your Uber Cash — just make sure your Amex Gold is added to your Uber account first.
Purchase a restaurant gift card
If you're in the U.S. at least once every six months, this statement credit is fairly easy to use in person (enrollment required). It’s split into two parts: an up to $50 credit from January to June and another up to $50 credit from July to December.
I make it a point to visit a Resy-affiliated restaurant — one that accepts reservations through Resy — twice a year and pay with my Amex Gold. You don’t need to make a reservation for the credit to trigger — you just need to pay with your Gold card.
Also, keep an eye on your account to make sure the credit posts. In my experience, the first time I used this credit — I waited the full eight weeks and had to chat with an Amex agent online to get the credit applied manually. However, the second time I used this benefit, the credit posted the same day.
If you can’t be in the U.S. every six months, try purchasing a gift card from a Resy-affiliated restaurant online or calling the restaurant directly. You'll likely earn 4 points per dollar spent on this purchase since it should be considered a restaurant purchase.
TPG newsletter and partnerships editor Emily Thompson got in at the nick of time on Dec. 31 by buying a gift card at a Pensacola, Florida restaurant to receive her credit for the second half of the year.
Note that each restaurant codes purchases differently, so your gift card purchase isn't guaranteed to trigger the credit. Make sure you choose a restaurant where you'd be happy to spend up to $50 either way.
Bottom line
It’s important to squeeze as much value as possible out of your cards — especially ones with a hefty annual fee like the Amex Gold. That’s true whether you're based in the U.S. or traveling internationally.
If you are an Amex Gold cardmember, my recommendation is to:
- Reload your Dunkin' app balance with $7 every month
- Buy a $25 Goldbelly (or Wine.com) gift card every month
- Cover a $10-plus Uber ride or Uber Eats order for a loved one (in the U.S.) each month
- Purchase a $50 gift card to your favorite Resy-affiliated restaurant every six months
Also, be sure to check out our monthly and quarterly, biannual and annual credit checklists to make sure you’re maximizing all your card benefits.
Related: Is the Amex Gold worth the annual fee?
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 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 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended 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.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 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 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.