Halle is TPG's travel intern, and she's thrilled to be taking on a new city for the summer: New York. Halle is a rising senior at Wesleyan University, where she majors in Dance and History and studies journalism through the Writing Certificate program. Halle works as a Senior Interviewer for the Wesleyan Office of Admissions and writes for the Wesleyan Argus.
Originally from Burlington, Vermont, Halle grew up skiing, hiking and exploring the Green Mountains with her family. Although she has plenty of fond travel memories -- like sauntering through the streets of London or snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef-- her favorite moment on a trip is always the plane's takeoff. Window seat or bust.
Favorite city: London
Where to next: Greece, Spain, Morocco
August 14, 2022 • 14 min read
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By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
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Quick summary
Hotel Crocodile in Seattle offers a unique stay above one of the city's most iconic music venues, featuring just 17 eclectic rooms.
Guests enjoy direct access to live shows, a vibrant community atmosphere and themed rooms designed by local artists.
The hotel is located in Belltown, close to major attractions like Pike Place Market and the waterfront, with convenient public transit options nearby.
While the property delivers memorable experiences and comfortable beds, guest services are limited and the vibe is more quirky than upscale.
What to consider
Rooms can be pricey, especially when factoring in additional service and tax fees.
Guest services are semi-remote, with limited on-site staff and occasional maintenance issues reported.
Guaranteed show tickets are included with a stay, but must be purchased at full price.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of Hotel Crocodile with nearby hostels and chain hotels, including tips for choosing the best lodging for your Seattle trip.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
At most hotels, blasts of music in the middle of the night would result in a few noise complaints. But Hotel Crocodile is not most hotels. It's home to one of Seattle's most storied music venues: The Crocodile.
The Croc has been a fixture in Grunge City for over 30 years. Big-name artists like R.E.M., Pearl Jam, Nirvana and Patti Smith have brought down the house and, more recently, it has hosted stars such as Lizzo, Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg and Sia.
After a relocation and lengthy renovation, The Crocodile reopened in the fall of 2021 as a three-story establishment with two performance venues — and the namesake hotel above it all. You can stay in the same small hotel (which offers just 17 rooms) as your favorite band when they come to perform downstairs.
At present, The Crocodile has a comedy club and movie theater called Here-After, a small performance venue called Madame Lou's, and a music main stage that's also known as The Crocodile.
What would it be like to stay in this kind of hotel? Would I be sleepless in Seattle?
There was only one way to find out.
With Elton John's "Crocodile Rock" playing in my head, I booked a room.
(Screenshot from Hotel Crocodile)
Location
The Crocodile is located in Belltown, an artsy downtown Seattle neighborhood. It's just a 10-minute walk down the street to Pike Place Market and the first Starbucks, so guests can get their tourism fix pretty easily. The waterfront is also just a few blocks away, where travelers can take in stunning views of the harbor and walk along Alaskan Way, a route that leads to Seattle's sculpture garden.
Seattle's Great Wheel is located on the waterfront. (Photo by Grant Faint/Getty Images)
It's a short walk to several King County Metro bus stops, but Seattle's Link system — the light rail — is a bit farther away from the hotel. I used the bus (which is a zero-emission service) to get around, allowing about five minutes to walk from the hotel to the nearest stop. Bus and light rail fares are $2.25 per ride.
If you're flying into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, you can either take public transportation or use a ride-hailing app like Uber or Lyft. You can take the light rail from the airport to Westlake Station on the edge of Belltown and walk just under a mile to the hotel — the whole trip should take about an hour. The drive is about 25 minutes and will cost around $50 if you're using a ride-hailing app.
If you're traveling to Seattle by car, there's plenty of street parking in the neighborhood. There are also several paid lots nearby. And if you've got another kind of wheels, Hotel Crocodile offers a secure bike rack on site.
The Crocodile has stood the test of time — and the test of stubborn landlords. In November 2020, The Crocodile reluctantly relocated from its previous stomping grounds on Second Avenue. The current First Avenue location has a history of its own: It used to be home to the Sailors' Union of the Pacific Hall.
Booking
Booking with Hotel Crocodile is a choose-your-own-adventure kind of deal. The rooms feature artwork by different local artists, making each stay unique and eclectic. The hotel describes the rooms as "oversized" and "upscale."
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Fake monarch butterflies rest on the grassy wall in the corner king suite. (Screenshot from Hotel Crocodile)
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The deluxe queen rooms at Hotel Crocodile are spacious and chic. (Screenshot from Hotel Crocodile)
When booking your room, you can peruse and compare room prices, themes and amenities. While most rooms were priced at around the $250 mark, there's about $40 extra to pay in service and tax fees. While my deluxe queen room was listed at $249, the total came to $291, which is fairly standard for an upscale hotel. Whether we consider this hotel to be upscale will be covered later.
If you're looking to book about two months in advance, rooms like my deluxe queen would be as low as $189, before service fees and tax. So if you want lower prices, plan ahead!
(Screenshot from Hotel Crocodile)
First Impressions
To enter Hotel Crocodile, you need to punch in a code on the door, Airbnb-style. The code is sent to you 24 hours before your check-in time.
I walked up a narrow stairwell, passing a chandelier and a mural of a crocodile, to reach the hotel lobby. I entered a carpeted room furnished with suede emerald green chairs, a disco ball and a giant crocodile sitting in a faux swamp.
Despite the skylights, the room was dim and felt more like a basement than a second-story hotel lobby. I walked over to the front desk — which doubled as a minibar — and waited for a staff member to come by.
I later learned that Hotel Crocodile has a "semi-remote guest services team" who can be reached by email. When a friendly staff member arrived, he took my bags and — indulging my curiosity about the hotel — gave me a quick tour.
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The lobby lounge recalls the Slytherin Common Room from "Harry Potter." (Photo by Halle Newman/The Points Guy)
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The Here-After, a comedy club and movie venue. (Photo by Halle Newman/The Points Guy)
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The Crocodile's event schedule. (Photo by Halle Newman/The Points Guy)
Since every room at Hotel Crocodile is different, it was cool to see a few of them in person. All of them were big enough for a post-show dance party.
1 of 3
This deluxe queen comes with a magenta lava lamp. (Photo by Halle Newman/The Points Guy)
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This corner queen suite has a four-poster bed, a plush couch and a mural of a crocodile eating a bikini-clad lady. (Photo by Halle Newman/The Points Guy)
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Even the lights on the ceiling vary from room to room. (Photo by Halle Newman/The Points Guy)
While I was fascinated by the interior design of each room, I noticed one thing off the bat: This was not an upscale hotel. It looked more like an artist's basement than anything else. Don't get me wrong — I love a quirky low-budget hotel or hostel; had this property been a hostel, it easily would've been one of my favorite hostels I've stayed in. And the scrappiness of Hotel Crocodile is part of its charm. But it wasn't a hostel — it was a $300 hotel.
As promised, my room was enormous. With the framed band poster and retro furniture, the room felt exactly as Hotel Crocodile had intended: like a backstage green room.
My room was easily the most unique hotel room I've ever stayed in — how can you top leather couches and fur throws? I'm not exactly sure where the local Seattle art in my room was — maybe it was the brass bull skull mounted on the wall or the beige carpet on the floor.
Even in the early evening, I could feel the thrum of the sound system warming up downstairs. I wondered if I'd be using the complimentary earplugs later that night.
I checked out the bar in the hotel lobby before heading down to dinner. Since I was there midweek, I didn't encounter any other hotel guests during my stay, but on a busier day it's normal for guests to socialize in the lobby — and maybe even meet their favorite musician. As a bartender squeezed limes for a mixed drink at the front desk/minibar, she told me about a girl who was raving about her favorite band, only to see that the lead singer was standing right next to her.
Hotel Crocodile offers three other bars downstairs. There's The Society, a bar right next to the entrance to the club; the Here-After, an eclectic bar in the basement where you can grab drinks before seeing a film or comedy show; and there's also a bar in the back of The Crocodile club. Rest assured: There's plenty to drink.
I grabbed a pre-show dinner at The Society, where I chatted with friendly locals and got to know the bartender. There's a strong sense of community at The Crocodile; it feels like a small neighborhood joint where old friends come to catch up.
1 of 4
The Society serves classy cocktails for $12. (Photo by Halle Newman/The Points Guy)
2 of 4
Grab drinks for the show at the Here-After. (Photo by Halle Newman/The Points Guy)
3 of 4
Pre-club grub at The Society. (Photo by Halle Newman/The Points Guy)
4 of 4
The Society looks out onto Second Avenue. (Photo by Halle Newman/The Points Guy)
Nightlife
All guests get two guaranteed tickets for shows during their stay. You still have to pay full price, though. My main stage ticket was $25.
I ended up seeing Devin The Dude, a rap artist from Houston, and a handful of other talented rappers, musicians and DJs who opened for him. By the time Devin The Dude came on, the club was full of people.
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The Crocodile's signature emerald green lights up the stage. (Photo by Halle Newman/The Points Guy)
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HALLE NEWMAN/THE POINTS GUY
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Devin The Dude fans demonstrated their enthusiasm. (Photo by Halle Newman/The Points Guy)
Rolling Stone named The Crocodile one of the best small clubs in America for a reason: It's a fun, offbeat way to experience Seattle. It's not every day you go clubbing under a 40-foot crocodile skeleton. As a small venue, it provides an intimate music experience with enough room to still dance. Several of the openers joined the audience after they'd finished their set, dancing among the sea of fans.
The community feel of The Crocodile carried over even in the crowded club — there were some out-of-towners, but most of the people I met were Seattleites. While hitting touristy stops on a trip is fun, there's nothing like immersing yourself in a local hot spot to get a feel for the community.
If you're staying upstairs in the hotel, you don't have to worry about a long trek to your bed at the end of the night. When you're tuckered out, you simply step out of the club and head upstairs.
As I got into bed, I could feel the bass pumping through the floor. But to my surprise, there wasn't a noise problem, just physical vibrations. I couldn't hear the actual music or cheers from the audience — I didn't even touch the earplugs. Whoever soundproofed the place is a genius.
As Hotel Crocodile says on its website, this is somewhere where you can "get lost in the rock and roll and drift away." And I certainly did drift off quite easily.
The verdict was in: I was not sleepless in Seattle. In fact, I had a peaceful, uninterrupted night's sleep in the most comfortable hotel bed I'd ever slept in. I'm not sure what they stuff the mattresses with, but it seriously felt like a cloud.
Some hotels have chandeliers. Others have colossal crocodile skeletons. (Photo by Halle Newman/The Points Guy)
Shortcomings: A hostel at a hotel price
Although Hotel Crocodile offers a quirky way to experience Seattle, it left some things to be desired in terms of hotel staff accessibility. I discovered halfway into my visit that my room's door had stopped automatically locking from the outside, but there was no engineer on hand, which you'd expect at this price tag. The faulty lock seemed a glitch rather than a symptom of a broader issue, but if something does go wrong during your stay, you might have to deal with it yourself.
Since it's only a 17-room hotel, there's no need for a ton of guest services support — hence the semiremote guest services team. Still, visitors should be aware of this before they make a reservation.
You don't have to stay where you play
If you're coming to see a show at The Crocodile, you can always consider going somewhere else to sleep and store your belongings, especially if you want an experience with around-the-clock guest services and more security. Luckily, Belltown has you — and your wallet — covered.
If you want a revelrous experience without the high price, opt for the Green Tortoise Hostel down the street. For $70, you can book a private room with access to an individual bathroom unit. Or you can pay $36 and share a room. The hostel — which is ironically themed around another green river-dweller — has someone at the front desk 24 hours a day. If you're traveling alone, having a hotel staff member nearby can provide a sense of comfort and security. Hostels win out for me yet again: If I ever see another show at The Crocodile, I think I'll try out the Green Tortoise. I won't get as good a night's sleep, but I can use the money I save to go on a whale watching tour.
Alternatively, Belltown (and much of Seattle) is home to a plethora of hotels, many of which you can book with points — there's a Hilton Garden Inn, a Hyatt Regency, a Kimpton and many other large chain hotels around the neighborhood. While guests at Hotel Crocodile are guaranteed tickets to shows, there's no discount. So it might be worth it to drop $25 on the tickets and save on lodging elsewhere.
A stay here makes sense if you have a flexible budget and are open to a grungy, scrappy hotel experience built around partying. If you're not using points and are planning on spending upward of $250 on a hotel anyway, you might as well stay at Hotel Crocodile. Plus, your money will support an iconic local business.
Bottom line
If you travel to Seattle — regardless of where you stay — it's fun to pop into the swamp in Belltown. While the comfortable (like, really comfortable) beds, easy access to quality music and spirited community feel are all reasons to stay at Hotel Crocodile, you can still experience the venue without sleeping there. Either way, you're sure to meet plenty of friendly Seattleites, drink delicious cocktails and experience the thrill of live music.
My stay at Hotel Crocodile was memorable and, honestly, pretty heartwarming. The Crocodile is a place that brings people together, whether they're old bandmates meeting up for a drink before a show or hotel guests shaking their favorite artist's hand in the upstairs lobby. And, come on: How often can you say you slept in a hotel above a club? And how often does your hotel room come with leather couches?
Most importantly: If you stay at Hotel Crocodile, you will not be sleepless in Seattle. Not today, Nora Ephron. Not today.
at American Express's secure site. Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
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Category
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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.
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Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
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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.
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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
Points are transferable
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.
Difficult credit redemption
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.
Pros
Valuable dining and food-related credits
Points are transferable
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.
Difficult credit redemption
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.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
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
Points are transferable
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.
Difficult credit redemption
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.
Pros
Valuable dining and food-related credits
Points are transferable
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.
Difficult credit redemption
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.
American Express® Gold Card
TPG Editor's Rating4/5
TPG Editor's Rating4/5
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
Points are transferable
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.
Difficult credit redemption
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.
Pros
Valuable dining and food-related credits
Points are transferable
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.
Difficult credit redemption
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.
