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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Amex Gold changes: Enhanced earning on Amex Travel hotels, new Hertz benefit and more
Augusta Stone is a credit cards writer for TPG. She joined the TPG team in 2023 and is excited to take points and miles beginners with her on a journey toward maximizing rewards.
April 30, 2026 • 7 min read
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Quick summary
A popular dining and grocery rewards card has received a minor update, mostly featuring positive changes for both current and prospective cardholders.
The card now provides enhanced rewards for prepaid hotel bookings through the issuer's travel portal and adds complimentary mid-tier car rental status, with benefit enrollment required.
Monthly dining statement credit partners have shifted, with two new merchants added and two existing ones ending after June 30.
The spending requirement to earn the welcome offer has increased, though the value of the offer remains unchanged.
What to consider
To access the new car rental status, enrollment and registration with the car rental loyalty program are necessary.
Some dining credit partners will only be available through June 30, so users should plan accordingly if they prefer those merchants.
The higher spending threshold for the welcome offer may make it more challenging for some to qualify within the six-month window.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of new and expiring dining partners, plus tips on maximizing new travel and car rental benefits.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
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.
This gold-standard dining and grocery cardhas undergone a light refresh, though current and future cardmembers shouldn't be too concerned. These Amex Gold changes are (relatively) minimal — and mostly positive.
Whether you currently carry the Amex Gold or are considering it, here's what you need to know about its latest revamp.
Summary of changes
While the actual number of Amex Gold changes is small, they may still be relevant for certain cardmembers. This is especially true for prospective cardmembers, since the spending requirement for the welcome offer has changed.
VIOLETASTOIMENOVA/GETTY IMAGES
What's changing
Earning rates on Amex Travel hotel bookings: You'll now earn 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com and the Amex Travel App™.
Hertz Five Star status: You'll receive complimentary Hertz Five Star status* in the Hertz Gold+ car rental loyalty program.
Monthly dining statement creditpartners: Buffalo Wild Wings and Wonder enter as new partners for the up to $10 monthly dining statement credit with select partners (up to $120 in statement credits per calendar year), and are available to use immediately. Goldbelly and Wine.com remain through June 30. (Enrollment is required)
Welcome offer spending requirement: New cardmembers must now spend $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership to receive the welcome offer (more on that below).
*Benefit enrollment and registration for Hertz Gold+ are required.
Limited-time anniversary benefits
As part of the celebration for the Amex Gold's 60th anniversary, American Express is offering these perks:
Uber One membership: Upon enrollment, receive a one-time statement credit for up to $96 to cover an Uber One membership (Through Oct. 30).
Hilton Honors transfer bonus: Through May 30, you'll get a 20% transfer bonus when transferring Membership Rewards to Hilton Honors.
The Hotel Collection offers: Through July 15, you can receive special offers at select The Hotel Collection properties when booking through Amex Travel, such as a complimentary third night or 25% off select rooms (minimum two-night stay required).
Amex Offers: Limited-time Amex Offers in partnership with select merchants (enrollment required).
What's staying the same
Annual fee: The card still charges a $325 annual fee (see ).
Bonusoffer: While the spending requirement increased, the actual value of the offer is the same: Amex Gold applicants can find out their offer and see if they are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.) According to TPG's April 2026 valuations, 100,000 Membership Rewards points are worth $2,000.
Other statement credits and benefits: The value of all of the card's statement credits and its additional perks will remain the same.
Now, let's dive deeper into the details of what's changing with the Amex Gold.
There is one positive Membership Rewards point earning rate change on the Amex Gold.
Category
New earning rate
Prior earning rate
Prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com and the Amex Travel App
5 points per dollar spent
2 points per dollar spent
ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
If you enjoy booking through Amex Travel, this is a positive change. However, we generally recommend booking hotels directly with the property, especially if you have elite status benefits to use.
This is because you may not always receive your elite status benefits when you book through an outside travel agency, such as Amex Travel, instead of directly with the brand.
New Amex Gold applicants can find out their offer and see if they are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
The value of the bonus has not changed. However, the previous offer required new cardmembers to spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership (offer no longer available).
This could make it more difficult for some people to earn their welcome offer. You'll need to spend at least $1,334 on the Amex Gold each month to meet this new spending requirement.
These changes are far from extreme and are mostly positive. The Amex Gold was updated with higher earning rates for prepaid hotels and added Hertz Five Star status without raising its annual fee.
If you're a Buffalo Wild Wings or Wonder fan, you may be excited that they're now included in the dining statement credit. However, if you enjoyed using your monthly dining statement on Goldbelly or Wine.com, this is a more negative change.
Plus, you'll now need to spend an additional $2,000 on the card to receive its welcome offer.
