The Amex Gold Card Will Now Earn 4x Points at Restaurants
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
The American Express® Gold Card is one of our top picks for maximizing dining purchases, but since the 4x earnings on dining have been limited to US restaurants, it's been less attractive than other options for your trips abroad. That's why this news is huge: Card members will now receive 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants in general.
We learned of this change thanks to a TPG reader who shared this screenshot from their card statement:
According to the screenshot provided by the reader, the Amex Gold now earns 4x points on international dining purchases at restaurants as of June 6. Also note that the 4x earning rate on the first $25,000 spent at supermarkets each calendar year (then 1x) is still limited to supermarkets in the US. The card has a $250 annual fee (see rates and fees).
Based on TPG's valuations, 4x Amex points on dining at restaurants equals an 8% return on spending. That's second only to the Citi Prestige Card's 5x/8.5% return on dining worldwide. Before this change on the Amex Gold, the Citi Prestige and the Chase Sapphire Reserve (with 3x on dining; a 6% return) were our two top picks for dining purchases abroad, but this update nudges the CSR out of its second-place spot.
This is the Amex Gold Card's second refresh since October 2018, when American Express announced a limited-time rose gold card, 4 points per dollar spent at US restaurants and supermarkets and up to $120 in annual dining credits when paying with the Gold Card at participating dining partners including Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House and participating Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
Dining is a top spending category for many card holders, both at home and abroad, so we're very glad that Amex has extended the 4x earning rate to international dining purchases. This change makes it easy to justify clearing a coveted spot in your travel wallet for the Amex Gold.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold card, click here.
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| 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. |
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.