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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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Cruise port scams and schemes: Here’s how to avoid them
Featured image by CLARA MARGAIS/PICTURE ALLIANCE/GETTY IMAGES
Michelle Couch-Friedman is an ombudsman columnist at The Points Guy. Michelle is the founder of Consumer Rescue, an organization dedicated to helping consumers navigate and avoid problems with companies, including major travel providers. Previously, Michelle served as the executive director of the nonprofit Elliott Advocacy, where she resolved thousands of problems for troubled travelers. Her guidance has been featured in notable outlets, including CNBC, Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, CNN and Newsweek. She also makes regular television appearances to discuss issues that impact consumers. If you have experienced a problem with an airline, hotel, rental car company, cruise line or credit card during your trip and you have not been able to resolve it, email our tips inbox and Michelle will investigate. Favorite cities: Paris, MoabNext Up: A cross-country road trip alone with four feisty teenagers!
March 4, 2025 • 15 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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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
Cruise ship passengers are frequent targets for scams and high-pressure sales tactics at ports of call, including jewelry store pitches, excursion schemes and free gift offers.
Common pitfalls include accepting complimentary items, booking unofficial excursions, and using unmetered taxis, all of which can lead to unexpected expenses or safety risks.
Travelers may also be lured into expensive purchases or unwanted memberships through tactics such as free facials or cocktails, often resulting in buyer's remorse.
The article emphasizes the importance of researching merchants, setting budgets, and avoiding impulsive decisions while on vacation.
What to consider
Many scams rely on creating urgency or leveraging travelers' relaxed mindset, making it harder to resist high-pressure sales.
Refunds or chargebacks are often difficult or impossible for purchases made abroad, especially when terms are marked as nonrefundable.
Booking excursions or transportation through reputable, licensed providers reduces the risk of falling victim to common port scams.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed examples of specific scams and practical strategies to avoid them during cruise port visits.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
When Harry B. and his wife boarded Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas, they were looking forward to a relaxing tropical getaway. Buying $10,000 of skincare products definitely wasn’t part of the plan, but that’s exactly what Harry inexplicably did when the cruise ship made a port stop in the Bahamas.
Harry — whose last name I’m concealing because he is highly embarrassed about what happened and believes he is a victim of a crime — suspects that to convince him to buy all that stuff, the merchant must have spiked the cocktails that were served to him with drugs.
However, as a consumer advocate who has fielded thousands of complaints from travelers with postvacation buyer’s remorse, I suspect something a little less sinister as the culprit.
I call it ... vacation brain.
Travelers often let their guard down during vacation, doing things they would never consider doing at home. For example, they impulsively buy high-ticket items without any real knowledge of the product they’re purchasing.
Unfortunately, scammers and schemers know this, and when they see those big cruise ships sailing into port, they’re at the ready.
So, cruise ship passengers, you had better be ready for them, too.
Here are the latest schemes and outright scams that cruise ship passengers need to be aware of when disembarking their ship during a port of call.
A ‘free’ gift during your cruise port visit
A souvenir stand near the cruise port in Cozumel, Mexico. DBVIRAGO/GETTY IMAGES
Take a stroll down any shopping area during your port visit, and you will likely be offered a free bracelet or other little bauble. The lure of a complimentary trinket is often how a legitimate or not-so-legitimate jewelry outlet will get a cruise ship passenger into the showroom.
If you accept that free bracelet and go inside, you’ll be handed off to a salesperson who practices his or her sales craft thousands of times per week. These folks see cruise ships as a supply ship of potential customers.
You’ll be greeted with friendly banter and then bombarded with high-pressure tactics aimed at getting you to purchase a piece of jewelry to “commemorate” your trip. The salespeople know their time with you is limited, so the pitch will have a sense of urgency and the jewelry you’re eyeing will likely be “limited quantity.”
Many cruise ship passengers are completely unprepared for the hard sell and find it difficult to extricate themselves from these stores without buying something.
This particular scheme is not a scam, necessarily. Many reputable jewelry stores operate in cruise ports around the Caribbean, a region known as a great place to buy duty-free jewelry.
The problem occurs when cruise ship passengers are dazzled in the moment by the beautiful jewelry and the charming salesperson — and end up spending money that wasn’t in their budget. After the deal is done and the traveler is back on board the ship, the dazzling light dims, and buyer’s remorse sets in.
How not to get scammed: If you’re not in the market to buy jewelry during your cruise, do not accept any free bracelets or other trinkets. No merchant wants to give you something for free. They want to subject you to a high-pressure sales routine. Just keep walking and buy a bracelet for $1 at the local market instead.
If you are in the market to buy jewelry during your cruise, research the merchant and the type of gems you’re interested in beforehand. Additionally, set a budget and stick to it no matter how hard the sales pitch becomes.
The discount excursion scam
Grand Turk cruise port in Turks and Caicos. MIKOLAJN/GETTY IMAGES
If you’ve disembarked from your cruise with no real plans for your day, you’re a prime target for an excursion scam.
This type of scheme involves a friendly person typically in a temporary kiosk or operating out of a storefront. He or she will tell you about an exciting adventure hosted by a local person. This type of excursion costs much less than the ones offered by your cruise line, but there is a different price to pay.
On this excursion, your driver will take you to places where he will receive a commission for bringing you there. Invariably, you’ll arrive at a private factory for a tour of the facility. The goal is to get you to spend your money buying whatever product is being made there. Many cruise ship passengers report making purchases just so the tour will end.
When you are finally taken back to the port, hopefully in time to make your ship’s embarkation, you’ll be frazzled and short on cash with a lot of unexpected trinkets.
How not to get scammed: It’s always a good idea to use a reputable tour seller, such as Viator, to check what kind of non-cruise-line-sponsored excursions are available in your port of call before disembarking. You’ll be able to read reviews from real people who have already taken the tours listed there and see the cost as well.
If you decide after you’ve already left the ship that you would like to take an excursion, visit the tourism information booth that will most likely be located somewhere close to the pier. You will want to make certain that you’re booking a tour from a legitimate, licensed company.
The one thing you don’t want to do is to book an excursion on the fly from someone who approaches you on the street. This is almost always an error you will regret later — after you return from your factory tour.
Can you hold this for just a second?
Many tourists around the world have been confused by a stranger on the street who needs help to hold something for “just a second.” These scammers — and yes, these are outright scammers — mean to confuse their victims and act as though there is a legitimate reason for victims to hold their shell or other item. Once that thing is in the victim’s hand, they’re fully involved in the scam.
Next, the stranger tells the victim how much they owe him or her for the item they’re holding. The victim’s protestations will only lead to the scammers reiterating that they bought the item. Some cruise ship passengers have even reported being threatened by the formerly friendly person when they didn’t hand over some cash.
How not to get scammed: Never take any item offered to you by a stranger. In the Bahamas, the item is often a giant conch shell, but I’ve seen other scammers who offer smaller shells, tree branches and other odd detritus. It doesn’t matter what the item is — it’s just a scheme to extract money from you.
Yet another pitfall for cruise ship passengers to avoid during a port stop is using unmetered taxis.
Cruise ship passengers disembarking from their ship often want to quickly leave the crowded port area and explore. Their goal is to see the best the destination has to offer. But some of the cars waiting have a different goal.
Tourists should never get in unofficial, unmetered taxis.
I can think of multiple reasons why it is unsafe to hop into an unvetted car with a stranger in your port of call. First, that person might not even be licensed to drive a vehicle, much less a taxi. It is not unusual for unlicensed drivers to be operating in the Caribbean. You’re risking your life if you get into an unofficial taxi.
Beyond that safety issue, the driver of an unmetered taxi likely has a goal of taking you for a ride — financially. Cruise ship passengers report traveling in circuitous routes to make it appear as if they’ve been driven long distances, when in reality they haven’t gone far at all. The cost you’ll be charged in the end will reflect your lengthy journey.
Of course, these types of shenanigans can also occur with a metered taxi — although a legitimate cab driver is likely less willing to risk his or her job over a few extra bucks. Still, it’s always wise to have an idea of where you’re going and what you should expect to pay to get there and to confirm all prices before you take off on your drive.
How not to get scammed: To protect your safety and your wallet, always use an official transportation service. These usually have some type of placard or license on display, depending on your location. If you’re not sure what an official taxi looks like at your destination, you can stop by the tourism booth and check before getting into any car.
A free cocktail and a fabulous travel club
ALEXANDER SPATARI/GETTY IMAGES
Many confused and distraught consumers have contacted me after coming home from a trip with a pricey travel club membership they don’t actually want. That’s always a disturbing situation because a consumer advocate can’t do much if a traveler has signed a legally binding contract in a foreign country.
This scheme usually involves a legitimate travel club company that sends its scouts down to the cruise port to collect potential “victims.” The lure in this scheme is a free day pass to a beautiful resort, drinks, food and fun during the passenger’s visit.
Cruise ship passengers are scooped up from the port and transported to a tropical paradise.
There is, of course, a catch. While sipping numerous cocktails and suffering from that vacation brain I mentioned earlier, cruisers are required to attend a travel club presentation. That’s where things go all wrong. Many booze-filled tourists have found themselves signing a travel club contract at the end of that presentation.
Unfortunately, once they sober up, they don’t want the travel club, but they’ve signed a legally binding contract. And they’re stuck because, unlike in the U.S., where consumers typically have at least a three-day grace period to rescind their membership, many travel club and timeshare contracts abroad have none. Once the contract is signed, the deal is done.
How not to get scammed: Before accepting a free day pass anywhere, make sure that you understand what your obligation is in exchange. If you can’t resist a hard sell, don’t go. Travelers who come home from vacation with the burden of a surprise unwanted travel club have flooded my helpline for years.
Never sign a contract for anything after you’ve had even one cocktail. If a salesperson presents you with a contract after you’ve been served one or more drinks, jolt yourself into reality. If you think you might be interested, ask for a copy of the details so you can take that document with you and do your research later. If the company refuses and tells you the deal is only good if you sign it right then, decline and ask to be taken back to the port.
A free facial and an unexpected $10,000 purchase
JULPO/GETTY IMAGES
This brings us back to Royal Caribbean passenger Harry, who paid $10,000 for questionable skincare products.
The free facial scam is a well-known scheme around the world. “Facialists” will lure you into their facilities with the promise of a free treatment. Once you accept that offer, you’ll be alerted that your face has a lot of problems. But no worries! They can sell you an amazing product that will be able to fix it all.
In Harry’s case, he says a salesperson practically dragged his wife inside the store:
My wife and I fell victim to this well-orchestrated scam of high-pressure sales beginning with the handing out of free skin treatment samples in front of the store. I resisted, but they grabbed my wife by the hand and offered her a 10-minute face treatment. I followed her in so she wouldn’t get suckered into buying anything. They began applying the product while also pouring us what was supposed to be Champagne. To try to escape the gathered group of salespeople hyping the effectiveness of the product, I reluctantly agreed to a $200 purchase.
But that was only the beginning of this port-of-call fiasco. Now the salespeople knew they had their victims nibbling on the hook.
As the alcohol continued to flow, they brought out additional products, which they told Harry would cause his bald head to sprout hair. He told me he realizes how ridiculous this sounds now, and that’s why he suspects it wasn’t just Champagne in his glass.
“We were then given hard alcohol and, I think, drugs. The heavy hitter deal closer brought out a light wand device that was purported to enhance the skin treatment. To make a long story short, by the time we left, with this special deal we were given, we had a $10,000 charge on two credit accounts.”
The dazed and confused couple gathered the bags filled with all the items and made their way back aboard Freedom of the Seas.
Harry says they shared their experience with their adult children on the ship but did not report their suspected drugging to Royal Caribbean. They did make a formal complaint to the cruise line several weeks later.
That delay in reporting this scam was a mistake. By then, any evidence of misdeeds by this “merchant” was gone, and Harry had taken all the products home, even though he didn’t want any of the lotions or the magic wand device. Predictably, his bald head hadn’t grown any hair and his wife’s appearance didn’t undergo a miraculous change. None of the products did anything they were supposed to do.
The $10,000 bill, though, was very real.
Since that day, Harry has tried every possible way to get a refund for what he believes to be over-the-counter face cream. He filed a credit card dispute, which Chase rejected based on the fact that he received everything that he purchased that day. The receipts read “nonrefundable and all sales are final.”
Next, he filed a complaint with the Florida attorney general claiming elder abuse by this merchant. Of course, the Bahamas is not under the jurisdiction of any U.S. attorney general, so that complaint went nowhere.
Finally, Harry reached out to me in the hopes that I might be able to convince Chase to reverse the charge. He also suggested that other government organizations in the U.S. should investigate this merchant.
I explained to the frustrated couple that U.S. law doesn’t apply in the Bahamas, and the nonrefundable terms and conditions of the skin care products make the sale final. Chase can only reverse the charge if the products weren’t received, and that isn’t the case here. Harry walked out of the store with exactly what he agreed to buy.
Bottom line
Unfortunately, some “vacation brain” mistakes are irreversible, and Harry’s is one of them. He hopes others can learn from his awful situation and avoid making the same errors he did.
Visiting a variety of ports during your cruise is fun and exciting, but the quickest way to ruin your vacation is to fall victim to a scam or to unexpectedly spend thousands of dollars on things you didn’t intend to buy. Prepare yourself for the most common scam tactics, and you’ll likely avoid being fooled by schemers.
Have a problem with a cruise line, airline, credit card issuer, car rental company or vacation rental agency? Send your request for help to ombudsman@thepointsguy.com, and I’ll be happy to investigate and help you if I can.
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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at American Express's secure site. Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
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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 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.
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Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
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Pros + cons
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Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
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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™.
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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
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
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
TPG editor's rating4
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
