Tanner Saunders is a Webby Award-winning senior hotels reporter for TPG based in Brooklyn. He covers everything from breaking hotel news to in-depth features on the world’s best hotels.
also contributed to this story
May 22, 2022 • 13 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 note: Rates mentioned in this story all cite prices found as of Friday, May 20
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.
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.
Related stories
TPG featured card
Quick summary
Memorial Day weekend travel deals are still available in several U.S. destinations, despite high demand and warnings of a sold-out summer.
Popular and alternative locations such as the Smoky Mountains, New York City, South Florida, Palm Springs, Orlando, San Francisco, the Gulf Coast and Washington D.C. offer a range of hotel options at varying price points.
Travelers can find value by considering less obvious destinations or being flexible with their plans, as some cities and regions have more hotel availability or lower rates due to seasonal or market factors.
Family-friendly attractions, outdoor adventures and cultural experiences are highlighted across these destinations, catering to a variety of travel preferences.
What to consider
Hotel rates and availability vary widely by location, with some destinations like San Francisco offering notable deals due to slower tourism recovery.
Weather conditions, such as heat and humidity in South Florida and Palm Springs, may impact comfort but can lead to lower hotel prices.
Major attractions may have limited availability or require advance reservations, especially in high-demand areas like Orlando's theme parks.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of specific hotel options, pricing and unique local experiences for each featured destination.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
We like to say it’s going to be the sold-out summer, especially for U.S. travel, and all signs point to that being a pretty strong hypothesis.
That doesn’t mean you're out of luck for the first holiday weekend of the summer travel season, though.
Deals might be hard to come by heading into the summer, but loyal readers might remember a little something The Points Guy recommended just a few weeks ago: Don’t be afraid to go after Options B or C. A deal might be waiting behind Door #2.
We pored over both popular and more off-the-beaten-path destinations for you to consider for the long weekend. Truly amazing deals were, as you might expect, hard to come by. However, our picks reflect properties that are a great value for travelers looking to hit the open road or friendly skies and get some time at the beach, in a city or in the mountains.
Smoky Mountains
Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (Photo by Tony Barber/Getty Images)
Nashville might take top billing for trips to Tennessee these days, and the Outer Banks is extraordinarily popular in the summer for those flocking to North Carolina. Don’t discount heading to the mountains straddling the borders of the Volunteer and Tar Heel states, though.
The Smoky Mountains are home to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and ideal for those looking to explore the great outdoors. The region is also home to mega-attractions like Dollywood, country crooner Dolly Parton’s theme park. Mosey 1.5 hours east on Interstate 40 into North Carolina, and you’ll find yourself in trendy Asheville — home to a vibrant arts scene, Food Network-caliber restaurants and extensive outdoor adventures. The North Carolina city also boasts palatial Biltmore Estate, the largest privately-owned house in the U.S.
While there might be warnings of the pending sold-out summer for travel, especially in the U.S., there are still plenty of hotel options available in the Smokies.
The four-star, Caribbean-inspired Margaritaville Island Hotel in Pigeon Forge has rates averaging $417 per night for stays May 26-30, according to the hotel’s website. Another Margaritaville property, the Margaritaville Island Inn, has rates starting at $253 per night for those staying four nights as part of the hotel’s “Drop Anchor & Save” rates.
Both properties are part of The Island, a family-geared entertainment complex in Pigeon Forge that includes the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel (a Ferris wheel), dining and shopping. Of course, the real attraction is just up the road at Dollywood.
Loyalists of major hotel brands will find better luck across the state line in North Carolina, particularly in the city of Asheville. There, rooms at the Foundry Hotel (part of Hilton’s Curio Collection) start at $550, while those at the Grand Bohemian Hotel (part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection) are available for $469 per night during Memorial Day weekend.
New York City
New York City. (Photo by Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images)
You probably won’t believe this, but it’s not too late to book a Memorial Day weekend trip to New York City to experience the absolute best season of the city – spring.
Right now in NYC, the city blooms, quite literally, with beautiful plants and trees, but also with a renewed energy and vibrant spirit. If you haven’t visited since pre-COVID days, you’ll find a new version of the city, one with charming outdoor dining spaces, lots of streets closed to vehicles that now belong to pedestrians and new attractions — like the Instagram-famous mirrored observation deck — that have opened over the last two years.
For the lights and action near Broadway, you can snag a room at the Moxy NYC Times Square for an average of $264 per night. Use a discount ticket service like Today Tix to see a show (I spy “Dear Evan Hansen” tickets for under $70 over the weekend). Or, for even less, IHG’s voco Times Square South New York has rooms for $220 per night.
If you want a taste of the city that’s not so tourist-centric, head to the Lower East Side for a stay at the Hotel Indigo for $301 per night. Its popular rooftop lounge Mr. Purple is the perfect spot for soaking up city views.
At CitizenM Bowery, another hotel with an incredible rooftop bar, a stay of three nights or more gets you a great discount that averages out to about $265 a night. The hotel is within walking distance to shopping in SoHo, the incredible food of Chinatown and easy access to the chic Brooklyn neighborhood Williamsburg.
South Florida
Miami, Florida. (Photo by Visuals Fervor LLC/Getty Images)
South Florida was already a popular vacation destination, but it exploded with tourism during the pandemic. Everyone wanted to be in Miami, and hotel rates reflected that. There was even chatter that some friends-and-family rates at Miami Beach hotels were going for more than $1,000 per night.
Keep in mind: Memorial Day isn’t exactly the peak travel season for Miami or any other city in South Florida. Humidity and temperatures can be high, so it isn’t as pleasant a time weather-wise as winter or spring.
However, for those willing to put up with some heat, it's a much more affordable time to book a hotel — and there's still availability for the upcoming holiday weekend.
For those looking for the most luxurious of accommodations, the Mandarin Oriental, Miami, showed rates starting at $490 per night.
The JW Marriott in Miami’s Brickell neighborhood had rates starting at $328 per night during Memorial Day weekend, while the Kimpton Epic, part of IHG, has rates starting at $291 per night.
Nobu Hotel on Miami Beach’s official website showed rates starting at $469 per night. Rates on third-party booking platforms like Kayak were about $110 less than that — not a bad price for those looking to try to hotel offshoot of the highly popular restaurant.
Further north, rates at the waterfront W Fort Lauderdale for Memorial Day weekend start at $389 per night.
Palm Springs
Palm Springs. (Photo by Frank Datzer/Getty Images)
Live like the old Hollywood elite in this oasis and bastion of midcentury modern architecture in the desert.
Like South Florida, Palm Springs in late May isn’t exactly the coolest spot temperature-wise — at least during the day (it is the desert, after all, so it does cool down considerably at night). This usually meant hotel rates plummeted come summer. However, the pandemic led to more people taking road trips to Palm Springs during even the off-peak season.
Don’t worry: There are still hotels available for the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
The Hilton Palm Springs has rooms starting at $283 per night, while World of Hyatt members can get a room at the Hyatt Palm Springs for $359 per night on advance purchase (non-member rates start at $389).
Orlando
Universal Studios Florida's Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. (Photo by Tarah Chieffi/The Points Guy)
The truth is, though, getting last-minute Disney World reservations is tough over the holiday weekend though there are spots open for Epcot.
Luckily, there are other parks full of thrills for the whole family, like Universal Studios, where Harry Potter comes to life, or Seaworld. If a park just isn’t the works, go to one of the endless mini-golf courses, visit the Orlando Science Center or drive out to Cocoa Beach for a day by the ocean.
The good news is that getting a hotel reservation in Orlando over MDW isn’t as tough as securing Disney reservations. Across from Universal, the Hyatt Place has rooms averaging out to $185 a night, including rooms with double beds and a pull-out couch.
Near Seaworld, the Holiday Inn Express has rooms at $180 a night — and you get free breakfast. Or, for a slightly more chic stay, Castle Hotel (part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection) has rooms around $174 a night.
Probably one of the best deals you can find is at the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnett Creek, where for around $300 a night you can can enjoy an impressive pool, hit up the spa, play mini-golf, climb a rock wall and see the Disney fireworks without having to leave the property.
San Francisco
San Francisco. (Photo by Can Balcioglu/Getty Images)
Some of the best deals we found this upcoming holiday weekend are in San Francisco, which is still one of the worst-performing hotel markets in the U.S. because of the pandemic. While Miami hotel profits in March were at 141% of pre-pandemic levels, revenue at San Francisco hotels was at only 56% of 2019 levels.
It seemed like a week didn’t go by during the worst of the pandemic without a Bay Area company announcing a move to somewhere with more relaxed coronavirus protocols like Austin or Nashville.
The attractions are all still there in the Golden City, though – from the Golden Gate Bridge to Fisherman’s Wharf. Also, the lagging recovery means there are some pretty great deals to be had for some of the city’s nicest hotels.
Rates at the Fairmont San Francisco atop the city’s affluent Nob Hill start at $350 per night. The historic hotel was the first in the Fairmont chain. The JW Marriott in Union Square has rates starting at $227 per night, while the San Francisco Proper — part of trendy Proper Hospitality Group and included in Marriott’s Design Hotels division — has rates starting at $361.
Sonesta may not be a brand everyone knows yet, but it's growing quickly. The company expanded rapidly during the pandemic thanks to gobbling up a few Marriott and IHG portfolios, as well as an acquisition of RLH Corp., the parent company of Red Lion Hotels. Some Sonesta offerings may not be the stuff of everyone’s dream vacation, but Sonesta’s high-end Royal Sonesta brand isn’t anything to sneeze at — and the Clift is a crown jewel.
The property went through several brands over the years, including Four Seasons. Ian Schrager’s company started managing it in the 1990s before buying it and overhauling the whole property in partnership with famed designer Philippe Starck. Sonesta gained control of the hotel in 2018 and renovated it again right before the pandemic (still holding onto some of the Schrager magic but with brighter, cheerier tones). Rates for Memorial Day weekend start at $210, with suites beginning at $299.
The Gulf Coast
Gulf Shores, Alabama. (Photo by Juliana Sears/EyeEm/Getty Images)
If the sun and sand are calling your name, it's still possible to plan a last-minute beach trip to some of the Gulf Coast's most popular destinations. From the farthest tip of Texas to Alabama and across the Florida Panhandle, there are plenty of cute beach towns to frolic in the water or lean into kitschy attractions like mini-golf and go-kart racing — and all within a few hours' drive from major southern cities.
In Texas, South Padre Island is where you'll find the state's best beaches and a popular waterpark. Less than a five-minute walk to the beach, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites: South Padre Island is a steal at $254 a night. For just a little bit more you can stay on the beach at the full-service Holiday Inn Resort, available for about $300 a night.
In Gulf Shores, Alabama, Hilton's Lodge at Gulf State Park offers direct beach access inside the 6,150-acre state park, along with kayaking, hiking, biking and fishing for less than $400 a night. Maybe not the most affordable in the area, but an option that will keep you busy on property and spending less money off.
Over in Destin, Florida, consider spending the weekend at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, a sprawling complex of vacation rentals with activities for the whole family, from golf and tennis to dinner cruises, fishing and just lounging on the beach.
The great thing about booking here is that there are a ton of different property types available, from studio condos starting at $280 to three-bedroom rentals for under $600. This isn't exactly a hotel, but it might just be what you need. If you'd rather be at an actual hotel, though, book the Hyatt Place Sandestin for less than $250 a night. It's not too far from the beach and includes free breakfast.
Washington D.C.
The Washington Monument. (Photo by joe daniel price/Getty Images)
To really channel the Memorial Day theme, there's always the opportunity to visit our Capital City where the National Memorial Day Parade takes place. You can save big, too, by spending your days visiting some of the nation's best museums for free. They include the National Museum of American History, the National Air and Space Museum and the stunning National Museum of African American History and Culture.
The Hamilton Hotel has played host to a handful of inaugural balls and is within a quick walk to The White House. Rooms are available for less than $220 a night. The Grand Hyatt, also not far from the Mall, averages out to $226 per night.
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.
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.
