4 reasons why the Amex Gold is the 1 card we can’t live without
Editor's Note
At TPG, several of us have a wallet brimming with credit cards. Some go all-out (paging senior editorial director Nick Ewen with his 20+ credit cards), while some keep a smaller stockpile (insert a gif of me waving my six cards). But we all undoubtedly have a favorite card.
Many credit card pros have differing opinions about choosing the one card we can't live without.
In a panel with reporters and editors from The Points Guy and NextAdvisor, there was a clear winner when the group was asked about their absolute favorite card: the American Express® Gold Card.
But why has this card remained a favorite when there are so many excellent options? Here are four reasons it's the one card so many of us can't live without.
It's a great card for foodies
List a better card for food lovers — I'll wait.
The Amex Gold is a powerhouse when it comes to dining purchases and buying groceries since cardmembers earn 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in spending per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter) and 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).
Plus, the card comes with an assortment of dining-focused annual statement credits. (Enrollment is required.)
Each month, you can receive up to a $10 statement credit when you get food from one of several participating restaurants or meal services, including Five Guys, Goldbelly, Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory and Wine.com .
You'll also get up to $10 in monthly Uber Cash (usable on Uber Eats and rides in the U.S.). Uber Cash will only be deposited into your Uber account when you add the Amex Gold as a payment method and redeem with any Amex card.
Additionally, you'll receive up to a $100 annual Resy credit (up to $50 biannually). Simply dine at a U.S. Resy restaurant and pay with your Amex Gold card; no reservation is required.
Lastly, you'll receive up to a $7 monthly statement credit at U.S. Dunkin' locations.
(Enrollment is required for select benefits.)
Related: The best credit cards for dining out, taking out and ordering in
It balances premium benefits and affordability
I've talked before about not having an ultra-premium card (at least not yet). This is partially because I haven't needed one, but it's also because I'm generally pretty budget-conscious.
The Amex Gold — with its $325 annual fee (see rates and fees) — offers a handful of premium benefits that I can take advantage of without costing me more than I am willing to pay each year in annual fees.
Related: Why the Amex Gold is the perfect 'in-between' card
Membership Rewards is one of the best points currencies
Speaking of earning points, Membership Rewards are some of the best points you can earn. According to TPG's July 2025 valuations, Amex points are worth 2 cents each, slightly less than Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards points.
Out of the top credit card issuers, Amex has by far the most extensive transfer partner list, with 18 airlines and three hotel chains. And those transfer partners can help make your points go a long way toward a number of excellent redemptions.
TPG credit cards writer Chris Nelson has listed the Amex Gold as the card he can't live without.
"As someone who is a foodie, I'm always dining out, and those few times when I do decide to cook, I can rack up quite a bill at U.S. supermarkets. The 4 points per dollar I earn in these categories is a must for me and just can't be beaten. I earn ultra-valuable points that I can use to help me book long-haul international business-class flights, especially with partners like Avianca LifeMiles and Air Canada Aeroplan."
And while the Amex Offers program isn't specific to just Membership Rewards cards, I'd be remiss not to mention how much value Amex Offers can add to the program. I look through the offers available on my card weekly, and there's almost always something new that I add to my account — extra points on hotel stays, cash back on a food order or something else.
All in all, the Amex Membership Rewards program is a great asset to have at your fingertips with the Amex Gold Card.
Related: Redeeming American Express Membership Rewards for maximum value
Bonus: It's one of the prettiest cards on the market
We can't discuss why the Amex Gold is a staff favorite without mentioning the card's sleek design.
The Amex Gold is available in their original Gold design and the wildly popular Rose Gold edition. I can't tell you how often I get asked about my Amex Rose Gold when I use it at coffee shops and restaurants.
Hands down, it's the prettiest card in my wallet (and, I'd argue, in anyone's wallet).
Of course, you can't judge a card purely on how well it matches your aesthetic. But when you factor in all of the other reasons the Amex Gold is an excellent card, the fact that it does have such a gorgeous design certainly doesn't hurt.
Bottom line
All in all, you can't go wrong with the Amex Gold. It's a great card for travelers who would rather earn points on non-travel expenses so they can redeem for their dream trips instead.
You're getting solid benefits, credits and reward earning rates that offset a lot of the annual fee. Plus, the welcome bonus on this card is competitive when compared to top travel cards on the market. That's one of many reasons so many credit card pros are obsessed with having it in their wallets.
To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Gold Card.
Apply here: American Express Gold Card Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, please click here.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees