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.
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, Buffalo Wild Wings, Wonder and Wine.com. Goldbelly and Wine.com are available through June 30, 2026.
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 in statement credits 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 17 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 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, please click here.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! 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. |
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.
- New! 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.
- Updated! $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.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy 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.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- 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.