American Express® Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card earns 4x points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on a capped amount) and 3x on flights, geared to foodies and frequent diners, with a $325 annual fee, plus up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points for new cardholders. Rates and terms come from NerdWallet, our verified data partner with direct issuer relationships.
Is the American Express® Gold Card worth it?
The American Express® Gold Card earns 4x points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on a capped amount) and 3x on flights, geared to foodies and frequent diners. We source these rewards and terms from NerdWallet, our verified data partner with direct issuer relationships. These figures carry our ◆ Partner data label — we did not pull them from the issuer ourselves.
The card has a $325 annual fee, plus up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points for new cardholders.
The honest caveats: rewards, fees, and APR are partner-supplied and can change, and any regular APR is variable. A card like this only pays off if you pay the balance in full and the rewards or terms fit your situation. Confirm current details on the issuer’s own site. This is not financial advice.
How does a rewards credit card work?
A rewards credit card earns a percentage back on what you spend, which the issuer credits as cash back, points, or miles. You pay no interest if you clear the statement balance each month; carry a balance and the variable APR applies. The card reports your payment history to the credit bureaus.
What are the pros and cons of the American Express® Gold Card?
The American Express® Gold Card stands out for earns 4x points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on a capped amount) and 3x on flights, geared to foodies and frequent diners, though rates and terms are partner-supplied — not fetched from the issuer ourselves.
- Earns 4x points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on a capped amount) and 3x on flights, geared to foodies and frequent diners
- A $325 annual fee
- Terms supplied by our verified data partner
- Rates and terms are partner-supplied — not fetched from the issuer ourselves
- Pay-over-time terms vary; review the issuer's pricing
- Rewards or perks pay off only if they fit how you actually spend
Who should get the American Express® Gold Card?
The American Express® Gold Card is best for people shopping for a travel card.
- People shopping for a travel card
- Anyone comparing options from major issuers
- Cardholders who value a sign-up bonus
How does the American Express® Gold Card compare?
Among the 25 travel rewards credit cards we track, the American Express® Gold Card ranks #2 with a money8020 score of 89/100.
| Product | Score | Tier | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citi Strata Premier® Card | 90 | Essential | Citibank |
| American Express® Gold Card | 89 | Essential | American Express |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | 89 | Essential | JPMorgan Chase |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | 89 | Essential | American Express |
| Capital One Venture Rewards | 89 | Essential | Capital One |
See all travel rewards credit cards, ranked →
Common mistakes to avoid with a rewards credit card
- Carrying a balance — interest at the regular APR quickly erases any rewards.
- Chasing a sign-up bonus with spending you cannot pay off in full.
- Missing the intro-APR deadline and getting hit with the full variable rate.
- Overlooking an annual fee that outweighs the rewards for your spending.
Key takeaways
- American Express® Gold Card earns a money8020 score of 89/100, ranking #2 of 25 travel rewards credit cards.
- Earns 4x points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on a capped amount) and 3x on flights, geared to foodies and frequent diners
- undefined.
- Best for people shopping for a travel card.
- Rate and terms sourced from our verified data partner, NerdWallet.
Frequently asked questions about the American Express® Gold Card
Does the American Express® Gold Card have an annual fee?
Per NerdWallet, our data partner, the card has a $325 annual fee. Terms can change — confirm current details on the issuer's site. This is not financial advice.
What stands out about the American Express® Gold Card?
Per NerdWallet, it earns 4x points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on a capped amount) and 3x on flights, geared to foodies and frequent diners. Confirm current terms with the issuer before applying.
Will applying for the American Express® Gold Card hurt my credit score?
Applying triggers a hard inquiry, which can dip your score a few points temporarily. Used responsibly — paying on time and keeping balances low — the card builds your credit over time.
Do the rewards on the American Express® Gold Card expire?
On most cards, rewards do not expire while the account is open and in good standing, though terms vary. Redeem regularly and check the issuer's rewards policy.
Sources
We sourced these figures from our verified data partner and independently confirmed the provider’s regulator status, last checked May 30, 2026. Primary sources: