One year in: Is the Amex Gold Card Worth the Hype?
Hey travel enthusiasts! Philip here, from Points of Phillip, ready to dive into one of my all-time favorite travel companions: the American Express Gold Card.
Is it really worth the $325 annual fee? I'm breaking down my personal experience to show you why this card has earned a permanent spot in my wallet.
If you're dreaming of stepping onto the pristine beaches of Bali or sipping champagne in Paris, this card can help turn those dreams into reality. The Amex Gold isn't just a card; it's a passport to a world of luxury travel you might not have thought possible.
Why I Love the Amex Gold Card
So, why is this card always in my Ekster wallet? Let's get into it:
Generous Sign-Up Bonus: Right now, you can earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 in the first six months. These points can be strategically redeemed for maximum value. I've personally earned over 150,000 points and used them for flights and hotels.
Annual Credits: This is where the Amex Gold really shines (or falls apart, if you don't use them). You can receive:
$120 Dining Credit: $10 monthly at places like GrubHub, Cheesecake Factory, and Wine.com. (I use mine for GrubHub pickups!)
$120 Uber Cash: $10 monthly for Uber rides or Uber Eats.
$100 Resy Credit: $50 semi-annually for dining out. Date nights are now even sweeter!
That's a total of $340 in annual credits! If you maximize these, the card practically pays you to have it.
Rewarding Reward Structure:
4x points per dollar at restaurants (up to $25,000 per year)
4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year)
3x points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel
For foodies or those who spend a lot on groceries, this card is a game-changer.
Transferable Points: This is HUGE. You can transfer points to airline partners (Delta, British Airways, Emirates) or hotel partners (Hilton, Marriott). This flexibility unlocks even more value.
Maximizing Your Membership Rewards Points
Here are some amazing ways to redeem those points for travel:
Airline Partners:
Fly Air France/KLM Business Class to Europe for 55,000 points
Book Delta One through Virgin Atlantic for as low as 47,000 points
Fly to Hawaii on United/Alaska Airlines via Singapore KrisFlyer miles from 13,500 miles
Book ANA First Class through Virgin Atlantic for 72,500 points (West Coast to Tokyo)
Experience Qatar Airways QSuites to Doha for 70,000 Avios
Hotel Stays: Transfer to Choice Privileges for budget-friendly options (rooms from 10,000 points per night).
Pro Tip: Always compare cash prices with point redemptions to aim for at least 2 cents per point or higher!
Amex Gold vs. Capital One SavorOne
You might be wondering about the Capital One Savor One card. It's great for cashback (which can be converted to miles with other Capital One cards) and earns 3x points per dollar on dining, groceries, entertainment, and streaming, with no annual fee and a $200 sign-up bonus.
However, the Savor One doesn't offer the same flexibility or travel perks as the Amex Gold. If you value transferable points and travel benefits, the Amex Gold wins. Plus, those annual credits!
The Verdict: Is the Amex Gold Card Worth It?
For me, absolutely. The sign-up bonus, annual credits, and reward structure make it a winner. If you're a foodie, frequent traveler, and can maximize credits, I highly recommend it.
However, it's not for everyone. If you don't spend much on food or travel, you might struggle to offset the annual fee.
Do you have the Amex Gold card? What's your experience? Or do you prefer the Capital One SavorOne? Let me know in the comments!