American Express Gold® Card Guide and Earnings Breakdown: Statement Credits, 4X Categories, and Benefits Explained

The American Express® Gold Card is one of the best options for earning rewards on dining and groceries – but a lot of cardholders (and people kicking the tires on rewards cards) don’t know how to actually use it.

Someone in my family (not naming names, but it’s not Mrs. Carley or me) regularly used rewards cards that earned 1X-2X points, even on “traditionally bonused” everyday categories such as dining, supermarkets, travel, and more.

This person is a longtime Delta and Amex loyalist. They’ll be buried holding their The Platinum Card® from American Express, which they’ve had for the decades I’ve known them.

This person enjoys dining out and loves hosting their large family — and missed out on a lot of dining and supermarket purchases. I literally winced seeing them pay for meals with their Amex Platinum or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. Even when they didn’t need to earn more Delta MQD. Even when they had zero spending thresholds to hit.

After enough judgmental stares and headshakes from me, they gave in and asked me what to use instead.

My answer was immediate: the American Express® Gold Card.

Why? They love food and travel. As I’ve written, it’s a great card for foodies and travel lovers.

The card is loaded with points earnings and statement credits that are fairly easy to enjoy.

“But where should I use it? What kind of benefits does it have? How do I use them?”

Let’s talk about all of that!

Also: I’m trying out some formatting stuff to spice up posts a little more — please let me know what you think!

The American Express® Gold Card

Let’s get some of the basic details out of the way:

What Kind of Points or Miles does the Amex Gold Card earn? American Express® Membership Rewards® that can be redeemed through Amex Travel, for statement credit (*not a great idea — I’ll explain why), for gift cards, merchandise, and more. Better yet: transfer them to one of Amex’s partners such as Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Ethiad, Emirates, Singapore KrisFlyer, Air Canada Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy and more. You generally get much better value out of award travel booked through other programs’ partners. And you can rack up a lot of points using your Amex Gold Card.

For Delta lovers, Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue is a good play. They sometimes have better redemptions on premium Delta seats than Delta itself does. (You’re not shocked, I know.)

Look, your points are your points — use them however you want. When I was out of work during the pandemic, I had to cash in Amex points so my family could eat and pay bills. (I don’t care if someone else thinks that’s a “bad redemption” because I could’ve saved them until I found a business-class saver award ticket to the Maldives. I did what worked for me.) But be aware that the Amex Gold isn’t primarily a cashback card.

What are the fees?

• Annual Fee: $325 (Rates and Fees.)
• Additional Cardholders: $0 for up to five (5) additional cards. (Rates and Fees.)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: $0. Use your card around the world — especially at restaurants! (Rates and Fees.)
• If you’re worried about late fees or interest rates, you shouldn’t even be considering a credit card. (Except maybe a secured card or something tailored to people with bad credit. Come back when you get your act back in gear. That said, I’m required to put Rates and Fees anytime I mention them, so check them out.)

The boring part is out of the way. Let’s get to the fun stuff!

IMPORTANT: Statement Credits — We’re Doing This First

THE number one complaint I hear about Amex cards is how hard it is to use their statement credit benefits.

Hold on. I take that back.

The first complaint is annual fees. The statement credits are the second — and they play a huge part in earning back the annual fees!

Most people don’t know how or where to use them.

The Amex Gold Card packs up to $424 in annual value for statement credits. Some people earn back all $424. My educated guess is that most people who travel at least somewhat regularly should be able to earn back around $250 — probably more.

The big “gotcha!” with a lot of perks across most card issuers (not just Amex) is their “enrollment required” technicality.

Let’s enroll your card now.

For the desktop-website version:

• Log in to your Amex account.
• Select your Amex Gold Card
• Click “Rewards & Benefits”
• Click “Benefits”
• Scroll down to “All Benefits”
• Enroll in each and every benefit.

On the Amex app:

• Log in to your Amex account.
• Select your Amex Gold Card
• Tap “Membership”
• Tap “View All” just to the right of “Explore Benefits”
• Enroll in each and every benefit.

Up to $120 in Uber Cash Benefits

Add your Amex Gold Card as a payment method for Uber and Uber Eats.

Each month, you’ll automatically receive $10 in Uber Cash deposited into your Uber account. This can be applied toward Uber rides or Uber Eats orders.

If you have multiple Amex cards featuring Uber benefits, you can load up all of your Uber Cash and it use it throughout the month. For example, both my wife and I hold The Platinum Card® from American Expresss, which has a separate Uber Cash benefit ($25 each month, except December when it’s $35). My Amex Platinum and hers are linked to my Uber account. This way, we can enjoy a decent Uber Eats order or knock off a chunk of the cost of a ride.

(Enrollment is required. Terms apply. Uber Cash deposits are made monthly and expire if not used. To receive this benefit, you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App. An Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit .The Amex Benefit may only be used in the United States.)

$84 Dunkin’ Credit

Cardmembers earn up to $7 in statement credits each month for eligible purchases made at Dunkin’.

But I don’t have Dunkin’ where I live! is a familiar refrain I hear from a lot of people west of the Mississippi. I live in Los Angeles. I’ve seen, like, five Dunkin’s here during the past 25 years. But I still maximize the benefit.

How?

Easy! I load money to my Dunkin’ app. When I travel and come across a Dunkin’, I use my app and Dunkin’ balance to buy food and coffee. (They have a legit cold brew!)

$120 Dining Credit

You can earn up to $10 in monthly statement credit when using your Gold Card to pay for eligible purchases at/with:

• Grubhub
• The Cheesecake Factory
• Goldbelly
• Wine.com
• Five Guys

I understand not every city has all (or even one) of those merchants. There’s a chance you can find something you like at Wine.com. Or if you travel, you can likely use it in major cities.

I usually use mine at The Cheesecake Factory or Grubhub.

Up to $100 Resy Credit

Here’s another one that’s hit-or-miss. Again, in bigger cities, it’s not a problem to enjoy it. (I love this credit on not just the Amex Gold but several of my other Amex cards.)

Cardmembers earn up to $50 in statement credit from January through June and up to $50 from July through December using their card at U.S. Resy restaurants or when making other eligible Resy purchases.

Create a Resy account and add your card as a payment method. You don’t have to use the Resy app to make reservations (though you can!) or pay your bill with the app. Just pay with your enrolled Gold Card and you should receive the statement credit.

Here are some of my experiences using the Resy credit:

• BLVD Steak Calabasas (Los Angeles)
• Whaler Beach Bar Venice: Using Resy Credits (And Avoiding My $11 Parking Mistake)
• Borrego Rooftop at Hotel Indigo in San Diego

Now that you know how to get money back, let’s talk about earning points — because this is where the Gold Card really shines.

Points Earnings: Where Should You Use Your Amex Gold Card?

This is the big takeaway: use your card at restaurants and supermarkets. That’s where my Amex Gold gets the biggest workouts.

Restaurants Worldwide: 4X (Up to $50k Each Calendar Year, Then 1X)

The Amex Gold Card earns 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). This also includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.

Remember that “restaurants” encompasses a lot, including ordering through apps. In addition to standard “walk in and order” restaurants, I’ve also earned 4X through means such as:

• Resy restaurants!
• Dunkin’ app!
• Uber Eats restaurant orders!
• Grubhub!
• Cheesecake Factory!
• McDonald’s app
• Starbucks app
• Paying restaurant tabs through the InKind app

Even though you earn statement credit through card features or Amex Offers, you still earn the 4X points per eligible dollar spent!

U.S. Supermarkets: 4X (Up to $25k Each Calendar Year, Then 1X)

You earn 4X Membership Rewards points using your Amex Gold Card at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).

“Superstores, convenience stores, warehouse clubs, and meal-kit delivery services” are expressly excluded. So, Costcos, Sam’s Clubs, Target, Walmart, BJ’s Wholesale, etc. won’t earn you 4X.

But your local supermarkets should work great. I’ve had luck at smaller, mom-and-pop grocery stores, too.

And here’s another little gem: U.S. 7-Eleven locations without gas pumps usually code as supermarkets!

3X: Flights Booked Directly With Airlines or at AmexTravel.com

You’ll earn 3X Membership Rewards when you pay for flights booked directly through the airlines or with AmexTravel.com.

Speaking from others’ experiences and mine, charges such as onboard food and beverages, checked luggage, and other fees and services with the airline itself also usually earn 3X.

The card also gives you trip delay and baggage coverage for flights you pay for with your card.

Trip Delay Insurance: If your flight (or train, bus, cruise) gets delayed more than 12 hours due to weather, equipment failure, hijacking, or lost/stolen travel documents, you can get reimbursed up to $300 for meals, hotel, toiletries, and other essentials. You need to have paid for the entire ticket with your Gold Card, and you’re limited to two claims per year.

Baggage Insurance: Pay for your entire airline ticket with the card. If the airline loses your stuff (or it gets stolen), you’ve got backup coverage. Up to $1,250 for carry-ons, $500 for checked bags. This is on top of what the airline covers, so it’s an extra cushion. New York state folks have a $10K total cap per trip.

(Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.)

2X: Prepaid Hotel Bookings at AmexTravel.com

The only time I ever book hotels through AmexTravel.com is when I use my Amex Platinum Card’s Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits. Otherwise, I usually use a free night from one of the hotel credit cards I hold, transfer Amex or Chase points to a hotel program, or use a Delta Stays credit. So, I don’t use this particular earnings tier.

That said, you earn 2X Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotel bookings at AmexTravel.com. Keep in mind that Amex Travel is an online travel agency — meaning you generally aren’t entitled to any hotel loyalty program points earnings or elite status benefits.

However, the Amex Gold Card entitles you to something called “The Hotel Collection.” It’s sort of like Fine Hotels + Resorts Lite. You can enjoy a $100 property credit towards eligible charges during an eligible hotel stay of two nights booked through AmexTravel.com. Plus, you’re eligible for noon check-in, late check-out, and a room upgrade — all subject to availability.

1X: All Other Eligible Purchases

If it ain’t mentioned above, it earns 1X — just as long as it’s an eligible purchase. As long as you’re buying or paying for something, there’s a decent chance it’s eligible.

What Else?

Extended Warranty: I’ve used this benefit plenty of times and Amex is usually fantastic about helping. Whatever you buy with the card gets an extra year of warranty tacked on (as long as the original warranty was 5 years or less). Again, coverage is up to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per year total. Nice safety net for electronics and appliances.

Global Assist Hotline: Traveling and things go sideways? Call this 24/7 line if you’re more than 100 miles from home. They’ll help you find a doctor, connect you with a lawyer, wire emergency cash, hunt down your lost luggage – basically be your fixer. You still pay for whatever services you end up using, but at least someone’s helping you figure it out at 3 AM in Prague. (Don’t ask my sister how she knows this. Let’s just say Amex saved the day.)

Car Rental Coverage: Book and pay for the rental with your Gold Card, then decline that insurance at the counter. You’re covered for damage or theft as a backup to your regular car insurance. Worth mentioning: this doesn’t work for every car type, and it’s a total no-go in Australia, Italy, and New Zealand. It also won’t help if you’re liable for hitting someone. That’s on you, so, be careful!

Amex Ticket Access: Here’s where you can be a hero for someone else who’s going to drag you to a concert or something. (Let’s say your daughter and her friends want KATSEYE or BTS tickets.) Get early access to presale tickets and reserved seats for concerts, sports, and other events you actually want to go to. The best seats tend to sell out first, so plan accordingly

Purchase Protection: Spill coffee on your laptop? Drop your new phone? Spill coffee on your laptop because you dropped your new phone? If you bought it (or them…) with the Gold Card, you’re covered for accidental damage, theft, or loss for up to 90 days. Coverage is up to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per year total.

Welcome Offer and How to Get the Card

If want to become an Amex Gold Card member, you may earn as high as 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on the card within six (6) months of being approved for 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. Terms apply.) You can learn here how to apply.

Keep in mind that the Gold card is part of Amex’s “family rule” for welcome offers (it’s no longer just Delta). If you’ve gotten the welcome offer for a card higher than the Gold (in this case, that’d be the Platinum) you’re ineligible for the Gold’s welcome offer. I understand why Amex does that. But it’s a very customer-unfriendly policy.

Final Approach

That’s our guide to the Amex Gold! What are your thoughts on the card?

For rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please visit this link.