American Express® Gold Card
Top-tier dining and grocery rewards for foodies
Updated July 24, 2026 · By the MoneyAtlas Editorial Team
on BankRate.com's secure site
Why we rate it 4.6/5
A dining-and-grocery powerhouse: the 4x points plus annual credits can outweigh the $325 fee, but only if you actually use the credits.
Among the best earn rates for everyday spend: 4x Membership Rewards at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets, plus 3x on flights.
The $325 annual fee is real, but the dining, Uber Cash, Resy, and Dunkin' credits can offset most of it for members who use them monthly.
Strong food-and-travel perks: monthly statement credits, no foreign transaction fees, and Membership Rewards transfer partners for outsized redemptions.
The credits are split across monthly windows and need enrollment, and points take some know-how to maximize through transfer partners.
The American Express® Gold Card is a premium rewards card for food enthusiasts and frequent travelers. It offers a robust rewards structure, focusing on dining, groceries, and travel, along with a suite of benefits to enhance cardholders' lifestyle and travel experiences.
Key Features
- Rewards Structure:
- 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery (up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X)
- 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X)
- 5X points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App
- 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines, on AmexTravel.com, or through the Amex Travel App
- 2X points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked through AmexTravel.com
- 1X points on other eligible purchases
- Welcome Offer:
- Annual Fee:
- Additional Benefits:
- Up to $120 Uber Cash annually ($10 monthly credits for Uber rides or Uber Eats orders in the U.S.) Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- Up to $120 Dining Credit annually ($10 monthly statement credits at participating partners)
- $100 Experience Credit at over 1,300 upscale hotels in The Hotel Collection (2-night minimum, booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App)
- Up to $100 Resy Credit annually given in statement credits
- $84 Dunkin'® Credit annually (You can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credit after you enroll and pay with the American Express Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations)
- No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
Rewards Program
The American Express Gold Card uses the Membership Rewards® program, known for its flexibility and value. Points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, statement credits, or transferred to airline and hotel partners, often yielding high value for savvy travelers.
Rates and Fees
- Penalty APR: 29.99% variable APR (may be applied for late or returned payments)
- Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
- Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40
- Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- See rates and fees
Who Is This Card For?
The American Express Gold Card is ideal for:
- Food enthusiasts who frequently dine out or order in
- Regular grocery shoppers who can maximize the U.S. supermarket category
- Travelers who book hotels, flights, and rentals through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App
- Those who can take full advantage of the card's credits to offset the annual Fee
- Consumers who value flexible reward points for travel
Compare
FAQ
Pros
High rewards rate on dining and groceries: The Gold Card offers 4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1x) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x), making it one of the best cards for food-related spending
Valuable credits that can offset the annual fee: Up to $424 in combined credits (Uber Cash, Dining, Dunkin', and Resy) can more than offset the annual fee for those who can fully utilize them
Flexible redemption options: Membership Rewards points can be transferred to various airline and hotel partners, providing excellent value for travelers who can optimize their redemptions
Stronger travel earning rates: The card now earns 5x points on prepaid hotels and 3x on flights booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App, plus 2x on prepaid car rentals — a meaningful upgrade that broadens the card's value beyond food spend
Cons
Increased annual fee: The recent hike to $325 may be difficult to justify for those who don’t fully utilize the card’s credits and benefits
Complex benefit management: The card’s multiple credits and perks require careful tracking to ensure you’re getting the most out of them, which might be overwhelming for some users
Limited bonus categories: While the 4X points on restaurants and supermarkets are great, the card lacks bonus categories for everyday expenses like gas, streaming services, or online shopping