Rewards:
Use your rewards by logging into the Membership Rewards portal or through your credit card account, depending on how you want to use your points.
Book travel: 0.5 cents to 1 cent, depending on type of travel and destination
Redeem for gift cards: Up to 1 cent
Pay with points at checkout: 0.5 cents to 1 cent, depending on retailer
Cover your card charges with a statement credit: 0.6 cents
Shop the Amex shopping portal: 0.5 cents
Another option is to transfer your points to one of 22 airline or hotel rewards travel partners. In general, you can transfer points to their rewards programs in 1,000-point increments. You’ll also pay an “excise tax offset fee” of 0.06 cents per point, up to a maximum of $99 per transfer (that’s the first 165,000 points you transfer).
Costs:
Annual fee
$250
REGULAR APR (%)
N/A - See Rates & Fees
Intro Purchase APR:
None
Balance transfer fee
$0
Foreign transaction fee
0%
Application:
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Details
How to Get the Most Out Of This Card
Make sure you spend at least $4,000 on this card within the first three months so you earn the 35,000-point welcome offer—this is simply too good to pass up. After that, take a few minutes to enroll in the benefit programs that require sign-ups (more on those below), because taking advantage of those almost make up for the annual fee.
Finally, keep the card in your wallet and use it when you’re at the supermarket or dining out, since this is how you’ll earn the most points.
American Express Gold Card’s Excellent Perks
$100 annual airline fee reimbursement: Enroll in this benefit to get reimbursed for airline fees on the carrier of your choice. You can get up to $100 back in statement credits each year when you use the card to pay fees for checked bags, in-flight drinks and meals, and in-flight internet (but not for the cost of a ticket or seat upgrades), on your chosen airline.
Coverage for lost luggage: This plan will reimburse you for up to $1,250 per person on your reservation and $250 for “high-risk equipment” like cameras or sporting equipment.
Travel accident insurance: If you, your spouse, or your children become permanently disabled or die on a trip paid for with this card, you or your beneficiaries can receive up to $250,000 as compensation.
Customer Experience
American Express consistently gets good marks for its customer service. In fact, according to a 2019 J.D. Power report, it ranked second only to Discover in terms of customer satisfaction. It scored 838 (out of 1,000), well above the industry average of 806.
The company provides 24/7 customer support via phone and chat. Aside from that, you can manage your account through the American Express app, which can also show you any special perks or benefits available near your current location.
Security Features
American Express offers basic, industry-standard security features. Amex also offers a free credit monitoring service called MyCredit Guide, which is available to anyone, even non-cardholders. It provides a VantageScore 3.0 credit score and other credit watching tools. Cardholders can also check their FICO Score 8 through their account page online or via the app.
