Expanding the benefits of the American Express Gold Card

I American Express® Gold Card makes TPG's top charts every year as one of the best dining cards. It comes with food-focused bonus categories and a slide of other key benefits that can help you save even more – whether you're at home or on the go.

The card was renewed in late July with an additional annual fee, additional statement credits, a new earning ratio and a limited edition color option.

While the annual fee is $325 (see rates and fees) and can be waived in the first year, we'll help you walk through the card's unique benefits to see how you can make it pay for itself.

Increase the welcome offer

I Amex Gold comes with a limited-time gift of 60,000 points after spending $6,000 in qualifying purchases within the first six months of card membership. Plus, new card members can earn 20% back as a statement credit on qualifying restaurant purchases in the first six months of card membership (up to $100 back). Offer ends 11/6.

Based on TPG estimates for July 2024, this limited-time welcome offer can be up to $1,300. Remember that you may be directed to higher offers through the CardMatch tool or referral offers.

Amex Membership Rewards points can be used for anything from cash back to luxury flights on Singapore Airlines first class. However, not all redemption options are equal. You'll get the most value out of this program by transferring points to our partner hotel and airline loyalty programs.

Other important transfer partners to note include Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue and Hilton Honors.

Even better, Amex always offers transfer bonuses that you can use to get up to 40% more value on your points. Remember that we never recommend speculatively transferring points to a program without a specific use in mind, as miles can be devalued at any time, and transfers cannot be reversed.

Related: How to use American Express Membership Rewards at a higher rate

Use the card at US restaurants and supermarkets

It doesn't matter if you choose to eat in or out. If you love food – who doesn't? – you should have no problem expanding Amex Gold Company stages of using the bonus.

The card awards 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide for up to $50,000 in a calendar year (1 point per dollar thereafter) and US supermarkets up to $25,000 in a calendar year (1 point per dollar thereafter of that).

At our July 2024 valuation of 2 cents per point, Amex Gold generates an 8% return on dining purchases, beating most cards on the market.

These bonus categories may be valuable enough to open the card properly before considering the welcome bonus. If you spend at least $4,075 a year on groceries and food combined, you'll be out of the $325 annual fee.

Tip: Although the Amex Gold does not carry any foreign purchase fees (see rates and fees), supermarket shopping bonus points are only awarded for spending in the US

Related: Why Amex Gold is the one card we can't live without

Pay with this card when booking flights

I Amex Gold earns 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly through the airline or Amex Travel, which comes to a 6% return based on TPG ratings.

Plus, if your luggage is lost, stolen or damaged when you travel with a common carrier and you purchase your ticket with Amex Gold, you'll be eligible for up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage. to $500 per checked baggage.

Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, Conditions and Restrictions apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more information. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Related: Best credit cards

Make sure your Amex Gold is an Uber payment method

By adding your own Amex Gold in your Uber program, you will automatically receive up to $10 per month of Uber Cash, which can be used for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the US Although this credit does not expire from month to month, this benefit should be easy to increase.

Amex Gold must be added to the Uber app to receive this benefit. Terms apply.

Related: Who should (and shouldn't) get an Amex Gold card?

Use an annual dining credit

You'll receive an annual dining statement credit of up to $120 (given in increments of up to $10 each month) when you pay with your own Amex Gold at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com and Five Guys.

Grubhub's delivery services are available in most major US cities, and it's hard to imagine that shopping at any of these vendors will cost less than $10 a month, so this benefit should be easy to use.

TPG credit card writer Olivia Mittak uses her Amex Gold dining credit to cover the cost of a Grubhub+ subscription. Since he often orders delivery, this is an easy way for him to increase this profit.

You will need to register through the Amex website to receive this benefit. Like the Uber Cash credit, the $10 dining credit expires at the end of each month, so you won't be able to withdraw any unused credits. Terms apply.

Related: The Complete Guide to Amex Gold Dining Credit

Use Resy credits

You'll earn up to $100 in Resy credits, split into two $50 credits twice a year (up to $50 from Jan to June and up to $50 from July to Dec).

You must register through the Amex website to use these credits. Once you've signed up, all you need to do is pay your bill Amex Gold at any restaurant registered with Resy; no reservation required. There are currently over 16,000 restaurants in Resy, so if you live in or near the city you should be able to take advantage of this.

These credits are so easy to use that you may not even realize you are using them. You must use up to $50 of each credit in each part of the year and you cannot carry over to any unused part. Terms apply.

Use Dunkin' Donuts credits

Cardmembers get up to $84 in Dunkin' Donuts statement credits (awarded in increments of up to $7 each month) when they pay with their Amex Gold at Dunkin'.

Like other monthly credits, this Dunkin' credit expires at the end of the month. Registration is required on the Amex website, and terms apply. This loan is straightforward and very easy to use.

That said, this credit is difficult to use if there are no Dunkin' locations in your area. If that's the case for you, check to see if any airports you pass through have a Dunkin'. That would be a good way to use this advantage.

Related: Why Chase needs a competitor to Amex Gold

Get superior benefits with The Hotel Collection

A lesser-known benefit of the Amex Gold Card is accessed by booking hotels through Amex's The Hotel Collection.

For bookings of two or more nights, you'll earn 2 points per dollar, a room upgrade upon check-in (if available) and a $100 resort credit, which can be used toward things like dining, spa or resort activities.

Booking one or two of these stays per year can help you recoup a large portion of the annual card fee. Services may vary by location. Terms apply.

Bottom line

Many credit cards come loaded with valuable benefits, but their value is only realized when you actually use them. Fortunately, the Amex Gold makes it easy to do so. Between dining credits and hotel savings benefits, the card's annual fee is easily covered.

Add cash back to food purchases, and you'll come out on top.

To learn more, check out our full Amex Gold review.

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Apply here: American Express Gold Card

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Related: Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold

For Amex Gold Card rates and fees, click here.