American Express Gold Card

American Express Gold Card is a dining card from American Express with a $325 annual fee, up to 100,000 membership rewards points after $8,000 in 6 months, and good to excellent credit.

Why we like it

Its strongest earning category is Travel-portal at 5%, backed by 1% on general spending. It also avoids foreign transaction fees.

Earn elevated rewards with 5% on Travel-portal, 4% on Dining and 4% on Groceries, plus 1% on other purchases.

• 4.0% on dining
• 4.0% on groceries
• 5.0% on travel-portal
• 3.0% on flights
• 2.0% on travel-portal
• 1.0% on other

Welcome offer

Up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 in 6 months

Bonus value estimate: $1250* · Spend requirement: $8000 in 6 months

* Estimated dollar value based on point transfer rates and portal redemption. Actual value may vary depending on how you redeem your rewards.

People focused on dining rewards who can justify a $325 annual fee and who typically have good to excellent credit.

Qualification snapshot

Recommended credit: Good to excellent credit. Published score range: 700-850.

Historical approval estimate in the current dataset: 60%

Pros

• Up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 in 6 months
• Potentially worthwhile if you use the card enough to cover the $325 annual fee
• Earns 5% on Travel-portal
• Earns 4% on Dining

Tradeoffs

• Annual fee of $325 means you need ongoing value from the card
• Typically requires good to excellent credit
• Signup bonus requires $8000 in spending within 6 months
• Base rewards on non-bonus spending are relatively modest