American Express® Gold Card Review 2026

4x on dining worldwide and US supermarkets — the no-FX card for people who spend heavily on food.

Find your card type — 60-second quiz →

Good–Excellent credit — 680+ FICO typical; hard pull required

ClearValue Rating: 4.2 / 5 — our editorial assessment (how we rate)

Editorial3.9
Cost4.8
Value4.4
Access3.8

Editorial confidence (30%), cost (25%), value (25%), accessibility (20%) — scored consistently across every product, independent of compensation.

At a glance

Who American Express® Gold Card is best for

Heavy dining and grocery spenders who travel internationally and want Amex Membership Rewards points that transfer to 20+ partners.

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card requirements

Recommended credit: Good–Excellent credit; 680+ FICO typical
Credit inquiry: Hard pull required at application
Credit enrollment: Dining and Uber Cash credits require active enrollment — confirm at americanexpress.com
Card-opening limits: Amex limits new card approvals for recent applicants — check current rules at amex.com

American Express® Gold Card rates & fees

The Amex Gold Card carries a $250 annual fee and no foreign transaction fee. It earns 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide and at US supermarkets (up to $25,000/year at supermarkets, then 1x), and 3x on flights booked directly or via amextravel.com. Up to $120 in dining credits ($10/month at select restaurants) and $120 in Uber Cash ($10/month) are included — using both fully reduces the effective fee to approximately $10. Variable APR applies on Pay Over Time balances; confirm at americanexpress.com.

Value at a glance

Year 1 valueOngoing value
Welcome bonus (verify current offer at americanexpress.com) + 4x dining worldwide + 4x US supermarkets + $120 dining credit + $120 Uber Cash4x dining + 4x supermarkets + 3x flights; $120 dining credit + $120 Uber Cash; 20+ transfer partners; $250 annual fee; no FX fee
Credits require active enrollment and monthly use — confirm terms and participating restaurants at americanexpress.com

American Express® Gold Card alternatives

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Chase) — 3x dining at $95 annual fee if you won't use Amex's included credits
Read review Find your card type — 60-second quiz →
The Platinum Card® from American Express (American Express) — Premium lounge access and 5x on flights for frequent fliers willing to pay $695
Read review Find your card type — 60-second quiz →
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card (Capital One) — 3% dining worldwide at no annual fee if credits aren't worth managing
Read review Find your card type — 60-second quiz →

Bottom line

American Express® Gold Card — 4x on dining worldwide and US supermarkets — the no-FX card for people who spend heavily on food. Best for: Heavy dining and grocery spenders who travel internationally and want Amex Membership Rewards points that transfer to 20+ partners.. Compare it against alternatives before applying; the right fit depends on your situation, credit, and goals.

Questions about American Express® Gold Card

Does the Amex Gold Card charge a foreign transaction fee?

No — as disclosed by American Express (verified June 2026), the Gold Card charges no foreign transaction fee on any purchase, including purchases made in foreign currencies. The 4x dining rate also applies to restaurant purchases abroad. Verify current terms at americanexpress.com.

How does the Amex Gold $120 dining credit work?

American Express issues up to $10 in statement credits per month for purchases at select participating restaurants — including Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and select others (per Amex terms, verified June 2026). Enrollment is required. Credits do not roll over — unused monthly credits expire. Confirm the current participating restaurant list and enrollment instructions at americanexpress.com, as Amex periodically updates participating merchants.

Does the Amex Gold 4x dining rate apply to restaurant purchases made internationally?

Yes — as disclosed by American Express (verified June 2026), the 4x Membership Rewards points on dining applies to restaurant purchases worldwide, not just in the US. Combined with the no-foreign-transaction-fee policy, this makes the Gold Card one of the strongest no-FX earners for international travelers who eat out frequently. The supermarket 4x is limited to US supermarkets only. Verify current terms at americanexpress.com.

What airline and hotel partners does the Amex Gold Card transfer to?

Amex Membership Rewards points earned on the Gold Card transfer to 20+ airline and hotel loyalty programs, including Delta SkyMiles, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, and Marriott Bonvoy, among others. Most transfers are at a 1:1 ratio, though some partners offer different ratios. Per American Express (verified June 2026), transfer partners can change — confirm current partners and ratios at americanexpress.com before planning a redemption.

Does the Amex Gold Card include purchase protection or extended warranty?

Yes — per American Express (verified June 2026), the Gold Card includes purchase protection covering eligible items against accidental damage or theft for 90 days from purchase (up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per year), and extended warranty coverage that extends the original manufacturer's warranty by up to one additional year on warranties of five years or less. Confirm current benefit terms and coverage limits at americanexpress.com, as terms may change.

Is ClearValue Lending a bank or card issuer?

No. ClearValue Lending is not a bank, card issuer, lender, or financial advisor. The American Express® Gold Card is issued and operated by American Express National Bank. APRs, fees, rewards rates, and terms are determined solely by American Express and may change — verify current terms at americanexpress.com before applying.

How we rate

Every pick gets a 1–5 ClearValue Rating computed from four weighted factors: Editorial confidence (30%), Cost (25%), Value (25%), and Accessibility (20%).

Scored consistently across every product and independent of any compensation. Full methodology →

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