The Amex Gold Card is getting a makeover. Here’s what you need to know

The American Express® Gold Card (terms apply, rates & fees) has long had excellent benefits to go along with its annual fee, including the ability to earn Membership Rewards® points on dining and U.S. supermarkets. Now, new changes bring more statement credits and updates to existing perks in exchange for an increased annual fee. Let’s take a look at what’s changing with this Amex Gold Card update. 

American Express Gold Card updates, credits and annual fee

The American Express Gold Card is a favorite for many since it offers strong rewards on everyday purchases while still charging a low-ish annual fee. However, new updates mean you’ll be paying more each year for the card while also facing caps on the points you can earn:

• Annual fee: Increasing from $250 to $325 per year.
• Restaurant earning cap: Previously unlimited 4 points per $1 spent on dining, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., now capped at $50,000 spent each year, beginning January 1, 2025, then it drops to the base rate.
• Up to $120 annual dining statement credit ($10 monthly credits): Five Guys now included, but Shake Shack and Milk Bar are out. Enrollment is required. 

Along with updates to existing benefits, the American Express Gold Card is adding a few new statement credits (enrollment required):

• Up to $100 Resy statement credit: Up to $50 semi-annually.
• Up to $84 Dunkin’ statement credit (annually): Up to $7 monthly.

If you’re able to maximize these, you’ll be able to offset the increased annual fee. Still, critics of Amex’s updates liken these credits to a coupon book, requiring you to jump through too many hoops to use them effectively. 

The American Express Gold Card’s other benefits remain untouched:

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards after spending $6,000 in purchases in the first six months of card ownership.
• 4 points per $1 spent on U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year). 
• 3 points per $1 spent on flights booked directly with the airline or via Amex Travel. 
• 1 point per $1 spent on other eligible purchases. 
• Up to $120 in Uber cash each year ($10 monthly). Card must be added to Uber account to receive this benefit (enrollment required). 
• Complimentary travel insurance (like trip delay insurance or trip cancellation and interruption insurance¹, etc.) 
• No foreign transaction fees. 

New limited-time welcome offers

To celebrate the refresh of the American Express Gold Card, Amex is offering a couple of limited-time welcome offers:

• Get 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases worldwide (up to $100 back) within the first six months of card membership. Offer ends on November 6, 2024. Terms and conditions apply.
• Choose a white gold card design. The white gold version of the card joins the existing gold color on offer as well as the sought-after rose gold variety. (There’s no word yet on whether the white gold card will be exclusive to new applicants or if those who already have an American Express Gold Card will be able to request the new color.) 

The bottom line

Amex has been updating its roster of cards over the last couple of years and now the American Express Gold Card is finally seeing its turn. The changes are mostly a wash; although you’ll be paying a higher annual fee, you’ll also have the chance to offset that with more statement credits. There’s also a new limit on rewards with dining, though most cardholders probably won’t be affected by the new cap. 

Those who don’t already have the card may want to apply now to take advantage of the limited-time offer of 20% back in statement credits on up to $100 on eligible restaurant purchases worldwide for the first six months of card membership (offer ends November 6, 2024), plus the ability to score a white gold version of the card. 

^{For rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card please visit this page.}

^{¹Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.}