American Express® Gold Card Annual Fee: Is $325 Worth It?
The American Express® Gold Card has a $325 annual fee. While that is a significant yearly cost, the card also offers several benefits and statement credits that may help offset the fee for cardmembers who regularly use them.
For an overview of the card's rewards, credits, travel perks and other features, see our complete guide to American Express Gold Card Benefits, Rewards & Perks.
➤ American Express® Gold Card At-A-Glance
- Annual Fee: $325
- Total Credits: Up to $424 per year (Uber, Dunkin', Dining, Resy)
- Best For: People who spend heavily on groceries and dining out.
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How Much Is the American Express Gold Card Annual Fee?
The annual fee for the American Express Gold Card is $325. The fee is charged annually, so it is important to consider the yearly cost when deciding whether the card fits your spending habits.
The Gold Card also allows up to five Additional Cards at no annual fee. Additional Cards beyond the first five have an annual fee.
Can the Gold Card Benefits Offset the $325 Fee?
The Gold Card includes several statement credits that can help offset the annual fee. Some of these benefits require enrollment and can only be used for qualifying purchases.
The card currently offers potential credits including up to $120 per year for eligible dining purchases, up to $100 per year in Resy statement credits, up to $84 per year at U.S. Dunkin' locations and up to $120 per year in Uber Cash.
If you regularly use these benefits, they can provide substantial value toward the $325 annual fee.
How the $120 Dining Credit Helps Offset the Fee
The Gold Card offers up to $10 in monthly statement credits for eligible purchases at participating dining merchants. Enrollment is required.
Using the full monthly credit could provide up to $120 in value over a year.
How the $100 Resy Credit Helps Offset the Fee
The Gold Card provides up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year for eligible purchases at qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment is required.
For cardmembers who already dine at participating Resy restaurants, this credit can help reduce the effective cost of the annual fee.
How the $84 Dunkin' Credit Helps Offset the Fee
Gold Cardmembers can receive up to $7 in monthly statement credits after eligible purchases at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required.
Using the full monthly credit provides a potential $84 in annual value.
How the $120 Uber Cash Helps Offset the Fee
The Gold Card offers up to $10 in Uber Cash each month when the Card is added to an eligible Uber account and the applicable requirements are met.
That provides the potential for up to $120 in Uber Cash each year for eligible rides and orders in the U.S.
Does the Gold Card Annual Fee Make Sense for Everyone?
Not necessarily. The value of the Gold Card's credits depends on whether you would actually use them. A cardmember who regularly uses the eligible dining, Resy, Dunkin' and Uber benefits may be able to offset a significant portion of the $325 annual fee.
Someone who rarely uses these services may receive considerably less value from the credits. The annual fee should therefore be considered based on your normal spending and purchasing habits rather than the total advertised value of every available benefit.
Is the $325 American Express Gold Card Annual Fee Worth It?
The $325 annual fee can be worth paying for cardmembers who can consistently use the Gold Card's available credits and earn substantial Membership Rewards points from their regular spending.
If you would naturally use several of the available credits, the effective cost of the card can be much lower than $325. If you would not use them, however, the annual fee becomes a more significant expense.
Final Thoughts
The American Express Gold Card has a $325 annual fee, but its available statement credits and rewards can help offset that cost. The key is determining how much value you are likely to receive from the benefits you would actually use.
For someone who regularly spends on dining, groceries and other eligible purchases and can take advantage of the available credits, the Gold Card may provide enough ongoing value to justify its annual fee.
American Express® Gold Card
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide.§ *Eligible charges vary by property.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
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