American Express® Gold Card Rewards: Earn Membership Rewards Points
The American Express® Gold Card earns Membership Rewards® points on everyday purchases, with elevated earning rates on restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and certain travel purchases. For cardmembers who regularly spend in these categories, the rewards program can provide substantial value over time.
For an overview of the Gold Card's other benefits, credits and features, see our complete guide to American Express Gold Card Benefits, Rewards & Perks.
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How Many Membership Rewards Points Can You Earn?
The American Express Gold Card offers several elevated rewards categories. The highest earning rates are available on eligible restaurant, U.S. supermarket and certain travel purchases.
- 4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X
- 4X Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X
- 5X Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App
- 3X Membership Rewards points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App or purchased directly from airlines
- 2X Membership Rewards points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App
- 2X Membership Rewards points on cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com
- 1X Membership Rewards point on other eligible purchases
Earn 4X Points at Restaurants
Gold Cardmembers can earn 4X Membership Rewards points per dollar on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year. After reaching that annual limit, eligible restaurant purchases earn 1X point per dollar for the remainder of the year.
This earning category can make the Gold Card particularly attractive for people who regularly spend money at restaurants.
Earn 4X Points at U.S. Supermarkets
The Gold Card also earns 4X Membership Rewards points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year. After the annual limit is reached, eligible purchases earn 1X point per dollar for the remainder of the year.
For households that spend regularly on groceries, this can be one of the card's most valuable everyday earning categories.
Earn Points on Flights and Hotels
The Gold Card also offers elevated Membership Rewards earning on certain travel purchases. Cardmembers can earn 5X points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
Eligible flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App or purchased directly from airlines earn 3X points per dollar.
Earn Points on Other Travel Purchases
Eligible prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App earn 2X Membership Rewards points. Eligible cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com also earn 2X points.
Other eligible purchases that do not qualify for a higher earning category generally earn 1X Membership Rewards point per dollar.
Are Membership Rewards Points Valuable?
Membership Rewards points can be used in a variety of ways, including toward eligible travel and other redemption options available through American Express. The value of the points depends on how they are redeemed.
Because the Gold Card earns elevated rewards in several common spending categories, the number of points you can accumulate can vary significantly depending on your spending habits.
Gold Card Rewards and the Annual Fee
The Gold Card has a $325 annual fee. The rewards earned from everyday spending are therefore an important part of determining whether the card provides enough ongoing value to justify its yearly cost.
Cardmembers who spend heavily at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets may be able to earn a substantial number of Membership Rewards points throughout the year, in addition to the card's available statement credits and other benefits.
Final Thoughts
The American Express Gold Card offers elevated Membership Rewards earning on restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and several travel categories. The 4X earning rates on eligible restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases can be especially valuable for cardmembers who regularly spend in those categories.
The card's $325 annual fee means the rewards should be considered together with the other benefits and credits available to cardmembers. Your actual value will depend on where you spend and how you use the Membership Rewards points you earn.
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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