American Express® Gold Card Sign Up Bonus: Up to 100,000 Points
The American Express® Gold Card may offer eligible applicants as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after meeting the required spending threshold. However, American Express states that welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for the same offer as another applicant.
For a complete overview of the Card's rewards, credits, annual fee and other benefits, see: American Express Gold Card Benefits, Rewards & Perks.
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How Many Points Is the American Express Gold Card Sign Up Bonus?
The current advertised welcome offer is as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on the new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
The important part of the offer is the phrase “as high as.” American Express states that welcome offers vary and that you may not be eligible for an offer. Your application will show the specific welcome offer available to you.
- Potential welcome offer: as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points
- Required spending: $8,000 in eligible purchases
- Spending period: first 6 months of Card Membership
- Welcome offers vary by applicant
How Do You Find Out Your Exact Gold Card Welcome Offer?
American Express allows applicants to apply to find out whether they are approved and to see the exact welcome offer available to them. The application process can provide this information without impacting your credit score before you decide whether to accept the Card.
If you are approved and choose to accept the Card, American Express states that your credit score may be impacted.
This means you should not assume that every applicant will receive the 100,000-point offer. The advertised amount is the highest available offer, while the offer presented to you may be different.
How Much Do You Have to Spend to Earn the Bonus?
To qualify for the advertised welcome offer of as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points, you must spend $8,000 in eligible purchases during your first 6 months of Card Membership.
The spending requirement applies to purchases made after opening the new Card. Reaching the spending threshold does not mean every applicant will receive 100,000 points because the welcome offer presented during the application process can vary.
Does Everyone Get the 100,000-Point Offer?
No. American Express specifically states that welcome offers vary and that you may not be eligible for an offer. The 100,000-point amount is advertised as the highest available welcome offer rather than a guaranteed bonus for every applicant.
The best way to determine which welcome offer is available to you is to apply and review the offer presented during the application process before deciding whether to accept the Card.
When Do You Receive the Membership Rewards Points?
The welcome offer is tied to completing the required eligible spending during the specified introductory period. Once the requirements have been satisfied and the account qualifies for the offer, the Membership Rewards points are awarded according to the terms of the welcome offer.
Because welcome offers can vary, review the specific offer presented to you during the application process so you understand the requirements that apply to your application.
Is the American Express Gold Card Sign Up Bonus Worth It?
The potential for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points can make the welcome offer an important part of the value of the American Express Gold Card. However, the $8,000 spending requirement within the first 6 months is substantial, so applicants should consider whether they can meet the requirement through normal eligible purchases.
The Gold Card also has a $325 annual fee, so the welcome offer should be considered alongside the card's ongoing rewards and benefits rather than viewed by itself.
Apply for the American Express Gold Card
If you want to find out whether you qualify and see the specific welcome offer available to you, you can apply for the American Express Gold Card online.
Final Thoughts
The American Express Gold Card currently advertises a welcome offer of as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 in eligible purchases during the first 6 months of Card Membership. However, American Express makes clear that welcome offers vary, so the 100,000-point offer is not guaranteed for every applicant.
The application process allows you to find out whether you're approved and see your exact welcome offer before deciding whether to accept the Card. This makes it possible to determine the offer available to you rather than assuming that every applicant receives the highest advertised bonus.
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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FICO® Credit Score Facts
- Three-Digit Number: Summarizes your credit risk.
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