American Express® Gold Card Review 2026
EDITOR'S PICKUpdated Feb 16, 2026·CardStack Data Team
Quick Answer
The American Express® Gold Card earns 4.0X on dining, 4.0X on supermarkets, 3.0X on flights, 1.0X on base with a $325 annual fee. The current signup bonus is 60,000 points (worth $1,200 at portal rates) after $4,000 spend. Points transfer 1:1 to airline and hotel partners.
4.2/5
Overall
4.9/5
Rewards
4.5/5
Benefits
3.1/5
Value
AME
American Express® Gold Card
60,000 points bonus · $325/yr
VS
DEL
Delta SkyMiles Blue
$0/yr
CompareAmerican Express® Gold Card vs Delta SkyMiles Blue·American Express® Gold Card vs Blue Business Cash·American Express® Gold Card vs Blue Business Plus·American Express® Gold Card vs Blue Cash Everyday·American Express® Gold Card vs Cash Magnet
Rewards Structure
| Category | Rate | Effective ¢/$ | MCCs |
|---|---|---|---|
| dining | 4X pts/$ | 4.00¢ | Varies |
| supermarkets | 4X pts/$ | 4.00¢ | Varies |
| flights | 3X pts/$ | 3.00¢ | Varies |
| base | 1X pts/$ | 1.00¢ | Varies |
| Everything Else | 1X pts/$ | 1.00¢ | All |
Check MCCMCC Lookup Tool
Signup Bonus Value
60,000 points American Express Membership Rewards Points
Spend $4,000 in first 6 months
Cash / statement credit$1,200
Portal redemption (1.00¢/pt)$1,200
Transfer average (2.0¢/pt consensus)$2,400
Maximum value$2,400
Benefits
Trip Delay Insurance
$500
Up to $500 per trip
Baggage Insurance Plan
Included
Coverage for delayed, lost, or damaged baggage
Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance
Secondary
Secondary coverage
Purchase Protection
$50,000/yr
Up to $1,000 per occurrence, 90 days
Extended Warranty
Included
Up to 1 additional year
Return Protection
$1,000/yr
Up to $300 per item, 90 days
Effective Annual Fee
Annual fee–$325
Uber Cash+$120
Dining Credits+$120
Net annual cost–$85 effective cost
Financial disclaimer: CardStack is not a financial advisor. Credit card terms, APRs, and fees are set by AMERICAN_EXPRESS and subject to change. Verify all information on the issuer's website before applying.
How This Card Has Changed
Oct 2024
Annual fee increased from $250 to $325 First fee increase since 2018. Credits remained at $240/year Devaluation
Mar 2023
Dining credit expanded to include more partners Added Shake Shack and other restaurants to eligible dining credits Improvement
Jul 2020
$120 annual dining credit added $10/month credit at select restaurants. Significantly improved value proposition Improvement
Jan 2019
$120 annual Uber Cash credit added $10/month Uber Cash ($15 in December). Major value add Improvement
Oct 2018
Major refresh: Renamed from Premier Rewards Gold, 4X dining and supermarkets added Previously 3X flights/restaurants and 2X gas/groceries. Fee increased from $195 to $250 Improvement
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Signup bonus worth up to $2,400
- 4X top earn rate on bonus categories
- 1:1 transfer to airline and hotel partners
- No foreign transaction fees
Weaknesses
- $325 annual fee
- 1X base rate on non-bonus spending
Who This Card Is For
Point Maximizers
Transfer partners unlock premium redemption value
Foodies & Diners
Bonus earning on restaurants and delivery
International Travelers
No foreign transaction fees
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the American Express® Gold Card worth $325/year?
For moderate spenders, generally yes. The American Express® Gold Card offers rewards and benefits that typically exceed the $325 annual fee for anyone who uses the bonus categories regularly.
What credit score is needed for the American Express® Gold Card?
Most successful applicants have a credit score of 670 or higher. Higher scores significantly improve approval odds.
What is the current signup bonus for the American Express® Gold Card?
The current signup bonus is 60,000 points. Check the issuer's website for the latest offer details and spending requirements.
Methodology
This review draws on data from 35+ independent sources including official product pages, the CFPB Credit Card Agreements Database, community approval datapoints, expert point valuation sources, and our proprietary MCC verification database. Rankings are data-driven with no affiliate influence on placement. Card terms were last verified on February 16, 2026. Full methodology: cardstack.co/methodology.