Georgia Rose
Erica CorbinMany or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own.
Best for travel lovers who want a flashy card.
The American Express Gold Rewards Card offers flexible rewards points, travel perks and robust insurance coverage.
Learn more about how we evaluate cards.
If you like to travel without being tied to a particular airline and typically use your credit card at the grocery store, gas station or drugstore, the American Express Gold Rewards Card may be a practical choice.
American Express® Gold Rewards Card
-
Annual Fee$250
-
Interest Rates21.99% / 21.99%21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advances.
-
Rewards Rate1x-2x Points2x points on eligible travel purchases, 2x on eligible purchases at gas stations, grocery stores and drugstores in Canada, and 1x on purchases everywhere else.
-
Intro OfferUp to 60,000 PointsNew American Express® Gold Rewards Cardmembers, earn 5,000 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 in net purchases on your Card. This could add up to 60,000 points in a year. That’s up to $600 towards your next vacation.
- Earn up to 60,000 Membership Rewards® points:
- New American Express® Gold Rewards Cardmembers, earn 5,000 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 in net purchases on your Card.
- This could add up to 60,000 points in a year. That’s up to $600 towards your next vacation.
- Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases for eligible travel purchases, including flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and more.
- Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases at eligible gas stations, grocery stores and drugstores in Canada, and 1 point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else.
- The Card is now available in your choice of Gold or Rose Gold metal options.
- Receive a $50 CAD statement credit when a NEXUS application or renewal fee is charged to your American Express Gold Rewards Card.
- You have access to an annual $100 CAD Travel Credit, compliments of your American Express Gold Rewards Card. Use the credit once annually towards any single travel booking of $100 or more charged to your Gold Rewards Card through American Express Travel Online.
- As a Gold Rewards Cardmember, you can receive complimentary membership in Priority PassTM – one of the world’s largest independent airport lounge programs. Escape the chaos of airports and relax in an oasis of calm and simply enjoy the fact that the travel experience has begun before your plane has even left the ground. Enrollment is required and entry fees apply.
- Enjoy four (4) complimentary visits per Calendar year to Plaza Premium Lounges across Canada. Entry fees apply once complimentary visits have been used.
- Charge any eligible purchase to your credit Card then log in to redeem your earned points for a statement credit.
- Transfer points 1:1 to several frequent flyer and other loyalty programs.
- 1 Free Additional Gold Rewards Card (a $50 value) to help you earn points faster.
- Subject to approval. The preferred rate for purchases is 21.99% and funds advances is 21.99%. If you have Missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99% and/or 28.99%. See the information box included with the application for the definition of Missed Payment and which rates apply to charges on your account and other details
- American Express is not responsible for maintaining of monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information click the Apply now link. Conditions apply.
- To be eligible, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
American Express Gold Rewards Card full review
The American Express Gold Rewards Card, also called the Amex Gold Rewards Card or Amex Gold Card, is a metal credit card that earns American Express Membership Rewards points. Cardholders earn points for each eligible dollar spent, with accelerated rates on travel, grocery store, gas station and drugstore spending.
Benefits of the American Express Gold Rewards Card
- Airport lounge access (four complimentary Plaza Premium Lounge passes and access to Priority Pass for a fee).
- Hotel and travel credits.
- Car rental upgrades with Hertz.
- Available in gold or rose gold stainless steel.
Drawbacks of the American Express Gold Rewards Card
- No emergency medical insurance for cardholders 65 and older.
- Complimentary access to Plaza Premium Lounges is limited to only four passes annually.
Who should get the American Express Gold Rewards Card?
Travel lovers who frequently spend at the grocery store, gas pumps or drugstore will be able to make the most of this credit card’s rewards program and benefits. It provides comprehensive travel insurance and numerous travel-related perks, like NEXUS fee rebates and airport lounge passes.
Is American Express Gold Rewards worth it?
Whether the American Express Gold Rewards card is worth it depends on your spending habits. If you want a card that earns points on gas, groceries, drugstore purchases and travel purchases, the card could very well make sense. Plus, it offers extensive travel insurance and a flexible loyalty program — you can redeem points through multiple airlines, not just one.
However, the $250 annual fee may be a little steep for some budgets.
» MORE: Best American Express credit cards
American Express customer ratings
- Ranked high in customer satisfaction: American Express ranks 1st in J.D. Power’s 2023 Canada Credit Card Satisfaction Study.
- Low Trustpilot rating: 1.5 out of 5 possible stars based on over 3,800 customer reviews, as of this writing.
- Low Better Business Bureau customer rating: 1.08 out of 5 possible stars based on over 400 customer reviews, as of this writing.
Amex Gold Rewards Card eligibility
Who qualifies for the American Express Gold Rewards Card?
You must be a Canadian resident and at least the age of majority for your province or territory to be eligible for the Amex Gold Rewards Card.
Approximate credit score needed for approval
Canadian credit card issuers rarely disclose required credit scores, which makes it hard to know your chances of approval when comparing credit cards. What we do know is that higher scores have better chances of approval — that’s true no matter what type of credit you’re applying for.
Want to learn more? Our guide can help you figure out what credit score is typically needed for a credit card.
American Express Gold Rewards Card rewards
Up to 60,000 points in the first year of membership.
- Earn 5,000 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 in net purchases.
- 2x points on eligible travel purchases.
- 2x points on eligible purchases at gas stations, grocery stores and drugstores in Canada.
- 1x points on all other eligible purchases.
- 1 additional point on every dollar spent on eligible car rental and hotel bookings made through American Express Travel Online.
The total value of the 60,000 points welcome offer could be worth up to $600, according to the American Express website.
Beyond its welcome offer, the Amex Gold Card has additional benefits that deliver value. Cardholders get a $100 annual travel credit to redeem for trips booked through American Express Travel Online and a $50 statement credit for NEXUS application or renewal fees charged to the card. Plus, staying at least two consecutive nights at eligible hotels yields a US$100 credit for hotel amenities.
Point value breakdown
The value of an American Express Membership Rewards point depends on the redemption method you choose, but you can expect to get around 0.7-2 cents per point based on our NerdWallet analysis. Here’s our breakdown:
- Up to 2 cents per point for flights, fine hotels and resorts booked via the American Express Fixed Points Travel Program.
- 1 cent per point for statement credits.
- About 0.8 cents per point for gift cards.
- About 0.7 cents per point for shopping with merchant partners.
How to apply for the American Express Gold Rewards Card
You can complete the application for the Amex Gold Card from the American Express website:
- Select the Apply Now button on the American Express Gold Rewards Card page.
- Review the card’s terms and conditions and select Agree and Begin to continue.
- Enter your personal details, including your full name, date of birth, phone number, email address and postal code.
- Tell American Express about your finances and any other required details.
- Review the information you’ve supplied and submit your application.
American Express Gold Rewards Card vs. Amex Platinum Card
Open to paying a higher annual fee if it means greater benefits? Here’s how the American Express Gold Rewards Card stacks up to the more luxurious — and more expensive — American Express Platinum Card.
| AMERICAN EXPRESS GOLD REWARDS CARD | AMERICAN EXPRESS PLATINUM CARD |
|
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $250. | $799. |
| Card type | Credit card. | Charge card. |
| Rewards | 1x-2x Points. | 1x-2x Points. |
| Travel perks |
|
|
Reasons you might want a different card
The Amex Gold Card earns American Express Membership Rewards points and comes with an attractive lineup of perks, but there are a few circumstances where it won’t be a practical fit:
- You don’t want to pay an annual fee.
- You don’t travel often.
- You don’t spend much at grocery stores, gas stations or drugstores.
American Express Gold Rewards Card facts
| American Express Gold Rewards Card | |
|---|---|
| Card type | Metal rewards credit card. |
| Fees and interest rates | |
| Annual fee | $250. |
| Regular/purchase APR | 21.99% / 21.99%. |
| Penalty APR | 25.99% if you miss two payments within 12 months, and 28.99% if you miss three payments within 12 months. |
| Cash advance APR | 21.99%. |
| Cash advance fee | $2.75 per transaction. |
| Balance transfer | 3% of transaction. |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% of transaction. |
| Rewards and benefits | |
| Intro offer | Up to 60,000 Points. |
| Reward earn rates | 1x-2x Points. |
| Other perks |
|
| Insurance coverage | |
| Travel accident | Up to $500,000. |
| Emergency medical | Up to $5 million per person under age 65, per trip. |
| Flight and baggage delay | Up to $500 per person for meals and accommodations. |
| Lost or stolen baggage | Up to $500 of coverage per trip for all insured persons. |
| Hotel burglary | Up to $500 of coverage for personal items (excluding cash). |
| Rental car theft/damage | For up to 48 days. |
| Extended warranty | Up to one additional year. |
| Purchase protection | 90 days. |
Rating Methodology
NerdWallet Canada rates credit cards according to overall consumer value and their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in our evaluation methodology include annual and other fees, rewards rates, the earning structure (for example, flat-rate rewards versus bonus categories), redemption options, bonus offers for new cardholders, introductory and ongoing APRs, and other noteworthy features such as airline or hotel perks or the ability to transfer points.
Frequently asked questions about American Express Gold Rewards Card
To be eligible for the Amex Gold Rewards Card, you must be a Canadian resident and at least the age of majority for your province or territory.
Yes, the American Express Gold Rewards Card is a metal credit card. It’s made of stainless steel and is available in gold or rose gold finish.
About the Author
DIVE EVEN DEEPER
23 Best Credit Cards in Canada for April 2024
NerdWallet Canada’s picks for the best credit cards include top contenders across numerous card categories. Compare these options to find the ideal card for you.
Shannon Terrell
Credit Card Interest Calculator
Interest charges don’t need to be a mystery. Use our credit card interest calculator to see how much interest you’d owe if you carry a credit card balance.
Georgia Rose
Best American Express Cards in Canada
Among the best Amex credit cards in Canada are options for travel, cash back, business and more. Cardholders can earn Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy and American Express Membership Rewards points.
21 Best Cash-Back Credit Cards in Canada for April 2024
NerdWallet’s picks for the best cash-back credit cards in Canada include top contenders across numerous categories. Choose the right one for your spending habits and financial goals.