American Express Gold Rewards Card Review 2025: Is It Worth It?
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 flashy American Express Gold Rewards Card may be a great choice.
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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
High in customer satisfaction: American Express ranks second in customer satisfaction among credit card issuers in J.D. Power’s 2024 Canada Credit Card Satisfaction Study.
Low Trustpilot rating: American Express has 1.5 out of 5 possible stars based on over 4,400 customer reviews, as of this writing.
Poor Better Business Bureau customer rating: American Express has 1.1 out of 5 possible stars based on over 500 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 (during the first year of card membership).
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 0.6 to 11.5 cents per point based on our NerdWallet analysis. Here’s our breakdown:
11.52 cents per point for hotel redemptions.
1.74 cents per point for business class air fare redemptions.
1.42 cents per point for economy class air fare redemptions.
1 cent per point for statement credits.
0.76 cents per point for gift cards.
0.65 cents per point for merchandise.
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.
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdown
NerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's take
Card details
Card details
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownNerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeCard details
Card detailsReasons 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 | |
Fees and interest rates | |
Annual fee | $250.00 |
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 | Choose between gold or rose gold for the design of your stainless steel card. Receive a $100 annual travel credit to redeem for travel experiences booked through American Express Travel Online. Enjoy four complimentary passes to Plaza Premium Lounges across Canadian airports annually. Get a $50 statement credit when you charge a NEXUS application or renewal fee to your card. Access over 1,200 airport lounges across the world via Priority Pass (for a fee). Stay at least two consecutive nights at eligible hotels to get a US$100 credit for hotel amenities, like dining, spa treatments, room upgrades and more. Enroll in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program to receive car class upgrades on rentals of five or more consecutive days and waived fees for one additional driver. Access exclusive ticketing presales for concerts, shows and special events through the Front Of The Line program. Enjoy special access to advanced film screenings, food festivals, private shopping experiences and curated offers through the Amex Experiences™ program. Skip the crowds and lineups at popular Toronto event venues like the Budweiser Stage and the Royal Alexandra Theatre. Relax in exclusive Priority Bars when you take in a Toronto show at the Princess of Wales and Ed Mirvish Theatres. |
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. |
Methodology
BACK TO TOPNerdWallet 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
How do you qualify for an Amex Gold Card?
How do you qualify for an Amex Gold 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.
Is the Amex Gold Card a metal card?
Is the Amex Gold Card a metal card?
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.
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Shannon Terrell
Shannon Terrell