American Express® Gold Rewards Card Review

By: Heather Hanks Aug. 14, 2019

The American Express® Gold Rewards Card allows you to earn two points for every dollar spent on travel and everyday purchases. You’ll also earn one point for every dollar spent everywhere else, including on hotel and car rentals. It’s the perfect card for the serious traveler as well as for your everyday needs. The American Express® Gold Rewards Card Benefits don’t end with points. You’ll also get a free additional card, up to $100 in hotel credit, entertainment access, and more. With an affordable annual fee and endless ways to save, the American Express® Gold Card is the perfect card no matter what your needs are. Below is our American Express® Gold Rewards Card review.

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Overall Rating

Card Type:

Charge Card

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What is the American Express® Gold Rewards Card?

The American Express® Gold Rewards card is one of several credit cards offered by American Express for both everyday purchases and travel benefits. It’s an extremely versatile card that works by allowing you to earn points for your purchases. You can redeem these points for statement credit, travel expenses, and loyalty programs. The American Express® Gold Rewards Card offers two points for every dollar spent on eligible travel and daily purchases. You’ll also get one point for all other purchases. Plus, you’ll earn an additional point for every dollar spent on hotel expenses and car rentals made online through American Express Travel. It’s an ideal card whether you need it for groceries, gas, or travel. We love that the American Express® Gold Card Rewards card offers great travel benefits. These include benefits from The Hotel Collection, which gives you access to over 600 hotels and resorts throughout 30 countries worldwide during a two night stay. American Express also gives you 25,000 bonus points just for signing up when you spend $1,500 on your card within the first three months of membership.

Here is some basic information about the American Express® Gold Rewards Card:

Card type: charge card (payments must be made in full each month; late payments are subject to 30% interest fee)
Annual fee: $150 (you’ll get one free additional card when you sign up, which is a $50 value)
Welcome bonus of 25,000 points when you spend $1,500 on your card within the first three months of membership
Redeem your points for statement credit, flights within Canada, and loyalty programs
Earn two points for every dollar spent on eligible everyday and travel purchases
Earn one point for every dollar spent on everything else
Earn one additional point when you book your next trip online through American Express Travel
You’ll earn travel benefits, such as $100 in hotel credit, room upgrades, and discounts on car rentals
Extensive travel coverage includes hotel burglary, rental card theft, delayed flights and baggage, and more
Front of the Line® entertainment access to concerts, games, and more
Shopping coverage that includes purchase protection and no pre-set limits
Online account access and 24/7 concierge customer service

American Express® Gold Reward Benefits

The American Express® Gold Rewards card is an excellent choice because it's backed by American Express customer service guarantee. You can contact someone at American Express 24/7 or access your account online anytime. We like the versatility of this card because it can be applied toward everyday expenses or used as a travel card. You learn points no matter what you use your card on. Plus, you'll be covered for just about anything you use you card for. The American Express® Gold Rewards include travel benefits, rental car discounts, and more. You’ll earn points every time you use your card. These points can be redeemed for statement credit and applied to future purchases on your card. You can also use your points to book flights in Canada or anywhere in the world through the American Express Fixed Points Travel Program. Your points can also be transferred to frequent flyer points and other loyalty programs.

American Express offers a welcome bonus of 25,000 points when you spend $1,500 on your card within the first three months of signing up. This should be easy to do. You can use your card on anything from groceries and gas to travel expenses. Use your American Express® Gold Reward card to pay your bills or do back to school shopping. You’ll get rewarded no matter what. There is no preset spending limit. The more you use your card, the more you’ll save. If you travel often, then the American Express® Gold Reward card is a no-brainer.

You’ll enjoy travel benefits that include the following:

Access to over 600 resorts and hotels in 30 countries worldwide when you book a two-night stay online through American Express Travel
As much as $100 in USD hotel credit on eligible hotel expenses charged to your room. This may include golf, spa, and dining expenses. (Note, this cannot be used on the room rate, taxes or fees. Restrictions depend on the property)
Free room upgrade when available at check in
Hertz rental car benefits such as a one car class upgrade at check in (only works on rental cars of 5 days or more) and fee waived for one additional driver
Extensive travel-related insurance coverage that can be used while traveling abroad or shopping locally, including emergency medical insurance, lost baggage insurance, and more

Keep in mind that the above-mentioned rewards may vary based on each individual property. American Express offers some of the best travel coverage around. Our Amex Gold Rewards Card Review includes a full description of each benefit. We love that the American Express® Gold Rewards card is great for everyday basic essentials but also rewards you for traveling. You’ll get discounts when you book your travel expenses online at American Express Travel. You’ll also enjoy free room upgrades when available and discounts on your car rental. This is based on availability when you check in. Plus, every purchase you make is covered. If your flight or baggage is delayed, then you can use your coverage for essentials to get you by. These may include food, dining experiences, and clothing purchases. You'll also be covered in case of medical emergencies.

Here is what you can expect from American Express when you use your card to travel and shop:

Lost or stolen baggage insurance

This policy covers your carry on or checked baggage for up to $500 per trip for all parties when it’s lost or stolen. Airline tickets must be charged to your Gold card for this insurance.

Flight delay insurance

You’re covered for up to $500 when your flight is delayed for at least four hours. You must use your Gold card to purchase your airline tickets to receive this coverage. The money is to be spent on dining, sundry items and other reasonable items until other transportation is available.

Baggage delay insurance

You will receive up to $500 for emergency purchases if your baggage is delayed for six hours . You must use your Gold card to pay for your airline tickets. This money is to be spent on dining, essential clothing, and other emergency purchases until your baggage arrives.

Hotel/motel burglary insurance

If your hotel room is burglarized, then your personal items will be covered up to $500 when you charge your room to your Gold card. This does not include cash.

Trip interruption insurance

You’ll be covered for non-refundable and non-transferable items when you use your card to pay for them. This applies to unused portions of your trip purchased before your departure date. This insurance helps cover you if your trip is interrupted or delayed for a covered reason. Insured persons are eligible for up to $1,500 in coverage per trip for a maximum of $6,000 for all parties combined.

Out of country/province emergency medical coverage

Get coverage of up to $5,000,000 for eligible emergency medicare care. This applies to insured people under the age of 65 who travel out of the country for the first 15 days of their trip.

Car rental theft and damage insurance

Your rental car is covered for up to $85,000 from damaged from theft, loss or damage when you use your Amex Gold card to book it. You must decline the loss, theft or damage waivers provided by the car rental facility to take advantage of this insurance. Most people find that this saves them about $23 per day.

$500,000 accident insurance

You’ll be covered for as much as $500,000 for accidental death or dismemberment when you use your Gold card to purchase your common carrier tickets.

How Does the American Express® Gold Rewards Card Work?

With the American Express® Gold Rewards card, you earn points every time you spend. You’ll get two points for every dollar you spend on eligible purchases at grocery stores and gas stations in Canada. You'll also get two points for every dollar you spend on eligible travel purchases. This includes car rentals, hotels, flights, cruises, and more. Finally, you will earn one point for every dollar you spend elsewhere. Members can also earn an additional point for every dollar you spend when you book your trip online at American Express Travel. This includes eligible car rentals and hotel bookings. Redeeming your points is easy. You'll earn points every time you charge an eligible purchase on your card. These include dining, groceries, gas, travel, retail, and more. You can use your points towards statement credit that can be applied for future purchases. Or use your card to book flights in Canada or anywhere in the world using the American Express Fixed Points Travel program. The fixed points travel system allows you to use your points for a predetermined trip. Your points can also be transferred to loyalty programs, such as frequent flyer programs. Here, you will earn points and credit towards future travel expenses.

American Express also offers entertainment access to its members. You'll enjoy Front of the Line® access to concerts, movies, games, and more before they go on sale to the general public. Plus, all purchases you make are covered when you use your American Express® Gold Rewards card. There are no preset limits on your card, which means you can spend as much as you'd like. Keep in mind that the gold rewards card is a charge card. This means you will need to pay your balance off in full each month. Late fees are subject to a 30% interest rate.

Here are some additional benefits you can expect when you become an American Express gold Rewards card member:

Front of the Line® Advanced access: this feature allows you to buy pre-sale tickets for in demand events before the general public.

Front of the Line® Reserved tickets: this coverage allows you to buy tickets from a block of seats to many major events that are reserved exclusively for cardholders.

Front of the Line® E-updates: stay in the know with email updates regarding upcoming events.

Special offers and experiences: card members will enjoy a variety of special offers throughout the year just for being a member. This may include advanced screenings of movies, weekend getaway packages, and in-store and online shopping deals.

Special access for cardholders at various locations

No preset spending limit: this card allows you to enjoy financial flexibility. You'll also be able to maximize your points because there is no preset spending limit. You can spend as much as you'd like on your card as long as you pay off your balance in full each month.

Buyers Assurance Protection plan: this plan ensures that you'll be covered for up to one year past the manufacturer's warranty on eligible items that you purchased with your card.

Purchase protection plan: this coverage allows you to be covered for up to 90 days from the date of purchase on eligible items in case they are physically damaged or stolen. Your coverage caps at $1,000 per occurrence for all items combined.

24/7 customer care service

Emergency card replacement and online access to your account

Fraud protection guarantee: this feature allows you to be protected from fraud when you take steps to protect your identity, such a setting up a PIN.

American Express® Gold Rewards Card: The Good and the Bad

Every card comes with a list of good and bad. We like that you can use the American Express Gold Rewards card as both an everyday card and a travel card. We also like the idea of using this card as a business card because you get one additional card free. However, this card is better suited for someone who travels because of all the travel insurance and perks. So if you need an everyday card, then you might want to consider something that gives you cash back rewards for things you buy more of.

American Express® Gold Rewards Card PROS

25,000 bonus points when you spend $1,500 within the first three months of membership
Earn two points per dollar spent on eligible travel and everyday purchases
Earn one point for every dollar spent on all other purchases
Earn an additional point when you make travel reservations on American Express Travel online
Online account access and 24/7 customer service concierge
Extensive travel insurance and buyers protection coverage
Emergency card replacement
Exclusive benefits for card holders only, including Front of the Line access, discounts at car rentals, free room upgrades, up to $100 in USD statement credit for hotels and more

American Express® Gold Rewards Card CONS

There are no cash back rewards with this card. This means you won’t see rewards in the form of money being put back into your account. However, you will save money on future travel and everyday purchases by redeeming your points. You’ll also get discounts when you travel and your points can be redeemed for statement credit.
Some people don’t like the annual fee of $150, but this amount is smaller than most cards. Plus, you get an additional card for free. This is a $50 value. You must also pay off your balance in full each month or pay a 30% interest rate.

How To Apply American Express® Gold Rewards Card

The American Express gold rewards card is a charge card and a credit card. Because of this, you may have an easier time getting approved. The website guarantees that you'll have a response within 60 seconds after filling out an application. Having good credit and a good credit history is still a good way to ensure that you'll receive the best terms possible. To apply, visit the American Express gold rewards card website and click on the apply now button. You must be a Canadian resident, have a Canadian credit file, and be of age of majority in the territory or province where you live.

Before you apply, American Express will want to make sure you're aware of a few important terms and conditions. These include the following:

The annual fee for this card is $150. You are eligible for one free additional card, which is a $50 value.
Dishonored payments are $25 each
Point reinstatements are $20 for each reinstatement online for $30 through other channels
Foreign currency conversion rate is 2.5%

After you agree to these terms, you will need to enter your full name, email address, date of birth, and personal financial details. You can also apply to the American Express® Gold Rewards card by calling the toll-free number and speaking to a customer service representative.

Conclusion

The above review of the American Express® Gold Card is based on the opinion of Creditnervana. We like the versatility of this card because you can use it for everyday purchases as well as for travel expenses. You learn two points for every dollar you spend an eligible everyday and travel purchases. You also earn one point for every purchase made anywhere else. Members can enjoy an additional point for every dollar you spend an eligible car rental and hotel rooms made through American Express Travel online. This card comes with a $150 annual fee. You'll get an additional card for free, which is a $50 value. Keep in mind that this card is a charge card and payments must be made in full each month. Late payments are subject to a 30% interest fee. Along with all other American Express cards, you'll enjoy an extensive insurance policy that covers you no matter what you use your card for. You can use your points for statement credit or apply your points towards future travel expenses. There is no preset limit, which means you can use your card as much as you'd like and get rewarded in the process.

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American Express® Gold Rewards Card Review

Overall Rating

Card Type:

Annual fee:

What is the American Express® Gold Rewards Card?

American Express® Gold Reward Benefits

Lost or stolen baggage insurance

Flight delay insurance

Baggage delay insurance

Hotel/motel burglary insurance

Trip interruption insurance

Out of country/province emergency medical coverage

Car rental theft and damage insurance

$500,000 accident insurance

How Does the American Express® Gold Rewards Card Work?

American Express® Gold Rewards Card: The Good and the Bad

American Express® Gold Rewards Card PROS

American Express® Gold Rewards Card CONS

How To Apply American Express® Gold Rewards Card

Ready to Apply?

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