American Express Gold Card benefits: Get credits for food and airline incidentals

When you open the American Express® Gold Card, you’ll earn 35,000 Amex Membership Rewards points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. You’ll also earn (terms apply):

  • 4x Amex Membership Rewards points at restaurants
  • 4x Amex Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases – then 1x)
  • 3x Amex Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or on Amextravel.com

The American Express Gold card is a great choice for anyone who loves to dine out or buys lots of groceries at U.S. supermarkets. It’s also an excellent option for frequent travelers. That’s why the Amex Gold makes our list of the best American Express cards. Those 4x bonus categories can add up fast and although there’s a $250 annual fee (see rates & fees), the card’s perks can certainly help offset that cost.

Here’s a detailed look at the Amex Gold Card benefits and perks.

The Amex Gold Card’s benefits and perks can save you money on your next meal with its monthly dining credit. (Photo by bernardbodo/iStock)

Amex Gold Card benefits and perks

The American Express® Gold Card comes with a welcome bonus of 35,000 Amex Membership Rewards points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Although there’s a $250 annual fee (see rates & fees), the card’s benefits and perks can make it worth keeping.

You can find our full review of the Amex Gold Card here.

Up to $120 dining credit each year

With the Amex Gold Card, you can get up to $120 in dining credits every year. And who doesn’t love free food? Here’s how it works.

You’ll get $10 per month in dining credit for purchases at:

  • GrubHub
  • Seamless
  • The Cheesecake Factory
  • Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
  • Boxed
  • Participating Shake Shack locations

So if you use the credit each month, that’s $120 for chow. Just note, the credit can’t be used for merchandise or gift card purchases. Of course, it would be great if the list of eligible eateries was longer, but GrubHub and Seamless are delivery services, so you can choose healthier restaurants if you have dietary restrictions or want to order in with fewer calories.

Of course, who spends only $10 at a restaurant? I consider this more of a rebate on your bill. And it’s only useful if you like the restaurants on the list.

Up to $100 in airline incidental credit

The Amex Gold Card offers cardholders up to $100 credit to use toward incidentals on their selected airline. Eligible purchases include things like seat upgrades and selection, checked bags and much more.

If you’re a frequent traveler, there’s no doubt you’ll be able to find something to spend your yearly credit on. Why not treat yourself to an upgrade, when the Amex Gold card can help you offset the cost?

Access to Amex Offers

Amex Offers are a fantastic way to save money on everyday purchases. They’re targeted statement credits or bonus points that only people with American Express cards receive, for things like shopping, travel and dining.

I’ve saved hundreds of dollars over the years on expenses like dog sitters, household essentials, hotels stays and more. All you have to do is add Amex Offers to your card and make an eligible purchase to trigger the credit.

(Photo by Wyatt Smith)

Rental car insurance

You can get primary rental car insurance with the card when you enroll in the American Express Premium Car Rental Protection program for up to 42 days. You must decline the rental agency’s collision insurance and charge the entire rental to your Amex Gold Card to use the benefit.

If you rent vehicles often, this can be a tremendous money saver and give you peace of mind. But you must opt in to get coverage. If you don’t, coverage is secondary and covers up to a maximum of $50,000 per rental agreement.

Extended warranty and purchase protection

Amex will extend the original manufacturer’s warranty up to one additional years on U.S. warranties of five years or less, when you purchase an item with your Amex Gold Card.

As for the purchase protection, any purchases made with the card are protected from accidental damage, theft or loss for up to 90 days, up to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per calendar year.

Free ShopRunner shipping

You’ll get a free ShopRunner membership with the card, which gets you free two-day shipping at 100+stores. That’s worth $79 a year.

Overall value

Those who will get the most value from this card are those who spend a lot on dining and want to earn travel rewards. Besides the benefits of the statement credits, the card’s $250 annual fee is quickly outset when you earn bonus points for eating out and shopping for groceries in the U.S.

Bottom line

The Amex Gold Card comes with a welcome bonus of 35,000 Amex Membership Rewards points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. And you’ll also get access to these benefits (terms apply):

  • 4x Amex Membership Rewards points at restaurants
  • 4x Amex Membership Rewards points at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases (then 1X)
  • 3x Amex Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or on Amextravel.com
  • Up to $120 dining credit ($10 monthly) each year at participating restaurants (enrollment required)
  • Up to $100 airline incidental fee credit each calendar year on your selected airline
  • No foreign transaction fees (see rates & fees)

You’ll also get benefits like free ShopRunner membership for two-day shipping at 100+ stores and return and purchase protections. These perks can certainly help offset the card’s $250 annual fee (see rates & fees), especially if you spend a lot in the bonus categories. Be sure to read our full review of the Amex Gold Card.

You can apply for the American Express Gold Card here.

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For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please click here.