Is the American Express Gold Card Still Worth It in 2021?

TL;DR

The American Express Gold Card remains a valuable option, offering 4x points at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants, plus 3x points on flights. With a $120 annual dining credit and a $100 airline incidental fee credit, the effective annual fee is only $30, making it attractive for frequent diners and travelers.

Transcript

out of all the cards that i carry in my wallet the gold card is definitely my most favorite prized possession maybe that's why i literally have 12 of them so to start the american express gold card offers you four x points at u.s supermarkets on up to 25 000 per calendar year in purchases with the gold card you can also get 4x back on restaurant an... Read More

Key Insights

• 🍽️ The American Express Gold Card offers excellent cashback rewards in categories like supermarkets, dining, and flights.
• 💳 The $120 dining credit and $100 airline incidental fee credit make the annual fee of the card very attractive.
• 💳 It is possible to be approved for the American Express Gold Card as your first credit card, but having a good credit score significantly increases your chances.
• 🍽️ The card may not be suitable for those who don't frequently spend on dining and supermarkets.
• 😀 Utilizing delivery apps for pick-up can help maximize the dining credit without additional expenses.
• 😒 Selecting a partner airline and utilizing in-flight amenities can effectively use the airline incidental fee credit.
• 👋 It is recommended to seek out the best welcome offer available when applying for the American Express Gold Card.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the cashback categories offered by the American Express Gold Card?

The card offers 4x points at U.S supermarkets, 4x back on restaurant and dining expenses, and 3x back on flights.

Q: How can I maximize the use of the $120 dining credit?

To make use of the dining credit, you can visit participating restaurants such as Shake Shack, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, and Cheesecake Factory. Alternatively, you can use delivery apps like Grubhub and set your order for pick-up to avoid extra fees.

Q: How can I utilize the $100 airline incidental fee credit?

To use the airline incidental fee credit, you need to log in to your American Express Gold account and select a partner airline. In-flight amenities like Wi-Fi, additional drinks, or seat upgrades often trigger this credit.

Q: What credit score do I need to be approved for the American Express Gold Card?

While there's no specific requirement, a credit score in the good to excellent range (700 and above) increases your chances of approval. However, there have been instances where people with a lower score were approved, so it's worth applying even with a slightly lower score.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The American Express Gold Card offers lucrative cashback categories, including 4x points at U.S supermarkets and 4x back on restaurant and dining expenses, including takeout.

• Cardholders also earn 3x back on flights, making it a great option for those who don't already have a travel card.

• The card provides $120 dining credit and $100 airline incidental fee credit, effectively reducing the annual fee to $30.