American Express recently revamped the old Premier Rewards Gold Card and re-branded it as the American Express® Gold Card. The changes set off a flood of positive press from those in the points and miles hobby. On top of earning 60,000 points after meeting the minimum spending requirements, you also get perks like a $120 annual dining credit and $120 annual Uber credit.

The big news, however, is that the revamped card has doubled the earnings rate to 4x points, for both dining and groceries. You’ll also earn 3x points on airfare purchased directly from the airlines. This is all very exciting because there are very few cards with 4x points in both dining and groceries. In addition, the card also comes in a sleek metal design.

Who is this card for?

Do you eat food? If so, then this card is for you. Seriously though, the best thing about this card is that you get 4x points on both dining and groceries. So whether you’re a foodie who likes to eat out or you eat most meals at home, you win with this card.

You can apply for the American Express® Gold Card here.

Card Features

Charge Card vs. Credit Card

Unlike a credit card where you can carry a statement balance from one month to the next, the American Express® Gold Card is a charge card; you need to pay off your balance each statement period.

One of the most important features of charge cards is that they have no preset spending limit. This means that there is no hard limit placed on how much money you can spend on credit.

Bonus Offer

You’ll earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months. Some people, including myself, were targeted with a higher bonus points offer. Plus, you can earn bonus points for every referral that applies using your unique link and is approved for the card (up to a maximum of 55,000 points per year).

Annual Fee

The card comes with a $325 annual fee. While it’s higher than the $250 fee on the previous version of the card, if you maximize the annual dining credits, you can offset the entire amount.

Earning Rates

The American Express® Gold Card is geared towards earning bonuses on dining and grocery expenses.

• 4x points per $1 spent on dining worldwide, on up to $50,000 per year
• 4x points per $1 spent on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $25,000 per year
• 3x points per $1 spent on flights booked directly with the airlines or on AmexTravel.com
• 2x points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible travel booked on AmexTravel.com
• 1x points per $1 on all other spending

The new version of the gold card doubled the earnings rate to 4x points for both dining and groceries. With a 4x earnings rate, those points can add up fast.

Redeeming Points

The flexibility of Amex Membership Rewards® points is evident when it’s time to redeem for travel.  You can book travel through American Express Travel, which is an online travel agency booking site similar to Expedia or Orbitz. It comes with superior customer service more in line with what an American Express cardholder would expect.

American Express Travel isn’t your only option, however. You can often get even greater value by transferring points to any of their 19 airline partners or 3 hotel partners and really maximize your points!

For example, 25,000 Amex Membership Rewards® points are enough for a round-trip coach award trip to Hawaii from many West Coast hubs.

One thing to be aware of is that when transferring your points for airline miles, you’ll notice that transfer ratios vary depending on the frequent flyer program you’re transferring points to. So just be sure that you’re getting good value before you transfer points because you can’t get them back once they’re gone!

For more information on Amex’s flexible points program, check out The Complete Guide to American Express Membership Rewards®.

Card Benefits

Dining Credit

Earn up to $120 annually ($10 per month) in statement credits when you pay with the Gold Card at participating dining partners. This partner list consists of Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys.

Pro Tip: You need to enroll through the Amex website to get this benefit.

Uber Cash Credit

Cardholders receive up to $120 annually ($10 per month) in Uber Cash, which can be used on Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. 

$100 Resy Credit

Get up to $50 back semi-annually in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. 

Pro Tip: You need to enroll through the Amex website to get this benefit.

Dunkin’ Credit

Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the Card at Dunkin’ locations.

Pro Tip: You need to enroll through the Amex website to get this benefit.

Amex Offers

Amex Offers is a free program that saves you money or earns you points on shopping, dining and more. You choose offers from brands you love and get discounts in the form of statement credits or as extra points.

To redeem an offer, simply select the offer you want to add to your card. Then use your card to pay and see the savings or points add up on your statement.

The Hotel Collection

When you book a stay through the Amex Hotel Collection, you’ll earn 2x points on your purchase and enjoy a $100 credit toward dining, spa and resort activities at the property. This benefit also provides an elevated travel experience, which includes:

• Upgraded room at check-in, when available
• Ability to pay with points
• Double points for prepaid bookings

Pro Tip: The credit only applies to stays of two consecutive nights or longer.

Trip Delay Reimbursement

If your common carrier travel is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, you and your family are covered for non-reimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging, up to $300 per ticket.

Baggage Insurance Plan

If your luggage is lost, stolen or damaged when you’re traveling and you purchased your ticket with the Gold Card, you’ll be provided coverage for up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

For those who travel internationally, this card does not charge foreign transaction fees.

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)

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. This is optional and you must opt-in to get the primary coverage. 

If you don’t opt in, coverage is secondary to your own personal coverage. Your rental car is covered up to $50,000 for damage caused by an accident, natural disaster or if the car is vandalized or stolen. For a complete description of the rental loss and damage coverage, check out the card’s Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance guide.

The vast majority of credit cards offer some type of coverage when it comes to auto rentals. However, there are two different coverage categories (primary and secondary) and knowing the difference is key. Secondary coverage is what most credit cards offer and it applies after your own personal auto insurance policy. Typically it means that your auto insurer pays the claim, but the card will reimburse your deductible and potentially other costs not covered by your personal policy.

There are only six consumer credit cards that offer primary auto rental CDW coverage:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred®
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• United℠ Explorer Card
• United Quest Card
• United Club Infinite Card
• Capital One Venture X Card

Purchase Protection

This benefit covers your new purchases for 90 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per calendar year. As always, make sure you read the fine print for benefit terms and conditions. But you’ll sleep easy knowing your new, big purchases are covered.

Return Protection

Trying to return an eligible item within 90 days from the date of purchase and the merchant won’t take it back? Amex may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling.

The coverage is limited to $300 per item and $1,000 in a calendar year. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories.

Extended Warranty Protection

With this benefit, you can extend the time period of the U.S. manufacturer’s warranty by one additional year. This applies to eligible warranties of five years or less.

Who should look for another card?

This is a mid-tier card with a $325 annual fee, which some people may find a bit steep. And those whose spending on dining, groceries or travel doesn’t justify the annual fee may want to focus on other cards as well.

Banks are starting to compete for customers and are doing so by targeting those that spend at restaurants. Capital One recently released the Capital One® Savor® Rewards card, which earns 4% cash back on dining and entertainment. This cash-back card carries a $95 annual fee, waived the first year.

If the lower annual fee or cash back earning appeals to you, this new Capital One card is a great option. However, for those that like to travel, the flexible points received from the Amex Gold Card can be much more valuable than getting cash back.

Bottom Line

With the recent card revamp, the American Express® Gold Card is a food-focused points powerhouse. While the $325 annual fee is higher than most comparable cards, the available credits can help cover the fee.

The card earns flexible Amex Membership Rewards® points that can be transferred to 22 travel partners, for some really terrific redemption options.

If you can make the most of the annual credits and spend plenty on dining and groceries, the American Express® Gold Card can be one of the most rewarding cards on the market.

Apply here for the American Express® Gold Card Card.