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Credit Card Review🍽️ Best for Dining

American Express® Gold Card

Issued by American Express

4x restaurants (up to $50k/yr) & US supermarkets (up to $25k/yr), 5x prepaid hotels, 3x flights — plus 60,000 Membership Rewards points after $6,000 spend in 6 months.

At a Glance

Annual Fee

$325

Purchase APR

19.49%–28.49%

Rewards Rate

4x restaurants (up to $50k/yr) & US supermarkets (up to $25k/yr), 5x prepaid hotels, 3x flights

Min. Credit Score

700+ (est.)

Sign-Up Bonus

60,000 Membership Rewards points after $6,000 spend in 6 months

Rates & Fees

Annual Fee

$325

Purchase APR

19.49%–28.49% variable

Foreign Transaction Fee

None

Balance Transfer Fee

Not applicable — charge card, no balance transfers

Cash Advance Fee

Cash advance fee may apply where permitted; contact Amex for current terms

Late Payment Fee

Up to $41

Detailed comparisons

Amex Gold vs. Sapphire Preferred

See which card fits food spending and travel.

Estimate Your Rewards

See how this card fits your monthly spending

Enter your typical monthly spend by category to see roughly what the American Express® Gold Card would earn you per year (this doesn't include any one-time sign-up bonus).

$/mo
$0/mo$1,500/mo
$/mo
$0/mo$1,500/mo
$/mo
$0/mo$1,500/mo
$/mo
$0/mo$1,500/mo
$/mo
$0/mo$1,500/mo
$/mo
$0/mo$3,000/mo

Note: Restaurant rewards are capped at $50,000/year and U.S. supermarket rewards at $25,000/year. Prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel earn 5x; eligible flights earn 3x.

Est. Annual Rewards

$1,116/yr

After $325 Annual Fee

$791/yr

Based On

$1,950/mo

Key Features

$120 Uber Cash credit

$120 dining credit (Grubhub, Cheesecake Factory, etc.)

$100 hotel credit

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Unbeatable dining & grocery rewards
  • Amex Offers add substantial value
  • No foreign transaction fees

Tradeoffs

  • $325 annual fee requires using credits to break even
  • Pay-over-time interest can be high

How to Apply

Check whether your credit profile is a reasonable fit — American Express generally looks for applicants around 700+ FICO for the American Express® Gold Card, alongside income and existing debt.

Gather your Social Security number, annual income, housing payment, and employer details before starting the application.

Apply directly through American Express's official site or app to make sure you're getting current, accurate offer terms.

Most issuers give an instant decision online; some applications are sent to manual review, which can take 7–10 business days.

If approved, activate the card and set up autopay before your first statement is due to avoid a late payment.

How It Compares

Current product highlighted
ProductAnnual FeePurchase APRRewards Rate
American Express® Gold Card$32519.49%–28.49%4x restaurants (up to $50k/yr) & US supermarkets (up to $25k/yr), 5x prepaid hotels, 3x flights
Citi Double Cash® Card$017.49%–27.49%2% on everything (1% when you buy + 1% when you pay)
Discover it® Cash Back$017.49%–26.49%5% in rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/qtr), 1% everything else
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card$018.49%–28.49%Unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do I need for the American Express® Gold Card?

American Express generally looks for applicants with a credit score around 700+ for the American Express® Gold Card, though approval also depends on your income, existing debt, and overall credit profile — not credit score alone.

What's the annual fee on the American Express® Gold Card?

The American Express® Gold Card carries a $325 annual fee. Whether that's worth it depends on how much value you get from its rewards rate and included perks each year.

Does the American Express® Gold Card have a sign-up bonus?

Yes — new cardholders can currently earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after $6,000 spend in 6 months. Bonus terms and required spend change over time, so confirm the current offer on American Express's site before applying.

What fees should I watch for on the American Express® Gold Card?

Beyond the annual fee, check the foreign transaction fee (None), balance transfer fee (Not applicable — charge card, no balance transfers), cash advance fee (Cash advance fee may apply where permitted; contact Amex for current terms), and late payment fee (Up to $41). These matter most if you carry a balance, transfer debt, or use the card internationally.

How does the American Express® Gold Card compare to similar cards?

The American Express® Gold Card is one of several cashback cards worth comparing side by side — see the "How It Compares" table on this page for a few close alternatives, or browse the full list of cashback cards for more options.

Other Credit Cards

Citi Double Cash® Card

2% on everything (1% when you buy + 1% when you pay)

Discover it® Cash Back

5% in rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/qtr), 1% everything else

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases

Rates, fees, and rewards shown are illustrative as of 2026 and subject to change — always confirm current terms directly with the issuer before applying.

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