5 Amex Gold Card Benefits That Make the Card Worth Having

When it comes to choosing a rewards credit card, the American Express® Gold Card stands out, especially for those who love to dine out, cook at home, or travel often. But is it worth the annual fee? The short answer: it can be. The real value lies in the perks you actually use.

In this guide, we’ll break down the top 5 Amex Gold Card benefits that make the card a solid contender for anyone looking to get the most out of their everyday spending.

1. 4X Points on Restaurants and Supermarkets

If you eat, you’ll benefit.

One of the biggest draws of the Amex Gold Card is the 4X Membership Rewards® points you earn at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. You also get 4X points at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $25,000 per year in purchases (then 1X).

That means your weekly grocery run and Saturday night sushi order are earning you rewards every time. These points can be redeemed for travel, statement credits, gift cards, and more, making this a powerful tool for everyday earners.

2. Up to $120 Dining Credit Each Year

Love ordering in or dining out? The Amex Gold Card offers up to $10 per month in dining credits when you use the card at select partners like Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys.

That’s up to $120 in annual value, as long as you enroll and use the card for eligible purchases each month. If you’re already spending money with these partners, this benefit can easily help offset the card’s annual fee.

3. No Foreign Transaction Fees

For frequent travelers or anyone shopping internationally, this perk is a big deal. The Amex Gold Card charges no foreign transaction fees, meaning you can use it abroad without paying the typical 2–3% surcharge that many other cards tack on.

Combine this with American Express’s robust global support, and the Gold Card becomes a great companion for international trips.

4. Flexible Point Redemption Options

Amex Membership Rewards® points are among the most flexible in the industry. With the Gold Card, you can redeem your points for:

• Flights through Amex Travel
• Transfers to 20+ airline and hotel partners (like Delta SkyMiles or Hilton Honors)
• Statement credits
• Gift cards
• Shopping at retailers like Amazon

For those who understand how to maximize point transfers (especially to airline partners), this feature alone can offer tremendous value, often worth more than 1 cent per point.

5. Built-In Purchase and Travel Protections

The Amex Gold Card comes with a suite of purchase and travel protections, which can offer peace of mind when life doesn’t go according to plan. These include:

• Trip Delay Insurance: Get reimbursed for expenses when your flight is delayed (terms apply).
• Baggage Insurance Plan: Coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged baggage.
• Purchase Protection: Covers new purchases against damage or theft for up to 90 days.
• Extended Warranty: Adds an extra year to eligible manufacturer warranties.

These benefits aren’t flashy, but they can save you serious money and stress in a pinch.

Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Preferred

Both the Amex Gold Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card are popular mid-tier rewards cards, but they’re built for slightly different spending habits. Here’s how they stack up:

Which Card Is Better?

• Go with Amex Gold if you spend heavily on dining and groceries and will use the monthly credits.
• Choose Chase Sapphire Preferred if you want broad travel rewards, lower fees, and great value without managing category limits or monthly perks.

Each card has strengths; the best choice comes down to your lifestyle and how much effort you want to put into maximizing rewards.

Final Thoughts: Is the Amex Gold Card Worth It?

The Amex Gold Card delivers impressive value, especially if you spend heavily on dining and groceries and want to rack up flexible rewards points. With 4X points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (up to a limit), plus valuable monthly dining credits and no foreign transaction fees, it can more than earn its $250 annual fee if you play your cards right.

But if you’re not the type to regularly dine out, order takeout, or take advantage of specific partner perks, you may find it hard to justify the cost.

A smart alternative? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. With a lower annual fee of $95, 2X points on dining and travel, and access to the versatile Chase Ultimate Rewards® program, it’s a great all-around card for everyday use and travel. You’ll still get strong travel protections, point transfer options to top airlines and hotels, and solid redemption rates, without needing to micromanage monthly credits.

Bottom line: If you maximize the Amex Gold Card benefits, it can be a powerhouse in your wallet. But if you prefer simplicity or travel more than you dine out, the Chase Sapphire Preferred might be the better fit. The best card is the one that fits your lifestyle, not just the one with the flashiest perks.

FAQs About the Amex Gold Card