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American Express® Gold Rewards Card
Best for occasional lounge access
Terms & Conditions apply
- The American Express® Gold Rewards Card is a card for Membership Rewards® collectors who value Amex® perks and occasional lounge access.
- You’ll also get statement credits and comprehensive travel insurance.
- Points transfer to Marriott Bonvoy®, Hilton Honors, Aeroplan®, Flying Blueand other airlines. Sometimes there’s a transfer bonus.
Welcome Points: 60,000
Welcome Value: $2,190
Annual Fee: $250
The American Express® Gold Rewards Card is a good option for Membership Rewards® collectors who want to earn valuable points on everyday spending while enjoying select travel benefits.
This is the card you’ll want in your wallet if you’re looking for valuable Amex® benefits without a premium annual fee.
This card is a good fit for those who prefer to spread their welcome spend over time rather than meeting a large spend in a short period.
You’ll get a $100 Annual Travel Credit to use on flights, hotels, or vacation packages booked through American Express Travel.
You’ll also enjoy four complimentary Plaza Premium lounge visits each year.
You’ll get a generous welcome bonus and earn valuable Membership Rewards® points on all your purchases. Points can be transferred to top airline and hotel partners like Aeroplan®, Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy®, and Hilton Honors for nearly free travel.
Plus, get access to American Express® Offers and Front of the Line.
Card Welcome Offer
New cardholders can earn up to 60,000 Membership Rewards® points with the American Express® Gold Rewards Card
- You’ll earn 5,000 Membership Rewards® points each month when you spend $1,000 in that month, for the first 12 months.
Check out our guide on how to meet minimum spend requirements without overspending to make sure you maximize your welcome bonus.
Card Welcome Offer Value
At Adventures With Points (AWP), we value Membership Rewards® points at 2.2 cents per point.
You’ll get about $2,190 in value in the first year with the Express® Gold Rewards Card
- The 60,000 welcome bonus points are worth $1,320.
- You’ll get $100 annual Travel Credit toward flights, hotels, or vacation packages booked through American Express Travel.
- You’ll also get four complimentary Plaza Premium lounge visits worth about $200 to relax before your flight.
- You’ll also get a $50 NEXUS statement credit to speed through security and skip lineups.
- You’ll get $120 Annual Instacart Credits, earned as $10 each month, offsetting your grocery deliveries.
- Plus comprehensive travel and purchase insurance, worth about $400.
American Express® Gold Rewards Card
Best for occasional lounge access
Welcome Points: 60,000
Welcome Value: $2,190
Annual Fee: $250
Card Annual Fee
The Express® Gold Rewards Card has a $250 annual fee.
The value is easily offset by the $100 annual travel credit, four complimentary Plaza Premium lounge visits, and extra benefits like Instacart and NEXUS credits. These alone can provide more value than the annual fee.
There’s no first-year fee rebate, but the flexibility of Membership Rewards® points and ongoing travel benefits make it worth keeping.
Authorized users pay $50 per card, and their spending contributes toward earning more Membership Rewards® points.
Card Annual Value
At Adventures With Points (AWP), we value Membership Rewards® points at 2.2 cents per point.
You’ll get about $832 in annual value from the Express® Gold Rewards Card.
- You’ll get $100 annual Travel Credit toward flights, hotels, or vacation packages booked through American Express Travel.
- You’ll enjoy four Plaza Premium lounge visits worth about $200 each year.
- You’ll get a $50 NEXUS statement credit every four years. That is $12.5 per year in value.
- You’ll get $120 Annual Instacart Credits, earned as $10 each month, offsetting your grocery deliveries.
- Plus comprehensive travel and purchase insurance, worth about $400.
Card Rewards Earning
With the Express® Gold Rewards Card, you’ll earn:
- 2 Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on travel, gas, grocery, and drugstore purchases. That’s a decent earning rate.
- 1 Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on everything else.
Keep in mind that there are other cards with stronger everyday value, like the American Express® Cobalt® Card, that earns 5 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on eats and drinks.
AWP TIP
You’ll get additional valuable benefits when you use your $100 Annual Travel Credit from the Express® Gold Rewards Card toward two or more consecutive nights with The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel.
You’ll get a $100 USD hotel credit to use on dining, spa, or other on-property amenities.
You’ll also enjoy a one-category room upgrade at check-in when available, and an early check-in at 12 PM and late check-out when offered.
It’s an easy way to make your annual travel credit go further.
Card Benefits
With the Express® Gold Rewards Card, you’ll enjoy valuable travel benefits without a high price tag.
$100 Annual Travel Credit: You’ll get a $100 Annual Travel Credit each year to use through American Express Travel on flights, hotels, car rentals, or vacation packages.
The Hotel Collection: For any two or more consecutive nights booked with The Hotel Collection, you’ll get a $100 USD hotel credit for dining, spa, or other on-property amenities. Plus, one-category room upgrade at check-in when available, early check-in and late check-out when offered.
Plaza Premium Lounge Access: You’ll get four complimentary Plaza Premium lounge visits each year, letting you relax before your flight.
NEXUS Credit: You’ll get up to $50 in statement credits every four years for your NEXUS application or renewal fee, making cross-border travel faster and easier.
Membership Rewards® Points: You’ll earn valuable Membership Rewards® points per dollar on all your purchases. Points can be transferred to top airline and hotel partners like Aeroplan®, Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy®, and Hilton Honors for nearly free travel.
American Express® Benefits: You’ll also enjoy access to American Express® Offers and Front of the Line® for presale tickets.
Beginner’s Guide
From points newbie to booking your first trip.
Learn how easy it’s for Canadians to earn and redeem points with the best reward credit cards and programs. Make your first redemption for almost free travel in no time.
Card Insurance
With the Express® Gold Rewards Card, you’ll get comprehensive travel insurance and purchase coverage, including:
- Travel Medical Insurance: Up to $5,000,000 for the first 15 days if you’re under 65.
- Trip Cancellation: Up to $1,500 per person and $3,000 total per trip.
- Trip Interruption: Up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 total per trip.
- Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance: Up to $500,000.
- Flight Delays: Up to $500 total per trip if your flight is delayed more than 4 hours.
- Delayed or Lost/Stolen Baggage: Up to $500 total per trip if your baggage is delayed for 6 hours or more.
- Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance: Comprehensive coverage for vehicles up to $85,000 MSRP.
- Hotel/Motel Burglary: Up to $500 per occurrence.
You’ll also get valuable purchase protection when you pay with your Express® Gold Rewards Card:
- Extended Warranty: Doubles the manufacturer’s warranty up to one additional year.
- Purchase Protection: Covers items for 90 days.
Please review the card’s insurance certificate for complete details, terms, conditions, and eligibility.
Best Ways To Earn and Redeem
American Express® Membership Rewards® points are the most valuable points in Canada. At Adventures With Points (AWP), we value them at 2.2 cents per point because there are so many ways to earn and redeem them for nearly free travel.
You’ll earn plenty of Membership Rewards® points with many American Express® cards. You’ll earn them fast with welcome bonuses on cards like the American Express® Platinum Card and through everyday category multipliers on cards like the American Express® Cobalt Card.
You’ll get the most value by transferring points to top airline and hotel partners like Aeroplan®, Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy®, and Hilton Honors to book nearly free travel.
Whether you’re visiting family in Canada or planning a luxury vacation in Europe, Membership Rewards® points will take you there for far less.
American Express® Membership Rewards® Cards
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Welcome Points: 120,000
Welcome Value: $5,100
Annual Fee: $799
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Welcome Points: 40,000
Welcome Value: $1,300
Annual Fee: $199
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Welcome Points: 15,000
Welcome Value: $590
Annually Fee: $191.88 ($15.99 Monthly)
