After years of writing about credit cards, I decided to explore a new travel rewards card for my girlfriend and myself. We found that the American Express® Gold Card checked off all the boxes we were looking for.
This card not only provides valuable rewards and generous earning rates, but also offers bonus categories that align perfectly with our everyday spending habits. Additionally, the monthly statement credits and other features give us the perfect excuse to indulge in extravagant nights out or cozy nights in.
While the card does come with a substantial annual fee and may not be the best option for international travel, its combination of enhanced rewards, benefits, and free authorized users make it an ideal choice for couples looking to pamper each other and share experiences like dining, travel, and cooking at home.
Here are some of the reasons why we love the Amex Gold:
Why the Amex Gold is a great choice for couples
Adding my girlfriend as an authorized user on my Gold Card has not only helped us establish common spending habits, but also allowed us to quickly accumulate rewards points and improve both of our credit scores.
American Express offers one of the most valuable credit card rewards currencies — Membership Rewards — and the Amex Gold makes it easy to build up a points balance. Couples who spend a significant amount on dining, take-out, travel, or at U.S. supermarkets can maximize the benefits of this card with their regular expenses.
Enhanced points for dining and U.S. supermarket purchases
Food is a major part of everyone’s budget, and any credit card that offers increased rewards for U.S. supermarkets, restaurants, or both can be a valuable addition to your rewards strategy. The Amex Gold, for example, offers 4X points at restaurants worldwide, making it a lucrative option for couples who frequently dine out.
By leveraging the boosted rewards on dining and U.S. supermarket purchases, a couple could potentially earn over 74,000 Amex points annually, which can easily offset the card’s annual fee and provide additional value through travel redemptions.
Using rewards points for getaways
American Express Membership Rewards are highly versatile and can be transferred to partner airlines or hotels for maximum value. By strategically transferring points, couples can plan exciting trips without compromising on value.
For example, my girlfriend and I used Membership Rewards points to book a trip to Ireland, where the points were worth approximately 1.5 cents each. By maximizing the value of our points, we were able to offset the cost of our airfare and enjoy a budget-friendly vacation.
Generous monthly statement credits
The Amex Gold offers up to $324 in monthly statement credits for select dining and take-out services, making it easy to plan special date nights or indulge in dining experiences. The monthly Uber Cash, dining credit, and Dunkin’ credit provide additional value for cardholders.
These statement credits have made it more convenient for us to enjoy dining experiences and take-out, while also helping us offset the card’s annual fee through regular use of the credits.
Free authorized users
Adding a partner as an authorized user on your credit card account can be a great way to combine spending habits and build credit together. With the Amex Gold, adding an authorized user is free of charge and can benefit both partners in terms of credit history and credit limit.
By sharing a credit card account, couples can establish financial trust and responsibility, while maximizing the rewards and benefits of the card through combined spending.
When the Amex Gold may not be the best choice for couples
While the Amex Gold is a rewarding option for everyday spending and travel enthusiasts, it may not be suitable for everyone. Factors such as limited international acceptance and the annual fee should be considered before applying for the card.
Limited international acceptance
For couples who plan to travel abroad frequently, the limited acceptance of American Express cards may be a drawback. While the card offers no foreign transaction fees, it may not be widely accepted at international merchants, necessitating a backup travel card with better worldwide acceptance.
Annual fee
The Amex Gold’s annual fee is higher than some other travel cards on the market, which may not be justified if the rewards and features are not fully utilized. Couples who do not spend enough in the card’s bonus categories may struggle to offset the annual fee with rewards value.
The final verdict
The Amex Gold is an excellent choice for couples looking to combine their spending power and maximize rewards for future travel. However, it may not be the best fit for couples who do not spend enough to offset the annual fee with rewards value. In such cases, exploring more affordable or no-annual-fee credit card options with free authorized users could be a better alternative.