Is the Amex Gold worth the $325 annual fee?

For people who spend heavily on dining and groceries, the Amex Gold is often worth it. With 4x points on restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, plus $120 Uber Cash, $120 dining credit, and $100 Resy credit, many cardholders can offset the $325 fee with credits alone before factoring in points earned.

How many points do you earn with the Amex Gold card?

The Amex Gold earns 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000/yr in purchases), 4x at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/yr, then 1x), 3x on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, and 1x on everything else.

Amex Gold vs Amex Platinum: which card is better?

The Amex Gold ($325/yr) is the better card for everyday spending on dining and groceries, earning 4x in both categories. The Amex Platinum ($895/yr) is better for frequent travelers who value lounge access and 5x on flights. Many points enthusiasts carry both cards.

Is the Amex Gold better than a 2% cashback card?

If you spend at least moderately on dining and groceries, yes. At 4x points valued at 2 cents each, the Amex Gold effectively earns 8% back on dining and groceries, far exceeding any 2% cashback card. The calculator above compares the two options based on your actual spending.

What credits come with the Amex Gold card?

The Amex Gold includes $120/yr in Uber Cash ($10/month), $120/yr dining credit ($10/month at select restaurants), and $100/yr Resy credit for dining at Resy restaurants. Some cardholders also have access to the $84/yr Dunkin' credit ($7/month).

Is the Amex Gold Worth It? (2026 Calculator)

1

Your Monthly Spending

Restaurants $600

$0$5,000/mo

Earns 4x MR points (up to $50,000/yr)

U.S. Supermarkets / Groceries $500

$0$3,000/mo

Earns 4x MR points (up to $25,000/yr, then 1x)

Flights (booked direct or Amex Travel) $200

$0$5,000/mo

Earns 3x MR points

Everything else $1,000

$0$10,000/mo

Earns 1x MR point

2

Which Benefits Will You Use?

Toggle the credits and perks you would actually redeem.

Uber Cash

Up to $10/month = $120/yr for Uber rides or Uber Eats

$120

Dining Credit

Up to $10/month = $120/yr at select restaurants (enrollment required)

$120

Resy Credit

Up to $100/yr at Resy restaurants in the U.S.

$100

Dunkin' Credit

Up to $84/yr at U.S. Dunkin' locations ($7/month)

$84

Your Personalized Results

Value vs. $325 fee 0%

Total Annual Value

$0

Annual Fee

$325

Net Value

$0

Benefit	Annual Value
Total Value	$0
Annual Fee	-$325
Net Value	$0

Compared to a 2% cashback card:

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Is the Amex Gold Card Worth It in 2026?

The American Express Gold Card sits in a sweet spot: a $325 annual fee that is significantly lower than premium cards like the Amex Platinum ($895) or Chase Sapphire Reserve ($795), yet it offers category-leading rewards on everyday spending. For foodies and grocery shoppers, it is one of the best value cards on the market.

Why the Amex Gold Is So Popular

The card's standout feature is its 4x Membership Rewards points on restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. At a conservative 2 cents per point, that is effectively 8% back on dining and groceries -- far higher than any cashback card. If you spend $600/month on restaurants and $500/month on groceries, you are earning over $1,000 in points value per year from those categories alone.

Credits That Help Cover the Annual Fee

The Amex Gold comes with several monthly and annual credits:

$120/yr Uber Cash ($10/month) for rides and Uber Eats orders
$120/yr dining credit ($10/month) at select participating restaurants
$100/yr Resy credit for dining at Resy partner restaurants in the U.S.

That is $340 in credits -- more than the $325 annual fee. This means if you use all three credits, the card essentially pays for itself before you earn a single point.

Amex Gold vs. a 2% Cashback Card

A common question is whether the Amex Gold beats a no-annual-fee 2% cashback card. The answer depends entirely on your spending mix. If you spend heavily on dining and groceries (the 4x categories), the Amex Gold wins by a wide margin. However, if most of your spending is in non-bonus categories (where the Gold only earns 1x), a 2% cashback card may come out ahead since it has no annual fee. Use the calculator above to see the comparison based on your actual numbers.

When the Amex Gold Is NOT Worth It

The card loses its appeal if you rarely eat out, do not shop at U.S. supermarkets (Walmart and Target generally do not count), or would not remember to use the monthly Uber and dining credits. In those cases, a simpler no-fee card may be a better choice.

Last updated: February 2026. Data is approximate and may not reflect the most current card terms. Check the issuer's website for the latest details. Point values estimated at 2.0 cents per Membership Rewards point.