One of the most often-used cards in my wallet is the American Express Gold Card. Like its “big brother” the Platinum Card, the Amex Gold card commands a sizeable annual fee but attempts to offset that expense by including monthly credits. Of course, the card also includes some lucrative rewards categories and redemption options that further give it value.
Having recently explored the best ways to maximize the Platinum card’s credits, I figured it was time to do the same for the American Express Gold Card. So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the card’s featured credits, how to get the most from them, and more.
The American Express Gold Card’s Credits and the Best Ways to Use Them
Uber/Uber Eats Cash ($10 a month)
We start with a bit of a repeat of the Platinum card as the Gold card also features a monthly allotment of Uber Cash. In this case, though, it’s a simple $10 a month versus the $15 + $35 in December that the Plat has. Now’s a good time to mention that, if you happen to have both cards as I do, these credits stack nicely and you’ll get both deposits of Uber Cash credited to your account each month. Unfortunately, these credits are still “use it or lose it” each month and cannot be rolled over.
For those who use Uber’s rideshare service often, this credit should be remarkably easy to use. Just make sure that your Uber Cash balance is selected in order to use it.
In the event that you don’t require Uber’s ride services with much frequency, you’ll likely be glad to know that this Uber Cash credit can also be used on Uber Eats. Of course, if you’ve ever ordered from the app, you probably know that the $10 credit can quickly be eaten up by delivery fees and tips. That’s why I always recommend looking into the pick-up option instead. Although you may still face some fees and potentially inflated menu prices versus what you’d pay in-store, I find that this is usually a much better option overall.
Dining Credit ($10 a month)
The other monthly credit on the American Express Gold Card is the Dining Credit. That name might sound pretty broad but, sadly, that’s far from the case. Instead, this one can only be used at a few restaurants and retailers:
- Grubhub
- The Cheesecake Factory
- Goldbelly
- Wine.com
- Milk Bar
- Select Shake Shack locations
Without a doubt, I think the best way to use this particular credit is at Shake Shack. That’s because the $10 credit will actually cover a decent amount of your meal, making this a pretty good deal. By the way, when it says “select Shake Shack locations, ” it means that those found at ballparks, stadiums, airports, rest areas, museums, and racetracks are excluded.
Alas, the only problem with the Shake Shack approach is that the chain isn’t quite as ubiquitous as the likes of McDonald’s. Sure enough, there’s not one located anywhere near me, which is why I only end up using my dining credit in this manner when I’m traveling (namely to Las Vegas). But, if you’re a burger fan and live near one, then I think this is a top-tier option.
My second pick here would be Grubhub. Specifically, just like with the Uber Eats credit, I find you get the best value by opting for pick-up. Again, prices might still be inflated even if you are picking up, but it’s still a lot better than paying for delivery.
One option I haven’t tried but think could be a good value is The Cheesecake Factory. Assuming that you could just get a to-go slice of cheesecake, pay with your Gold card, and trigger the credit, this would be a completely reasonable use of the credit in my opinion. But, once again, I have yet to confirm this strategy so proceed with caution.
Lastly, while you’re $10 might not get you very far on Goldbelly or MilkBar.com, I am a fan of both overall. In the case of Goldbelly, there are some truly delicious items to be found — and I think some regional items could make for great gifts. Thus, the $10 savings are welcome even if you’ll end up spending far more than that overall. As for Milk Bar, they also have some very tasty items, but 1) they’re expensive and 2) the shipping is even more expensive. That said, come to think of it, there are some Milk Bar retail locations (once again, a Vegas win) that might be a good deal.
On the whole, the Amex Dining Credit sounds a bit more exciting than it is given the limitations. Still, even with these restrictions, you should be able to find some valuable use cases.
- 4x at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets
- Monthly Uber and dining credits offset annual fee
- Compliments Amex Platinum card or works well solo
- $250 annual fee is high if credits are utilized
- Membership Rewards points offer low cashback redemption value
Although the American Gold Card may cost $250 a year on paper, that annual fee comes down quickly if you are able to make the most of the included credits. In fact, if you value these credits at their full amount, their $240 in benefits would bring the effective annual fee down to just $10. Add in the fact that the card earns 4x at restaurants worldwide, 4x at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases), and 3x for flights booked directly with airlines or on Amex Travel, and it’s easy to see why the Gold card can be as good as its name in the right hands.
