Whether you’re looking for your first credit card or your wallet is already bursting with plastic, you’ll want to do your research before acquiring a new card. After all, every credit card is different; from application requirements to card benefits, different banks have done their best to entice you as a customer.

A mid-tier card offered by American Express, the American Express® Gold Card is a solid option for many consumers. This is thanks to its strong earning structure and travel perks, among other benefits. It's also made of metal, which some cardholders love.

If you’re thinking about applying for the card, check out these five things to know before getting the American Express® Gold Card.

What to know before getting the American Express® Gold Card

1. Your credit score

Odds are that you’ve heard of credit scores. These numbers, derived from your financial history, indicate to creditors whether you’re a risky investment.

Generally speaking, your credit score is built on five different factors, including the number of accounts you have, the type of accounts you hold, the length of your credit history, your credit utilization and your payment history.

American Express will pull your credit when you apply. And since it features some pretty decent benefits, the American Express® Gold Card requirements for approval tend to be a little stricter. We recommend that you have a good to excellent credit score, which ranges from 690-850, before you apply.

Earn up to 120,000 bonus points with our favorite American Express cards

Check out our nerdy picks for the best American Express credit cards and find the right card for you.

BROWSE CARDS

2. How to use American Express Membership Rewards

You don’t have to be a points expert to apply for the American Express® Gold Card. That being said, American Express Membership Rewards points are highly versatile, and knowing how to maximize them can greatly improve your travel experiences.

There are a variety of ways in which AmEx points can be redeemed, including transferring them to hotel and airline partners, redeeming them via the AmEx travel portal or using them for statement credits. However, not all options are created equal; the value you’ll receive for each point will vary based on how they’re redeemed.

This is especially pertinent when you consider the welcome offer available for the American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

NerdWallet estimates that AmEx points can be worth up to 2 cents each, making the welcome offer worth more than the annual fee by a longshot.

3. Your lifestyle

Many cards offer different spending benefits, so you’ll always want to make sure that you’re applying for one that suits your needs. The American Express® Gold Card is no different — it’s a heavy hitter when it comes to all things food, but falls behind on other purchases:

Earn 4 points per $1 spent on dining, including restaurants, takeout and delivery.

Earn 4 points per $1 spent at U.S. supermarkets for the first $25,000 spent per year.

Earn 3 points per $1 spent on flights booked directly with the airline or via the AmEx travel portal.

Earn 1 point per $1 spent everywhere else.

Terms apply.

Whether you’re a home chef or a takeout fanatic, the American Express® Gold Card has good earning potential for your purchases. It also has decent point earning on airfare, though this falls behind the 5 points per $1 spent on flights up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year offered by The Platinum Card® from American Express. Terms apply.