With lots of no-annual-fee credit cards out there, the $250 annual fee on a card like the American Express® Gold Card can be hard to justify. Plus, with the pandemic leaving so many travelers grounded, the card’s emphasis on travel rewards may be less appealing. So is the American Express® Gold Card worth the annual fee?

Well, there’s more to this card than just travel benefits. The American Express® Gold Card has an attractive 4 points per $1 dollar rewards earning structure for people who spend a lot of money at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants, in addition to some valuable dining statement credits each month. Terms apply.

So even for users who aren’t traveling much these days, the benefits could prove worth more than the annual fee. Below is a quick overview of the benefits, followed by some points to consider when deciding whether the American Express® Gold Card is worth it for you.

Perks of the American Express® Gold Card

The American Express® Gold Card can be a great option during "normal times," offering the following welcome bonus: 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.

Cardholders earn 4 American Express Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on dining (including international restaurants and takeout), as well as on the first $25,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets annually. Plus, earn 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines and amextravel.com, and 1 point per dollar on all other spending. Terms apply.

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BROWSE CARDS

The American Express® Gold Card annual fee is worth it if you...

Spend a lot of money at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants

The 4 points per dollar you earn for spending on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, dining and takeout purchases is much higher than many rewards cards. Keep in mind the 4x on U.S. supermarket spending applies to up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then it reverts to 1x. Others only offer 1 point per dollar on the same spend, so this card can provide a hefty boost for your points accrual. Terms apply.

Use the $10 monthly Uber Cash and $10 monthly credits for select dining services

The American Express® Gold Card comes with several hundred dollars in credits, including up to $120 annually in dining (up to $10 per month at specific delivery services including Grubhub, Goldbelly and a few restaurants). Terms apply.

American Express also added a new benefit to the American Express® Gold Card in 2021 that includes an additional $10 per month (up to $120 per year) in the form of Uber Cash, which can be used for either U.S. rides or Uber Eats orders. You have to add the card to your Uber account to begin collecting the benefit. Terms apply.

If you make use of the full amount of all three credits, you'll pick up $240 worth of value, reducing the annual fee to $10.

Shop abroad

This card carries no foreign transaction fees. Foreign transaction fees on other cards can add up to 3% on every transaction made outside of the states — a hefty expense for frequent international travelers. Terms apply.