We love the American Express® Gold Card here at TPG, thanks to its strong win rates and useful statement credits.
This gold standard card for meals and groceries has undergone a slight update, although current and future cardholders shouldn’t worry too much. These changes to Amex Gold are (relatively) minimal and mostly positive.
Whether you currently have Amex Gold or are considering purchasing it, here’s what you need to know about its latest renewal.
Change Summary
Although the real number of American Gold The changes are small, they may still be relevant for certain cardholders. This is especially true for prospective cardholders since the spending requirement for the welcome offer has changed.
What is changing?
- Profit rates in Amex Travel hotel reservations: You’ll now earn 5 points for every dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com and the Amex Travel App™.
- Hertz Five Star Status: You’ll receive complimentary Hertz Five Star* status in the Hertz Gold+ car rental loyalty program.
- Monthly meal statement credit partners: Buffalo Wild Wings and Wonder are joining as new partners for up to $10 monthly statement credit with select partners (up to $120 in statement credits per calendar year) and are available to use immediately. Goldbelly and Wine.com remain until June 30. (Registration required)
- Welcome Offer Spending Requirement: New cardholders must now spend $8,000 on purchases during the first six months of card membership to receive the welcome offer (more on that below).
*Benefits enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration required.
Anniversary benefits for a limited time
As part of Amex Gold’s 60th anniversary celebration, American Express is offering these benefits:
- Uber One Membership: When you sign up, receive a one-time statement credit of up to $96 toward an Uber One membership (through October 30).
- Hilton Honors Transfer Bonus: Through May 30, you’ll earn a 20% transfer bonus when you transfer Membership Rewards to Hilton Honors.
- The Hotel Collection offers: Through July 15, you can receive special offers at select The Hotel Collection properties when you book through Amex Travel, like a free third night or 25% off select rooms (two-night minimum stay required).
- Amex Offers: Limited-time Amex offers in partnership with select merchants (registration required).
What remains the same?
- Annual fee: The card still charges $325 annual fee (see rates and fees).
- Premium offer: While the spending requirement has increased, the actual value of the offer is the same: Amex Gold applicants can learn about their offer and see if they are eligible to receive up to 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible to receive an offer.) According to TPG’s April 2026 report ratings100,000 Membership Rewards Points They are worth $2,000.
- Other Statement Credits and Benefits: The value of everyone card statement credits and its additional benefits will remain the same.
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Now, let’s dive into the details of what’s changing with Amex Gold.
Related: Best Time to Apply for These Popular American Express Cards Based on Offer History
Win Rate Adjustments
There is a positive change in the Membership Rewards point earning rate in the American Gold.
| Category | New profit rate | Previous profit rate |
|---|---|---|
|
Prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com and the Amex Travel app
|
5 points per dollar spent |
2 points per dollar spent |
If you like booking through Amex Travel, this is a welcome change. However, we generally recommend booking hotels directly with the property, especially if you can use Elite status benefits.
This is because you may not always receive the benefits of your Elite status when you book through a third-party travel agency, such as Amex Travel, rather than directly with the brand.
Related: Who should (and who shouldn’t) get the Amex Gold?
Hertz Five Star Status
This is a completely new benefit for the American Gold: Free Hertz Five Star Status. Requires enrollment in benefits and registration for Hertz Gold+.
Five Star is a mid-level status at Hertz Gold+ car rental loyalty program. With this benefit, cardholders will be able to enjoy:
- 25% more points earned on all car rentals
- Available space updates
- Wider Ultimate Choice Availability
If you need to book a car rental and don’t have top-tier President’s Circle status, this benefit could be helpful.
It’s especially nice that this benefit was added without increasing the card’s annual fee.
Related: Credit cards that offer elite status for car rentals
Monthly meal statement credit updates
Up to $120 annually statement credit on restaurant purchases with the American Gold (divided into up to $10 per month) does not change its value. (Registration is required).
Two new merchants are debuting:
- wild buffalo wings
- Wonder, a food delivery application
Meanwhile, two merchants will be in place until June 30. After this, they will finish:
The Cheesecake Factory, Five Guys and Grubhub will remain in the statement credit.
Related: Advantages and benefits of the credit card you should use this month
Same bonus, more expense
New American Gold Applicants can learn about their offer and see if they are eligible to receive up to 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible to receive an offer.
The value of the bonus has not changed. However, the previous offer required new cardholders to spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership (offer no longer available).
This could make it harder for some people to get your welcome offer. You will need to spend at least $1,334 on Amex Gold each month to meet this new spending requirement.
Related: Do you have a new credit card? Here are 4 tips that will help you earn your welcome bonus
In a nutshell
These changes are far from extreme and are mostly positive. Amex Gold updated with higher earning rates for prepaid hotels and added Hertz Five Star status without increasing its annual rate.
If you’re a fan of Buffalo Wild Wings or Wonder, you might be excited to know that they’re now included in your dining statement credit. However, if you liked using your monthly food digest on Goldbelly or Wine.com, this is a more negative change.
Plus, you’ll now need to spend an additional $2,000 on the card to receive your welcome offer.
For more information, read our full review of the Amex Gold.
Apply now: American Express Gold Card
For Amex Gold Card rates and fees, click here.
