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American ExpressChecked Oct 4, 2026

The American Express® Gold Card

$325 a year. Purchase APR 19.74–28.74%, variable.

Annual fee
Purchase APR, variable
Foreign transaction fee

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What it's worth

Yearly value in dollars: rewards and credits minus the annual fee, for three ways of spending. First year includes any welcome bonus.
SpendingFirst yearAfter
Light spender−$60−$60
Typical spender$300$300
Heavy spender$875$875
The spending each assumes, a month
  • Light spender: groceries $300, dining $100, gas $100, everything else $500
  • Typical spender: groceries $600, dining $300, gas $200, travel $150, everything else $1,250
  • Heavy spender: groceries $900, dining $600, gas $300, travel $600, airfare $300, hotels $300, everything else $2,500

Assumed: not counted: 2x Cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com; points valued at an assumed 1¢; not counted: 3x Flights booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App or purchased directly from airlines; not counted: 5x Prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.

Estimates from the published terms above, as checked Oct 4, 2026; not advice. How we value cards

How it compares

  • Worth more to a typical spender than about 70% of the 650 cards we track.
  • Lower top APR than about 25% of the 577 cards we track.

Shares rounded to 5 points. Fees and APRs as stated; value for our typical spender. Method

How you earn · Membership Rewards

  • 4× pointsRestaurants worldwide
  • 4× pointsU.S. supermarkets
  • 5× pointsPrepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App
  • 3× pointsFlights booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App or purchased directly from airlines
  • 2× pointsPrepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App
  • 2× pointsCruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com
  • 1× pointsEverything else

Rates and fees

Rates and fees for the The American Express® Gold Card, each with its source
Annual fee
Purchase APRPrime + 12.74% to Prime + 21.74%
Cash advance APRPrime + 21.99%
Cash advance fee
Penalty APRPrime + 26.74%
Late payment
Returned payment
Foreign transactions
Grace period

Carrying a balance? See how long it takes to pay off at 28.74% APR

Benefits

  • Uber Cash: $10 monthly
  • Dunkin' Credit: $7 monthly
  • Dining Credit: $10 monthly
  • Resy Credit: $100 annual
  • Complimentary upgrade to Hertz Five Star Status; enrollment required
  • $10 in Uber Cash each month, up to $120 annually, when the Gold Card is added to an Uber account; usable on eligible Uber rides and restaurant orders in the U.S.
  • No lounge access benefits are currently provided.
  • Rental car

Questions

What is the annual fee?
$325 Filed with the CFPB · PDF, since Sep 29, 2026
Does it charge a foreign transaction fee?
No. Filed with the CFPB · PDF, since Sep 29, 2026
What is the purchase APR?
19.74–28.74% APR Filed with the CFPB · PDF, since Sep 29, 2026

Other points cards with fees over $300

Against this card, for our typical spender's value (rewards and credits minus fees, after the first year).