The American Categorical® Gold Card and the American Categorical® Inexperienced Card are two of essentially the most iconic playing cards provided — the Amex Inexperienced alone has been round for over 50 years.
However traditional does not imply outdated, as these playing cards have obtained dramatic makeovers in recent times, leading to two aggressive merchandise aimed toward totally different market segments. The Amex Inexperienced is extra targeted on journey, whereas the Amex Gold is healthier fitted to on a regular basis spending on groceries and consuming out.
Let’s take a deep dive into the options and advantages of those two merchandise and see which one is perhaps the higher match for you.
Associated: Amex Inexperienced Card vs. Chase Sapphire Most well-liked: Which card is best for you?
The data for the American Categorical Inexperienced Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
Amex Gold vs. Amex Inexperienced comparability
| Profit element | American Categorical Inexperienced Card | American Categorical Gold Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual price | $150 | $325 (see charges and charges) |
| Welcome bonus | Earn 40,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 on purchases in your new card in your first six months of card membership. | Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 on purchases throughout the first six months of card membership, plus 20% again on restaurant purchases within the first six months (as much as $100 again). Provide ends Nov. 6 |
| Incomes classes |
|
|
| Journey advantages |
|
|
| Further advantages |
|
|
Associated: Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold: Bank card showdown
*Eligibility and profit stage varies by card. Not all automobile varieties or leases are coated, and geographic restrictions apply. Phrases, situations and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Firm. Protection is obtainable by American Categorical Journey Associated Companies Firm, Inc.
**Eligibility and profit stage varies by card. Phrases, situations and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Firm.
***Eligibility and profit stage varies by card. Phrases, situations and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance coverage Firm, an AIG Firm.
Each day E-newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Each day publication
Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants
Amex Gold vs. Amex Inexperienced welcome supply
Each playing cards have a beautiful welcome supply.
The Amex Inexperienced provides 40,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first six months of card membership.
However, the Amex Gold provides 60,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 on purchases throughout the first six months of card membership, plus 20% again in assertion credit on restaurant purchases within the first six months (as much as $100 again).
Utilizing TPG’s August 2024 valuation of Membership Rewards factors at 2 cents every, these level bonuses are value $800 and as much as $1,300, respectively.
Typically, the playing cards supply greater focused welcome provides by the CardMatch Device (supply topic to alter at any time), so you’ll want to verify this device earlier than making use of for a card.
Notice that for those who’ve held both of those playing cards earlier than, you are nearly actually ineligible for a second welcome supply. Regardless of the revamps each playing cards have obtained prior to now few years, they’re nonetheless thought of the identical merchandise.
In case you have or beforehand had the Amex Gold, you might not be eligible for the Amex Inexperienced’s welcome supply. As well as, American Categorical additionally considers different components to find out welcome supply eligibility, although it ought to notify you of your standing earlier than you submit your utility and face a tough inquiry.
Winner: The Amex Gold comes out forward right here since its welcome supply offers you higher worth. The requirement for $6,000 in spending inside six months is simple for most individuals to finish.
Associated: Final information to bank card utility restrictions
Amex Gold Vs. Amex Inexperienced advantages
A standout advantage of the Amex Inexperienced is its as much as $199 annual assertion credit score each calendar yr towards a Clear Plus membership, which is sufficient to totally cowl the price of one grownup membership. The Amex Inexperienced Card additionally provides an annual as much as $100 LoungeBuddy credit score every calendar yr, which could be utilized to the admission price for lots of of lounges worldwide.
This could possibly be considerably beneficial to those that do not have already got a Precedence Go Choose profit from a special card. Phrases apply, and enrollment is required.
The Amex Gold provides as much as $120 in Uber Money each calendar yr. With this profit, you will obtain as much as $10 month-to-month in Uber Money credit score, which can be utilized on Uber Eats orders or Uber rides within the U.S.
The Amex Gold additionally provides as much as $10 month-to-month assertion credit (as much as $120 each calendar yr) at choose institutions, together with The Cheesecake Manufacturing facility, Goldbelly, Wine.com and 5 Guys. If none of these attraction to you, you may apply that credit score to supply or takeout orders from Grubhub. Phrases apply. Enrollment is required.
You will additionally obtain as much as $100 each calendar yr (as much as $50 semi-annually) in assertion credit for purchases at U.S. Resy-affiliated eating places. To redeem this assertion credit score, merely dine and pay at a restaurant that makes use of Resy along with your Amex Gold, no reservation required.
Moreover, you will rise up to $84 every calendar yr (as much as $7 month-to-month) in assertion credit for purchases at U.S. Dunkin’ Donuts (enrollment required).
Each playing cards supply automobile rental loss and harm protection (secondary protection)*, baggage insurance coverage** and journey delay safety.*** Nonetheless, the Amex Gold additionally supplies entry to advantages and reductions when reserving lodging by The Lodge Assortment (minimal two-night keep required). Phrases apply.
You will additionally discover that each playing cards supply buy safety^ and prolonged guarantee advantages^ — an essential card function to have for a lot of purchases (particularly these that may break simply).
Winner: Amex Gold. It provides extra advantages than the Amex Inexperienced.
Associated: A whole information to the Amex Gold eating credit score
*Eligibility and profit stage varies by card. Not all automobile varieties or leases are coated, and geographic restrictions apply. Phrases, situations and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Firm. Protection is obtainable by American Categorical Journey Associated Companies Firm, Inc.
**Eligibility and profit stage varies by card. Phrases, situations and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Firm.
***Eligibility and profit stage varies by card. Phrases, situations and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance coverage Firm, an AIG Firm.
^Eligibility and profit stage varies by card. Phrases, situations and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Firm.
Incomes with the Amex Gold vs. Amex Inexperienced
The Amex Inexperienced provides 3 factors per greenback on eligible journey — together with transit purchases resembling taxis and ride-hailing providers. You will additionally earn 3 factors per greenback at eating places worldwide and 1 level per greenback on all different eligible purchases.
The Amex Gold provides 4 factors per greenback for eating at eating places worldwide (as much as $50,000 per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback) and on groceries at U.S. supermarkets (as much as $25,000 spent per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback).
You will additionally earn 3 factors per greenback on airfare bought immediately with the airline or by amextravel.com and a couple of factors per greenback on pay as you go accommodations and different eligible journey booked by amextravel.com. For all different purchases, you will earn 1 level per greenback.
Once you examine these charges, the Amex Gold provides you 33% extra factors for eating at eating places than the Amex Inexperienced. You will additionally earn bonus factors on groceries at U.S. supermarkets with the Gold, whereas the identical purchases with the Inexperienced will solely internet you 1 level per greenback.
Though they each supply 3 factors per greenback on choose journey purchases, the Amex Inexperienced provides bonus factors on a wider vary of travel-related purchases. This implies something coded as “journey” in your month-to-month assertion will obtain the bonus factors.
For Amex Gold, you will earn 3 factors per greenback on a restricted variety of airline-specific purchases, together with airfare bought immediately from the airline or by Amex Journey.
You will additionally obtain 2 factors per greenback on pay as you go accommodations and different eligible purchases booked by amextravel.com.
Winner: Amex Gold. This card provides earnings that swimsuit most individuals’s spending habits; regardless of the spending caps, it is onerous to beat the usefulness of incomes 4 factors per greenback eating and on groceries at U.S. supermarkets (as much as $50,000 every calendar yr on eating, then 1 level per greenback and as much as $25,000 every calendar yr at U.S. supermarkets, then 1 level per greenback). Plus, it is unlikely most cardmembers will hit the yearly spending cap for eating.
Associated: Greatest methods to earn airline miles
Redeeming factors with the Amex Gold vs. Amex Inexperienced
Each the Amex Inexperienced and Amex Gold get pleasure from entry to American Categorical’s 21 switch companions. Utilizing switch companions, you will get essentially the most worth out of your Membership Rewards factors.
You can even select to redeem your factors for present playing cards, Amazon purchases, buying with Membership Rewards, journey bookings made by Amex or to cowl eligible prices.
Utilizing any technique other than transferring your factors to switch companions will trigger you to fall wanting TPG’s August 2024 Membership Reward valuation of two cents per level.
Winner: Tie. Since each playing cards have entry to the identical redemption choices, there is not any clear winner right here.
Associated: Every little thing you want to find out about Amex Journey
Transferring factors with the Amex Gold vs. Amex Inexperienced
The Amex Inexperienced and Amex Gold share the identical switch companions. Cardmembers can entry a number of the finest loyalty packages obtainable as switch companions, together with Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership and Air Canada Aeroplan. You will normally be capable of switch your factors at a 1:1 ratio.
TPG bank cards author Chris Nelson ceaselessly transfers Membership Rewards factors to Delta every time Delta runs award flash gross sales. He lately transferred simply 8,000 factors for a round-trip economic system ticket from Seattle to Cancun.
Winner: Tie. The Amex Gold and Amex Inexperienced have entry to the identical switch companions, which means there is not any winner right here.
Associated: American Categorical Membership Rewards switch companions
Ought to I get the Amex Gold or the Amex Inexperienced?
The Amex Gold’s potential to earn bonus factors eating at eating places and on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, regardless of their respective spending limits, makes it a terrific match for the common spender. Nonetheless, for those who’re a frequent commuter or discover it onerous to justify the Amex Gold’s $325 annual price, I like to recommend contemplating the Amex Inexperienced as an alternative.
Associated: Chase Sapphire Most well-liked vs. Amex Gold: Which mid-tier favourite is best for you?
Easy methods to swap from the Amex Inexperienced to the Amex Gold
Since these two playing cards exist in the identical ecosystem and card household, swapping between them is feasible. If you wish to swap your Amex Inexperienced to an Amex Gold, or vice versa, name the quantity on the again of your card or use American Categorical’s on-line buyer chat operate.
Ensure that to inform the consultant which card you at present have and which you’d prefer to switch to. We advocate ready not less than one yr from the date your account was opened earlier than requesting a product change. Earlier than doing so, nonetheless, know that product altering will stop you from incomes the welcome supply on that card.
Associated: The last word information to bank card upgrades
Backside line
Though the Amex Inexperienced has a lot to supply, its extra upscale sibling — the Amex Gold — continues to be a greater match for many. Utilizing the Amex Gold to earn extra at eating places and U.S. supermarkets is probably going extra engaging to most individuals than Amex Inexperienced’s bonus-earning potential on a wider vary of journey purchases.
Nonetheless, the Amex Inexperienced is a stable choice with a decrease annual price, helpful journey credit and broad bonus classes.
To study extra, take a look at our full evaluations of the Amex Inexperienced and Amex Gold.
Apply right here: Amex Gold
Associated: Easy methods to choose the proper journey bank card for you
For charges and charges of the Amex Gold, please click on right here.
