100,000 Membership Rewards points
Foodies and frequent diners who spend heavily at restaurants and supermarkets.
The Amex Gold Card received a notable refresh in 2026 with new earning rates and benefits while holding its $325 annual fee steady — and the result is one of the most well-rounded mid-premium cards in the market. If you eat at restaurants, shop at U.S. supermarkets, and occasionally book flights, you will earn Membership Rewards points at rates that most cards cannot match: 4x at restaurants worldwide, 4x at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year), 3x on flights, and a new 5x on prepaid hotels through Amex Travel.
The welcome bonus is currently 100,000 Membership Rewards points — worth approximately $2,000 in travel redemptions — but be aware that the spend requirement has increased to $8,000 in six months, up from $6,000 previously. That is a meaningful jump and may require some planning or calendar alignment with large purchases.
The credits are more practical than they first appear. The $10 monthly dining credit at Grubhub, Cheesecake Factory, Buffalo Wild Wings, Wonder, and Five Guys is easy to use in most cities. The $7 monthly Dunkin' credit and $100 Resy credit add up to $184 annually in straightforward food-and-drink spending — reducing the effective annual fee to $141 or less before you count any travel value. The new Hertz Five Star status adds a quality-of-life upgrade for anyone who rents cars frequently.
You should get this card if dining and grocery spending are your primary categories and you want a strong travel rewards currency. Membership Rewards points transfer to 17 airlines and three hotel programs, giving you genuine flexibility for award travel — including Delta, British Airways, Air France, and Singapore Airlines among others.
You should skip it if you want simple cash back, do not eat at restaurants regularly, or cannot realistically hit $8,000 in the first six months. The closest alternative is the Amex Platinum if you want lounge access, or the Blue Cash Preferred if you want cash back and higher grocery rates without a points strategy. As always, Amex lifetime language applies — this bonus is a one-time-per-lifetime event, so time your application carefully.
Amex lifetime language applies: you can only earn the welcome bonus once per lifetime on the Gold Card. The minimum spend requirement increased 33% in 2026 to $8,000 from the previously listed $6,000. Welcome offer available April 30 through October 30, 2026.
Cashback Match — all cash back doubled at end of year 1
Annual Fee: $0
175,000 Membership Rewards points
Annual Fee: $895
150,000 bonus points (limited time)
Annual Fee: $795
Cashback Match end of first year
Annual Fee: $0
$150 cash back (15,000 points)
Annual Fee: $0
No welcome bonus
Annual Fee: $0 first year, then $99
Miles Match — all miles doubled at end of year 1
Annual Fee: $0
80,000 bonus miles
Annual Fee: $0 intro first year, then $150
70,000 bonus miles
Annual Fee: $0 intro first year, then $150
75,000 American Airlines miles
Annual Fee: $0 intro first year, then $99
80,000 Hilton Honors points
Annual Fee: $0
130,000 Hilton Honors points
Annual Fee: $150
175,000 IHG One Rewards points
Annual Fee: $99
200,000 Membership Rewards points
Annual Fee: $375
Cashback Match at end of first year
Annual Fee: $0
300,000 Membership Rewards points
Annual Fee: $895