Amex Gold Card’s Annual Fee History: 1966 to 2026

Few cards in the rewards space have reinvented themselves as often as the American Express^® Gold Card.

What started in 1966 as an invitation-only product for high-spending charge card members has evolved into one of the top dining and travel cards on the market.

Here’s how the Amex Gold Card’s annual fee has changed over time.

As of 2026

The Amex Gold Card currently carries a $325 annual fee (rates & fees), which has been in place since July 2024. However, the card’s lineup of dining credits and travel benefits adds up to more than $400 in potential annual value. That makes it one of the most competitive cards in its class for food-focused spenders.

Amex Gold Card Annual Fee Changes

The Amex Gold Card has seen several annual fee increases, often accompanied by name changes and benefit upgrades. Here’s a closer look at how the annual fee has evolved:

The card’s identity has shifted considerably over time. In its early decades, it functioned primarily as a prestige charge card and carried a significantly lower fee that reflected the simpler benefits of the era. By the time it became the Premier Rewards Gold Card, it had added the Membership Rewards^® program and a more structured travel benefits package.

The biggest shake-up came in October 2018 when American Express retired the Premier Rewards Gold name and relaunched the card as simply the American Express^® Gold Card. That rebrand included substantive changes. The fee increased from $195 to $250, and the card introduced elevated dining rewards and new statement credits to match.

Then in July 2024, American Express overhauled the card again with 2 new credits — an up to $100 Resy dining credit and up to a $84 Dunkin’ credit that require enrollment. However, the value of these credits can easily be utilized and outweigh the increase in the fee to $325.

Amex Gold Card Authorized User Fee Changes

Adding an authorized user to your Amex Gold Card account is one of the cleaner deals in the premium card space. Currently, the fee structure for adding authorized users is as follows:

• Additional Cards (up to the first 5): $0 annual fee. 6th or more Additional Cards: $35 annual fee per Card. (rates & fees)

This structure came into effect with the card’s 2024 update. Previously, the card charged $35 per authorized user, so we’ve actually seen a positive change with the ability to add up to five additional cards for no increase to the annual fee.

This structure is a genuine advantage compared to many competing premium cards that charge $75 to $175 or more per authorized user. Each Additional Cardholder gets their own card to earn Membership Rewards^® points on purchases, though most statement credits (dining credits, Uber Cash, and similar benefits) are limited to one per card account, not per cardholder.

Plus, the points earned go into the primary cardholder’s account.

Is the Amex Gold Card Worth It?

The Amex Gold Card earns 4 Membership Rewards^® points per $1 spent at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per year, then 1X) and at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1X), and 3X on flights booked through and 3X on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or directly with airlines.

And, new for 2026, cardholders earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel™ App, 2X points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel™ App, 2X points on cruises on AmexTravel.com, and even a complimentary upgrade to Hertz Five Star^® status (enrollment required).

Beyond the earning rates, cardholders can tap into multiple statement credits each year:

• Up to $120 in dining credits (up to $10 per month) at Grubhub (including Seamless), The Cheesecake Factory, Five Guys, Wonder, and Buffalo Wild Wings
• Up to $100 in Resy credits annually for dining at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants and other eligible Resy purchases
• Up to $84 in Dunkin’ credits ($7 per month) at U.S. Dunkin’ locations
• Up to $120 in Uber Cash ($10 per month) for Uber Eats orders and Uber rides in the U.S., received after adding your card as a payment method in your Uber account and paying with an Amex card

Enrollment is required for most of these benefits.

Cardholders also have access to The Hotel Collection on AmexTravel.com and The Amex Travel™ App. You must book a minimum stay of 2 nights, and you can receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges (which vary by property), room upgrade upon arrival when available (certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade), and 12 p.m. check-in and 4 p.m. late check-out, both when available.

Perhaps the biggest draw for prospective applicants is the welcome offer, as Membership Rewards^® points transfer to 19 airline and hotel partners:

• Apply and find out if you’re eligible for As High As 100,000 points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

BEST FOR DINING

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Gold Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

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If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express^® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As High As 100,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $2,200

Annual Fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points per dollar on prepaid hotels via AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App
• 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter

Cons

• $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No lounge access

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Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• Pay It^® lets you tap in the American Express^® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It^® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
• Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express^® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
• New! As an American Express^® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star^® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
• Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
• Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express^® service and support. Only for American Express^® Card Members.
• Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Final Thoughts

The Amex Gold Card has come a long way from its origins as a prestige charge card for big spenders. Through multiple rebrands — from its early days to the Premier Rewards Gold era to today’s dining-forward Amex Gold Card — it has consistently added benefits over the years.

For cardholders who dine out regularly or shop at U.S. supermarkets often, the current version of the card is one of the strongest earners on the market. We’ll keep a close eye on it as American Express continues refining its card lineup.