Amex Gold Card’s Benefits Over the Years: 2017 to 2026

The American Express^® Gold Card has long been our favorite card for dining, travel, and everyday living. In this article, we’ll look back at how one of Amex’s best points-earning cards has evolved over the years.

What started as a simple charge card has transformed into something more rewarding, with stronger bonus categories, new lifestyle credits, and a growing list of travel benefits.

Here’s a closer look at how the Amex Gold Card has changed over the last decade.

As of 2026

The Amex Gold Card carries a $325 annual fee (rates & fees) and includes a solid mix of everyday rewards and monthly or semiannual statement credits.

New as of April 30, 2026, you can now earn 5X Membership Rewards^® points when you use the Amex Gold Card on prepaid hotel bookings through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™. Terms apply. Plus, you can even earn 2X points on prepaid car rentals via AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.

That doesn’t change the existing reward rates, as cardmembers still earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, 4X points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, and 3X points on AmexTravel.com and the Amex Travel App™ or flights booked directly with airlines.

On top of that, the card currently offers up to $120 in dining credit, up to $120 in Uber Cash, up to $100 in Resy credit, up to $84 in Dunkin’ credit, and access to The Hotel Collection on eligible stays. Enrollment is required for some benefits.

How the Amex Gold Card Has Evolved Since 2017

With these benefits and more value, the Amex Gold Card’s annual fee has also increased.

In 2017, the then-Premier Rewards Gold Card cost $195 a year. After Amex overhauled the card in 2018, the fee increased to $250, and in 2024, it became $325.

2017 to 2021

In 2017, the card was still called the Premier Rewards Gold Card and came with a $195 annual fee. Here’s what $195 annually provided:

• Earning rates: 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines, 2X points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. supermarkets, and 1X points on other eligible purchases
• $100 airline fee credit: Up to $100 per calendar year in statement credits for incidental fees charged by 1 selected airline
• Travel value: A more traditional mix of travel benefits and protections, without the lifestyle-heavy credits the card is known for today
• No monthly credits: Benefits like Uber Cash, dining credits, Resy credits, and Dunkin’ credits were not part of the card yet

In 2018, Amex gave it a major refresh, renamed it the American Express^® Gold Card, raised the annual fee to $250, and started steering it much more toward dining and everyday spending.

By 2021, the card had already started to resemble the modern Amex Gold Card. Around that time, Amex added the $120 Uber Cash benefit, which gives cardmembers $10 in Uber Cash each month after adding their Card to their Uber account and selecting an American Express Card for the transaction. This benefit complemented the card’s existing up to $120 annual dining credit and gave cardmembers a couple of practical ways to find lasting value.

2021 to 2025

In 2021, the Amex Gold Card was on a roll. It had strong earnings on dining and groceries, a $250 annual fee, and just a couple of simple-to-use credits.

The biggest shift came in 2024, when the Amex Gold Card underwent a major refresh and raised the annual fee to $325 while leaning heavily on adding more credits rather than restricting how the card earns points.

These changes were introduced in 2024:

• New Resy credit: Up to $100 annually (up to $50 semiannually) after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card to dine at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases.
• New Dunkin’ credit: Up to $84 annually (up to $7 monthly) at U.S. locations on the American Express^® Gold Card. Enrollment required.
• $120 dining credit: These credits can be earned on a monthly basis, up to $10 in the form of a statement credit (enrollment required), but the partner lineup has shifted.
• Restaurant earning cap: 4X points at restaurants now restricted at $50,000 per year (then 1X points), while supermarket earnings stayed the same.

Through it all, one thing hasn’t changed: the Amex Gold Card is still one of the best ways to earn Membership Rewards^® points on everyday spending. It just comes with a few more hoops to jump through now.

2025 to Today

After the 2024 refresh (reflected in the 2025 version of the card), the Amex Gold Card continues to evolve — but without reducing what made it popular in the first place. The core earning structure still revolves around dining and groceries, but Amex is adding more ways to extract value, especially on the travel side.

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!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

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

Read Full Review

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

Here are the newest additions and updates as of April 30, 2026:

• NEW: Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
• UPDATED: Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points on prepaid car rentals and cruises booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
• NEW: Hertz^® Gold+™ Five Star^® status (enrollment required)
• UPDATED: $120 Dining Credit now includes partners Buffalo Wild Wings and Wonder, with Goldbelly and Wine.com exiting the list after 6/30/26

The biggest shift here is that the Amex Gold card is becoming a bit more travel-centric. Historically, this has been a go-to card for everyday spending — especially on food — but the addition of 5X on prepaid hotels through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ gives the card even more travel benefits to make it even better. 

Previously, the card earned 2X points on prepaid hotels and vaguely defined “other eligible travel” booked through AmexTravel.com. Now, Amex is spelling it out more clearly, explicitly including prepaid car rentals and cruises in that 2X earning category.

The addition of Hertz Five Star^® status is another clear signal of where the card is headed. Paired with the expanded travel earnings, the Amex Gold Card is starting to feel more like a well-rounded option for both everyday spending, dining, and travel with no annual fee increase.

Even with these updates, the overall role of the Amex Gold Card hasn’t really shifted. Rather than reinventing the card, Amex continues to add credits and benefits. Thankfully, with the Amex app, it’s never been easier to keep track of using your card benefits.

Final Thoughts

Since 2018, the Amex Gold Card has definitely shifted toward adding more monthly statement credits — which means you have to be a bit more intentional to get the full value. But at its core, not much has really changed. It’s still one of the best cards out there for earning points on dining and groceries — now with more travel earnings and benefits added — which are expenses most of us already have.