Full List of Travel Insurance Benefits for the Amex Gold Card [2024]

The American Express^® Gold Card is known for being a go-to card for everyday purchases at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets. The card also doubles as a travel rewards card offering elevated earnings on select flight purchases and a nice selection of flexible travel redemption options.

The card is far less known for its travel insurance benefits. Today, we’re turning the spotlight on some of the useful travel insurance benefits that come with the card and talking about how these benefits can add value to the cardholder.

First, let’s look at the overall earning and redemption features of the Amex Gold card, then jump right into the list of travel insurance benefits you can expect to find on the card.

Amex Gold Card — Snapshot

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 in's and out's 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

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

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 cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

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

• 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
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com

Cons

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

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Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• 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.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

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

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 90k points with the Amex Gold card. The current public offer is 60,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Why We Like the Card Overall

We like that you can jumpstart your earnings with a generous welcome bonus after meeting minimum spending requirements in the first 6 months after card approval.

The Amex Gold card also strikes a nice balance between functioning as an everyday spending card and offering accelerated earnings on flights. It also offers flexible travel redemption options.

You’ll earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases each year). Plus, you’ll receive 3x earnings on flights purchased directly with the airline and via AmexTravel.com.

With monthly statement credits for select purchases, it’s easy to find enough value to offset the annual fee.

When it’s time to use your rewards, you’ll have options such as redeeming points for flights via AmexTravel.com or transferring your points to the American Express transfer partners for even more potential value.

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance

Having car rental insurance can save you money and provide a level of peace of mind when renting a vehicle. The Amex Gold card comes with secondary car rental insurance that would require you to first file a claim with any other applicable insurance before card coverage kicks in.

Secondary coverage can still be valuable coverage, but there is another car rental coverage option included on the card that is a much better choice.

Premium Protection

The option to purchase Premium Protection car rental insurance on the Amex Gold card is a game changer.

You’ll pay one low price of $12.25 to $24.95 for the entire period, up to 42 total days, for primary theft and damage coverage. The actual rate will depend on your state of residence and the level of coverage chosen. Note that this is not a per-day rate like the car rental agencies charge.

Just enroll in the coverage via your online card account, then whenever you charge your rental car to your card, you’ll have the coverage automatically. You are not charged prior to renting a car.

There is no deductible. Accidental death/dismemberment coverage is included. Liability coverage, uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage, or disability coverage is not included.

Cardholders and authorized listed drivers are covered.

Applicable coverages for both secondary and Premium Protection include rental car damage, theft, and loss of use.

Exclusions

Coverage is not available when renting vehicles in Australia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, and New Zealand.

There are several additional exclusions, including the theft of an unlocked vehicle, illegal activity, intoxication of the driver, and war. Access the Guide to Benefits for a complete list of exclusions, terms, and conditions.

Filing a Claim

You can file a claim online or call 800-338-1670. You must file the claim within 30 days of the event and submit the required claim form within an additional 15 days. You’ll then have 60 days to submit the required documentation.

Bottom Line: The Amex Gold card comes with secondary car rental insurance with the option to purchase primary Premium Protection for one low rate that covers the entire rental period. 

Trip Delay Insurance

To be eligible for trip delay insurance, you must pay for your entire trip with your Amex Gold card, associated rewards, or a combination of the 2. Using airline vouchers, certificates, or discounts, such as those associated with your frequent flyer account, in combination with your card, are also acceptable. Eligible travelers include family members, travel companions, and a spouse or domestic partner.

Trip delay insurance reimburses an eligible traveler for incidental expenses incurred after a 12-hour or greater trip delay. Eligible expenses can include lodging, meals, toiletries, medication, and necessary personal items.

Eligible Losses and Coverage Limits

The following types of losses are eligible covered losses:

• Inclement weather preventing a traveler from beginning a trip or continuing on a trip
• Terrorism or hijacking
• A common carrier’s equipment failure (documented)
• Lost/stolen travel documents, such as passports

You could receive up to $300 per trip with a limit of 2 claims per card, per 12-month period. Coverage is secondary to any other applicable coverage including reimbursement by the airline.

Exclusions

Loss exclusions include prepaid expenses, losses that were known to the public or the traveler prior to the trip, and intentional acts by the covered traveler. Access the card’s Guide to Benefits for more details on loss exclusions under trip delay coverage.

Filing a Claim

You’ll have 60 days from the date of the loss to file a claim. You can do so by calling 844-933-0648 or the number on the back of your card to be directed to the claims department.

You’ll then have 180 days to submit the required documentation, which can include a statement from the common carrier validating the delay, receipts, your card statement showing the trip charge, and other requested supporting information.

Bottom Line: The Amex Gold card comes with trip delay insurance that provides up to $300 per trip for eligible expenses incurred after a 12-hour or greater delay due to a covered loss. 

Baggage Insurance Plan

To be eligible for baggage insurance, pay for your common carrier ticket entirely with your Amex Gold card and/or associated rewards. Trips paid for, in full or in part, with non-American Express rewards such as airline loyalty programs are not eligible.

You, your spouse or domestic partner, children under 23, and certain dependent handicapped children are covered for baggage insurance as long as the trip is paid for in full with your card and/or associated rewards.

Eligible Losses and Coverage Limits

Lost, damaged, or stolen baggage is covered, except in the event of war, government confiscation, or acts arising out of customer actions, for the following coverage limits.

High-risk items such as jewelry, gold, silver, platinum, electronics, furs, and sporting equipment, are limited to $250 per item maximum, per trip. 

Exclusions

Certain items are not covered under baggage insurance — here is a condensed list of those items:

• Credit cards, cash, securities, or money equivalents (such as money orders or gift cards)
• Travel documents, tickets, passports, or visas
• Plants, animals, or food
• Glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, prosthetic devices, and prescription or non-prescription drugs
• Property shipped prior to departure

Filing a Claim

You’ll have 30 days from the date of the loss to file a claim. To file a claim, you can go online or call 800-228-6855 within the U.S. To call from outside of the U.S., call 303-273-6498 collect.

You’ll then have 60 days to submit supporting documentation including a list of items lost, receipts, a statement showing the trip was purchased with the card or associated rewards, and common carrier reports.

Please note that we have abbreviated coverage descriptions and all terms and conditions are not spelled out in their entirety. You’ll want to access the benefits guide for full information.

Bottom Line: You and certain family members are covered for baggage insurance of up to $1,250 per person when traveling with a common carrier. You’ll need to pay for your entire trip with your card or rewards associated with your card for coverage to be valid. 

Travel Accident Insurance

Travel accident insurance that comes with the Amex Gold card pays a benefit in the unlikely event of accidental death or dismemberment of the primary card member, additional card member, spouse or domestic partner, or children under the age of 23.

The trip must be paid for with the Amex Gold card and/or associated Membership Rewards points (Pay With Points).

The coverage pays a benefit for death or severe injury suffered as a result of riding in, boarding, exiting from, or being struck by a common carrier.

The benefit paid is based on a table provided and can be up to $100,000.

Travel Assistance-Related Benefits

While not travel insurance specifically, these additional benefits can provide assistance when planning a trip or if an unexpected event should disrupt your trip.

Emergency Travel Assistance

The Amex Global Assist Hotline provides important 24/7 assistance when traveling more than 100 miles from home. Receive help finding medical, legal, and translation referrals as well as assistance securing emergency transportation.

In addition, you could receive help securing a replacement passport or finding missing luggage.

You can reach the Global Assist Hotline at 800-333-2639. Outside the U.S., call 715-343-7977.

Actual services provided by third parties that incur costs are the responsibility of the cardholder.

Services are also not available in areas such as Cuba, Iran, Syria, North Korea, or the Crimea region.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

You’ll want to include the Amex Gold card during your next trip, as the card does not charge foreign transaction fees (rates & fees).

Additional Travel Benefits

Receive help planning your trip with Insider Fares via AmexTravel.com, upgrade your flights with points, American Express Travel Insurance, onsite benefits at The Hotel Collection, Amex Offers, and more.

Final Thoughts

While the Amex Gold card comes with several valuable travel insurance benefits, you would not select the card for this specific reason. The card shines when it comes to earning on select everyday purchases, for purchasing airline tickets, and its flexible travel redemption options. Those should be key reasons for selecting the card.

The fact that there are travel insurance benefits that come complimentary with the card is just one more reason to consider the card.

If having premium travel insurance benefits is a priority for you, you might consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card, The Platinum Card^® from American Express, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^®, or the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card*×Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One., all of which offer some of the best travel insurance benefits.

You can read about more credit cards with travel insurance in our article on this specific topic.

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For the car rental collision damage coverage benefit of the American Express Gold Card, car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car rental loss or damage coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. For the trip delay insurance benefit of the American Express Gold Card, up to $300 per covered trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours; and 2 claims per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. For the baggage insurance plan benefit of the American Express Gold Card, baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for eligible persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a common carrier vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all covered persons per covered trip. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. For the global assist hotline benefit of the American Express Gold Card, you can rely on the Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.