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    The 5 Best Credit Cards for Car Rental Insurance Coverage [September 2023]

    The 5 Best Credit Cards for Car Rental Insurance Coverage [September 2023]

    We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

    Secondary Collision Damage Waiver Coverage

    Secondary CDW coverage requires you to first file a claim with any insurance that might be applicable to the situation before the secondary coverage kicks in. This is important because your own insurance company could potentially penalize you for an accident if you file a claim.

    You may also have to pay a high deductible when filing a claim with your own insurance company, depending on the coverage you have.

    Primary Collision Damage Waiver Coverage (Best Coverage)

    Primary CDW coverage does not require you to file a claim with your own insurance company before coverage kicks in. It functions as the primary coverage for the car rental incident.

    Bottom Line: Primary rental car insurance is the superior insurance coverage you’re looking for as a benefit with your credit card. Our top pick is the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, which includes primary car rental insurance for a sub $100 annual fee.

    The 5 Best Credit Cards for Primary Car Rental Insurance

    Card Summary

    CardWelcome OfferBenefits for Car Rental InsuranceAnnual Fee
    Chase Sapphire Preferred®Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
    • Primary rental car insurance
    • 5x points on car rentals booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
    		$95
    Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (rates and fees)Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
    • Primary rental car insurance
    • 10x miles on car rentals booked through Capital One Travel
    • Complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status
    		$395
    Chase Sapphire Reserve®Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
    • Primary rental car insurance
    • 10x points on car rentals booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
    • Rental car privileges with Avis, National, and Silvercar
    		$550
    The Platinum Card® from American ExpressEarn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 6 months.
    • Secondary rental car insurance with the ability to purchase primary rental car insurance
    • Fantastic rental car privileges with Avis, Hertz, and National
    		$695
    (rates and fees)
    American Express® Gold CardEarn 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 6 months.
    • Secondary rental car insurance with the ability to purchase primary rental car insurance
    		$250
    (rates and fees)

    1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Top Pick)

    Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

    Chase Sapphire Preferred® 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.

    A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

    Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

    Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

    A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
    Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
    60,000 points
    $1,200
    $95
    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 (670-850)

    The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

    Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

    Pros

    • 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
    • 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $250 (through March 31, 2025)
    • 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
    • 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
    • 2x points on all other travel worldwide
    • $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
    • 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
    • Excellent travel and car rental insurance
    • 10% annual bonus points
    • No foreign transaction fees
    • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt
    • Complimentary Spot Club Platinum status with The Parking Spot for 2 years, 20% off of your first reservation, and points for 1 free day of parking (enroll by October 26, 2023)

    Cons

    • $95 annual fee
    • No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
    • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
    • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
    • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
    • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
    • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
    • Member FDIC

    Financial Snapshot

    • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

    Card Categories

    Rewards Center

    Chase Ultimate Rewards

    The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is our #1 pick because it’s one of the few personal credit cards offering primary rental car insurance. It solidifies itself at the top thanks to its mild annual fee and its tremendous rewards categories.

    As you can imagine, this credit card offers an exceedingly attractive welcome bonus and up to 5x Ultimate Rewards points on purchases:

    • 5x points on all travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards (including rental cars)
    • 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
    • 2x points on all other travel
    • 1x points on all other purchases

    After every account anniversary year, cardholders receive a 10% anniversary rewards bonus on their total amount spent on the card.

    Enjoy a discounted hotel stay when you book through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal with a $50 annual credit towards hotel stays, as well as stellar travel insurance (which includes primary rental car coverage).

    This credit card also offers state-of-the-art purchase protection, extended warranty, and zero liability fraud protection, as well as no foreign transaction fees and no additional annual fees for authorized users.

    Hot Tip: There is no charge for adding an authorized user to the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, and they receive the same primary CDW coverage when renting a vehicle with their card. 

    2. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

    Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

    Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit 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.

    The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

    Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

    The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.
    Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
    75,000 miles
    $1,350
    $395
    21.99% - 28.99% Variable
    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.
    Excellent (740-840)

    The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

    Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

    Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

     

    Pros

    • 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
    • 5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
    • 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
    • $300 annual travel credit on bookings made through Capital One Travel
    • Unlimited complimentary access for cardholder and 2 guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
    • 10,000 bonus miles awarded on your account anniversary each year
    • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
    • Add authorized users for no additional annual fee
    • No foreign transaction fees

     

    Cons

    • $395 annual fee
    • Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

     

    • Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
    • Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
    • Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
    • Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
    • Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
    • Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
    • Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more – you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
    • Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
    • Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®

    Financial Snapshot

    • APR: 21.99% - 28.99% Variable
    • Foreign Transaction Fees: $0

    Card Categories

    Rewards Center

    Capital One Miles

     

    CapOne’s ultra-premium credit card product is the Capital One Venture X card. This credit card, similar to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, also earns up to 10x miles:

    • 10x miles on car rentals and hotels purchased through Capital One Travel
    • 5x miles on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
    • 2x miles on all other purchases

    The Capital One Venture X card boasts Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status (one of the only cards that offers this top-tier elite status), and up to 10x miles on car rental bookings (assuming they’re made through Capital One Travel).

    There’s also a $300 annual travel credit for Capital One Travel bookings (which you could use for rental cars, too!), an annual account anniversary bonus of 10,000 miles, as well as a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit of up to $100.

    It’s also one of the few credit cards with exceptional cell phone protection, up to 4 authorized user cards for no additional annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, return protection, and extended warranty protection.

    3. Chase Sapphire Reserve®

    Chase Sapphire Reserve®

    Chase Sapphire Reserve®

    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.

    A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

    Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

    Chase Sapphire Reserve®

    A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.
    Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
    60,000 points
    $1,200
    $550
    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.
    Excellent (740-850)

    If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the best options out there.

    The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

    Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

    Pros

    • 10x points on car rentals, hotels, and dining booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
    • 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
    • 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
    • 5x points on airfare booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
    • 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
    • $300 annual travel credit
    • Priority Pass airport lounge access
    • TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
    • Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
    • Rental car elite status with National and Avis

    Cons

    • $550 annual fee
    • Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
    • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
    • $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
    • Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
    • Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
    • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
    • Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
    • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
    • Member FDIC

    Financial Snapshot

    • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

    Card Categories

    Rewards Center

    Chase Ultimate Rewards

    The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is Chase’s flagship ultra-premium credit card. It earns Chase’s own Ultimate Rewards points, just like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card; the difference is you’ll get up to 10x Ultimate Rewards points:

    • 10x points on rental cars, hotels, and dining booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards
    • 5x points on air travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards
    • 3x points on all other travel purchases
    • 3x points on dining
    • 1x points on all other purchases

    Earning 10x points on car rentals is exceptional, worth a return on spending of 20%!

    The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with excellent primary rental car insurance and rental car privileges at National, Silvercar, and Avis. It also comes with the same worldwide primary CDW coverage as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, but with a maximum of $75,000 coverage for the rental vehicle. And the most compelling reason to use the Chase Sapphire Reserve card for your rental car is that you can pay for the rental with Ultimate Rewards Points and receive 50% more value for your points!

    The card also has some incredible benefits, like an easy-to-use up to $300 travel credit every cardmember year, complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, the best travel insurance from a single credit card (including primary rental car coverage), and a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS application fee credit of up to $100.

    Lastly, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers access to the Chase Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, a 50% redemption bonus in select rotating categories when using Pay Yourself Back, no foreign transaction fees, purchase protection, roadside assistance, and extended warranty coverage.

    4. The Platinum Card® from American Express

    The Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

    The Platinum Card® from American Express

    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 card is undoubtedly the #1 card for luxury travel benefits. From the best lounge access (of any card) to statement credits, to complimentary elite status, you can’t go wrong.

    Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

    The Platinum Card® from American Express

    This card is undoubtedly the #1 card for luxury travel benefits. From the best lounge access (of any card) to statement credits, to complimentary elite status, you can’t go wrong.
    Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
    80,000 points
    $1,760
    $695
    See Pay Over Time APR
    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 (670-850)

    When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express.

    Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

    Pros

    • The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
    • 5x points per $1 spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per year)
    • 5x points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
    • Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit)
    • TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
    • Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
    • Access to Amex International Airline Program
    • No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

    Cons

    • $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
    • Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
    • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
    • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
    • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
    • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
    • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
    • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
    • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
    • $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
    • $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
    • $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
    • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
    • $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
    • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
    • $695 annual fee.
    • Terms Apply.

    Financial Snapshot

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

    Card Categories

    Rewards Center

    American Express Membership Rewards

    Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

    The Amex Platinum card is one of our favorite cards, thanks to its abundance of luxury travel perks. Although it offers secondary rental car coverage by default, you can easily purchase primary rental car coverage for around $12.25 to $24.95 per rental.

    And sure, getting primary rental car insurance technically isn’t free, but if you look past that, you’ll probably end up being happy to pay for the primary rental car insurance if you utilize all of the card’s other perks.

    Hot Tip: The Amex Platinum card offers complimentary rental car privileges and benefits with Avis, Hertz, and National, which could help you get upgrades, discounts, and elevated service.

    But looking past the car rental benefits, you’ll find that the Amex Platinum card’s rewards and benefits will probably make you gravitate towards this card if you’re into luxury travel:

    • 5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year)
    • 5x Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
    • 1x Membership Rewards points on all other purchases (including rental cars)

    Furthermore, the Amex Platinum card offers access to Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection (to make you feel like a VIP when booking hotel stays around the world) and the American Express Global Lounge Collection to access some of the most exclusive lounges, including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying on a same-day Delta flight), and 1,300+ Priority Pass lounges upon enrollment.

    To add to that, there’s complimentary hotel elite status, upon enrollment, with Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite.

    Cardholders can also take advantage of a series of statement credits, including:

    • Up to $200 in airline fee credits
    • Up to $200 in prepaid hotel credits on eligible stays
    • Up to $200 in Uber Cash
    • Up to $240 in digital entertainment credits
    • $189 in CLEAR credit
    • Up to $100 in Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credits
    • Up to $100 in Saks Fifth Avenue credits
    • Up to $12.95 in monthly Walmart+ credits
    • Up to $300 in Equinox credits

    Cardholders will also enjoy no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees), purchase protection, cell phone insurance, extended warranty, and exceptional travel insurance.

    5. American Express® Gold Card

    American Express® Gold CardTerms 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 go-to card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants and those who want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

    Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

    American Express® Gold Card

    This is the go-to card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants and those who want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
    Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
    60,000 points
    $1,320
    $250
    See Pay Over Time APR
    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 (670-850)

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

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

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

    Pros

    • 4x points per $1 at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
    • 4x points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
    • 3x points per $1 on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
    • Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
    • Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash: get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account
    • No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
    • Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
    • Access to American Express transfer partners

    Cons

    • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
    • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
    • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
    • $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.
    • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and 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, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
    • Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
    • Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
    • Annual Fee is $250.
    • Terms Apply.

    Financial Snapshot

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

    Card Categories

    Rewards Center

    American Express Membership Rewards

    Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 90,000 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.)

    The last personal card product we’ll include in this article is the Amex Gold card. It happens to be one of the most exceptional cards for everyday spending. It offers secondary rental car coverage, but there are so many other reasons why you’d want to get this card!

    Even with secondary rental car insurance, you can purchase Premium Car Rental Protection from $12.25 to $24.95 per rental, so you still have the option to enjoy primary coverage with the Amex Gold card.

    Let’s first note that the welcome bonus is consistently awesome — and you’ll earn up to 4x points:

    • 4x points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
    • 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year)
    • 3x points on flights purchased directly with the airline or Amex Travel
    • 1x points on all other purchases (including rental cars)

    By earning 4x points, you can get a whopping return on spending of 8.8%! The Amex Gold card also comes with up to $240 in statement credits every year:

    • Up to $120 (up to $10 per month) in Uber Cash for rides or Uber Eats orders in the U.S.
    • Up to $120 (up to $10 per month) in dining credits at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Milk Bar, Wine.com, and select Shake Shack locations (enrollment required)

    In addition, you can access room upgrades and property credits when booking eligible stays at The Hotel Collection, which will undoubtedly enhance your travel experience.

    The Amex Gold card has travel insurance, no foreign transaction fees, fee-free authorized user cards, purchase protection, and extended warranty (see rates and fees).

    For the Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® and may vary by product. Please refer to the Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply

    For the car rental collision damage coverage benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 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 extended warranty and purchase protection benefits of The Platinum Card® from American Express, 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 cell phone protection benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, 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 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 extended warranty and purchase protection benefit of the American Express® Gold Card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

    The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

    For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
    For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.

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