With its unique rewards and perks, like 4X points on dining and groceries, the Amex Gold card has garnered a lot of attention from Reddit users who frequently share their experiences and insights in various threads.
This article takes a closer look at the diverse opinions on the Amex Gold card, highlighting the different experiences and perspectives shared by Reddit users across multiple discussions.
Amex Gold Card On Reddit: Most Popular Threads
We’ve gathered insights from the most talked-about threads on the Amex Gold card to better understand Redditors' opinions.
Some users praise the card for its sleek design and the prestige that comes with owning an Amex, while others question the practicality of its rewards and features.
Additionally, many Redditors compare the Amex Gold to alternatives from other issuers, carefully evaluating its value against more widely accepted cards.
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Redditors Find It Valuable For Travel And Retail
Reddit users emphasize that the Amex Gold card is a great fit for those who travel frequently. As the card offers benefits like 4X points on dining and groceries, many users find it advantageous for accumulating rewards, especially when used with specific airlines and travel partners.
In the thread Is the Amex Gold card overrated?, user Eli-Had-A-Book– with 195 upvotes notes that the card is valuable if “you shop at places like Costco, Target, Walmart, Sam’s,” and love traveling. He explains that “it’s of no use if you don’t eat out and don’t use Uber.”
Additionally, user CIAMom420 from Is AMEX Gold really a great value card? with 66 upvotes emphasizes that “if you don’t travel, you don’t need it.”
Such insights show that the card's value heavily depends on one's lifestyle and travel habits.
The Redditor PointsPlayer from the thread Is the Amex Gold Card worth it in 2023? mentions, “My Gold SUB got me to Europe and back in 2019, and my grocery/food spend did it again in 2022.” This comment, with 15 upvotes, illustrates how points from everyday spending can be leveraged for significant travel benefits.
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Reddit's Consensus: The Card is a Mixed Bag for Non-Travellers
Many Redditors express that the Amex Gold card might not be as appealing to those who don't travel frequently or use specific services like Uber or GrubHub.
In the thread Is the Amex Gold Card worth it in 2023?, user drtoucan shares his approach, writing, “Personally I just use the Uber credits for an Uber eats pickup every month.” Despite 33 upvotes, he acknowledges that the card's full benefits are challenging to realize without consistent use of its travel perks.
Another user, Ultra-lord55 from Is the Amex gold card overrated?, poses a critical question about the card's value, reflecting skepticism towards its benefits for non-travelers. The conversation centers on whether the credits truly compensate for the annual fee, especially when not used fully.
The Redditor AwkwardCommission, with 61 upvotes, offers insight by saying, “It’s like any card. If you actually understand its purpose and it fits in your lifestyle, it’s pretty damn good.”
Furthermore, the comment from Mysterious_Throat_73 in Is AMEX Gold really a great value card? With 7 upvotes, captures this sentiment: “I really don't find these credits useful.”
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Redditors' Frustration with Amex Gold Statement Credits
The annual fee and the structure of statement credits (often referred by Reddit users to as “coupons”) are significant pain points for many Redditors discussing the Amex Gold card.
In the thread Rumor: American Express To Increase Gold Annual Fee To $325 From $250, user Navy9158, who received 305 upvotes, bluntly states, “Cancelled my gold and platinum last year, got fed up with the coupon method they use.”
The perception of the card’s $325 annual fee as cumbersome is common, particularly among users who cannot maximize its dining and Uber credits.
In another thread, Should I cancel Amex Gold?, user SuperAquaMan69 with 7 upvotes comments, “Just closed mine today. This card sucks unless you actually use Uber eats and grubhub.”
The limited utility of monthly credits and their specific partnership restrictions cause dissatisfaction among users who don't frequently utilize those services.
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Redditors Emphasize the Card's Dining and Grocery Benefits
For many Reddit users, the Amex Gold card stands out due to its higher points ratio on dining and groceries, making it an attractive option for food enthusiasts and families.
Redditor vorbster in Is the Amex Gold Card worth it in 2023? highlights how “Just groceries and restaurants alone generated me almost 85k points this year (family of 3 and I travel a lot).”
This comment, receiving 39 upvotes, reflects the significant rewards that can accumulate from regular food spending.
In the thread Suddenly everyone hates the Gold Card, user boimilk with 35 upvotes emphasizes the card’s advantage for high restaurant spenders: “When you spend 15 grand/year on restaurants and groceries, it's hands down the best card IMO.”
Additionally, user UltimateRewardsGuy in Why do so many people love the Amex gold? clarifies that the card works well for individuals who “maximize their spend in those categories and credits outside of the SUB.” With 27 upvotesץ
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Redditors Question the Card’s Value with Recent Price Increases
Concerns about recent increases in the Amex Gold card’s annual fee are evident among Reddit users, who debate the card's value relative to its cost. The fee hike from $250 to $325, discussed in the thread Rumor: American Express To Increase Gold Annual Fee To $325 From $250, sparked significant discussion.
Redditor Spetra96, with 294 upvotes, questions the rationale behind such an increase: “That’s pretty aggressive when the mid-tier Chase card is still $95.”
Redditor UsernameChallenged further explores the financial implications, writing, “Over $1000 now for the gold and platinum. Anyone here with both should seriously review their finances and make sure they still make sense for you,” earning 187 upvotes.
The discussion often centers on whether the card still provides sufficient value for its annual fee, particularly when compared to competitors like Chase and Citi.
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Redditors Explore Alternatives To The Amex Gold Card
Amidst varying opinions on the Amex Gold card, some Reddit users explore alternatives and consider cancellation as a viable option.
In the thread Should I cancel Amex Gold?, Redditor danmari85 advises, “Wait for the AF (annual fee) to post on your card, and then cancel it,” with 30 upvotes, offering a strategic approach to managing fees.
This aligns with insights from user mizmato, who recommends the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card as an alternative, despite its limitations: “It's a terrible card, in every other aspect, but still saves your points,” earning 22 upvotes.
Additionally, user shawarmadude in Is AMEX Gold really a great value card? with 9 upvotes suggests exploring “US bank altitude for 4x on dining no AF.”
This perspective highlights that many users are considering other cards that offer similar or better benefits without the hefty fees and restrictions associated with Amex Gold.
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Redditors Weigh the Amex Gold Card’s Membership Rewards System
Many Reddit users appreciate the Amex Gold card for its robust Membership Rewards (MR) points system, which offers substantial value for travelers. These points can be transferred to various airline partners, offering significant potential savings for frequent flyers.
In the thread Is the Amex Gold Card worth it in 2023?, user PointsPlayer shares how the MR points funded trips to Europe, saying, “Cash in on the point transfer promotions to the correct airlines and the $250/yr easily pays for itself (for me).” This comment, with 15 upvotes, illustrates the rewards program's tangible value.
Additionally, in the thread Is the Amex gold card overrated?, user techtrashbrogrammer points out, “MR points are super valuable and should really be the main selling point of the card,” with 8 upvotes.
However, some users note that maximizing MR points requires a strategic approach. In Time to give up the Amex Gold?, Redditor nuenoxnyx explains, “It is quite difficult to get 2+ cpp out of MR points without a lot of effort planning trips,” earning 42 upvotes.
This reflects a sentiment that, while potentially lucrative, the rewards system might not suit everyone, especially those who aren't adept at navigating transfer partners.
