How to get $ 220 annual credits with the American Express Gold Card

American Express

• The American Express® Gold Card charges an annual fee of $ 250, but you can get the most out of it when you make full use of two of its annual statement credits.
• The Gold Card can automatically give you credits for certain meal and travel purchases for a combined total of $ 220 per year.
• This popular card gives you 4 points per dollar on purchases made in US supermarkets (up to $ 25,000 in annual purchases, then 1x) and in restaurants around the world.

For many years, I was opposed to any credit card with an annual fee. I wondered why I should pay money to spend money, but over time, I learned that it was worth it. In fact, if you make full use of the benefits of a credit card, it will earn you a lot more than what you have to pay for the card, even after taking into account annual fees.

The Amex Gold Card offers a clear path to stand out. If you use two benefits to the maximum allowed, your annual fee will only rise to $ 30 per year. Here is how it all works.

Read more: The best credit cards with no annual fee

Do not forget that we focus on the rewards and benefits that make these credit cards excellent options, not things like interest rates and late fees, which can far exceed the value of any reward.

When working to earn credit card rewards, it's important to be financially disciplined, like paying your balance in full each month, paying on time and not spending more than you can afford to pay. Fundamentally, treat your credit card like a debit card.

Up to $ 120 in meal credits

The biggest credit on this card is worth up to $ 10 a month, or $ 120 a year, when you use the card at some popular restaurants and delivery services. Get up to $ 10 a month when you use it at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Boxed, and at participating Shake Shack locations.

The amount of $ 10 per month is an automatic credit, but you must register when you receive your Gold Card to be able to activate it for the first time. This is not a good deal if you will never go to these places anyway. I use Grubhub several times a month, so it works really well for me.

Up to $ 100 in air travel credits

If you travel by plane, you will likely encounter occasional baggage fees or a meal in flight, or you may want a priority boarding or other complementary services. The Gold Card covers up to $ 100 per year in incidental charges for a selected airline each year.

If you fly rarely, it's not a big deal for you. And if you do not regularly use the same airline, it can be difficult to choose which one to use. It is not as flexible as the $ 300 credit for Chase Sapphire Reserve Travel Reports. But it's still a good deal.

Rewards and benefits

Do not forget that the main benefit of this card lies in the American Express Membership Rewards points earned. Cardholders earn 4 points per dollar up to $ 25,000 a year in US supermarkets (then 1 point per dollar). You earn the same 4x fare in restaurants around the world. Earn 3x points for flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, and you'll earn 1 point per dollar everywhere else.

New cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of 35,000 points after spending $ 2,000 in the first three months after opening a new account. The Guy Points believes that membership rewards are 2 cents each, giving an estimated premium of $ 700 for travel. It's been over two and a half years of covered annual fees right from the start!

Do you need to get the American Express Gold card?

If you travel regularly and if you frequent any of the restaurants or delivery services covered by the Gold Card Credit, you will probably get this card. Once you have added the 4 points per dollar on most food purchases and the welcome bonus, it's easy to see how much more you can get than $ 250 in value.

This is not perfect for everyone, but it's a good example of how much you can earn even after paying a large annual membership fee.

Click here to learn more about the American Express Gold Card from our partner The Points Guy.

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