American Express® Gold Rewards Card

Flytrippers opinion: A great offer for flexible points, also with 4 airport lounge passes in Canada.
Flytrippers Valuation
of Welcome bonus (net value)
via Amex secure application link
≈ $ 930ⓘ

Rewards: ≈ $1180*

Card fee: $250
Earn Amex Membership Rewards
more valuable rewards

Uses: for specific flights or hotels
or for any travel expense 		How to unlock bonus
spend $1000/mo for 12 months

(*minimum value: $820 as fixed-value rewards
*maximum value: unlimited) 		Card eligibility
minimum income required: $0

Welcome bonus eligibility
must not have had this specific card before
Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Amex is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "Apply Now" to see most up-to-date information.

Summary of Flytrippers' review

WHY GET THIS CARD

  • The great welcome bonus with a net value of ≈ $930
  • The diversity of options offered by Amex’s flexible and valuable points 
  • The 4 passes to some airport lounges in Canada 
  • The credit to get the NEXUS card (not even included in our Valuation)
  • The many insurance coverages included
  • The metal card available in 2 colors and other benefits

It’s a great card for flexible options.

WHO SHOULD GET THIS CARD

  • Those who want limited access to select airport lounges
  • Those who can spend $1,000 every month for a full year
If you check one of these boxes, it’s a card for you.

Card details

Welcome bonus structure (12 separate bonuses)

5,000 points Bonus after spending $1000 in the month (for 12 months)

60,000 points Total with the 12 parts of the bonus

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Earn on the minimum spending requirement

12,000 points Minimum earn on the minimum spending requirement of $1000/month for 12 months (at base earn rate of 1 pt/$)

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Total rewards by unlocking the welcome bonus

72,000 points Welcome bonus + earn on the minimum spending requirement to unlock it

‣Apply for the American Express® Gold Rewards Card

A $50 credit for NEXUS fees is also offered but not included in our Flytrippers Valuation

Flytrippers Valuation of the welcome bonus

≈ $900 Monthly welcome bonus X 12 months (60,000 pts at ≈ 1.5¢/pt)
≈ $180 Earn on the spend for monthly bonus (12,000 pts at ≈ 1.5¢/pt)
$100 Annual credit (can be cashed out)
–$250 Card fee (deducted from Flytrippers Valuation)

≈ $930 in net value with the welcome bonus alone

(that’s 8% back on the spending requirement of $12,000 over 12 months)

‣Learn more our Flytrippers Valuation of welcome bonuses

Minimum fixed value of the welcome bonus

$600 Monthly welcome bonus X 12 months (60,000 pts at 1¢/pt)
$120 Earn on the spend for monthly bonus (12,000 pts at 1¢/pt)
$100 Annual credit (can be cashed out)
–$250 Card fee (deducted from Flytrippers Valuation)

$570 in net value with the welcome bonus alone

(that’s 5% back on the spending requirement of $12,000 over 12 months)

‣Learn more aboutthe minimum fixed value of American Express points (coming soon)

Rewards from welcome bonus

You will have 72,000 Amex points after unlocking the Welcome Bonus AND a separate $100 annual travel credit.

That gives you either:

  • ≈ $1080 in rewards at the Flytrippers Valuation + $100
  • $720 in rewards at the simpler minimum fixed value + $100

Concrete examples of redemptions

Here are some of the actual redemptions you can get with these rewards (in addition to the separate $100 credit):

12 one-way short-distance reward flights such as Montreal-New York or Montreal-Washington

7 one-way medium-distance reward flights such as Montreal-Miami or Montreal-Nashville

5.5 one-way longer distance reward flights such as Montreal-Costa Rica or Montreal-Mexico

1 one-way business class reward flight such as Vancouver-Japan or Toronto-Switzerland

9 one-way short-distance reward flights in several regions of the world

13 completely free nights in beautiful hotels in specific destinations like Bali

$1100 discount on specific flights that are very expensive in cash

$720 as a simple travel credit that can be applied to any travel expense or cashed out

‣Learn more about the best uses of Amex points

Earn rates (at Flytrippers Valuation)

2 points per $ (≈ 3%):

1 point per $ (≈ 1.5%):

  • Everywhere else

‣Learn more about credit card earn rates (coming soon)

Earn rates (at Flytrippers Valuation)

2 points per $ (2%):

1 point per $ (1%):

  • Everywhere else

‣Learn more about credit card earn rates (coming soon)

Earning with additional cards

Fee for additional cards: $0 (1st one free) / $50 annual fee (2nd onwards)
Quantity allowed: 9
Minimum age: 13 years old

‣Learn more about additional cards (coming soon)

Airport lounge passes
The card gives you 4 airport lounge passes for Plaza Premium lounges in Canada only (YYZ, YUL, YVR, YEG, YWG).

‣Learn more about airport lounge access

$100 annual travel credit
The credit can be applied to any booking made with Amex Travel (flights, hotels, cars) or can even be cashed out with our pro tip.

‣Learn more about the annual travel credit (coming soon)

Metal card available in 2 colors
You can choose the metal card in Classic Gold or Rose Gold.

‣Learn more about metal credit cards (coming soon)

Amex Offers program
Access to discounts, credits, and special offers throughout the year.

‣Learn more about the Amex Offers program

American Express Experiences program
Access to exclusive virtual and in-person experiences and pre-sale tickets to lots of events.

‣Learn more about the American Express Experiences program (coming soon)

The Hotel Collection program
Benefits at top luxury hotels, such as a US$100 credit to use at the hotel and a free room upgrade.

‣Learn more about The Hotel Collection program (coming soon)

Insurance included

Medical travel insurance 15 days (64 years and under)
Flight delay insurance ($500, 4h minimum)
Baggage delay insurance
Trip cancelation insurance
Trip interruption insurance
Rental car insurance
Baggage & personal effects insurance
Hotel burglary insurance
Travel accident insurance
Purchase insurance
Extended warranty

‣Learn more about the American Express® Gold Rewards Card’s insurance coverage (coming soon)

Insurance not included

Mobile device insurance

‣Learn more about the different types of insurance coverage (coming soon)

Redemptions
American Express points can be used for specific flights to maximize their value (via transfers to partner programs or via the Amex flight chart) or for hotel nights (via transfers to partner programs). But they can also be used as a simple travel credit (which can be applied to any travel expense).

‣Learn more about the American Express rewards program (coming soon)

Pricing
Amex points are hybrid rewards: They can be used as fixed-value rewards (fixed value of 1¢) or variable-value rewards (value depending on how you use them; our Flytrippers Valuation is ≈ 1.5¢).

‣Learn more about American Express points (coming soon)

Expiry
Amex points never expire as long as you have the card. And even if you no longer have the card, you can easily extend the expiration indefinitely.

‣Learn more about American Express points expiry (coming soon)

Pooling
If you have travel companions, it’s possible to pool Amex points via transfer partners.

‣Learn more about pooling American Express points (coming soon)

Transfers
American Express points can be transferred to multiple partner programs and this often provides the best value.

‣Learn more about American Express point transfers (coming soon)

Other redemption options
American Express points can be used for rewards other than travel but this should be avoided.

‣Learn more about why you should always use your rewards for travel (coming soon)

Rewards program logistics
You can use your points directly on the American Express website or app.

‣Learn more about how to get started with American Express rewards (coming soon)

Rewards program summary
Rewards: American Express points
Type: Hybrid rewards
Subtype (fixed value): “Eraser” rewards
Subtype (variable value): “Standard” or “Dynamic” Rewards (depending on the transfer partner)
Variety: Bank rewards 
Flytrippers Valuation: ≈ 1.5¢ per point
Minimum value: 1¢ per point
Maximum value: Unlimited
Transferable: Yes (8 partners)

‣Learn more about rewards programs basics (coming soon)

Card eligibility
Minimum personal/household income: $0
Age: Majority in your province
Estimated credit score: Good or Excellent
Credit bureau: TransUnion

‣Learn more about credit card eligibility requirements (coming soon)

Welcome bonus eligibility
You must not have had the American Express® Gold Rewards Card before.

‣Learn more about credit card welcome bonus eligibility rules (coming soon)

Offer end date
Offers subject to change at any time.

‣Subscribe to Flytrippers’ free travel rewards newsletter to get all card updates

Card details
Issuer: American Express
Network: American Express
Card Type: Credit card
Product Type: Personal card

‣Learn more about credit card types (coming soon)

Fees and rates
Card fee: $250/year
Fee for additional card: $0 (1st one free) / $50 (2nd onwards)
FX fee: 2.5%
Purchases annual interest rate: 21.99%
Funds advances annual interest rate: 21.99%
Balance transfer fee: N/A

‣Learn more about why Flytrippers recommends ignoring fees and rates (coming soon)

  • Earn up to 60,000 Membership Rewards® points:
  • New American Express® Gold Rewards Cardmembers, earn 5,000 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 in net purchases on your Card
  • This could add up to 60,000 points in a year. That’s up to $600 towards your next vacation
  • Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases for eligible travel purchases, including flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and more
  • Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases at eligible gas stations, grocery stores and drugstores in Canada, and 1 point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else
  • The Card is now available in your choice of Gold or Rose Gold metal options
  • Receive a $50 CAD statement credit when a NEXUS application or renewal fee is charged to your American Express Gold Rewards Card
  • You have access to an annual $100 CAD Travel Credit, compliments of your American Express Gold Rewards Card. Use the credit once annually towards any single travel booking of $100 or more charged to your Gold Rewards Card through American Express Travel Online
  • As a Gold Rewards Cardmember, you can receive complimentary membership in Priority PassTM – one of the world’s largest independent airport lounge programs. Escape the chaos of airports and relax in an oasis of calm and simply enjoy the fact that the travel experience has begun before your plane has even left the ground. Enrollment is required and entry fees apply
  • Enjoy four (4) complimentary visits per Calendar year to Plaza Premium Lounges across Canada. Entry fees apply once complimentary visits have been used
  • Charge any eligible purchase to your credit Card then log in to redeem your earned points for a statement credit
  • Transfer points 1:1 to several frequent flyer and other loyalty programs
  • 1 Free Additional Gold Rewards Card (a $50 value) to help you earn points faster
  • Subject to approval. The preferred rate for purchases is 21.99% and funds advances is 21.99%. If you have Missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99% and/or 28.99%. See the information box included with the application for the definition of Missed Payment and which rates apply to charges on your account and other details
  • American Express is not responsible for maintaining of monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information click the Apply now link. Conditions apply.

Start earning rewards today

And make sure to download our free checklist for when you get a new card—it includes very important mistakes to avoid
(it will open in a separate tab, or you can click here)

APPLY NOW

via Amex secure application

*Beta version of card page. Sign up to get updated guide soon.*

Terms & conditions — Travel rewards

†Terms and conditions apply.

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