American Express Cobalt® Card vs American Express Gold Rewards Card®: Which one is better?
American Express Cobalt® Card
5
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*
American Express Gold Rewards Card®
4
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$1,041.82
American Express Membership Rewards
Welcome Bonus
$315
American Express Membership Rewards
Annual Fee
$155.8
First Year Value
$1,201.02
$886.02 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$597.35
American Express Membership Rewards
Welcome Bonus
$1,260
American Express Membership Rewards
Annual Fee
$250
First Year Value
$1,607.35
$347.35 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Insurance Included*
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 days
Flight Delay
$500
Baggage Delay
$500
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Travel Accident
$250,000.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Up to 48 days and $85k car MSRP
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
1 year
Mobile Device Insurance
$1000
Insurance Included*
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 daysFlight Delay
$500Baggage Delay
$500Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500Travel Accident
$250,000Car Rental Damage & Theft
Up to 48 days and $85k car MSRPPurchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
1 year
Trip Cancellation
$1500 per person, $3000 combined
Trip Interruption
$1500 per person, $6000 combined
Extra Benefits*
American Express Experiences
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Travel Credit
Book two or more consecutive nights at participating properties through The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel to receive a $100 credit for amenities or a complimentary room upgrade, if available.
Extra Benefits*
American Express Experiences
Travel Credit
Book two or more consecutive nights at participating properties through The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel to receive a $100 credit for amenities or a complimentary room upgrade, if available.
Nexus Application
$50 statement credit every 4 years
Airport Lounge - Priority Pass
Pass only. No Complimentary visits!Airport Lounge - Plaza Premium
4 Free complimentary visits
Complimentary Hotel Benefits
Hotels booked American Express Travel.svg)
Status lift
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® loyalty program
Extra points
Earn 2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases and extra points on American Express offers
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
21.99%1
Cash Advance:
21.99%1
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
21.99%2
Cash Advance:
21.99%2
Annual Fee*
$155.8
Annual Fee*
$250
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Welcome Bonus*
Earn 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases on your Card in the first Year
Welcome Bonus*
Earn 5,000 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 in purchases on your Card in the first Year
Rewards Rate*
- 5x points per $1 spent in Restaurants, Fast Foods, Coffee Shops, Food delivery and Groceries up to 12,500 points monthly
- 3x points per $1 spent on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
- 2x points per $1 spent in standalone gasoline stations, Amex Travel online, travel services or local commuter transportation in Canada including ride share services
- 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Rewards Rate*
- 2x points per $1 spent on gas, groceries and drugstore purchases
- 2x points per $1 spent on travel (eligible flights, hotels, tours and more)
- 1x point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
Loyalty Program*
Loyalty Program*
Point Redemption Options*
Most Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
2.1¢ / pointFixed Point Travel Program
1.66¢ / pointTransfer to Hotel Partners
1.66¢ / point
Statement Credits
1¢ / point
Gift Cards
0.765¢ / point
Amazon.ca
0.7¢ / point
Merchandise
0.63¢ / point
Point Redemption Options*
Most Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
2.1¢ / pointFixed Point Travel Program
1.66¢ / pointTransfer to Hotel Partners
1.66¢ / pointStatement Credits
1¢ / pointGift Cards
0.765¢ / pointAmazon.ca
0.7¢ / pointMerchandise
0.63¢ / point
Is this card worth it?
This card was voted the Best Credit Card in Canada by FinlyWealth. The rewards earned on this card for a person with average spending exceed those of other credit cards in Canada by a huge margin! In addition, the card has good benefit coverage, making it the best candidate to become the main credit card for the majority of people.
Is this card worth it?
The American Express® Gold Rewards Card is an excellent choice for travelers seeking an entry-level card that offers a strong balance of generous travel benefits without excessive costs. With a relatively low annual fee, this card provides flexibility and a range of perks that make it stand out among other options. It’s ideal for those who want to maximize their travel rewards without being tied to a specific airline or compromising on the benefits offered.
Pros
- Generous welcome bonus of up to 15,000 points
- 4+ different ways of redeeming your points for great value
- 10 different types of insurance, including travel
- Often referred to as the Best Credit Card in Canada
Pros
- Flexible Rewards: Enjoy flexible Membership Rewards point conversion with up to 2 points per $1 spent.
- Travel Perks: Includes $100 annual travel credit and 4 free passes to Plaza Premium lounges in Canada.
- Comprehensive Insurance: Comes with 11 types of insurance coverage.
- Multiple Redemption Options: Offers 4 ways to redeem points for maximum value.
Cons
- Less acceptance of American Express at different merchants across Canada
- Not all types of travel insurance are covered, especially trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Cons
- High Annual Fee: The card comes with a $250 annual fee.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: A 2.5% fee applies to foreign transactions.
- Limited Travel Insurance for Seniors: No travel medical insurance coverage for those over 65.
- Lower Acceptance: As an American Express card, it may have lower acceptance compared to Visa or Mastercard.
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American Express Cobalt® Card vs American Express Gold Rewards Card®: When to go for one over the other
Annual Fees and Requirements
Rewards
Benefits and Insurance
Conclusion
Legal