American Express Cobalt® Card vs American Express Gold Rewards Card®: Which one is better?
American Express Cobalt® Card
5
American Express Gold Rewards Card®
4.2
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$1,096
American Express Membership Rewards
First Year Bonus
$315
American Express Membership Rewards
Annual Fee
$155.8
First Year Value
$1,255.2
$940.2 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$619.03
American Express Membership Rewards
First Year Bonus
$1,260
American Express Membership Rewards
Annual Fee
$250
First Year Value
$1,629.03
$369.03 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Insurance Included*
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Baggage Delay
$500
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Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Travel Accident
$250,000
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Purchase Protection
90 days
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 days
Flight Delay
$500
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Insurance Included*
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Baggage Delay
$500
Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Travel Accident
$500,000
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Purchase Protection
90 days
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 days
Flight Delay
$500
Trip Cancellation
$1,500 per person, $3,000 combined
Trip Interruption
$1,500 per person, $6,000 combined
Extra Benefits*
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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.
Amex Experiences™
Access Front Of The Line® Amex Presale & Reserved Tickets to some of your favourite concerts and theatre performances and special offers and events curated for Cardmembers with Amex Experiences™
Extra Benefits*
Travel Credit
$100
American Express® Experiences
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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
Nexus Program Rebate
$50 statement credit every 4 years
Complimentary Hotel Benefits
Hotels booked American Express Travel
Airport Lounge - Priority Pass
Pass only. No Complimentary visits!
Airport Lounge - Plaza Premium
4 Free complimentary visits
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 on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery (up to 12,500 points per month)
- 3x points per $1 spent on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
- 2x points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
- 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¢ / point
Fixed Point Travel Program
1.66¢ / point
Transfer to Hotel Partners
1.66¢ / point
Statement Credits (Cash)
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¢ / point
Fixed Point Travel Program
1.66¢ / point
Transfer to Hotel Partners
1.66¢ / point
Statement Credits (Cash)
1¢ / point
Gift Cards
0.765¢ / point
Amazon.ca
0.7¢ / point
Merchandise
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, this card has a good benefits coverage, a flexible points redemption program (1:1 transfer to Aeroplan® or Avios), 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
- Points can be transferred to Air Canada Aeroplan® at a 1:1 ratio, making this card a solid Aeroplan® points earner as an alternative to Aeroplan® branded credit cards
- 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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vs Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
vs Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard®
vs American Express® Green Card
vs PC World Elite Mastercard
vs MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®
vs TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege*
vs TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card
vs SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express
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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
The American Express Cobalt® Card has a lower annual fee compared to the American Express Gold Rewards Card®. This difference makes the Cobalt® Card more appealing to those looking to maximize rewards while minimizing upfront costs. Both cards have no specific income requirements, making them accessible to a broad range of users. The lower fee on the Cobalt® Card makes it a better option for individuals who want to save on annual expenses.
Rewards
When it comes to rewards, the American Express Cobalt® Card excels with its high earn rates on dining, groceries, and streaming services. It offers significantly more points for these everyday categories compared to the Gold Rewards Card®, which is more balanced with points on travel, gas, and grocery purchases. For users who spend heavily in food-related categories, the Cobalt® Card provides superior value. The Gold Rewards Card, however, offers a substantial welcome bonus, which can be attractive for those planning to maximize points in the first year.
Benefits and Insurance
The American Express Gold Rewards Card outshines the Cobalt® Card in terms of benefits and insurance. It includes an annual travel credit, access to airport lounges, and broader insurance coverage, such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, which the Cobalt® Card does not offer. On the other hand, the Cobalt® Card's benefits are more geared towards everyday protection, like mobile device insurance. Therefore, if comprehensive travel perks and insurance are a priority, the Gold Rewards Card is the better option.
Conclusion
The American Express Cobalt® Card is best suited for individuals who spend heavily on dining, groceries, and streaming services, offering excellent value for everyday spending. The majority of users, especially those who want to maximize rewards in these categories, should choose the Cobalt® Card. However, the American Express Gold Rewards Card is better suited for frequent travelers who prioritize travel perks, flexibility, and extensive insurance coverage. Users who value these travel-related benefits should consider the Gold Rewards Card despite its higher annual fee.
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