American Express Gold Rewards Card® vs American Express Platinum Card®: Which one is better?
American Express Gold Rewards Card®
4.25
American Express Platinum Card®
4.5
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.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$581.26
American Express Membership Rewards
First Year Bonus
$0
American Express Membership Rewards
Annual Fee
$799
First Year Value
-$217.74
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Insurance Included*
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Baggage Delay
$500 after 6 hour delay.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
$85K, up to 48 days
Travel Accident
$500,000
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Purchase Protection
90 days, Up to $1,000
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 days
Trip Cancellation
$1,500 per person, $3,000 combined
Trip Interruption
$1,500 per person, $6,000 combinedFlight Delay
$500 after 4 hour delay
Insurance Included*
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1,000Baggage Delay
$1,000Car Rental Damage & Theft
YesTravel Accident
$500,000Extended Warranty
1 yearPurchase Protection
120 daysHotel Burglary Insurance
$1000Emergency Out of province Medical
15 daysTrip Cancellation
$2,500Trip Interruption
$2,500Flight Delay
$1,000
Extra Benefits*
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.svg)
Travel Credit
$100
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
Extra Benefits*
American Express® Experiences
Status lift
Upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold StatusStatus lift
Upgrade to Marriott BonvoyTM Gold Elite statusExtra points
Earn 2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases and extra points on American Express offersTravel Credit
$200Nexus Program Rebate
$100 statement credit every 4 yearsComplimentary Hotel Benefits
Hotels booked American Express Travel
Trip and legal Assistance
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Concierge Services
Dining Credit
$200 at Select RestaurantsAirport Lounge - American Express Global Lounge
Take full advantage of The American Express Global Lounge Collection™ which unlocks access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide. This includes The Centurion® Lounge network, Plaza Premium Lounges, and hundreds of other domestic and international lounges designed to enhance your travel experience.
Priority Travel
At Toronto Pearson Airport get Priority Security lane, Complimentary valet and 15% discount at the Express Park and daily park
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
21.99%1
Cash Advance:
21.99%1
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
21.99% - 30%2
Cash Advance:
21.99% - 30%2
Annual Fee*
$250
Annual Fee*
$799
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 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
Welcome Bonus*
New Platinum® Cardmembers, earn 100,000 Welcome Bonus points after you charge $10,000 in net purchases to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. Plus, earn 40,000 points when you make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of Cardmembership. Offer ends Jan 28, 2025.
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
Rewards Rate*
- 2x points per $1 spent on eligible dining & food delivery purchases (restaurant, fast food, coffee shop, food delivery)
- 2x points per $1 spent on eligible travel purchases (flights, hotels, tours and more)
- 1x point per $1 spent for all other purchases
Loyalty Program*
Loyalty Program*
Point Redemption Options*
Most Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
2.1¢ / point
Fixed Point Travel Program
1.66¢ / pointTransfer 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¢ / pointFixed Point Travel Program
1.66¢ / pointTransfer to Hotel Partners
1.66¢ / pointStatement Credits (Cash)
1¢ / pointGift Cards
0.765¢ / pointAmazon.ca
0.7¢ / pointMerchandise
0.63¢ / point
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.
Is this card worth it?
If you're a frequent traveler, the Platinum card is an excellent choice. It's highly recommended for its extensive travel benefits, including unlimited lounge access for you and a guest at the American Express Lounge collection, making it the best card for lounge access in Canada. The card also offers unique perks not commonly found with other Canadian cards, such as status upgrades at Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton, dining and travel credits, concierge service, airport benefits, Nexus application reimbursement, and more. These benefits can more than offset the annual fee. However, if you don't travel often or are mainly looking for a card that maximizes rewards, this card may not be the best option for you.
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.
Pros
- Offers more perks than any other credit card in Canada, catering to premium users who value extensive benefits.
- Enjoy $400 in annual travel and dining credits, which can offset some of the card's cost.
- Gain unlimited access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, enhancing your travel experience.
- Multiple options for redeeming points for high value, giving you flexibility in how you use your rewards.
- Includes 11 types of insurance coverage, offering comprehensive protection for cardholders.
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.
Cons
- As with other American Express cards, it may have lower acceptance in some locations compared to other networks.
- The high annual fee of $799 may be a barrier for some users, especially those who do not fully utilize the card's benefits.
- Some benefits are limited to specific airports and hotels.
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vs Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard®
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vs MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®
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American Express Gold Rewards Card® vs American Express Platinum Card®: When to go for one over the other
Annual Fees and Requirements
Rewards Comparison
Benefits and Insurance Comparison
Conclusion
Legal