AmericanExpress Gold Rewards Card®

American Express Gold Rewards Card®

Apply Now
SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express

SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express

Apply Now

American Express Gold Rewards Card® vs SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express: Which one is better?


AmericanExpress Gold Rewards Card®

American Express Gold Rewards Card®

4.25


RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300
Poor
560
Fair
660
Good
725
Very Good
760
Excellent

SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express

SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express

4.7


RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300
Poor
560
Fair
660
Good
725
Very Good
760
Excellent

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

$534.23


First Year Bonus

$200


Annual Fee

$119.88


First Year Value

$614.35

$414.35 in years after

Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.

Insurance Included*

  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $500
  • hourglass timer

    Baggage Delay

    $500 after 6 hour delay
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    $85K, up to 48 days
  • heart lock

    Travel Accident

    $500,000
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    Up to 1 year
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days, Up to $1,000
  • burglar

    Hotel Burglary Insurance

    $500
  • travel accident medical

    Emergency Out of province Medical

    15 days
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $500 after 4 hour delay

  • cancel airplane

    Trip Cancellation

    $1,500 per person, $3,000 combined
  • pause

    Trip Interruption

    $1,500 per person, $6,000 combined

Insurance Included*

  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $500
  • hourglass timer

    Baggage Delay

    $500
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    $85K up to 48 days
  • heart lock

    Travel Accident

    $100,000
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    1 year
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • burglar

    Hotel Burglary Insurance

    $500
  • travel accident medical

    Emergency Out of province Medical

    $5M/insured Person
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $500

  • mobile device insurance

    Mobile Device Insurance

    $1,000

Extra Benefits*

  • Amex logo

    American Express® Experiences

  • star fall

    Status lift

    Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® loyalty program
  • reward cup

    Extra points

    Earn 2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases and extra points on American Express offers
  • travel

    Travel Credit

    $100
  • border guard

    Nexus Program Rebate

    $50 statement credit every 4 years
  • hotel

    Complimentary Hotel Benefits

    Hotels booked American Express Travel
  • alcohol cheers

    Airport Lounge - Priority Pass

    Pass only. No Complimentary visits!
  • alcohol cheers

    Airport Lounge - Plaza Premium

    4 Free complimentary visits

Extra Benefits*

  • Amex logo

    Amex Experiences™

    Access events and special offers curated for Cardmembers with Amex Experiences™

Interest Rates*

Purchase:

21.99%1

Cash Advance:

21.99%1

Interest Rates*

Purchase:

21.99%2

Cash Advance:

21.99%2

Annual Fee*

$250

Annual Fee*

$119.88

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*

Earn a bonus 10% cash back on all purchases for your first 3 months (up to $2,000 in purchases). Plus, earn a $50 statement credit when you make a purchase in month 13. This could add up to $250 in bonus value in your first 13 months.

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*

  • 4% cash back on eligible gas station purchases in Canada
  • 4% cash back on eligible grocery purchases in Canada (up to $1,200 cash back annually)
  • 2% cash back on all other eligible purchases

Loyalty Program*

N/A

Point Redemption Options*

  • Most Optimal

    plane

    Transfer to Airline Partners

    2.1¢ / point
  • travel - plane

    Fixed Point Travel Program

    1.66¢ / point
  • hotel

    Transfer to Hotel Partners

    1.66¢ / point
  • cash coins

    Statement Credits (Cash)

    1¢ / point
  • gift card

    Gift Cards

    0.765¢ / point
  • amazon logo

    Amazon.ca

    0.7¢ / point
  • online shop

    Merchandise

    0.63¢ / point

Point Redemption Options*

Not Applicable

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?

The Simply Cash Preferred is one of the best cashback credit cards in Canada. The base cashback rate of 2% is great for all purchases, but the 4% on groceries and gas, which are two of the highest expenses for most people is the cherry on top of their great cashback program.

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

  • Highest cashback rate on groceries and gas in Canada
  • Great base cashback rate for all purchases
  • 10 different insurance types included

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

  • Cash back is only paid out to you once a year
  • American Express has a lower merchant acceptance compared to Visa or Mastercard

American Express Gold Rewards Card® vs SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express: When to go for one over the other


Annual Fees and Requirements

The American Express Gold Rewards Card and the SimplyCash Preferred Card both have annual fees, but the SimplyCash Preferred Card has a lower fee. Neither card has a specified income requirement, which makes them accessible to a broad range of applicants. The difference in annual fees may influence the decision depending on how much one values travel benefits versus cashback rewards.

Rewards and Welcome Bonuses

The American Express Gold Rewards Card is focused on offering points for travel-related spending, with higher earn rates for gas, groceries, and travel purchases. It comes with a generous welcome bonus tied to specific spending milestones. The SimplyCash Preferred Card offers a high cashback rate on gas and groceries and provides a welcome bonus in the form of statement credits over the first few months, making it attractive for those prioritizing cashback. In general, the Gold Rewards card may offer higher long-term value for travelers, while the SimplyCash Preferred Card stands out for everyday cashback rewards.

Reward Redemption Options

The American Express Gold Rewards Card offers versatile redemption options, including travel, gift cards, and merchandise. Points can also be transferred to various airline and hotel loyalty programs, adding value for frequent travelers. On the other hand, the SimplyCash Preferred Card is simpler, offering cashback that is automatically applied to your statement. Cashback is more flexible and can be used for any expense, making it more practical for everyday users.

Benefits and Insurance

The American Express Gold Rewards Card includes several travel perks, such as a $100 annual travel credit and free lounge access. Its comprehensive insurance package covers travel delays, trip cancellation, and rental car damage. The SimplyCash Preferred Card also offers solid insurance coverage, including mobile device insurance, which the Gold Rewards Card lacks. However, if travel benefits and insurance are a priority, the Gold Rewards Card provides a broader range of options.

Conclusion

For frequent travelers who value point redemption flexibility and travel perks, the American Express Gold Rewards Card is the better choice due to its generous travel-related benefits and reward options. On the other hand, those who prioritize high cashback rates on everyday expenses like groceries and gas should consider the SimplyCash Preferred Card, which offers simplicity and practical value for non-travel-related spending.

Legal


*American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment. Check here for full details and current product information.
1,2 If you have 2 separate missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate missed payments, the applicable rates will be 28.99%.

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