New credits and benefits: Why changes to the Amex Gold Card made me love it even more

22.10.2024 - 18:07 / thepointsguy.com

There's a lot to love about travel credit cards, including lucrative welcome offers, enhanced earning rates and value-added perks. But when you combine all these features in a single card, it's a package that's hard to beat.

That's why the American Express® Gold Card has long been among my favorite (and most frequently used) cards.

So, when I heard that the card was undergoing a refresh, I was interested to see whether it would retain its coveted spot in my wallet.

Thankfully, the recently announced overhaul has only added to its appeal for me.

Here's why the changes have left me loving the Amex Gold even more than I already did and why anyone who loves eating — whether that's a nice dinner out, a grab-and-go meal or even cooking at home — should strongly consider applying for the card.

Since 2019, the Amex Gold Card has included a $120 dining credit benefit that allows me to enroll and earn up to $10 per month in statement credits when I pay with the card at participating partners. I've typically used these credits for Grubhub purchases, as few of the other eligible merchants were convenient for me. While I occasionally dine at Shake Shack while traveling, airport locations were excluded from qualifying for the statement credit.

However, Shake Shack and Milk Bar are no longer eligible dining merchants as of Sept. 26, 2024. Taking their place (effective immediately) is Five Guys — a chain with over 1,500 U.S. locations. It's a brand that's more accessible for me and my family (we live in Fort Pierce, Florida), and American Express has confirmed that Five Guys airport locations will qualify for the monthly statement credits.

Consider that $10 monthly credit as good as used.

In addition to the updated list of participating partners for the dining credit benefit, the Amex Gold Card has added new credits designed to appeal to all types of diners.

I already have a reservation booked for later this month at a Resy restaurant in Minneapolis, and it'll be great to use part of my $100 Resy credit benefit (up to $50 back semi-annually after you pay with the Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases after enrollment.) Plus, since I earn 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants with the Amex Gold Card (on up to $50,000 in purchases each calendar year; terms apply), I'll earn bonus rewards on the remaining bill after the statement credit is applied.

Those aren't the only great new dining benefits.

Cardmembers can now earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits for purchases on the Amex Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations with the new $84 Dunkin' statement credit benefit (enrollment is required; terms apply). This can be used in one fell swoop or over multiple transactions, so