Having been a food lover who constantly explores new eateries, often cooks for loved ones, and always appreciates fresh ingredients, I personally find the American Express® Gold Card to be a valuable companion. From my experience, it’s especially rewarding for food purchases.
American Express® Gold Card earns:
- 4x Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1x points for the rest of the year)
- 4x Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1x points for the rest of the year)
An additional benefit is the yearly dining credit, which can be as much as $120. Beyond that, the perks of travel insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection have come in handy during my travels and purchases. If your lifestyle mirrors mine, this card might just be what you’re looking for.
On top of that, new American Express® Gold Card cardholders can earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
Plus, get the American Express® Gold Card in either the Gold, Rose Gold, or Limited-Edition White Gold metal design. White Gold design is only available while supplies last.
With that in mind, you may wonder what credit score is needed for the Amex Gold. Let’s take a look.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Excellent Credit Score for Amex Gold?
The Amex Gold offers above-average benefits. So, what credit score is needed for Amex Gold? The Amex Gold credit score needed isn’t exactly a straightforward answer, but the Amex Gold isn’t hard to get.
This means it needs a higher credit score and deeper credit history than most cards. However, the minimum score might be lower than you imagine.
Your approval odds can be high if your credit score is in the “good” or “excellent” categories.
Here are the starting points for both credit score ranges:
- Good credit: 670 FICO score or 700 VantageScore 3.0
- Excellent credit: 740 FICO score or 800 VantageScore 3.0
Your bank or existing credit card may also provide a free VantageScore. In some cases, banks provide the FICO Score for free.
Banks usually review your FICO Score when you apply for a new card.
Related: The Best Limited-Time Credit Card Offers
Established Credit History
Having a 700+ credit score isn’t the only requirement to qualify. In fact, American Express doesn’t disclose its secret approval formula. However, there are several universal traits to have good creditworthiness.
Applicants will also likely need to have at least one existing card in good standing to qualify for the American Express® Gold Card.
“Semi-premium travel cards” like the Amex Gold can be more difficult to qualify for. Having an established credit history demonstrating you can effectively manage credit can be very helpful.
While the minimum application age is 18 years old for many, the Gold Card has no preset spending limit. The actual spending limit depends on your average monthly spending and some other variables. No Preset Spending Limit means your spending limit is flexible. Unlike a traditional card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history.
Related: American Express Gold Card Review
A Good Income and Low Monthly Bills Help Too
Having a good income and reasonable rent or mortgage expenses are desirable, too. Amex has been issuing cards for decades and can predict how often most cardholders use their Amex card.
The bank wants to ensure you have the income to pay your monthly balance if your spending trends are similar to current Amex Gold cardholders.
Like other banks, you will answer several personal questions about your current finances. Amex crunches the numbers to make an application decision.
Amex Gold Applications
Below are some testimonies of Amex Gold applications. Your situation might be similar to these data points.
Instant Approval! (780 FICO)
Rpgough0311 reports being instantly approved for the Amex Gold with a FICO score between 760 and 780 with the three credit bureaus. They report Amex pulling from the Experian bureau.
This person also reports having 5 hard inquiries for other cards in the past 12 months and up to 7 inquiries for the last 24 months. They most likely would have been disqualified for a card affected by the Chase 5/24 rule for some perspective.
Having a low credit utilization rate of between 2% and 5% on their other cards is probably helpful.
Their annual income is $65,000, roughly the average American income and not enough to live the lifestyle of the rich and famous.
Approved After Calling Amex (800 FICO)
AddictedtoApprovals had an 800 FICO score when trying for the Amex Gold. They didn’t get an instant approval decision but were approved after calling Amex customer service to check their application status.
Having an excellent credit score doesn’t always guarantee an instant approval decision. In some cases, an excellent credit score can mean a rejected application.
In this person’s case, they applied for six different Amex cards (3 consumer and 3 small business cards) between September 2019 and November 2020. The Amex Gold was the final application, but two personal card applications in early 2020 were declined.
Due to the volume of recent card applications, their Amex Gold application likely didn’t get an instant approval decision. Taking the time to call Amex can be worth it to prioritize your application and answer any remaining questions.
Approved After Previous Denials (700 FICO)
Jeffrey93 reports being denied twice before for an Amex card, but the third time was the charm in March 2021.
It took three years to rebuild his credit before getting approved with a FICO score between 664 and 710, depending on the bureau.
He chose the Rose Gold card design as a bonus.
American Express Gold Card Application Rules
There are several application guidelines to abide by to avoid an automatic decline, even if you have perfect credit.
1 in 5 Days Rule
Only try for one American Express card every five days. Other banks have a similar policy to prevent back-to-back applications.
2 in 90 Days Rules
Only try for 2 American Express cards in a rolling 90-day period.
Only 5 Amex Cards at a Time
This next rule may not affect the American Express® Gold Card. You can only have a combination of 5 personal and small business American Express cards with a preset spending limit in your wallet at one time.
Once In a Lifetime Welcome Bonus
One final rule to pay attention to is the welcome bonus qualifications. American Express card welcome offers can only be earned once.
If you’re a returning Gold Card (or previously had the American Express Premier Rewards Gold) and earned a Gold Card welcome bonus, you can’t earn a second bonus.
You will need to try a different American Express card that you haven’t earned a welcome bonus yet.
If this is your situation, see if you have another American Express card that earns Membership Rewards. If so, see if you can upgrade the card to a Gold Card to keep your credit history, avoid a new credit application, and start enjoying the new card benefits.
Should You Apply for the Amex Gold?
The Amex Gold has a great welcome bonus, and awesome spending perks, so it’s definitely worth it to apply. In a nutshell, you can qualify for the American Express® Gold Card if you meet these criteria:
- Have a minimum 670 FICO score
- Your existing cards are in good standing
- Qualify for the welcome offer
Summary of Amex Gold Credit Score Needed
In conclusion, the credit score needed for Amex Gold should be in the good to excellent credit range. It can be easier to qualify for the American Express® Gold Card than other rewards cards if you have several new cards and have good or excellent credit. Keeping your credit utilization rate low and having a clean credit report can boost your approval odds.
FAQs
Is it hard to get an Amex Gold card?
Getting the Amex Gold Card isn’t the easiest card to qualify for as you need good or excellent credit. That means having a minimum 670 FICO score and existing cards in good standing.
Being an existing American Express cardholder can also make it easier to qualify.
A low credit utilization rate and a positive payment history on existing cards can be sufficient if you have good or excellent credit.
Does Amex Gold have a spending limit?
No, the Amex Gold doesn’t have a preset spending limit. No Preset Spending Limit means your spending limit is flexible. Unlike a traditional card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history.
As a result, the Amex Gold Card doesn’t have a credit utilization rate on credit reports like many rewards credit cards. But, cardholders will need to pay their balance in full each month to keep their account in good standing and potentially improve their credit score.
For more expensive months, cardholders may want to call American Express to pre-authorize large purchases that may trigger a card fraud alert.
Up to 4x points on purchases: American Express® Gold Card
Is the Amex Gold metal?
Yes, the Amex Gold Card is a metal credit card. The two available card designs are Gold and Rose Gold. Existing cardholders with the Gold design can request a Rose Gold design for free by contacting Amex.
Should I get Amex Gold or Amex Platinum?
Both cards are great choices if you will use the many benefits that come with each. To get a clearer understanding, let’s look at the perks of each. This is a general overview, but more detailed information can be found in our Amex Gold vs. Amex Platinum review.
American Express Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card is the better option if you want to maximize dining and grocery purchases plus pay a smaller annual fee of $325 (See Rates and Fees).
The American Express® Gold Card earns:
- 4x Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1x points for the rest of the year)
- 4x Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1x points for the rest of the year)
- 3x Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com
- 2x Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com
- 1x Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
Plus, new American Express® Gold Card cardholders can earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
Plus, get the American Express® Gold Card in either the Gold, Rose Gold, or Limited-Edition White Gold metal design. White Gold design is only available while supplies last.
Another perk is the ability to earn up to $10 in statement credits on a monthly basis when you use your Gold Card to pay at the following dining establishments (enrollment is required):
- Grubhub
- The Cheesecake Factory
- Goldbelly
- Wine.com
- Five Guys
This perk can save you up to $120 annually.
The Platinum Card from American Express
Choose The Platinum Card® from American Express for frequent traveler perks.
Cardholders earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, and earn 5x Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
Cardholders can get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when they pay with the Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
Also, select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Card.
Access to The Centurion® Network with the Platinum Card® is also an exclusive perk. Get the full details and learn more in our in-depth The Platinum Card from American Express review.
The Platinum Card from American Express Welcome Bonus
New The Platinum Card® from American Express cardmembers can earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 on purchases on their new Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
The annual fee is $695 (See Rates & Fees) but can be offset with the perks, which are valued at over $1,400.
Related Articles:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. American Express Gold (Worth It?)
- Is the Citi Premier Worth It? (3x Rewards, $100 Hotel Credit, and More)
- Best Travel Credit Cards for Beginners
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
