The American Express Gold Rewards Card is a well-rounded credit card for frequent travelers and drugstore purchases.
The card offers an impressive welcome bonus, 2x rewards on selected purchases, complimentary cardholder benefits, and access to premium lounges across Canada.
Want to know more about the American Express Gold Rewards Card? Check out this review.
Key Card Details
- $250 annual fee
- No minimum income requirements
- Flexible travel redemptions
- Exciting welcome bonus
- Travel insurance benefits
- $100 annual travel credit
- $50 NEXUS Credit
- Apply through this secure link for a $120 cash back rebate
American Express Gold Rewards Card Benefits
1. Welcome Bonus
The Amex Gold card is one of the best cards with an impressive welcome bonus in Canada. The card is currently offering a welcome offer of 50,000 Membership Rewards points.
You’ll earn 40,000 points when you charge $3,000 in purchases to your card in your first three months of Card membership. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 points when you make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of Card membership. This bonus point is worth $500 in statement credits toward your next flight.
2. Annual travel benefits
As a card member, you’ll get access to a $100 Annual Travel Credit. You can use this travel credit for $100 or more travel bookings once a year. However, you must charge the booking to the Amex Gold Rewards Card through American Express Travel Online. You can also use the travel credit for a US$100 hotel credit for qualifying hotel amenities charged to the room during stays.
3. Priority Pass Membership
The American Express Gold Rewards Card comes with a Priority Pass membership. Priority Pass membership allows you to be part of an elite group of travelers, giving you free access to some of the world’s best airports-clubs and lounges. Take a break from the chaos of airports, relax in an oasis of calm, and enjoy the fact that the travel experience begins before your plane even takes off. It’s a great perk for frequent flyers who want to quickly get through security lines or those who simply enjoy relaxing in an airport lounge. To participate, you must enroll, and there’s an application fee.
4. Premium lounge benefits + $50 Nexus Credit
Amex Gold card members will get four free passes to Plaza Premium lounges in Canada each year. These Plaza Premium Lounges include Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton, and Winnipeg. You can also use the premium benefits in the Air France Business Lounge in Montreal.
Furthermore, when you use your gold rewards card to pay for a NEXUS pass every 4th year, you’ll receive a $50 rebate.
How to earn reward points
The Amex Gold Rewards Card offers a sizable rewards rate on eligible travel, gas station, grocery stores, and drug store purchases. And this makes it ideal for those doing a lot of pre or post-travel grocery shopping in Canada.
As a cardholder, you’ll earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases for eligible travel purchases, including flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, etc. You’ll also earn 2 points for every $1 in card purchases at eligible gas stations, grocery stores, and drugstores in Canada. And finally, you’ll earn 1 point for every $1 in card purchases everywhere else
American Express Gold Rewards Card Downsides
Here are some drawbacks to check out before signing up:
While American Express has a huge merchant network, they are still not as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard. So, it might be wise to have an alternative visa or master credit card for stores that don’t accept Amex cards.
Also, some Amex cards, such as The American Express Cobalt Card, have boosted earn rates on groceries and dining (up to 5 points per $1 spent) compared to Amex Gold Rewards’ maximum of 2 points per $1 spent.
In conclusion
American Express Gold Rewards Card is one of Canada’s best rewards credit cards. It offers a set of membership benefits that are unmatchable by any other credit card on the market today. Benefits like travel credits and Priority Pass membership which give you access to some of the world’s best lounges.
Moreover, it has no minimum income requirements making it accessible for every Canadian with an excellent credit score.