When it comes to travelling abroad, Canadians often look for a credit card that combines travel benefits with savings, convenience, and peace of mind. The Amex Gold Card is a top choice, especially for international travel, thanks to its excellent foreign transaction benefits and travel insurance coverage.

With rewards designed for jet-setting Canadians, this card provides substantial perks while helping you save on foreign spending. In this guide, we’ll explore how to leverage the Amex Gold Card travel benefits to get the most out of your next trip, covering everything from cash back and credit card rebates to travel insurance and other money-saving tips.

Why Choose the Amex Gold Card for Travel?

The Amex Gold Card provides a competitive edge for Canadians who frequently travel internationally. Its benefits include comprehensive travel insurance coverage, a rewards program tailored to travel, and a foreign transaction policy that supports smart spending abroad.

Whether you’re planning a single vacation or regularly cross borders, using Amex Gold for international purchases is a smart way to rack up rewards while saving.

Some key features make this card particularly advantageous for Canadian travellers:

• Rewards Flexibility: Earn points on all purchases, with enhanced rewards for dining, travel, and groceries.
• Foreign Transaction Benefits: The card’s policies help you save on international purchases by minimizing foreign transaction fees.
• Travel Insurance Coverage: Comprehensive insurance protection for trip interruptions, lost baggage, car rentals, and more, providing peace of mind for travellers.

When used strategically, the Amex Gold Card can help you stretch your travel dollars further and protect you from unexpected travel expenses. You can apply for the Amex Gold through Great Canadian Rebates to earn a one-time rebate, adding even more value to your card from the start. Visit the Great Canadian Rebates website to learn more about how to get started with a rebate.

Take Advantage of Foreign Transaction Fee Savings

A key feature that makes the Amex Gold Card travel-friendly is its foreign transaction fee benefits. Most credit card providers apply foreign transaction fees when you make purchases in a currency other than Canadian dollars. These fees often add up to 2.5% of the purchase amount, which can be a substantial cost for frequent travellers.

However, with the Amex Gold Card travel benefits, Canadian cardholders can enjoy savings on these fees. While these fees may not be eliminated, the card’s reward structure can often offset them, allowing you to earn points on every international purchase. This way, even as you’re spending abroad, you’re also accumulating points that can be redeemed for future travel, gifts, or even statement credits. Here’s how to make the most of these foreign transaction benefits:

• Consolidate Purchases: When travelling, use your Amex Gold exclusively for international transactions to maximize the points you’re earning on each foreign purchase.
• Track Exchange Rates: Since foreign fees are a percentage of your purchase, keeping an eye on exchange rates can help you choose when to make larger purchases.
• Redeem Points for Credits: To offset fees further, consider redeeming points earned during travel for statement credits, which can effectively cover any foreign transaction fees.

By leveraging these features, you’ll be able to minimize extra charges and make every purchase count towards earning more rewards.

Maximize Points with Travel Spending Categories

With the Amex Gold Card, you earn two Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on eligible travel, groceries, and gas, and one point per dollar on all other purchases. This generous points system allows you to earn points faster in categories that align with typical travel expenses.Here’s how to boost your earnings in these categories:

• Book Flights and Hotels with Amex Gold: Use the card to pay for flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses, racking up points while keeping your travel spending organized.
• Dining Abroad: Dining is often a significant part of travel costs, and the Amex Gold offers enhanced rewards for restaurant spending. Enjoy a meal out and earn double the points on eligible dining purchases abroad.
• Shop Locally: Consider purchasing groceries with your card rather than always dining out. This can stretch your travel budget while still earning rewards.

Protect Yourself with Comprehensive Travel Insurance Coverage

One of the most attractive features of the Amex Gold Card travel benefits is its robust travel insurance package, which provides cardholders with various types of coverage to safeguard against unforeseen events. Travelling internationally always involves a degree of unpredictability, and this insurance can be invaluable.Here are the types of travel insurance you can rely on with the Amex Gold:

• Emergency Medical Insurance: This policy covers eligible emergency medical expenses while travelling, giving peace of mind in the event of a medical emergency.
• Flight Delay Insurance: This policy reimburses you for additional expenses incurred due to eligible flight delays, helping you cover costs like hotel stays and meals during a delay.
• Baggage Delay and Lost/Stolen Baggage Insurance: This insurance offers protection for delayed or lost baggage, reimbursing you for necessary items and even replacement costs in the case of loss.
• Trip Interruption Insurance: Protects against unexpected changes to your trip, such as a sudden illness or other emergency that requires a return home.
• Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance: If you rent a car on your trip, this coverage helps protect you from costs associated with damage or theft of the rental vehicle.

These insurance protections make the Amex Gold Card ideal for the modern traveller who seeks both rewards and reliable coverage. Having insurance support while abroad lets you focus on enjoying your trip instead of worrying about potential disruptions.

Earn Rewards and Redeem Them for Travel

The Amex Gold Card’s Membership Rewards program is highly flexible, allowing you to redeem points in various ways, including travel. When you travel, you’re not only saving on fees and enjoying insurance benefits, but you’re also earning rewards that you can use for future adventures.

Top Tips for Earning and Redeeming Points for Travel:

• Use Points for Flights and Hotels: The Membership Rewards program enables you to use points directly for travel through Amex’s travel portal, which offers competitive rates and a range of accommodation and flight options.
• Transfer Points to Airline Partners: Amex Membership Rewards points can often be transferred to frequent flyer programs, allowing you to take advantage of loyalty benefits.
• Cash Back Option: For those who prefer cash back, points can also be converted to cash back statement credits, adding flexibility for future expenses or trip-related purchases.
• Redeem with Great Canadian Rebates: Shop through Great Canadian Rebates to earn cash back on eligible travel purchases made with your Amex Gold.This can enhance your savings while continuing to earn points.

Whether you choose to use your points for a big trip or redeem them as cash back, the Amex Gold Card travel benefits give you ultimate flexibility.

Use Amex Offers and Exclusive Perks

Amex Gold Card members receive access to exclusive Amex Offers, which include discounts and special promotions at partnered retailers. When planning a trip, look out for travel-related Amex Offers that can help you save on accommodations, car rentals, and other expenses.

Additionally, Amex Offers often include cash back credit card deals at popular Canadian retailers so that you can benefit from seasonal deals or store-specific discounts. Here are some examples of Amex Offers available to cardholders:

• Hotel and Travel Discounts: Amex frequently partners with global hotel chains, offering exclusive discounts or cash back on bookings.
• Car Rental Discounts: Find reduced rates or cash back options for rental services at locations worldwide.
• Shopping Perks: Get additional cash back or rewards at duty-free shops, which can be handy for purchases you may need abroad.

Add an Additional Card for Travel Companions

If you often travel with family members or friends, consider adding an additional card for a companion. Additional cards allow your partner to contribute to the rewards earnings while also benefiting from the same insurance coverage and perks when they travel alone. The fees for additional cards are typically lower than the primary card fee, allowing you to double up on rewards while extending the Amex Gold Card travel benefits to your travel companion.

Some benefits of adding an additional card include:

• Shared Rewards: All purchases made by the additional cardholder contribute to the same rewards pool, allowing you to earn points faster.
• Unified Spending: Track all travel-related spending in one account for easy budgeting and rewards tracking.
• Extended Travel Benefits: Travel insurance coverage often extends to additional cardholders, which can provide peace of mind for you and your travel companion.

Adding an additional cardholder is a strategic way to maximize the value you receive from the Amex Gold Card, making it easier to reach point goals for future trips.

With its combination of foreign transaction fee savings, robust travel insurance coverage, and a valuable rewards program, the Amex Gold Card is a smart choice for Canadian travellers. By making the most of its features, from maximizing rewards on eligible purchases to using exclusive Amex Offers, you can stretch your travel budget and enjoy added security while abroad.

Where To Apply For The Best Canadian Credit Cards?

Great Canadian Rebates is an online platform that lets Members compare credit card options available in Canada and apply for the one that best suits their financial and lifestyle requirements. It’s free to join, and Members can also choose from over 700 well-known merchants and take advantage of great rebates, deals, and discounts. 

Visit the website today for more information.