Reviewed by Jen, founder of MoneyMint · Updated September 25, 2026

American ExpressTravel Rewards

American Express Gold Rewards Card

Our take: strongest for groceries and gas — about 3.4% back in value (est.) for $250 a year, plus a welcome bonus we value at roughly $1,020.

#5 Lounge access #4 Rewards

Welcome bonusUp to 60,000 Membership Rewards points in your first year

Apply on Amex’s site →

Goes straight to American Express
No cost to you
Our review

The Amex Gold Rewards Card is a mid-tier personal travel card: 2 points per dollar on travel, gas, groceries, and drugstore purchases, a $100 annual travel credit, and airport lounge access, for a $250 annual fee. It sits between no-fee cash-back cards and Amex’s premium Platinum-tier products.

4.2out of 5

MoneyMint rating

#8 of 30 travel rewards cards · How we rate

Rewards value

6/10

Insurance

10/10

Flexibility

6/10

Welcome bonus

10/10

Fee value

7/10

Perks

6/10

≈ $1,382

estimated first-year value after the annual fee, on a typical $2,050/month budget. Points are converted to dollars using MoneyMint’s own valuations — see our points value calculator for how each program is valued. See it for your spending →

At a Glance

Annual fee

$250/yrfirst supplementary card free, $50/yr each additional

Rewards rate

2 pts/$1travel, gas, groceries, drugstore

Welcome bonus

Up to 60,000 ptsearned monthly over your first year

Rewards

~3.4%on groceries (est. value)

Credit score needed

Good

Foreign transaction fee

2.5%

Pros & Cons

Pros

2 points/$1 on travel, gas, groceries, and drugstore purchases in Canada
$100 annual travel credit (bookable through American Express Travel)
Priority Pass membership plus 4 complimentary Plaza Premium Lounge visits per year
The Hotel Collection benefits and Hertz status
First supplementary card free
Broad insurance package: out-of-province emergency medical, trip cancellation, flight and baggage delay, car rental theft and damage, hotel burglary, purchase protection and extended warranty (Buyer’s Assurance), plus a $50 NEXUS statement credit

Cons

$250/year fee is only partly offset by the $100 travel credit
Lounge access is more limited than premium travel cards — 4 Plaza Premium visits/year, not unlimited
1 point/$1 on non-bonus-category spend is unremarkable
2.5% foreign transaction fee adds up for international spend

Rewards & Earn Rates

Travel, gas, groceries, drugstore2 pts/$1excludes wholesale clubs, superstores, and similar merchants where these aren’t the primary business

Hotel/car bookings via Amex Travel3 pts/$12 base + 1 bonus

All other purchases1 pt/$1

Amex’s own materials suggest the $250 fee reflects a relatively recent increase from a lower legacy amount, though the exact prior fee and effective date weren’t confirmed here — worth noting if you’re comparing against older reviews of this card.

Who It’s For

Best for

Cardholders who regularly spend on travel, gas, groceries, or drugstore purchases in Canada
Those who’ll use the $100 annual travel credit and occasional lounge access
Applicants who want a mid-tier travel card without Platinum-level fees

Not ideal for

Anyone who won’t use the travel credit or lounge visits — the fee is hard to justify otherwise
Frequent travelers who want more extensive lounge access (consider a premium-tier card)
Those who spend mostly outside the bonus categories

Not Sure? Three Cards People Compare It With

All travel cards →

CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card

Pick this instead if you want no annual fee at all.

Fee $0Rating 4.2 ★Bonus $200

Read review

Rogers Red World Legend Mastercard

Pick this instead if you spend abroad — it has no foreign transaction fee.

Fee $495Rating 3.7 ★

Read review

BMO Ascend World Elite Business Mastercard

Pick this instead if travel insurance matters more to you.

Fee $175Rating 3.4 ★Bonus $1,005

Read review

4.2MoneyMint rating

American Express Gold Rewards Card

Best for groceries and gas · $250/year · ~$1,020 welcome bonus (est.)

Apply on Amex’s site →Find a better fit

Jen, founder of MoneyMint

Reviewed by Jen. Every figure on this page was checked against Amex’s official card page on September 25, 2026. How we rate cards →

This is general information, not personalized financial advice — consider your own spending habits and consult a professional for decisions specific to your situation. Rates, fees, and offers are set by American Express and can change without notice; always confirm current terms on the issuer’s official page before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the annual fee for the American Express Gold Rewards Card?

The American Express Gold Rewards Card has an annual fee of $250/year; first supplementary card free, $50/year for each additional supplementary card.

What is the rewards rate on the American Express Gold Rewards Card?

The American Express Gold Rewards Card offers: 2 points/$1 on eligible travel, gas, grocery, and drugstore purchases in Canada (excludes merchants like wholesale clubs and superstores where these aren’t the primary business); 3 points/$1 on hotel/car bookings via American Express Travel; 1 point/$1 on everything else

Does the American Express Gold Rewards Card have a welcome bonus?

Up to 60,000 Membership Rewards points Confirmed directly on amex.ca (Aug 2026): 5,000 Membership Rewards points per monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 on the card, for your first year as a new cardmember, for up to 60,000 points total. The 90,000-point figure a secondary source cited is not reflected on Amex’s own current offer page.

What credit score do I need to qualify for the American Express Gold Rewards Card?

Generally, you’ll want a good credit score to be considered for the American Express Gold Rewards Card. Approval also depends on income and overall credit history, not credit score alone.

Does the American Express Gold Rewards Card charge foreign transaction fees?

2.5%