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Mr. Loonie
American Express® Gold Rewards Card

American Express® Gold Rewards Card

7.8
Good
Expert Score · 11 reviews How we score

Best for: Travellers who want flexible Amex points on travel, gas, groceries and drugstores

Your spending a month
What’s in each?
Light:
Groceries $400, restaurants $100, gas $100, recurring bills $100, everything else (base rate) $250, foreign currency $50
Typical:
Groceries $800, restaurants $250, gas $250, recurring bills $250, travel $150, everything else (base rate) $650, foreign currency $150
Big:
Groceries $1,200, restaurants $500, gas $400, recurring bills $400, travel $500, everything else (base rate) $1,600, foreign currency $400
Yours:
Your own amounts, saved on this device only
Year one
$1,885
Every year after
$615

Ranked #4 of 176 for year one. See the list

See how we worked it out
Welcome offer you’d get
$1,020
The full offer. Up to 60,000 Membership Rewards points.
Annual fee
$0 first year
Then $250 a year
Apply now on American Express’ site (opens in a new tab)
We may get paid if you apply through this link. It never changes our score.

Have this card?

Details from American Express’ site. Banks can update terms at any time, so give them a quick look before you apply. Source

Is it for me? What you’d earn Welcome offer Can I get it? Fees Similar cards
2 quick questions

Is it for me?

Do you spend $650 or more a month on travel, flights and hotels?

Do you pay your card off in full most months?

Answer the 2 questions to see if it fits.

From the numbers

The good and the bad

Stands out

  • Good: 2 points per $1 on travel, flights, hotels and groceries At our value for these points, that’s about 3.4% back.
  • Good: No fee in the first year Then $250 a year.
  • Good: Welcome offer up to 60,000 Membership Rewards points About $1,020 at our value for these points.

Watch for

  • Watch for: $250 a year from year two You need about $650 a month on travel, flights and hotels to earn it back.
  • Watch for: 2.5% on foreign purchases Use a no foreign fee card when you travel.

Worked out from the card’s rates and fees.

Show your work

What you’d earn

With typical spending of $2,500 a month.

Membership Rewards points valued at 1.7¢ each.

  • Groceries $326
    2 points per $1 · 3.4% back $800 a month · 19,200 Membership Rewards points a year
  • Restaurants $51
    1 point per $1 · 1.7% back $250 a month · 3,000 Membership Rewards points a year
  • Gas $102
    2 points per $1 · 3.4% back $250 a month · 6,000 Membership Rewards points a year
  • Recurring bills $51
    1 point per $1 · 1.7% back $250 a month · 3,000 Membership Rewards points a year
  • Travel $61
    2 points per $1 · 3.4% back $150 a month · 3,600 Membership Rewards points a year
  • Everything else $133
    1 point per $1 · 1.7% back $650 a month · 7,800 Membership Rewards points a year
  • Foreign currency $31
    1 point per $1 · 1.7% back $150 a month · 1,800 Membership Rewards points a year
For you Year one Later years
Points you earn44,400 Membership Rewards points a year, at 1.7¢ each $755 $755
Welcome offer60,000 Membership Rewards points you’d reach $1,020 $0
Annual fee $0 −$250
Foreign currency fee2.5% on $1,800 a year −$45 −$45
Travel medical insurance1 trip at $50 $50 $50
Rental car damage cover1 rental of 3 days at $35 a day $105 $105
Total $1,885 $615

Rows are rounded to the dollar. Insurance counts at what the same cover costs on its own, and only pays when you charge the trip, rental or phone to the card.

What counts in each category
Travel
2 points per $1 Flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and more
Flights
2 points per $1
Hotels
2 points per $1 On eligible purchases on flights, cruises, and car rentals.
Groceries
2 points per $1 In Canada
Gas
2 points per $1 In Canada
Pharmacy
2 points per $1 Drugstores in Canada
Everything else (base rate)
1 point per $1

Earn 1 additional point for every $1 spent on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel at americanexpress.ca/travel

How Membership Rewards points work, and why 1.7¢

We count Membership Rewards points at 1.7¢ each, a typical value when you use them well. Depending on how you use them, they’re usually worth 0.7¢ to 2¢.

We set one value per points program and use it on every card in that program, so you can compare points cards and cash back cards on the same scale.

These are example budgets to compare cards side by side, not averages. Your own spending will give a different number.

Checked on Nov 8, 2026. Source

Welcome offer

Can your spending get the offer?

At $2,500 a month, here’s when you’d reach each step.

  1. 1

    5,000 Membership Rewards points · about $85

    Spend $1,000 a month, for 12 months.

    Your spending covers it each month.

    • Up to 60,000 points in all

Offer end date not published.

Offer checked on Nov 8, 2026. Source

Before you apply

Can I get it?

  • Age 18 or older 19 or older in BC, NB, NL, NS and the territories
  • Where you live Canada
  • Credit score No minimum on record Most banks don’t publish one, and we don’t guess.

Mr. Loonie’s tip Each application shows up on your credit file. Leave a few months between card applications.

What critics say

Other reviewers on this card

7.8
Good
Expert Score How we score
  • PointsWise (opens in a new tab) Nov 2025

    “The Amex Gold Card stands out as one of the best travel rewards cards in Canada. Its high earning rates on everyday essentials like groceries, gas, and travel, paired with the flexibility of Membership Rewards, make it an excellent choice for Canadians who want to make their spending work harder.”

  • NerdWallet (opens in a new tab) Oct 2022
    9.2

    “This flexible, mid-tier travel card is outfitted in an eye-catching stainless steel, typically reserved for premium cards with $500+ annual fees. The Amex Gold Rewards boasts broad rewards earning categories for eligible dollars spent on travel, gas, groceries and drugstore purchases. Perks like a $100 annual travel credit and airport lounge access add tangible value but only help offset the $250 annual fee if they’re put to use. Best for: Travellers seeking occasional lounge access and flexible, everyday rewards.”

  • SAVVY New Canadians (opens in a new tab) Sep 2022
    9

    “If you like to travel and dine out often, this card may be for you. It has great perks like a $100 annual travel credit, and it allows you to earn 2x the points on many eligible purchases. Along with a competitive welcome bonus, you can transfer your points to various frequent flyer and loyalty programs.”

  • Money We Have (opens in a new tab) Jul 2022

    “Overall my American Express Gold Rewards card review is positive. The Amex Membership Rewards program offers complete flexibility since you can transfer to various loyalty programs. The new changes make this card incredibly popular for travel, and there always tends to be an excellent welcome bonus.”

  • MoneySense (opens in a new tab) Sep 2021

    “The American Express Gold Rewards Card stands out for its points redemption flexibility, transfer partners and competitive fixed-redemption charts. American Express is known to give customers access to a wide array of travel perks and entertainment offers. Plus, with the robust insurance package and generous welcome offer, frequent travellers and everyday spenders alike will find ways to maximize the $250 annual fee.”

  • creditcardGenius (opens in a new tab) Sep 2021
    6.2

    “At the end of the day, the American Express® Gold Rewards Card is still a great travel card for you to consider. With flexible rewards, good earn rates, and no minimum income requirements, the Gold Rewards Card is one of the best travel cards on the market to earn rewards fast for the serious traveller. And with the ability to earn 50,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months and making a purchase between months 14 to 17, Amex makes it easy for you to give it a try.”

What cardholders say

Ratings from people with this card

No ratings yet. If you have this card, tell others what it’s like.

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Insurance and perks

What comes with it

  • Car rental damage Included
  • Extended warranty Included
  • Purchase protection Included
  • Travel accident Included
  • Travel medical $5,000,000 per person
  • Trip cancellation Included
  • Trip interruption Included
  • Flight delay Included
  • Baggage delay Included
  • Hotel burglary Included
  • Lost baggage Included
  • $100 Annual Travel Credit
  • Priority Pass
  • Plaza Premium Lounge Visits
  • $50 NEXUS Card Statement Credit
  • The Hotel Collection from American Express® (up to $100 USD hotel credit)
  • Hertz Car Rental Benefit
  • Out of Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Trip Cancellation Insurance
  • Trip Interruption Insurance
  • Flight Delay Insurance
  • Baggage Delay Insurance
  • Hotel Burglary Insurance
  • Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance
  • American Express Experiences benefits
  • Emergency Card Replacement
  • Mobile wallets Apple Pay
Coverage limits

We haven’t recorded the coverage limits for this card yet. Read American Express’ insurance certificate before you count on any coverage.

Not included

Not listed for this card: mobile device.

Fees and interest

What it costs

Annual fee
$0 first year Then $250 a year
Purchase interest
21.99%
Cash advance interest
21.99%
Foreign currency fee
2.5%
All fees and rates

Fees

Extra cards
$50
Fee waivers
First year: $250 off (Waived on the first year.)
Cash advance fee
$2.75
Over-limit fee
$29
Late payment fee
None
Source
Issuer page

Interest rates

Source
Issuer page

Read the card terms and conditions for the full terms.

Checked on Nov 8, 2026. Source

Before you decide

Similar cards for the same spending

With typical spending. This card: $1,885 year one, $615 every year after.

See all cards ranked for your spending

Some of these links pay us when you apply, at no extra cost to you. Most don’t, and pay never changes our score. How we make money

Common questions

Questions people ask

What is the annual fee on the American Express® Gold Rewards Card?

$0 the first year, then $250 a year. Each extra card costs $50.

How much is the American Express® Gold Rewards Card welcome offer worth?

5,000 Membership Rewards points each month you spend $1,000, for 12 months, worth about $1,020.

Does it charge a foreign transaction fee?

Yes, 2.5% on purchases in other currencies.

What is the interest rate?

21.99% on purchases. Cash advances are 21.99%.

Does it include insurance?

It lists extended warranty, purchase protection, out of province/country emergency medical insurance and trip cancellation insurance. Read the insurance certificate for the limits.

Rates, fees and offers come from the card issuers and change often. We work to keep this page accurate and current, but it may contain mistakes, so always check the issuer’s terms before you apply. This page is general information and isn’t financial advice.

Spot something wrong? We’ll check it with the bank. Suggest a correction

Card names, logos and trademarks belong to their owners. No issuer wrote, paid for or approved what we say about this card. Our scores and opinions are our own.

Mr. Loonie is independent and supported by affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you apply through some links, at no cost to you. How we make money

$1,885
year one for you
Apply now on American Express’ site (opens in a new tab)
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