American Express® Premier Rewards Gold Card – Review

When you think of a gold card the first thing that comes to mind is American Express®.

They are the one who put an exclusive card on the map. 

I’m going to show you what makes the American Express(R) Premier Rewards Gold Card special.

First off, don’t make the mistake of thinking this is a credit card, it’s not.

This is a CHARGE card.  That means that the purchases you make are expected to be paid off IN FULL when you get your statement.  There are some exceptions but for the most part this is a card for people who will be able to pay everything off every month (you should really aim to do that anyway).

Being a charge card means there is no pre-set spending limit for the card.  Not that you can go out and spend to your heart’s content though.  Your purchasing power will adjust to your spending habits, your payment habits, your income, and other factors that American Express takes into account.

Rewards Points Program

You have some great opportunities to earn lots of points with this card.

You earn 3X points when you book flights with airlines with your card.  You’ll get 2X points when you use your card at US gas stations and US supermarkets.  All other purchases will get you 1 point per dollar spent.  Make sure you check the terms and limitations on the card page.

Where can you use these points?  Good question.  Use your points for gift cards for dining, entertainment, and to shop over 300 of some of your favorite brands.

See the Triple Points points on airfare and the fact that you can use your points on any airline with no blackout dates or seat restrictions?  That helps to make the American Express(R) Premier Rewards Gold Card a great travel rewards or airline miles card!

Bonus Points – Earn 25K Membership Rewards® points after you spend $2K during your first three months of Card membership; earn 15K points after you spend $30,000 within one calendar year (OK, not everyone will spend that much but the option is there if you do).

Here are some other benefits of the American Express(R) Premier Rewards Gold Card:

Gold Card Events – American Express will pre-reserve seats to some of the best venues around the world for select events.  These seats will only be available to Gold Card holders.  There was a time when I had an Amex Gold Card.  If I recall correctly, this benefit made it possible for me to see the Simon & Garfunkel reunion as well as a Prince concert, both at Madison Square Garden.  Seriously, you hear people talking about paying for experiences and not stuff – these were definitely experiences I will always remember!

Earn Extra Points – Besides the earning bonuses listed earlier, you can earn triple (3X) points when you use Bonus Points Mall® to shop online.

Using Points – As well as using your points for travel, you can use your points for merchandise, dining, gift cards, and you can transfer your points to frequent flyer programs.  You points have no expiration date.

Global Assist® Hotline – Have an emergency and not sure who to call?  If you are over 100 miles from home you can call the Global Assist Hotline for anything from passport assistance to doctor assistance to getting emergency cash.  Note that services provided by third parties aren’t free.  Still, it’s good to have one place you can call for help.

Roadside Assistance – With your card you get 24-hour roadside assistance (there are limitations to the coverage benefit amount and the frequency you can use the service – don’t expect them to tow your clunker every week).  In addition, if you rent using your card you will be covered for Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance at no additional charge. (Another reason this makes for a nice travel rewards card).

Baggage Insurance Plan – You get coverage against lost, stolen, or damaged bags that are checked or carry-on when you purchase your tickets with your card.  The insurance plan is underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Retail Protection – The card carries American Express’ retail protection which will protect you against fraud charges on your statement.  If you find something fishy, American Express will investigate and hold the charge until they discover what happened.  You also get an additional year on your manufacturer’s warranty (for purchases with warranty’s of 5 years or less); you can return items the store won’t take back; and you have 90 days accidental damage and theft purchases with the card.  The extended warranty is underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Is the American Express(R) Premier Rewards Gold Card for everyone?

No, it’s not.

But I think that’s kind of the point of the card.

It’s meant to be a more exclusive card for people who will use the benefits that a card with a $175 annual fee carries.

You are also expected to pay your balance in full every month.  This is a dangerous card for those who can’t control their credit spending.  I think it’s also a waste if you are looking to get the card for the prestige it carries, but hey that’s me.

Still, with no annual fee for the first year, this is a card that carries a lot of benefits that you may find yourself using enough to justify the annual fee.  You have lots of opportunities to earn extra points with lots of options to use them.  Your points have no expiration and you can use them for travel on any airline.

For someone that travels often, this card can easily pay for itself.

Is the American Express(R) Premier Rewards Gold Card for you?

*As you always should, make sure you read through the card details to make sure this card fits your needs and you understand the terms and conditions. Be aware that the terms may change after this article’s publication.

Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.