Amex Gold: Travel Perks That Go Beyond Lounge Access
4 Min Read | Last updated: April 30, 2026
Wondering what Amex® Gold offers travelers? Learn what’s included, what’s not, and the rewards and credits that make this card valuable.
At-A-Glance
- The American Express® Gold Card offers great perks for travelers, including travel insurance and Uber benefits.
- With the Gold Card, your rewards can grow with every purchase, and, when eligible, you can receive additional benefits at hotels.
- If you want lounge access with your card, you might want to consider the American Express Platinum Card®, which takes your travel experience to another level.
When you’re choosing a credit card, you weigh the perks and promotions that suit your lifestyle and travel habits. The American Express® Gold Card doesn’t include airport lounge access — but it offers plenty of other travel benefits travel benefits that can make your trips just as rewarding. Let’s take a closer look at some of the perks that you can access with the Amex Gold Card and highlight some of the other American Express Cards that offer elevated travel experiences.
What Amex Gold Can Offer
The American Express Gold Card offers plenty of lifestyle and travel benefits — plus flexible payment options — that keep the good times rolling. Let’s take a closer look at some of what the Gold Card can deliver.
Travel Perks
- $120 Uber Cash - Earn $10 in Uber Cash each month when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account. Uber Cash can be used for eligible rides and orders in the U.S. To redeem Uber Cash from this benefit, an American Express® Card must be selected as the payment method for the transaction.
- Hertz Five Star® Status - American Express® Gold Card Members can receive complimentary Hertz Five Star Status. Save time by skipping the counter at select locations, you can go directly to the lot, select your vehicle, and get on the road to your destination. You can also add an additional driver for no additional cost1 and receive access to a wider selection of vehicles for more personalized choices based on your needs.2 Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required.
- $100 Hotel Credit - With more than 1,300 properties worldwide, The Hotel Collection offers Gold Card Members a valuable suite of benefits when they book a two-night minimum stay through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel AppTM, such as a $100 credit towards eligible on-property charges, as well as 12pm check-in, late check-out, and a room upgrade upon arrival — all when available.4
Membership Rewards® Points and Travel Perks For Your Journey
With the Gold Card, you earn Membership Rewards points on the purchases that help your rewards grow faster:
- 4X points on restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., on up to $50,000 in purchases each year.
- 4X points on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases each year.
- 5X points on prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
- 3X points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ or purchased directly from airlines.
- 2X points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- 1X points on all other purchases.
Plus, enjoy added peace of mind with access to the Global Assist® Hotline.5 And because the Gold Card has no foreign transaction fees, you can travel and shop aboard with confidence.6
Pay Your Way
The Amex Gold Card offers flexible payment options that allow you to use your card in unique ways compared to other credit cards. There’s no preset spending limit, which means that your limits are flexible and change according to your purchase, payment, and credit history.
Additionally, with Plan It®, you can split purchases over $100 into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee so that you spread your payments out over time. And with the Pay Over Time feature, you can carry a balance on your card with interest up to a certain limit.
Balancing Value: Gold vs. Platinum
Depending on your lifestyle priorities, the American Express Platinum Card® may be a good option if you want lounge access and other premium benefits.
If you don’t travel as frequently and want more everyday benefits, then the Gold Card might be just right for you. Its lifestyle perks, travel rewards, and potential for hotel savings offer plenty to many Card Members. One card may suit your needs better than the other, but both offer great benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
With the American Express Gold Card, you can get a $100 credit towards eligible charges (vary by property) when you book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™, plus complimentary room upgrades when available. You can also earn 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™. Hertz Five Star® Status can also provide a smoother rental experience.
The Amex Gold Card doesn’t include complimentary lounge access like some other Amex Cards. That said, you may be able to purchase passes for lounges on a visit-by-visit basis, depending on the lounge and its access policies.
The Gold Card allows you to book your stay through The Hotel Collection®, which gives you an average of $150 in value for a two-night stay. Even if you only travel occasionally, the lifestyle benefits of the Gold Card alone give you access to over $500 on average in value via statement credits and benefits. See how you can unlock over $500 annually in credits on select purchases with the Gold Card here.
The Takeaway
The American Express Gold Card brings next-level value through travel perks and credits for a $325 annual fee.7 If your heart is set on lounge access and you’re ready to take the next step toward elevating your travel experience, you may also want to consider the American Express Platinum Card. See if you qualify for the Gold Card or the Platinum Card today.
1 Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees.
2 Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
3 Eligible charges vary by property.
4 Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
5 Sometimes things happen while traveling that are out of our control. If you purchase a round-trip with your Eligible Card, we may be able to help. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
6 For more on Offer and Benefit Terms for the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
7 For more on Rates and Fees for the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
Scott Drueding Hanson is a content writer and copywriter based in Brooklyn. His work focuses primarily on personal finance.
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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