American Express Gold checklist: 5 things to do when you get the card

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

A few years ago, I applied for the American Express® Gold Card, which has since become one of my favorite rewards cards.

The card earns 4 transferable Amex Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar thereafter) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar thereafter).

It also offers statement credits every calendar year, including up to $84 each calendar year for Dunkin’ Donuts purchases (up to $7 each month) and up to $100 per calendar year for Resy (up to $50 bi-annually). Enrollment is required, and terms apply.

Here are five things to do when you get your snazzy new card to make its $325 annual fee worth it (see rates and fees).

Enroll in the annual dining statement credit and Uber Cash benefit

With the Amex Gold, you are eligible for up to $10 in monthly statement credits (up to $120 each calendar year) when you use your card at participating dining partners. Terms apply.

These partners include The Cheesecake Factory, Five Guys, Goldbelly, Grubhub and Wine.com.

You need to enroll your card for this perk on the Amex site or through the Amex mobile app under “Benefits,” so do that as soon as you get your new card.

The Amex Gold also offers up to $120 in annual Uber Cash each calendar year, doled out in up-to-$10 monthly increments. These credits can be used for Uber rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S. when you pay with any Amex card.

Unlike the monthly up-to-$10 dining credit that operates as a statement credit when used, this credit deposits up to $10 monthly into your Uber account each month. If you don’t use this Uber Cash by the end of the month, it will disappear.

For this magic to happen, you must set up your Amex Gold card in your Uber account in the payment section. Here’s a full guide walking you through how to set up and use your Amex Gold Uber credits — it’s really easy once you get the card linked to your Uber account.

Related: A complete guide to the Amex Gold dining credit

Enroll in the Resy and Dunkin’ Donuts statement credits

Cardmembers can receive up to $100 per calendar year in Resy credits to use at U.S. Resy restaurants, broken down into two up to $50 bi-annual credits. Terms apply. This credit functions similarly to the up to $100 per calendar year Saks credit on The Platinum Card® from American Express (up to $50 bi-annually).

The Resy credit is generally easy to use, especially if you live in or near a major U.S. city. You just need to pay your bill with your Amex Gold card at any restaurant enrolled in Resy. No reservation is required.

In addition to the Resy credit, cardmembers receive up to $84 in Dunkin’ Donuts credits each calendar year to use at U.S. Dunkin’ locations, issued in up to $7 monthly increments. Terms apply.

You must pay for your Dunkin’ Donuts order with your Amex Gold card to use this credit. As with the other benefits, you can’t roll over any unused portion.

If you don’t live near a Dunkin’ Donuts location, you can reload your Dunkin’ Donuts account with $7 each month to use this credit.

Related: Why Chase needs a competitor to the Amex Gold

Add the Amex Gold as a payment method with Grubhub

If you use the food delivery service Grubhub, set your payment card as the Amex Gold to earn 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants on the app (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).

This is an easy way to use the up-to-$10 monthly statement credit available for eligible dining partners (up to $120 each calendar year).

Memorize the bonus categories

The Amex Gold sits at the top of the pack for spending on both dining at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets.

The card earns 4 fully transferable Amex Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar thereafter).

Based on TPG’s February 2025 valuations, these 4 points per dollar equal an 8% return on spending.

This includes earning 4 bonus points on grocery delivery services such as Instacart, just in case you prefer to have your groceries appear on your doorstep.

The Amex Gold is also a great card when you need to split a dining bill with friends, as you can be the one to swipe your card and earn 4 points per dollar for the whole bill — but then use the Amex Send & Split feature to get paid back by your friends without anyone having to pay Venmo or PayPal fees.

Related: 5 under-the-radar ways to maximize the Amex Gold’s dining credits

Start using the card to purchase flights

The Amex Gold also earns 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. That’s not the best earning rate for flight purchases, but it’s still a solid option, especially if this is one of the only cards in your wallet.

Related: Everything you need to know about Membership Rewards transfer partners

Bottom line

There aren’t as many tasks to complete when you get your Amex Gold as when you get an Amex Platinum, but there are still at least five things to do to reap the maximum rewards and perks from the powerful — and pretty lovely — Amex Gold Card.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Amex Gold.

Apply here: American Express Gold

To see the rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.