When signing up for a new credit card, the first offer you come across might not be the best one available. This is especially true for major issuers like American Express, which often have multiple welcome offers depending on how you apply.
Let’s look at some of the best current offers for the American Express Gold Card and how you can maximize your Membership Rewards points.
The Standard Public Offer
If you search for “Amex Gold Card”, the standard offer you’ll likely see is:
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of card membership.
This isn’t a bad offer, but with a little effort, you can find significantly better deals.
The Better Offer: Apply Through Resy
American Express owns the Resy dining reservation platform, and from time to time, they offer enhanced welcome bonuses through it. Currently, the Resy offer provides:
- 75,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $6,000 in the first six months.
- 20% back on restaurant purchases, up to $250, within the first 12 months of card membership.
This is an easy way to get extra value, especially if you dine out frequently.
The Best Offer: Amex Referral Links
If you have access to a referral link, like our AMEX referral link, you may be able to get an even better deal. Note: We do receive bonus points when you apply using our link.
Referral offers currently include:
- Up to 100,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $6,000 in the first six months.
- The exact offer may vary based on your application.
If you qualify for the 100,000-point referral offer, that’s an extra 25,000 points compared to the Resy deal. Given that Membership Rewards points are generally valued at 1.8 to 2 cents per point, that’s an extra $450+ in potential value, far surpassing the $250 dining credit from the Resy offer.
Check for Targeted Offers via CardMatch
Another way to potentially unlock an even better deal is through the CardMatch Tool. This tool allows you to check for personalized, targeted offers, including higher welcome bonuses that may not be publicly available.
Occasionally, American Express offers a 90,000 or even 100,000-point bonus for the Gold Card through CardMatch, so it’s worth checking before you apply.
Which Offer Should You Choose?
- If you qualify for a 100,000-point referral or CardMatch offer, that’s the best deal.
- If your referral or CardMatch offer is lower, the Resy offer is a great alternative, especially if you’ll take advantage of the $250 dining credit.
- The standard 60,000-point offer isn’t competitive compared to these other options, so you should avoid applying through a generic Amex landing page.
Final Thoughts
American Express regularly targets different groups with varying offers, so it’s always worth checking multiple sources before applying. Whether you go for the 100,000-point referral offer, the CardMatch offer, or the 75,000-point Resy deal, doing some extra research can mean hundreds of dollars in extra rewards.
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