American Express® Gold Card: Benefits for Military Members

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The card_name’s unique combination of dining and grocery bonus points, generous credits, and nice-to-have perks makes it one of the best credit cards for military members and veterans, especially for those who are eligible for military protections.

Now, a new “refresh” brings more statement credits and updates to existing perks in exchange for an increased annual fee. Let’s look at what’s changing with this Amex Gold Card update.

Overview of the American Express Gold Card for Military

The card_name is highly recommended for those looking to earn significant rewards for travel, dining, and grocery purchases. Although it comes with a hefty annual_fees annual fee before military protections, using the card frequently to maximize redemptions can create sizable and flexible user benefits.

American Express has partnered with two dozen air travel partners so you can tailor your reward redemptions based on your personal preferences. The card also offers perks through American Express Travel for several hotel experiences at home and abroad.

This card offers Plan It and Pay Over Time payment options that allow service members to finance some purchases over time. However, this is not a traditional credit card because some charges must be paid in full. 

Although there is no introductory APR for purchases, you can get bonus_miles_full

»MORE: Learn more about the American Express® Gold Card here

Benefits & Perks of the American Express Gold Card for Military Cardholders

• bonus_miles_full
• Get the American Express® Gold Card in the Gold, Rose Gold, or Limited-Edition White Gold metal design. White Gold design is only available while supplies last.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account, and each month, you will automatically receive $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $84 Dunkin’ Credit: With the $84 Dunkin’ Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after enrolling and paying with the American Express® Gold Card at Dunkin’ locations.
• $100 Resy Credit: You can get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after paying with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment is required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys—enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit to use towards eligible charges, which may include food and beverage, spa, or other on-property charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Credit use varies by property.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is annual_fees (before military protections).
• See Rates and Fees.

»MORE: See all American Express® Gold Card perks here

How the American Express Gold Card Supports Service Members and Veterans

Under the Military Lending Act, service members receive waived annual and other fees (except late fees and insufficient fund fees).

While it doesn’t apply here, it’s also good to know the Military Annual Percentage Rate (MAPR) must not exceed 36%, and any introductory promotional interest rates must be honored.

Military members and veterans who travel frequently will reap the most benefits from this card. A robust Membership Rewards program allows cardholders to earn up to 4x points on restaurant and grocery purchases, a generous 3x Membership Rewards for flights booked directly with airlines or Amex, and signature perks at select upscale hotels when booking with American Express Travel.

Service members may find the travel partner loyalty program particularly appealing. With more than two dozen air and hotel partners, travelers have great flexibility in using points in ways that suit them best.

There are no foreign transaction fees for service members traveling overseas, which is potentially large savings compared to other cards that often charge 3%.

With American Express Preferred Access, cardholders can access premium seats for select cultural and sporting events based on availability.

»MORE: Learn more about American Express® Gold Card benefits for military

How to Redeem Rewards with the American Express Gold Card

American Express Membership Rewards points are flexible. 

The points can be transferred to almost two dozen airline and hotel partners, most at a 1:1 ratio. American Express also offers frequent transfer bonuses to help you maximize your earnings.

When you redeem Membership Rewards points for flights at 1 cent per point via American Express Travel, the flight booked with points will count as a “cash” flight in the airline’s eyes. Depending on the fare code and cost of the ticket, you may earn miles.

You can redeem Membership Rewards for travel, retail, and restaurant gift cards. Rates vary depending on the vendor and fluctuate between 0.5 cents and 1 cent per Membership Reward point. You can also pay with points at several vendors.

The card_name offers redemption flexibility by partnering with travel loyalty programs. Cardholders can transfer rewards with these programs to the following travel partners.

• Aer Lingus
• AeroMexico
• Aeroplan
• Air France/KLM
• ANA
• Avianca LifeMiles
• British Airways
• Cathay Pacific
• Delta Air Lines
• Emirates
• Etihad Airways
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Iberia
• JetBlue
• Qantas
• Singapore Airlines
• Virgin Atlantic
• Choice Privileges
• Hilton Honors
• Marriott Bonvoy

When transferring to U.S. airlines, you’ll also have to pay a fee of $0.0006 per point, with a maximum fee of $99.

»MORE: Compare the American Express® Gold Card to other top rewards cards here

American Express Gold Card Credit Limit

If you have an American Express Consumer or Business Green, Gold, or Platinum Card, your card does not have a preset spending limit unless you have been previously notified otherwise. 

No preset spending limit means the spending limit is flexible, and spending power is determined monthly, depending on the cardholder’s previous spending habits, income, payment history, and other factors.

Annual Fees and Rates for the American Express Gold Card

• annual_fees annual fee
• Cash Advance Fee is cash_advance_fee
• cash_advance_apr APR for cash advances and American Express charging interest on cash advances on the transaction date.
• $0 foreign transaction fee
• No introductory purchase APR 
• Late Payment
• Up to $40 late payment fee
• Up to $40 returned payment fee

The card_name may not let you carry a balance from month to month on all of your purchases. You may be able to use the Pay Over Time benefit for a portion of your purchases. Your due date is at least 25 days after the close of each billing period. 

American Express will not charge interest on charges automatically added to a Pay Over Time balance if you pay your Account Total New Balance each month on your billing statement.

»MORE: Compare the fees and rates of all top rewards cards here

How to Get Approved for the American Express Gold Card

You’ll need at least a good to excellent credit score to qualify for the Amex Gold card. A good credit score is generally considered a FICO score of 670 to 700 or higher.

Other factors considered in the overall approval process include your income, debts, number of open accounts, current employment, housing status, and payment history.

American Express has updated its application process with more transparency so you can see if you are approved without impacting your credit score. After you submit your application, American Express will let you know if you’re approved first. Your score may only be impacted if you’re approved and you accept the card offer.

» Next Step: Know if you’re approved with no credit score impact.

How Does the American Express Gold Card Compare With Other Cards for Military Members?

This is how the card_name compares to other similar cards.

Is the American Express Gold Card Right for You?

Membership Rewards are a powerful and versatile tool for military members and veterans who travel frequently for work or pleasure. However, to offset the somewhat high annual_fees annual fee, you’ll need to be an active card_name user or be eligible for military protections.

Pros

• High rewards earnings possibilities
• Points transfer option to many partners
• $0 foreign transfer fee
• bonus_miles_full

Cons

• Limited options to carry a balance
• High APR for Pay Over Time feature
• No introductory purchase APR 
• annual_fees annual fee

»Next Step: Learn how to apply for the American Express® Gold Card

_{Veteran.com has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Veteran.com and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on Veteran.com are from advertisers. Compensation may impact how and where card products appear, but does not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations. Veteran.com does not include all card companies or all available card offers.}