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for the American Express Gold Rewards Card
Card Details at a Glance
- Welcome Bonus:
- up to 60000 Amex points
- Card Type:
- Credit Card
- Product Type:
- Personal Card
- Material:
- Metal Card, Rose Gold (optional)
- Category:
- Travel Rewards
- Points Currency:
- Amex Membership Rewards
- 2 Amex points
- per $1 spent on eligible gas, grocery and drugstore purchases in Canada.
- 2 Amex points
- per $1 spent on eligible travel.
- 1 Amex point
- per $1 spent on everything else.
- Annual Fee:
- $250
- Extra Card Fee:
- 1 free additional Gold Rewards Card (a $50 value), $50 for each additional Gold Rewards Card
- Purchase Interest:
- 21.99%
- Cash Advance:
- 21.99%
- Foreign Transfer Fee:
- 2.50%
- Balance Transfer:
- n/a
- Residency & Age:
- A Canadian resident who has reached the provincial age of majority.
- Estimated Credit Score:
- Good Credit, 600+
- Income Requirement:
- n/a
Is the Amex Gold Card Being Discontinued?
The Amex Gold Card in Canada was temporarily discontinued in July, 2021 and then quickly relaunched with a new Card design and welcome bonus in September, 2021. At the time, there was uncertainty about whether the Card was gone for good, but the Gold Rewards Card is here to stay, and better than ever.
Choose Between a Gold or Rose Gold Metal Card
If you’ve experienced having an Amex Platinum or Business Platinum Card, you know the prestigious feeling that comes with owning a metal credit card. Now the Gold Rewards Card has one upped Canada’s premiere travel rewards Card with some new style points of its own.
The Personal Gold Rewards Card comes in metal, with your choice of traditional gold, or a new rose gold colour .
Existing Cardmembers will be issued a new metal card once their current card expires, or you can request a new phone by phoning Amex Canada at 1-800-243-0198.
Currently, the metal version and rose gold option are not available on the Business Gold Rewards Card.
That dusty old colour from the 90s is back by popular demand. Will we see a forest green Card next to match? For nostalgic reasons, I sure hope so.
Speaking of nostalgia, check out this beauty of a hotel room time capsule that still looks like this today. It’s tacky. It has carpet next to the tub. It’s suggestive. It has a fireplace, and a very tired green couch. And it matches the new Rose Gold Amex Card. It’s perfect.
Increased Annual Fee to $250
Along with a new design, there’s also a new annual fee on the Gold Card. The annual fee has increased from $150 to $250. However, Cardmembers now receive a $100 annual travel credit which offsets the jump in price.
$100 Annual Travel Credit
Like we’ve seen with the Platinum Card, the Gold Rewards Card now offers a $100 travel credit which can be used on Amex Travel. This includes flights, hotels, car rentals, and cruises.
Technically, the travel credit will be refunded as a cash statement credit if you book a refundable reservation.
It’s worth noting that booking through Amex Travel is considered a third party booking. So if you’re looking to get your elite hotel or airline loyalty benefits, you’ll need to book direct as usual. Consider using your travel credit for a hotel or a car rental where loyalty benefits aren’t offered.
$50 NEXUS Statement Credit
The NEXUS program allows you to speed your way through border lineups, and at the airport. It’s designed for pre-approved low risk travellers who have completed the application process.
Amex Gold Rewards Card members will be reimbursed with a $50 statement credit for new applications, and renewal fees.
Learn More and Apply for NEXUS – Canada Border Services Agency
Get a Priority Pass Membership
Amex Gold Rewards Cardmembers in Canada receive a Priority Pass membership which unlocks access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. However, a $32 USD fee still applies for each visit.
A Priority Pass membership with the Gold Rewards Card sounds great at first, but it’s simply an invitation to spend money, rather than a benefit.
If you’re looking for true airport lounge access, you’ll want to consider the Platinum Card, or Business Platinum Card where you’ll receive unlimited airport lounge access for free, and you can bring a guest.
Priority Pass airport lounges offer a ton of benefits including free food, drinks (including alcohol), and a quiet place to relax with internet. Some even offer private washrooms with showers, sleeping pods, and spa service.
Enjoy 4 Free Visits to Plaza Premium Airport Lounges
If you’re an occasional traveller and your home airport has a Plaza Premium airport lounge, the Gold Card will make sense for you. You’ll receive 4 free lounge visits you can use to relax before your flight. You can also choose to use your passes towards guest visits.
Plaza Premium airport lounges offer free food, drinks (including alcohol), and a quiet place to relax with internet.
As of July 2021, Plaza Premium lounges are no longer affiliated with Priority Pass, so that’s why these airport lounge benefits have been separated.
Can you get American Express Centurion Lounge Access with a Gold Card?
No. Currently, Gold Rewards Cardmembers do not get access to Amex Centurion Lounges. You’ll need to be a Platinum Card, or Business Platinum Card member to use Centurion Lounges.
Flexible Transfer Points
The Amex Gold Card Canada allows you to earn and redeem Amex points that can be transferred to other hotel and airline loyalty programs. Like other Membership Rewards Card, this is a huge benefit that allows you to get the most value out of your points.
Is the Gold Rewards Card Worth it in Canada Now?
The revamped Gold Card features a new design, a $100 travel credit, limited airport lounge benefits, and a $50 Nexus credit. For the occasional traveller, the Card makes sense for those who wouldn’t use all of the perks of the more robust Platinum Card. If you see yourself using all of these Card benefits to the fullest, this Card can make sense for you.
Personally I would rather have a Card with a lower annual fee, then be forced to use multiple credits to justify the annual fee, which never really cover the whole bill anyway.
Before you make your decision, compare with the Cobalt Card Canada which offers a better earning rate, comes with a lower annual fee, and is a Membership Rewards Card that still allows you to transfer your Amex points out to other loyalty programs. If you can live without the limited airport lounge access, check out the Cobalt Card first.
Earn 7,500 Amex Points for Each Approved Card Referral
After you apply for the Business Gold Card, start referring friends, family, and business associates to also sign up for the Business Gold Rewards Card. You’ll earn 7,500 Amex points, up to a maximum of 112,500 points per year for each approved referral. That means you can refer up to 15 people each year and get rewarded for your efforts.
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