Why RIGHT NOW is a Great Time to Apply for the American Express Gold Card

Longtime readers of this blog know I’m a big fan of the American Express Gold Card. If you don’t have the card but are even remotely interested in getting one, I’d argue that right now is your best opportunity to apply and maximize your return.

The card carries a $250 annual fee. That’s certainly not chump change (well, at least for my tastes). But a combination of regular statement credits and the current welcome offer go a long way toward alleviating that concern.

Here’s how and why.

Uber Cash Deposits

American Express Gold Cardholders receive a monthly $10 Uber Cash deposit — a new benefit that took effect on February 1. The perk can be used toward either Uber or Uber Eats purchases.

So that’s $110 worth of benefits (11 remaining months x $10) you can enjoy this year.

Dining Credit

Amex Gold Cardmembers receive a monthly, if-used $10 statement credit valid at several restaurants and delivery services.

• • Grubhub
  • Seamless
  • The Cheesecake Factory
  • Ruth’s Chris Steak House
  • Boxed
  • Participating Shake Shack locations

A one-time enrollment is required but takes, like, five seconds.

There’s another $110 worth of benefits (11 months x $10) for you.

Statement Credit Total

If you were to apply for the card soon and take advantage of the Uber Cash deposit and all the food statement credits, that gives you $220 in benefits for the rest of 2021. Keep in mind that figure decreases $20 each subsequent month, though.

And February is a short month. So time’s a-tickin’.

Welcome Bonus

The American Express Gold Card currently offers 60,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases within six months of approval. Six months is a pretty good window to meet that threshold.

As I wrote a few months ago, you could really go bananas and ultimately score 76,000 total points if you spend all $4,000 on the card’s 4X categories: U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in annual spending) and worldwide dining (including delivery and takeout).

You can easily get at least 1.5 cents per point when redeeming Amex Membership Rewards for travel. That alone makes the welcome offer worth about $900 in travel.

Final Approach

I love the American Express Gold Card. The statement credit benefits this year make the card a proverbial no-brainer. Even after the airline incidental credit is discontinued, the card’s 4X categories will still almost make the card’s annual fee a non-issue.