Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and heres how we make money.
Do your homework before getting a new credit card, regardless of whether this is your first one or your wallet is already overflowing with plastic. Since each credit card is unique, banks have made every effort to attract you as a customer, from application requirements to card benefits.
The American Express® Gold Card, a mid-tier credit card, is a good choice for a lot of customers. This is thanks to its strong earning structure and travel perks, among other benefits. Its also made of metal, which some cardholders love.
Check out these five things to know before obtaining the American Express® Gold Card if you’re considering applying for one.
Due to its generous rewards, statement credits, and travel benefits, the American Express® Gold Card is a popular option among foodies and frequent travelers. But it’s also renowned for being slightly harder to get approved for than other credit cards. So, is it hard to get the Amex Gold Card?.
The short answer is yes, it can be difficult to get the Amex Gold Card. This is because it requires good to excellent credit for approval, meaning you’ll need a credit score of 700 or higher and a steady income. However, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of approval.
The following are some of the variables that may make applying for the Amex Gold Card difficult:
- Credit score: As mentioned, you’ll need a good to excellent credit score to qualify for the Amex Gold Card. This means a score of 700 or higher. If your credit score is below 700, you may want to consider working on improving it before applying.
- Income: Amex doesn’t publicly disclose the income requirement for the Amex Gold Card, but it’s generally assumed that you’ll need to have a steady income to be approved. This means having a job with a regular paycheck.
- Credit history: In addition to your credit score, Amex will also look at your credit history when making a decision on your application. This includes factors such as how long you’ve had credit, how much debt you have, and whether you’ve made any late payments.
- Other factors: Amex may also consider other factors when making a decision on your application, such as your employment history, your debt-to-income ratio, and your overall financial stability.
Here are some things you can do to increase your chances of getting approved for the Amex Gold Card:
- Improve your credit score: If your credit score is below 700, you can work on improving it by paying your bills on time, reducing your debt, and avoiding opening new credit accounts.
- Increase your income: If you don’t have a steady income, you may want to consider getting a job or increasing your hours at your current job.
- Build your credit history: If you have a limited credit history, you can build it by opening a secured credit card or becoming an authorized user on someone else’s credit card.
- Apply for the card when you have a good chance of being approved: This means applying when your credit score is high, your income is stable, and you have a good credit history.
Even if you don’t meet all of the requirements, it’s still worth applying for the Amex Gold Card. Amex sometimes approves applicants who don’t meet all of the criteria, especially if they have a strong application overall.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind:
- Amex has a once-per-lifetime bonus policy: This means that you can only earn the welcome bonus on an Amex card once. So, if you’ve already had the Amex Gold Card in the past, you won’t be eligible for the welcome bonus again.
- Amex has a 5/24 rule: This rule states that you can’t be approved for most Amex cards if you’ve opened five or more credit cards in the past 24 months. So, if you’re close to the 5/24 limit, you may want to wait to apply for the Amex Gold Card.
All things considered, the Amex Gold Card is an excellent credit card for individuals seeking substantial rewards, statement credits, and travel perks. However, it can be a bit challenging to get approved for. If you’re thinking about applying for the card, make sure to go over the requirements and take all the necessary steps to improve your chances of getting approved.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
- The Points Guy: Who should (and who shouldn’t) get the Amex Gold?
- WalletHub: Why is it so hard to get the Amex Gold Card?
- NerdWallet: American Express Gold Card review
Please note that this is just a general overview of the Amex Gold Card and the factors that can make it hard to get The specific requirements for approval may vary, so it’s always best to check with Amex directly
Your travel plans
Along with great dining benefits, the American Express® Gold Card comes with strong travel perks. Among other questions, you may be wondering, “Does the American Express® Gold Card cover rental car insurance?”.
Although the American Express® Gold Card’s rental car insurance is supplemental to your current coverage, it does offer damage and theft coverage for a few different vehicle types in the majority of countries. (Cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offer primary rental car insurance. ).
Other benefits of the American Express® Gold Card include access to The Hotel Collection by American Express, no foreign transaction fees, and baggage insurance. Additionally, $10 monthly Uber credits (up to $120) are yours to use for Uber Eats purchases or rides within the United S. Your American Express® Gold Card must be added to the Uber app to receive the Uber Cash. Terms apply.
If you’re not a big traveler, these perks won’t mean much to you. But they may be worthwhile for someone who travels often.
» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now
How to use American Express Membership Rewards
You don’t have to be a points expert to apply for the American Express® Gold Card. That being said, you can make significant improvements to your travel experiences by learning how to make the most of your American Express Membership Rewards points.
AmEx points can be redeemed in a number of ways, such as by using the AmEx travel portal, transferring them to hotel and airline partners, or using them as statement credits. But not every option is made equal, and depending on how you use each point, you’ll get a different value for it.
This is especially important when you take into account the American Express® Gold Card’s welcome offer, which is as follows: within the first six months of card membership, earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new card. Terms Apply.
Given that AmEx points can be worth up to two cents each, according to NerdWallet, the welcome offer is almost definitely worth more than the annual fee.
» Learn more: Advanced tips for using AmEx Membership Rewards points
Is the American Express Gold ACTUALLY Worth It in 2024?
FAQ
Is it hard to get approved for a Amex Gold card?
What income is needed for Amex Gold?
Who qualifies for Amex Gold?
What credit score do you need for a Amex Gold card?
How much does the American Express Gold Card cost?
When it comes time to apply for your first (or fifth) premium-adjacent rewards card, don’t ignore the American Express® Gold Card. The Amex Gold has an annual fee of $250 (see rates and fees ), which effectively drops to $10 in true out-of-pocket cost when you fully use the monthly statement credits at select restaurants and the Uber Cash benefit.
How hard is it to get an Amex Gold Card?
Unless your credit score is 700 or higher and you have a lot of income, it will be very hard for you to get approved for the Amex Gold card. In order to get the Amex Gold card, you will have to meet the credit score requirement, have a steady income and be at least 18 years old. You’ll also What are the Amex Gold Card requirements for approval?
Is the American Express Gold Card a good choice?
The American Express® Gold Card wants a seat at your table, whether you’re dining out at restaurants or buying groceries at U.S. supermarkets to cook at home. You might also benefit from its various statement credits to save money throughout the year. With the card’s solid welcome offer, the Amex Gold may be a great option for your wallet.
How does the American Express Gold Card work?
When applying for the American Express® Gold Card, American Express performs a hard credit inquiry to determine your creditworthiness. Amex considers your credit score, credit history and other factors to determine eligibility for the card. To qualify for the Amex Gold card, you’ll need at least a good to excellent credit score.