The American Express® Gold Card is great for earning rewards points. You’ll probably want to use it as much as possible when you get it so you can earn its welcome offer: 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points for spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months (terms apply).
Historically, American Express cards haven’t been as widely accepted as Visa and Mastercard. Acceptance has gone up quite a bit, but there are still places you can’t use them. Here’s everything you need to know about where you can and can’t use the American Express® Gold Card.
Where you can (and should) use the Amex Gold Card
You can use your American Express® Gold Card at most U.S. businesses, at least the ones that accept credit card payments. American Express cards are now accepted at 99% of places in the United States that accept credit cards. The days of businesses excluding American Express cards are largely a thing of the past.
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So, you could use your card almost anywhere in the United States. Now, let’s look at the specific places where you should make sure to use it.
Restaurants and U.S. supermarkets
You’ll definitely want to use the American Express® Gold Card for your dining and grocery spending. It earns:
- 4X Membership Rewards® Points at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the United States
- 4X Membership Rewards® Points at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year
- Terms apply.
The rewards rate is one of this card’s best perks. If you spend $10,000 per year at U.S. supermarkets and $5,000 at restaurants, you’d earn 60,000 points just from those two categories.
This card also has another useful restaurant perk: Up to $120 in dining credits per year. You can earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at participating partners (Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar, and select Shake Shack locations). Enrollment required, terms apply.
Airfare
The American Express® Gold Card earns 3x Membership Rewards® Points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. It also has a complimentary baggage insurance plan benefit. Terms apply.
Uber
Last but not least, make sure to add your American Express® Gold Card to your Uber account. Once you do, you’ll automatically get $10 in Uber Cash each month, for a total of up to $120 per year. You can use your Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the United States. Terms apply.
Where you can’t use the Amex Gold Card
American Express cards like this one aren’t universally accepted. It’s good to know where you’ll need a backup so you don’t find yourself without a way to pay.
Costco and costco.com
Costco is the largest major retailer that doesn’t accept American Express. It used to — Costco and American Express had a partnership that ended in 2016. Since then, Visa cards have been the only credit cards accepted at Costco warehouses. You can’t use Mastercard or Discover there, either.
Costco is more flexible about the payment methods it accepts on costco.com, but American Express cards still don’t make the cut. If you have a Costco membership, you need a different credit card to use there and on its website.
Some small businesses
Although American Express acceptance has gotten much better, certain small businesses still won’t accept it. For example, some restaurants and corner markets don’t take American Express because they don’t want to pay higher processing fees.
Some international merchants
The American Express® Gold Card has no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees), so it’s one of the better travel rewards cards — when you can use it. International acceptance varies quite a bit depending on the country you’re visiting and the merchant.
I’ve lived abroad for several years, so I have experience trying to use American Express cards. Sometimes, it works fine. But there have also been plenty of times when I needed to pull out a Visa or Mastercard. I’d highly recommend carrying one when traveling internationally.
It never hurts to have a backup
If you can take advantage of its benefits, the American Express® Gold Card offers a ton of value. And in all likelihood, you’ll be able to use it at most places.
Still, the fact is that American Express isn’t as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard. It’s very close in the United States, and less so abroad. The safest option is to always have a couple of payment methods, just in case. With your American Express® Gold Card, a Visa or Mastercard, and some cash, you’ll be ready for anything.
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