American Express Gold Rewards Card® vs PC World Elite Mastercard: Which one is better?
American Express Gold Rewards Card®
4.2
PC World Elite Mastercard
3.1
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$619.03
American Express Membership Rewards
First Year Bonus
$1,260
American Express Membership Rewards
Annual Fee
$250
First Year Value
$1,629.03
$369.03 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$266
PC Financial
First Year Bonus
$100
PC Financial
Annual Fee
$0
First Year Value
$366
$266 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Insurance Included*
Car Rental Damage & Theft
$85K, up to 48 daysExtended Warranty
Up to 1 yearPurchase Protection
90 days, Up to $1,000Emergency Out of province Medical
15 daysLost or Stolen Baggage
$500Baggage Delay
$500 after 6 hour delayTravel Accident
$500,000Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500Trip Cancellation
$1,500 per person, $3,000 combinedTrip Interruption
$1,500 per person, $6,000 combinedFlight Delay
$500 after 4 hour delay
Insurance Included
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Up to 31 daysExtended Warranty
Doubled up to a yearPurchase Protection
90 daysEmergency Out of province Medical
$1M, Up to 10 days
Extra Benefits*
American Express® Experiences
Status lift
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® loyalty programExtra points
Earn 2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases and extra points on American Express offersTravel Credit
$100Nexus Program Rebate
$50 statement credit every 4 yearsComplimentary Hotel Benefits
Hotels booked American Express TravelAirport Lounge - Priority Pass
Pass only. No Complimentary visits!Airport Lounge - Plaza Premium
4 Free complimentary visits
Extra Benefits
Concierge Services
Identity Theft Assistance
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
21.99%1
Cash Advance:
21.99%1
Interest Rates
Purchase:
21.99%
Cash Advance:
22.97%
Annual Fee*
$250
Annual Fee
$0
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Income Required
Min Personal Income:
$80,000
Min Household Income:
$150,000
Welcome Bonus*
Earn 5,000 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 in purchases on your Card in the first Year
Welcome Bonus
100,000 PC after approval of the application
Rewards Rate*
- 2x points per $1 spent on gas, groceries and drugstore purchases
- 2x points per $1 spent on travel (eligible flights, hotels, tours and more)
- 1x point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
Rewards Rate
Loyalty Program*
Loyalty Program
Point Redemption Options*
Most Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
2.1¢ / pointFixed Point Travel Program
1.66¢ / pointTransfer to Hotel Partners
1.66¢ / pointStatement Credits (Cash)
1¢ / pointGift Cards
0.765¢ / pointAmazon.ca
0.7¢ / pointMerchandise
0.63¢ / point
Point Redemption Options
Groceries
0.1¢ / pointGas (Esso)
0.1¢ / point
Is this card worth it?
The American Express® Gold Rewards Card is an excellent choice for travelers seeking an entry-level card that offers a strong balance of generous travel benefits without excessive costs. With a relatively low annual fee, this card provides flexibility and a range of perks that make it stand out among other options. It’s ideal for those who want to maximize their travel rewards without being tied to a specific airline or compromising on the benefits offered.
Is this card worth it?
This is a great card to have in your arsenal if you frequently shop at Shoppers Drug Mart®, Loblaw's owned chains, and ESSO and Mobil gas stations, as you will earn significant rewards in these categories. The additional benefits, such as out-of-province medical insurance, car rental damage insurance, and concierge service, are impressive and typically only come with cards that have annual fees; however, you can access these benefits for free with this card. We do not recommend using this as your primary credit card but as a supplement to another primary card, especially because there are no fees. This is because the rewards on purchases outside the mentioned shops are very average, and many other cards offer much more substantial rewards for general use.
Pros
- Flexible Rewards: Enjoy flexible Membership Rewards point conversion with up to 2 points per $1 spent.
- Travel Perks: Includes $100 annual travel credit and 4 free passes to Plaza Premium lounges in Canada.
- Comprehensive Insurance: Comes with 11 types of insurance coverage.
- Multiple Redemption Options: Offers 4 ways to redeem points for maximum value.
Pros
- Out-of-province medical insurance, concierge service, and car rental damage insurance—benefits that are usually included with cards that have fees—are included with this card.
- Decent rewards on purchases at Shoppers Drug Mart®, Loblaw's owned chains, and ESSO and Mobil gas stations.
Cons
- High Annual Fee: The card comes with a $250 annual fee.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: A 2.5% fee applies to foreign transactions.
- Limited Travel Insurance for Seniors: No travel medical insurance coverage for those over 65.
- Lower Acceptance: As an American Express card, it may have lower acceptance compared to Visa or Mastercard.
Cons
- Many other high-spend categories don't earn as many rewards. Shopping at any other grocery chains, gas stations, or pharmacies will only give the base reward rate, and restaurant purchases and purchases in other categories don't earn much either.
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