American Express Gold Rewards Card® vs Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card: Which one is better?

American Express Gold Rewards Card®
4.5

Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
4
Welcome Bonus*
New American Express® Gold Rewards Cardmembers, earn 5,000 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 in net purchases on your Card. Earn an additional 30,000 points after you spend a total of $20,000 on your Card in your first 12 months of Cardmembership. Plus, earn 20,000 points when you make a purchase between months 15 and 17 of Cardmembership. Offer ends August 18, 2025. This could add up to 110,000 points in a year. That’s up to $1,100 towards your next vacation.
Welcome Bonus*
In the first 2 months, get a bonus 10% cash back up to $100. During your first 30 days, transfer balances up to your credit limit and pay an interest rate of only 1.95% on the transferred balance for 6 months (22.95% after that). A Balance Transfer fee of 1% on the amount transferred will apply.11
Our Cash Offer
N/A
Our Cash Offer
$50 $100 Cash Rebate offer from FinlyWealth
Promotional rebate expires on Sep 1, 2025
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$598.87
American Express Membership Rewards
First Year Bonus Value
+
$1,890
American Express Membership Rewards
Annual Fee
-
$250
First Year Value
$2,238.87
$348.87 in years after
Based on a hypothetical $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$278.6
First Year Bonus Value
+
$100
Annual Fee
-
$0
Finly Rebate
Exclusive Offer
First Year Value
$478.6
$278.6 in years after
Based on a hypothetical $2,000/mo average spending and assuming you have a Tangerine Savings account. Calculate your rewards.
How to Earn Rewards*
- 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
How to Earn Rewards*
- 2% on the choice of two categories chosen from the 10 offered by Tangerine (Grocery, Restaurants, Gas, Entertainment, Furniture, Hotel-Motel, Drug Store, Reoccurring Bill Payments, Home Improvement, Public Transportation and Parking).
- Have your cash back Reward deposited in a Tangerine Savings Account and get a third 2% Money-Back Category.
- 0.5% cashback on all other credit card purchases.
Insurance Included*
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 yearPurchase Protection
90 daysLost or Stolen Baggage
$500Baggage Delay
$500Car Rental Damage & Theft
yesTravel Accident
$500,000Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500Emergency Out of province Medical
15 daysTrip Cancellation
$1,500 per person, $3,000 combinedTrip Interruption
$1,500 per person, $6,000 combinedFlight Delay
$500
Insurance Included*
Extended Warranty
Up to a yearPurchase Protection
90 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*
N/A
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
21.99%1
Cash Advance:
21.99%1
Interest Rates*
Purchase:
20.95%2
Cash Advance:
22.95%2
Balance Transfer:
22.95%2
Annual Fee*
$250
Annual Fee*
$0
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Income Required*
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Loyalty Program*
Loyalty Program*
N/A
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
0.91¢ / pointAmazon.ca
0.7¢ / pointMerchandise
0.63¢ / point
Point Redemption Options*
Not Applicable
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?
While we think Tangerine isn't the best single credit card to own, it's still a valuable card to have in your arsenal for maximizing your rewards. It offers one of the highest cashback rates for pharmacy and recurring bill payments, areas where your other credit cards might not provide significant rewards. This card only requires a Fair credit score, making it an excellent choice for people who don't have a high credit score yet.
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
- Allows you to change the categories, and you get a 2% reward depending on how your spending is changing every 90 days.
- 2% cashback on recurring Transactions and pharmacy purchases. One of the highest cashback rates on these categories among credit cards in Canada.
- Has cashback on Furniture and Home Improvement categories. Two categories that are not covered by any other card in Canada.
- Easy credit score requirements needed for this card.
- Overall, it is a good no-annual-fee cashback credit card, especially if you have a Tangerine Savings account.
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
- Insurance coverage is the most basic.
- Very low cashback rate on the other categories not selected.


vs Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card


vs American Express Platinum Card®


vs SimplyCash® Card from American Express


vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card

vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Card


vs CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card


vs BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®


vs SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express


vs TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card


vs TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege*


vs MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®


vs PC World Elite Mastercard


vs American Express® Green Card


vs Rogers World Elite® Mastercard®


vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card


vs Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card


vs TD Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card


vs American Express Cobalt® Card


vs Tangerine World Mastercard


vs SimplyCash® Card from American Express

vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Card


vs Scotia Momentum® Visa* Card


vs CIBC Costco Mastercard


vs BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®


vs Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard®


vs SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express


vs Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card


vs Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa* Card


vs Rogers World Elite® Mastercard®


vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card


vs Rogers Red Mastercard®


vs American Express Cobalt® Card
Legal