American Express Gold Rewards Card® Review

With American Express' personal cards, you can see if you will be approved before you apply, without impacting your credit score. To make this decision, Amex runs a soft credit check instead of a hard credit check.

Most lenders perform a hard credit check when you apply for a new card, which can temporarily impact your credit score. A soft credit check, however, does not affect your credit score.

Instant decisions are only available for personal card applications and the soft credit check process is not available for applications done by phone.

More than beneficial, this welcome bonus is one of the biggest you’ll see for average spenders, offering extra American Express Membership Reward points on every monthly billing period when you spend $1000 in purchases in the first year. See more details in our best sign-up bonus credit cards in Canada blog.

Like many American Express cards, the American Express Gold Rewards Card comes with no income requirements. This makes the card more accessible to multiple applicants, as long as they meet the credit score recommendation and are able to front the annual fee.

Another aspect of this card that makes it travel-friendly is its extensive insurance. The card features 11 types of coverage, and most categories lean toward travel situations, with valuable inclusions like trip interruption, trip cancellation, and car rental damage and theft protections.

Everyday spenders will also appreciate the standard purchase protection and extended warranty insurance.

Some premium credit cards offer airport lounge perks. These perks typically include a specific airport lounge pass, or a pass with complimentary visits (meaning you don't have to pay for lounge entry when applicable). While the American Express Gold Rewards Card boasts the airport lounge Priority Pass, this perk only offers the pass and doesn’t include any complimentary visits. That’s where the airport lounge Plaza Premium access comes in, offering 4 free complimentary visits, so you can kickback before takeoff at no extra cost. These free visits make the the Amex Gold Rewards Card one of the best lounge credit cards in Canada.

Each year, use this card’s travel credit towards an eligible trip booked through American Express Travel Online. Applicable towards flights, hotels, vacation bundles, and car services. This is merely one of many perks that land this card a spot on our list of top travel credit cards in Canada.

Another notable perk is this card’s Nexus Program Rebate, where you’ll receive a $50 statement credit when you charge a Nexus application or renewal expense to your American Express Gold Rewards Card. This credit comes along every 4 years, starting from the initial card anniversary date until the day before the fourth card anniversary date.

What’s more, when you enrol in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards loyalty program, you’ll get special privileges on select standard vehicles at participating locations. These privileges might include one car class update on rentals of 5 or more consecutive days (depending on availability), and a waived fee for one additional driver if that driver is included on the rental agreement.

This exclusive perk provides complimentary hotel benefits when you book your room through American Express Travel. Available at participating hotels in The Hotel Collection, when you stay two or more nights at an eligible property, you'll earn:

• A hotel credit to put towards amenities like dining, spa, and other facilities when charged to your room.
• A one-category room upgrade upon checking in, depending on availability.
• Late check-in, when available.
• Late check-out, when available.

There’s something so luxurious about a metal credit card, especially when it’s customizable. That’s right – with the American Express Gold Rewards Card, you can choose to have your card plated in a stainless steel gold or rose gold finish.

What’s particularly nice about this card’s airline partner redemptions, is that you’re not locked into one participating airline, giving you the flexibility to switch things up each time you fly.

Participating partners include:

• Air Canada Aeroplan
• Air France KLM Flying Blue
• British Airways Executive Club
• Cathay Pacific
• Delta SkyMiles
• Ethiad Guest

Compared to other networks like Visa and Mastercard, American Express cards have a lower global acceptance rate, particularly in places within Europe. 

Some applicants won’t be impressed by the American Express Gold Rewards Card’s annual fee, and we understand that. However, it’s worth mentioning that cardholders that take advantage of the card’s perks and rewards can offset this cost in overall annual value. It's also a more affordable alternative to other premium cards, with good benefits relative to its annual fee.