People That Use American Express Get Rewards and Protections

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Using American Express can be a game-changer for your financial life. You get access to a range of rewards and protections that can help you save money and avoid financial stress.

One of the biggest perks is the purchase protection offered by American Express. This means you're covered if your new purchase is stolen, damaged, or defective within a certain time frame.

With American Express, you can also earn rewards points on your purchases, which can be redeemed for cash back, travel, or other exciting experiences. The rewards program is designed to be flexible and rewarding, so you can use your points in a way that suits your lifestyle.

American Express also offers travel insurance and assistance, which can be a lifesaver if you encounter unexpected travel disruptions or cancellations. This can include coverage for trip cancellations, delays, or interruptions due to unforeseen circumstances.

American Express Benefits

American Express cardholders can enjoy exclusive benefits, including access to the restaurant reservation tool Resy, which offers exclusive reservations and events at thousands of restaurants worldwide.

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Eligible cardholders can also earn up to 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, with a limit of $50,000 in spending per calendar year.

The Amex Gold card offers up to $120 in annual dining credits at participating locations, including Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, and Goldbelly.

Additionally, cardholders can earn up to $10 in monthly dining credits, up to $120 per year, and up to $100 in annual Resy statement credits.

The Amex Gold card also offers Uber Cash, which can be used on Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., with a limit of $120 per calendar year.

Cardholders can also earn up to $84 in Dunkin' Donuts statement credits each calendar year.

Here are some of the benefits offered by American Express cards:

  • Resy: Exclusive restaurant reservations and events at thousands of restaurants worldwide
  • Dining credits: Up to $120 in annual dining credits at participating locations
  • Uber Cash: Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S.
  • Dunkin' Donuts credits: Up to $84 in annual Dunkin' Donuts credits

By taking advantage of these benefits, American Express cardholders can enjoy exclusive perks and rewards that enhance their dining and travel experiences.

Card Options

If you're an American Express cardholder, you have access to a variety of card options to suit your needs.

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The American Express Platinum Card offers a $200 airline fee credit, which can be a huge bonus for frequent flyers.

With the American Express Gold Card, you can earn 4x points at U.S. restaurants and 4x points at U.S. supermarkets, making it a great choice for foodies and families.

The American Express Green Card offers a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, which can save you time and hassle at the airport.

Find the Card for You

If you're looking for a card that's perfect for everyday use, consider the rewards card with no annual fee, which can save you money on interest charges and fees.

Some cards offer cash back rewards, such as 1% to 5% back on purchases, while others provide travel rewards or points that can be redeemed for gift cards.

The secured card is designed for people with poor or no credit, requiring a security deposit to open the account, but can help you build credit over time.

Cards with no foreign transaction fees are ideal for international travel, allowing you to make purchases without incurring extra charges.

If you're a student, a card with no foreign transaction fees and a low credit limit might be the way to go, offering flexibility and convenience.

Here's an interesting read: American Express Travel Rewards Points

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If you're looking for a credit card that offers statement credits for popular spending, the American Express Platinum Card is a great option. It offers up to $200 hotel credit for Fine Hotels and Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings.

One of the most useful credits is the up to $120 wireless telephone credit each year, which can be earned by enrolling in the program and making eligible purchases. This can add up to a significant amount, especially for frequent phone users.

The Platinum Card also offers up to $240 digital entertainment credit (up to $20 in total statement credits per month) toward Disney+, a Disney Bundle, Hulu, Peacock, ESPN+, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times subscriptions. This can be a great perk for those who enjoy streaming services.

For those who dine out frequently, the Amex Gold Card offers up to $120 per calendar year dining statement credit, broken down into up to $10 monthly. This can be easily maximized by eating out or taking out from one of the partner dining merchants.

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Here are some popular spending credits offered by the Amex Gold Card:

  • Up to $120 per calendar year dining statement credit (up to $10 monthly)
  • Up to $10 in Uber Cash deposited to your account monthly to use on U.S. rides and U.S. Uber Eats orders
  • Up to $100 in Resy statement credits per calendar year

These credits can add up to a significant amount, especially for frequent diners and Uber users.

Non-U.S. Residents

If you live outside the U.S., the Amex Gold card's benefits are limited, as the supermarket and dining perks are only available in the U.S.

The 3 points per dollar earned on flights booked directly through the airline or through amextravel.com can still be useful, but it may not be enough to make up for the lack of other benefits.

Enrollment is required for the Hotel Collection benefit, which offers an up to $100 statement credit each calendar year when booking through AmexTravel.com for stays of two nights or more.

Other premium rewards cards may offer more valuable perks for non-U.S. residents.

Key Features

American Express credit cards are known for offering exceptional customer service, earning the top spot in J.D. Power's 2024 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study for the fifth year running.

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The issuer offers a range of benefits, including free shipping, travel insurance, and concierge services, but some cards feature even more perks that are easy to overlook. For example, the Amex Gold card offers up to $424 in annual value, including up to $120 in Uber Cash, $120 in Resy statement credits, and $84 in Dunkin' Donuts statement credits.

Some Amex cards also offer buy now, pay later options, such as Amex Pay It, Plan It, which lets customers pay for purchases in smaller, more intentional installments. This feature is only available for consumer cards and not business credit cards.

Here are some key features of American Express credit cards:

  • Amex Gold: 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, and 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with the airline or through AmexTravel.com
  • Amex Pay It, Plan It: Pay off small purchases under $100 immediately or create a payment plan for purchases over $100 with fixed monthly payments and no interest
  • Amex Gold: Up to $120 in Uber Cash, up to $120 in Resy statement credits, and up to $84 in Dunkin' Donuts statement credits

Travel Protections

Travel Protections are a crucial aspect of many Amex credit cards. Eligible cards from Amex may offer travel insurance benefits to cardholders.

Baggage insurance plan is one such benefit that can help you get reimbursement when your bags are lost or stolen while in the care of a common carrier like an airline or a cruise line. The amount of coverage you get varies by card.

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Some Amex cards also offer secondary auto rental coverage that can apply after you utilize the limits on your primary insurance policy. This can be a lifesaver if you're renting a car abroad.

You can also purchase premium auto rental coverage through Amex, which can provide additional protection.

Trip delay coverage is another benefit that can reimburse you for expenses that occur when your trip is delayed for a long enough period of time, typically six or 12 hours.

Here are some common travel insurance perks available with Amex cards:

  • Baggage insurance plan
  • Secondary auto rental coverage
  • Trip delay coverage
  • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance can help you get reimbursed for some or all of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs when your trip must be canceled or interrupted due to an illness or injury in your traveling party, inclement weather, terrorist event, or another covered issue. Coverage amounts vary by card type.

At a Glance

As you navigate the world of credit cards, you may find yourself wondering what perks and benefits come with each card. Let's take a closer look at some of the key features that set American Express credit cards apart.

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You can earn rewards points through everyday spending with American Express credit cards, which can be redeemed for free flights, hotel stays, or other travel expenses.

The Platinum Card from American Express, for example, comes with a range of travel-related benefits, including up to $200 in airline incidental credits per year and access to 1,400 airport lounges.

Some Amex credit cards offer free shipping, travel insurance benefits, concierge services, and even automatic elite status with hotel loyalty programs.

Here are some of the most popular Amex credit cards with the most benefits:

Whether you're a seasoned traveler or just starting to explore the world, American Express credit cards offer a range of benefits that can make your travels more comfortable and luxurious.

You can also share travel credit cards with your partner, making it easier to earn and redeem rewards points together.

Payment Control

Payment Control is a crucial aspect of managing your credit card account. Typically, only the primary cardholder is responsible for paying the monthly credit card bill, even if there are multiple additional authorized users of the account.

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The primary cardholder may also have correspondingly more control, including the ability to set spending limits for authorized users. This can be especially helpful if you're sharing a credit card with family members or roommates.

You may have more control over your account, but it's still essential to keep track of your spending and make timely payments to avoid late fees and interest charges.

Auto Purchasing Program

The Auto Purchasing Program offered by American Express is a great feature for cardholders. You can access over 10,000 car dealerships that accept American Express cards.

Through amexnetwork.truecar.com, you can enter specifics about your preferred vehicle, such as make, model, and location. Participating dealers will accept your card for at least $2,000 and up to the car's full purchase price.

You'll also receive a Guaranteed Savings Certificate for your described vehicle and any vehicles in stock that match your preferences.

Benefits and Perks

People who use American Express often take advantage of the numerous benefits and perks offered by the card.

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Some Amex credit cards offer travel-related benefits that can make trips more comfortable or luxurious, such as airline incidental credits, airport lounge access, and CLEAR membership credits.

The Amex Platinum Card, for example, offers up to $200 in airline incidental credits per year, while the Global Lounge Collection provides access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide.

The CLEAR membership credit is also a valuable benefit, covering the annual fee for membership in the CLEAR airport security program.

Eligible cardholders may also have access to exclusive hotel perks, such as room upgrades, complimentary Wi-Fi, and breakfast for two, through the Fine Hotels and Resorts portal.

Here are some of the key Amex Gold benefits:

  • Up to $10 monthly (up to $120 per calendar year) in dining statement credits at participating locations
  • Up to $120 every calendar year (up to $10 per month) in Uber Cash
  • Up to $100 per calendar year (up to $50 bi-annually) in Resy statement credits
  • Up to $84 in Dunkin' Donuts statement credits each calendar year (up to $7 per month)

Amex cards also offer travel insurance benefits, including baggage insurance plans, secondary auto rental coverage, trip delay coverage, and trip cancellation and interruption insurance.

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Additionally, Amex cardholders can access exclusive offers through the Amex Offers program, which can provide bonus points or cash back for eligible purchases.

Concierge services are also available to premium Amex cardholders, allowing them to make requests such as dinner reservations or concert tickets.

Finally, Amex cardmembers have access to exclusive events and experiences through the AmEx Experiences program.

Targeted Benefits

People who are targeted for a great welcome offer can receive a higher offer than the public welcome offer of 60,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of account opening.

You can check if you're targeted for a higher offer by using CardMatch or a referral link, which may offer a higher bonus.

The Amex Gold has a once-per-lifetime policy with welcome offers, so it's always a good idea to see if you can get a better deal.

The Business Platinum Card from American Express offers statement credit offers, including up to $400 in credits toward Dell per year, up to $360 in credits for Indeed annually, and up to $150 in credits toward eligible Adobe auto-renewing business subscriptions.

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The Platinum Card from American Express also offers statement credit offers, such as up to $200 hotel credit for Fine Hotels and Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, up to $200 airline incidentals credit, and up to $240 digital entertainment credit.

You can access rewards through AmEx Offers, which let cardholders earn bonus points or get cash back for eligible purchases, and all they have to do is add eligible offers they're interested in to their account ahead of time.

People Who Spend Much on Dining and Groceries

If you spend a lot on dining at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets, the American Express Gold Card is an excellent choice.

The card earns 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar) and 4 points per dollar on U.S. supermarket purchases (up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar).

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This translates to an impressive 8% return based on TPG's February 2025 valuation of Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each.

If you can max out the dining credits and Uber Cash benefits, you'll easily cover the card's annual fee and come out with positive value.

You can earn up to $120 per calendar year in dining statement credits, broken down into up to $10 monthly, when you pay with the Gold Card at participating partners.

Additionally, you'll receive up to $10 in Uber Cash deposited to your account monthly to use on U.S. rides and U.S. Uber Eats orders.

You'll also receive up to $100 in Resy statement credits per calendar year, worth up to $50 bi-annually, when you dine at a restaurant enrolled in the Resy program and pay your bill with the Amex Gold.

To maximize these credits, simply enroll in the programs and use your Gold Card to pay for eligible purchases.

By taking advantage of these benefits, you'll be able to earn a valuable transferable points currency and accelerate your next award flight or hotel stay.

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Here's a breakdown of the earning categories and their respective returns:

By using the American Express Gold Card for your dining and grocery expenses, you'll be able to earn a significant return on your spending and make the most of the card's benefits.

Great Welcome Offer for Targeted People

If you've been targeted for a great welcome offer on the Amex Gold, you're in luck. The public welcome offer on this card is 60,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of account opening.

The Amex Gold has a once-per-lifetime policy with welcome offers, so it's always a good idea to see if you can get a higher offer. If you're eligible for a targeted offer, you could potentially earn even more points.

Some targeted offers can be quite substantial, and it's worth exploring to see what's available to you. To maximize your rewards, be sure to use your card for daily expenses, like paying for groceries, gas, and other essentials.

Here's a breakdown of the potential rewards you could earn:

By taking advantage of a targeted welcome offer, you could earn a significant amount of points and start building your rewards balance right away.

Benefits Eligibility

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Travel credit cards often come with a range of benefits that can enhance your travel experience. Some of these benefits are available to every authorized user of a single card account.

These perks can include access to airport lounges, free car rental insurance, and credits against airline fees. Some cards even offer a single cash credit per account.

Some benefits are available only to the primary cardholder, so it's essential to understand the eligibility rules before sharing a card with others. This way, you can take advantage of the benefits that matter most to you.

Sign-Up Bonuses

Sign-up Bonuses can be a game-changer for couples who use American Express cards. If you and your partner each have your own credit card, you can potentially earn two sign-up bonuses of tens of thousands of points if you meet the spending requirements.

Sharing a single travel card, on the other hand, can help you reach the bonus threshold faster, increasing your chances of earning at least one bonus per couple.

Payment and Redemption

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You can pay off small purchases under $100 immediately using the Amex Pay It feature, or create a payment plan for larger purchases with fixed monthly payments and no interest.

The primary cardholder has more control over the account, including the ability to set spending limits for authorized users.

With Amex Send & Split, you can send money to Venmo and PayPal users using your credit card and the app, or split pending or posted purchases with Venmo or PayPal users.

Pay It, Plan It

Pay It, Plan It lets you pay for purchases in a more intentional way. You can use the Amex app to automatically pay off small purchases under $100 with Pay It.

Pay It Plan It is a buy now, pay later option available for American Express consumer cards. It's not available for business credit cards.

With Pay It, you can pay off small purchases immediately. With Plan It, you can create a payment plan for purchases over $100 with fixed monthly payments and no interest.

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The fixed monthly fee is a more affordable option than traditional interest charges. This feature is designed to help you budget and pay off larger purchases over time.

You can use Plan It to pay off large purchases of $100 or more in smaller monthly installments. This can help you avoid interest charges and stay on top of your payments.

Send & Split

The AmEx Send & Split option is a game-changer for managing bills and expenses with friends.

You can send money to other Venmo and PayPal customers without the usual 3% fee using the AmEx "Send" feature.

This feature is only available on personal American Express credit cards, so make sure you have one of those to take advantage of it.

The "Split it" feature lets you divide up bills with other Venmo and PayPal users directly through the American Express app.

To add your card to PayPal, tap "Add Card to PayPal" under the Account tab in the app, making it more convenient to use your card online.

This new feature makes it easy to use your American Express card with the payment service, giving you more flexibility when it comes to managing your expenses.

Other Considerations

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If you live or frequently travel outside of the U.S., you might want to consider other options.

Traveling abroad can limit the Amex Gold's benefits, such as the $120 dining credit, which is only redeemable at U.S. restaurants.

Consumer Protections

If you're considering an American Express credit card, you should know that some of them come with extended warranties that add extra coverage to items that already have a manufacturer's warranty.

These extended warranties can provide peace of mind when making big purchases, especially if the item is something you use frequently.

Some American Express cards also offer return protection, which guarantees that you can return an item within a specific period even if the retailer won't take it back.

For example, the Blue Cash Preferred card refunds items up to $300 when merchants won't take them back within 90 days of purchase, with a maximum of $1,000 of coverage per calendar year.

You can check your card's terms to see if it offers these benefits, and make sure to understand the specifics of each protection.

If this caught your attention, see: Best Cash Back American Express Card

The Bottom Line

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If you're looking for a card that offers good returns without a hefty price tag, the Amex Gold might be a valuable option.

The Amex Gold is geared towards U.S.-based customers who spend heavily on dining and groceries at U.S. supermarkets.

If you can maximize the benefits this card offers, it might become a cornerstone of your wallet.

But if you live or frequently travel outside of the U.S., you may prefer a different travel credit card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who still uses American Express?

Most U.S. merchants accept American Express, but it's less common abroad and at small businesses. If you're looking for a card with widespread acceptance, American Express may not be the best choice.

Do wealthy people use American Express?

While American Express is associated with luxury credit cards, it's not the most popular credit card issuer among high-net-worth Americans. Bank of America is actually the top choice among millionaires.

Teresa Halvorson

Senior Writer

Teresa Halvorson is a skilled writer with a passion for financial journalism. Her expertise lies in breaking down complex topics into engaging, easy-to-understand content. With a keen eye for detail, Teresa has successfully covered a range of article categories, including currency exchange rates and foreign exchange rates.

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