Buzz
For those considering a new dining rewards card, the newly updated American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card offers some of the best perks—provided you can justify the $250 fee with enough spending.
Now named the American Express Gold Card, it stands as the top choice from Amex for those who frequently spend on food and dining (the second-largest expenditure for most Americans after housing and transportation): it provides 4X points on U.S. restaurant and supermarket purchases (up to $25,000 annually) and a $120 annual dining credit for use at places like Shake Shack and Seamless.
The card also offers 3X points on flights booked via their website, a $100 airline fee credit each year, a $75 hotel credit for qualifying stays, and additional benefits. However, the catch is the $250 annual fee, and cardholders will now earn only 1X back on gas purchases, instead of the previous 2X.
New cardholders will also enjoy 20% “back in statement credits on dining purchases at U.S. restaurants, up to $100 per Card account, within the first three months.” Plus, spend $2,000 in the first three months, and you’ll earn 25,000 bonus points (The Points Guy estimates this bonus at a value of $475). It's a card more suited to food lovers than frequent travelers.
How does it stack up against other dining rewards cards? For comparison, Capital One's recently redesigned Savor Card offers 4% cashback at restaurants and bars, and 2% at grocery stores, along with other benefits. The annual fee is $95 ($0 the first year). Meanwhile, the Chase Sapphire Preferred charges the same $95 fee ($0 the first year) but offers just 2 points back on dining and travel. However, the added bonuses and 4X rewards on groceries make it hard to ignore, though the $250 annual fee might make you hesitate.
An extra bonus, depending on your perspective: the new card is made of metal and comes in rose gold until January. Because, as we all know, millennials are all about rose gold.
*Full disclosure: I personally have the Capital One Savor Card.
