topic Re: AMEX Gold still worth it? in Credit Cards

AMEX Gold still worth it?

CBartowski — Sun, 31 Mar 2019 17:05:44 GMT

So I'll start by saying I love AMEX, their customer service has been agreat.

However, I am also a CSR holder and am struggling to realize the value of my Gold now that AA gift cards no longer work for credit and using Grubhub every month really doesn't save money to use the dining credit. Delta maybe?

Is anyone else in this boat as a CSR and Gold holder that still sees value in holding both?

The travel benefits of CSR far outweigh the Gold and even the plat IMO.

Thanks folks!

Re: AMEX Gold still worth it?

Anonymous — Sun, 31 Mar 2019 17:30:29 GMT

I just got a CSP, I still feel the amex gold is a keeper. I'll see after the first year of having the CSP how it turns out.

Re: AMEX Gold still worth it?

NRB525 — Sun, 31 Mar 2019 17:39:47 GMT

The Gold airline credit is intended for bag fees, snacks/food on the plane and other incidentals. If you travel, the bulk of the $100 Credit might be usable that way.

The Delta Gold gives you free checked bag, so it’s another view to a use of the AF, if you fly Delta regularly.

But if you really don’t travel much, the Gold can be more AF than is justified. The next question is whether the value as a grocery card makes the Gold something to consider.

The Gold and CSR can play well together if you transfer to a common airline like BA, but again, if not much travel then too many travel cards are too much.

Re: AMEX Gold still worth it?

Anonymous — Sun, 31 Mar 2019 18:19:36 GMT

I have the gold. I like it. I spend enough in groceries and restaurants that I would probably be ahead compared to a 2% card even with no credits...

I have been buying southwest gift cards and they still work. I transfer points for delta but Delta and AA always seem more expensive with cash. Also, southwest can be cancelled and used for a different flight with no cancelation fees.

For me, I definitely order a lot of food but grubhub here SUCKS! I only use them for my gold credit once a month. Uber eats will get to my house in 20 mins. Same restaurant on grubhub is 50+ minutes. Last month I ordered something really complicated: a bucket of chicken from a KFC 5 minutes away. It was 3 HOURS later it finally arrived!!! I could have gone to grocery store, breaded and fried my own chicken!!

I'm going to do cheesecake factory next month. I meant to this month but I forgot on my sisters birthday and then it just got away from me. For me, if grubhub would be as good as Uber Eats I'd consider this a slam dunk. But, with their unreliability, it feels a little forced. I'd rather buy from Uber Eats or bite squad...

So... Yes. If you're in the correct demographic for the card to work for you... Its totally worth it.

Figure out what perks the gold comes with that another Amex with no AF doesn't have. I know there's upgraded roadside assistance. Decide which credits are natural spending for you and which seem forced.

Subtract the natural expenses from the AF. this portion is free. You were going to spend that much anyway. Take whatever is left and that is your real fee.

Take your next best card in the categories you spend on the card and figure out your yearly spending in those categories. Determine if your spending justifies the rest of the cost.

After all that, think about the perks I mentioned first. Do you pay for aaa, can you cancel aaa and be satisfied with the roadside limitations on gold? Do the other perks justify whatever the remaining balance is?

That's how you determine if you're getting value out of the card.

Re: AMEX Gold still worth it?

kdm31091 — Sun, 31 Mar 2019 18:49:23 GMT

I think that if you will not organically be able to make use of the dining and/or travel credits, it really is a hard sell with the AF, especially when you have other cards you want to spend on and most of the MR point redemptions are best for travel. I think it's best to pick an ecosystem and stick to it. In your case, if the CSR / UR points are more valuable, there's not much reason in paying $250 a year for the Gold if you aren't getting use out of the various credits. To me it doesn't make sense to force spend just to make back some of the AF when you could just get rid of entirely if it isn't working for you.

Re: AMEX Gold still worth it?

Anonymous — Sun, 31 Mar 2019 19:49:26 GMT

For me, it’s probably not worth it anymore. I don’t have much grocery spend but I do spend around 300 a month in dining through the gold though.

I love the earning potential but I hate how restrictive the credits are especially the dining one. Not to mention, AA gift cards no longer triggering credit which is by far my preferred airline. I am close to an delta hub as well but they are always much more expensive than AA for the routes I fly.

I’m probably going to move my dining spend to either the Premier or Prestige if I do PC to it going forward. I have the Savor but at this point I really prefer points over cash back.

Re: AMEX Gold still worth it?

mongstradamus — Sun, 31 Mar 2019 20:32:28 GMT

For me CIP+Gold is a better combination , since i wouldn't use CSR travel credits and 1.5 redemption when using chase travel site or whatever its called. Even though when I had the CSR i was able to use travel credits for fuel surcharges on one of my flights. CIP gets 3x travel just like CSR does with a lot less AF. It really comes down to how much you spend eating out , travel , and groceries. I do like that CIP has cell phone insurance and 3x for cell , tv , internet etc. Its pretty minor though since my bills for those aren't all that much.

Re: AMEX Gold still worth it?

Credit-hoarder — Sun, 31 Mar 2019 21:27:43 GMT

I'm commited to mine by my own choice until August of 2020 (1 year free trial + one year at $195 hopefully AF) then I'll decide at that point if it's a keeper. I have been burning the heck out of it with 4x dinning and groceries and sometimes 2x gas (until October)....plus I eat lunch at Cheesecake Factory once a month for about $5 to $7 after the dinning credit. Between my "over" usage on this card and SPG biz--it's probably the only reason the CL on my BCE hasn't been chopped yet

Re: AMEX Gold still worth it?

CBartowski — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 00:13:05 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I have the gold. I like it. I spend enough in groceries and restaurants that I would probably be ahead compared to a 2% card even with no credits...

I have been buying southwest gift cards and they still work. I transfer points for delta but Delta and AA always seem more expensive with cash. Also, southwest can be cancelled and used for a different flight with no cancelation fees.

For me, I definitely order a lot of food but grubhub here SUCKS! I only use them for my gold credit once a month. Uber eats will get to my house in 20 mins. Same restaurant on grubhub is 50+ minutes. Last month I ordered something really complicated: a bucket of chicken from a KFC 5 minutes away. It was 3 HOURS later it finally arrived!!! I could have gone to grocery store, breaded and fried my own chicken!!

I'm going to do cheesecake factory next month. I meant to this month but I forgot on my sisters birthday and then it just got away from me. For me, if grubhub would be as good as Uber Eats I'd consider this a slam dunk. But, with their unreliability, it feels a little forced. I'd rather buy from Uber Eats or bite squad...

So... Yes. If you're in the correct demographic for the card to work for you... Its totally worth it.

Figure out what perks the gold comes with that another Amex with no AF doesn't have. I know there's upgraded roadside assistance. Decide which credits are natural spending for you and which seem forced.

Subtract the natural expenses from the AF. this portion is free. You were going to spend that much anyway. Take whatever is left and that is your real fee.

Take your next best card in the categories you spend on the card and figure out your yearly spending in those categories. Determine if your spending justifies the rest of the cost.

After all that, think about the perks I mentioned first. Do you pay for aaa, can you cancel aaa and be satisfied with the roadside limitations on gold? Do the other perks justify whatever the remaining balance is?

That's how you determine if you're getting value out of the card.

Thanks for the throught out response!

You;re right on many accounts, Grubhub is terrible and 10$ credit basically covers the delivery fee if most restaurants by me.

The CSR covers just about all of the other "perks" such as roadside and travel delay insurace far better than Gold, and even Plat in some instances.

I really want to love this card, just struggling to find a purpose.

Re: AMEX Gold still worth it?

Anonymous — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 02:54:08 GMT

Like others have said, good card but depends on your usage.

I have good usage for all the credits and spending categories, so I'm likely about to open both the amex gold & plat. The CSR and citi prestige were other considerations for me, but I'm willing to open 2 cards at the thet moment and nothing really pairs well with the CSR or Prestige for me.

WIth the CSR already, it'd be hard to justify something with matching categories and an AF. If you're looking for another card to expand your rewards, it might be best to open a chase unlimited, if you don't have it already. 1.5% back on anything, but you can transfer that to your CSR and redeem them for 1.5x points in travel (making your 1.5 more like 2.25). Has no AF. And your first year it is a 3% card (so 4.5 after transferring!).

Side note: aren't you guys able to just place an order through Grub Hub for pick up? That would eliminate most fees and give your credits more value.

Re: AMEX Gold still worth it?

UncleB — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 03:00:11 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

Side note: aren't you guys able to just place an order through Grub Hub for pick up? That would eliminate most fees and give your credits more value.

This is exactly what I do.

In my case once a month I treat myself to a dozen chocolate chip cookies from The Great American Cookie Company at the mall.

Re: AMEX Gold still worth it?

Watchmann — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 03:06:19 GMT

I've been a continuous Gold Card holder since 1980 so it's part of my life. I go to either Ruth's Chris or Shake Shack each month so that is $120 saved, I've never had any issue buying anything anywhere in the world (sometimes over $10-15k) with NO foreign transaction fee, so it works for me. Plus it gives you extended warranties on purchases.....I've bought high end audio gear and expensive watches that come with 3-5 year warranties so AMEX extends them by 2 years, valuable if an issue crops up after the manufacturers warranty expires. I'm never impressed with how the card looks (metal rose gold version) but I've had several comments from overseas use saying they haven't see one before. It's all good.

Re: AMEX Gold still worth it?

CBartowski — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 03:18:42 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Like others have said, good card but depends on your usage.
I have good usage for all the credits and spending categories, so I'm likely about to open both the amex gold & plat. The CSR and citi prestige were other considerations for me, but I'm willing to open 2 cards at the thet moment and nothing really pairs well with the CSR or Prestige for me.
WIth the CSR already, it'd be hard to justify something with matching categories and an AF. If you're looking for another card to expand your rewards, it might be best to open a chase unlimited, if you don't have it already. 1.5% back on anything, but you can transfer that to your CSR and redeem them for 1.5x points in travel (making your 1.5 more like 2.25). Has no AF. And your first year it is a 3% card (so 4.5 after transferring!).

Side note: aren't you guys able to just place an order through Grub Hub for pick up? That would eliminate most fees and give your credits more value.

Thanks for the tip, I honestly had no idea as I rarely use it anyway. That will definitely help! Though it looks like there isn't many restaurants with them nearby. I'll find a way. Thanks!!

Re: AMEX Gold still worth it?

bourgogne — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 15:21:56 GMT

waking up, drinking coffee....been with both chase and amex for over 4 decades. I cannot imagine paying a af for most ax cards. I have a bgr @ $175 but that gets absorbed by the $ 1500 I get back yearly from dell purchases. I am an au on a platinum and I used it for uber around la and the airfrance lounges at cdg 2x a year. 5x air is handy. will use it outbound @lax when they open. ed and bbp sit in a drawer. I have 8 chase cards and I use them all, love paying the af for the csr, that is my goto card when I dont use one of the inks. I don't factor customer service much as I seldom interface with them. I few chase as business all the way, they have been supremely helpful at times for both myself and friends, getting shutdowns turned around, adjusting opening limits, etc. amex is friendly but ineffective in my experence, I think they are idiots. where I do spend time is on portals and amex shows that underneat it all they are still a charge card company that does things in batch. one cannot even get a rolling balance with pendings in real time. their portal sucks in every way possible. chase on the other hand...that is my pre-coffee review lol

Re: AMEX Gold still worth it?

mongstradamus — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 17:58:22 GMT

@Watchmann wrote:
I've been a continuous Gold Card holder since 1980 so it's part of my life. I go to either Ruth's Chris or Shake Shack each month so that is $120 saved, I've never had any issue buying anything anywhere in the world (sometimes over $10-15k) with NO foreign transaction fee, so it works for me. Plus it gives you extended warranties on purchases.....I've bought high end audio gear and expensive watches that come with 3-5 year warranties so AMEX extends them by 2 years, valuable if an issue crops up after the manufacturers warranty expires. I'm never impressed with how the card looks (metal rose gold version) but I've had several comments from overseas use saying they haven't see one before. It's all good.

I had an interesting conversation with Amex CSR about my gold card . I originally called up to ask about a few restaurants and grocery stores I didn’t get 4x on. The topic went on to why gold can’t be used at restaurants or grocery stores outside the US. He stated to me that you didn’t get any mr for anything outside the US, i was a bit shocked when i heard that , is that true you don’t even get one mr for use outside the the US. I was going to bring it as a backup for my Citi premier or Amex aspire. Another interesting note from the conversation was that Amex may be dropping apple and google pay. That topic came up because one of the restaurants i used Apple Pay to pay for something , and it didn’t correctly give me the 4x.

I am starting to waver a bit with the gold card if all those things are true, I may go back and upgrade my ED to EDP again and use that card as my main MR accruing card again.

Re: AMEX Gold still worth it?

UncleB — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 18:13:09 GMT

@mongstradamus wrote:
@Watchmann wrote:
I've been a continuous Gold Card holder since 1980 so it's part of my life. I go to either Ruth's Chris or Shake Shack each month so that is $120 saved, I've never had any issue buying anything anywhere in the world (sometimes over $10-15k) with NO foreign transaction fee, so it works for me. Plus it gives you extended warranties on purchases.....I've bought high end audio gear and expensive watches that come with 3-5 year warranties so AMEX extends them by 2 years, valuable if an issue crops up after the manufacturers warranty expires. I'm never impressed with how the card looks (metal rose gold version) but I've had several comments from overseas use saying they haven't see one before. It's all good.
I had an interesting conversation with Amex CSR about my gold card . I originally called up to ask about a few restaurants and grocery stores I didn’t get 4x on. The topic went on to why gold can’t be used at restaurants or grocery stores outside the US. He stated to me that you didn’t get any mr for anything outside the US, i was a bit shocked when i heard that , is that true you don’t even get one mr for use outside the the US. I was going to bring it as a backup for my Citi premier or Amex aspire. Another interesting note from the conversation was that Amex may be dropping apple and google pay. That topic came up because one of the restaurants i used Apple Pay to pay for something , and it didn’t correctly give me the 4x.

I am starting to waver a bit with the gold card if all those things are true, I may go back and upgrade my ED to EDP again and use that card as my main MR accruing card again.

I knew the multipliers didn't apply overseas but I was unaware that they didn't reward even the base MRs on overseas purchases.

Interesting...

Re: AMEX Gold still worth it?

bz386 — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 22:17:26 GMT

That’s simply not true. You earn base points for international purchases.

Re: AMEX Gold still worth it?

Anonymous — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 23:09:23 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:

Side note: aren't you guys able to just place an order through Grub Hub for pick up? That would eliminate most fees and give your credits more value.
+1

This is exactly what I do.

In my case once a month I treat myself to a dozen chocolate chip cookies from The Great American Cookie Company at the mall.

But did you do that before the card? If not, doesn't really offset the fee, more a freeish food opportunity

Re: AMEX Gold still worth it?

mongstradamus — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 23:29:52 GMT

@bz386 wrote:
That’s simply not true. You earn base points for international purchases.

I was a little surprised when he said that , but I have yet to test my gold card overseas, so I was unaware. Last time I was overseas I used my CSR mostly since it mostly travel and restaurant expenses . I don't know if its any different if you call the Membership rewards number compared to general amex number. I may still bring gold oversea as back up after my CIP and citi premier. Amex usually doesn't get accepted at many places so probably doesn't matter all that much. I thought it was just a bit surprising is all.

Re: AMEX Gold still worth it?

UncleB — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 23:42:13 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@UncleB wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:

Side note: aren't you guys able to just place an order through Grub Hub for pick up? That would eliminate most fees and give your credits more value.
+1

This is exactly what I do.

In my case once a month I treat myself to a dozen chocolate chip cookies from The Great American Cookie Company at the mall.
But did you do that before the card? If not, doesn't really offset the fee, more a freeish food opportunity

Occasionally? Yes. Consistently? No.

I'm not upset about it, though.