topic Re: Amex Gold, thin ice. in Credit Cards

Amex Gold, thin ice.

BallBounces — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 22:27:28 GMT

I think I have had enough of the Amex Gold Coupon Boo... er Charge Card. I will probably downgrade to Green at next AF. I like the notion of having an OG Charge Card, but I can also see a future where I get rid of it alltogether. Plus ... these products aren't charge cards anymore anyway.

I frankly don't put the spend through to generate MR that justify the hassle over a cash back system. I don't fly often, and don't generate enough MR to earn decent redemption. Times are changing, and so are my product needs. Just wish the Green Card wasn't so expensive either.

<shrug>

Re: Amex Gold, thin ice.

NoHardLimits — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 22:58:54 GMT

@BallBounces wrote:
I think I have had enough of the Amex Gold Coupon Boo... er Charge Card. I will probably downgrade to Green at next AF. I like the notion of having an OG Charge Card, but I can also see a future where I get rid of it alltogether. Plus ... these products aren't charge cards anymore anyway.

I frankly don't put the spend through to generate MR that justify the hassle over a cash back system. I don't fly often, and don't generate enough MR to earn decent redemption. Times are changing, and so are my product needs. Just wish the Green Card wasn't so expensive either.

<shrug>

Ask if you have the option to downgrade to "Traditional Green". The last I heard, the annual fee was $55 with the option to participate in the membership rewards program for another $40.

Re: Amex Gold, thin ice.

ptatohed — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 23:05:21 GMT

Why hold either?

Re: Amex Gold, thin ice.

ElvisCaprice — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 05:13:04 GMT

@BallBounces wrote:
I think I have had enough of the Amex Gold Coupon Boo... er Charge Card. I will probably downgrade to Green at next AF. I like the notion of having an OG Charge Card, but I can also see a future where I get rid of it alltogether. Plus ... these products aren't charge cards anymore anyway.

I frankly don't put the spend through to generate MR that justify the hassle over a cash back system. I don't fly often, and don't generate enough MR to earn decent redemption. Times are changing, and so are my product needs. Just wish the Green Card wasn't so expensive either.

<shrug>

I think most folks don't need these kind of cards but have hopes of making them work with high future expectations. Then reality sets in once you crunch the numbers. Like @ptatohed said, why do either?

Re: Amex Gold, thin ice.

UncleB — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 07:25:11 GMT

@BallBounces wrote:
I think I have had enough of the Amex Gold Coupon Boo... er Charge Card. I will probably downgrade to Green at next AF. I like the notion of having an OG Charge Card, but I can also see a future where I get rid of it alltogether. Plus ... these products aren't charge cards anymore anyway.

I frankly don't put the spend through to generate MR that justify the hassle over a cash back system. I don't fly often, and don't generate enough MR to earn decent redemption. Times are changing, and so are my product needs. Just wish the Green Card wasn't so expensive either.

<shrug>

I feel your pain.

I got tired of my own ~~coupon book~~ Amex Gold and closed it last year... and I haven't looked back. My own travel isn't consistent enough to warrant serious accumulation of MR points, and that's without considering having to deal with the ever-increasing AF and all the coupons.

To be fair (full disclosure) I never had an issue with the NPSL nature of the card, but that also gave me pause when it came to making larger than usual purchases. I know all about the online tool, but why bother when there are other cards that I *know* will work with no drama?

All these factors combined made me pull the plug. I sometimes wish I had downgraded to a Green for nostalgia reasons, but it would have been just that - basically an annual donation (the AF) I'd have been making with little benefit to show for it.

Re: Amex Gold, thin ice.

UncleB — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 07:01:20 GMT

@NoHardLimits wrote:
@BallBounces wrote:
I think I have had enough of the Amex Gold Coupon Boo... er Charge Card. I will probably downgrade to Green at next AF. I like the notion of having an OG Charge Card, but I can also see a future where I get rid of it alltogether. Plus ... these products aren't charge cards anymore anyway.

I frankly don't put the spend through to generate MR that justify the hassle over a cash back system. I don't fly often, and don't generate enough MR to earn decent redemption. Times are changing, and so are my product needs. Just wish the Green Card wasn't so expensive either.

<shrug>
Ask if you have the option to downgrade to "Traditional Green". The last I heard, the annual fee was $55 with the option to participate in the membership rewards program for another $40.

I would love to hear this is still an option.

For $55 I'd definitely play ball, but the current $150 is IMO just too much for what you get.

Re: Amex Gold, thin ice.

MarkintheHV — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 14:01:47 GMT

@ElvisCaprice wrote:

I think most folks don't need these kind of cards but have hopes of making them work with high future expectations. Then reality sets in once you crunch the numbers. Like @ptatohed said, why do either?

I came to this realization a long time ago. Tried to make both Platinum and Gold work, but, got too frustrated. I went with Blue Cash Preferred and love it. No coupons just straight forward cash back.

Re: Amex Gold, thin ice.

Kforce — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 15:44:35 GMT

@MarkintheHV wrote:
@ElvisCaprice wrote:

I think most folks don't need these kind of cards but have hopes of making them work with high future expectations. Then reality sets in once you crunch the numbers. Like @ptatohed said, why do either?
I came to this realization a long time ago. Tried to make both Platinum and Gold work, but, got too frustrated. I went with Blue Cash Preferred and love it. No coupons just straight forward cash back.

^^^ Left "Amex" so long ago they have fallen off my profile.

Get USPS, full thick packets for most of there cards every month.

They spend a lot on wasted advertising sending stuff to my address.

Re: Amex Gold, thin ice.

FlaDude — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 16:04:22 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
For $55 I'd definitely play ball, but the current $150 is IMO just too much for what you get.

Are there any benefits at all to the classic green?

Re: Amex Gold, thin ice.

UncleB — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 22:35:47 GMT

@FlaDude wrote:
@UncleB wrote:
For $55 I'd definitely play ball, but the current $150 is IMO just too much for what you get.
Are there any benefits at all to the classic green?

From memory it was pretty much a basic no-frills charge card with no rewards. It's really for folks who wanted to keep their charge card open for the history (downgrade from another product) and/or just want a charge card in their wallet.

Outside of those things, it's rather 'meh'. For most folks any no-AF Amex revolver would be superior. The one exception I can think of is if someone is stuck with a low CL on their Amex revolver then the Senior/Classic Green might (???) be superior if they needed to make larger purchases, but chances are that person would likely have a low NPSL anyway so even in that case it could be moot.

Re: Amex Gold, thin ice.

NoHardLimits — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 01:16:56 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
@FlaDude wrote:
@UncleB wrote:
For $55 I'd definitely play ball, but the current $150 is IMO just too much for what you get.
Are there any benefits at all to the classic green?
From memory it was pretty much a basic no-frills charge card with no rewards. It's really for folks who wanted to keep their charge card open for the history (downgrade from another product) and/or just want a charge card in their wallet.

Outside of those things, it's rather 'meh'. For most folks any no-AF Amex revolver would be superior. The one exception I can think of is if someone is stuck with a low CL on their Amex revolver then the Senior/Classic Green might (???) be superior if they needed to make larger purchases, but chances are that person would likely have a low NPSL anyway so even in that case it could be moot.

Depending upon the results of the upcoming Platinum refresh, I might want to downgrade to regular Green or Traditional Green to preserve account age (20 years). If I want to maintain Clear Plus membership, then regular Green would work. If I plan to cancel Clear Plus, then Traditional Green might be more cost effective.

Re: Amex Gold, thin ice.

dfwxjer — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 13:10:41 GMT

If you don't travel then I'm not sure why you'd want an MR earning Amex. Redeeming MR for cash back doesn't make sense for the Gold or personal Platinum. The only good redemption value for MR points is travel and more specifically business/first class long haul flights if you want max value.

Remember, credit cards are a tool, and you need to select/use the right one for the job. The green card doesn't really make sense for you either since it just earns MR points. There are plenty of straight cash back cards that are much easier to use and offer higher cash back redemption with no annual fee.

Re: Amex Gold, thin ice.

BallBounces — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 21:18:49 GMT

@ptatohed wrote:
Why hold either?

I've learned over the last 36 years of credit card usage, that it is good to have some diversification. Of course, the genesis of the question in the first place is: what's a reasonable cost of that diversification?

Plus, not every one drives a Honda Accord, if you know what I mean.

Re: Amex Gold, thin ice.

BallBounces — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 21:22:40 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
@BallBounces wrote:
I think I have had enough of the Amex Gold Coupon Boo... er Charge Card. I will probably downgrade to Green at next AF. I like the notion of having an OG Charge Card, but I can also see a future where I get rid of it alltogether. Plus ... these products aren't charge cards anymore anyway.

I frankly don't put the spend through to generate MR that justify the hassle over a cash back system. I don't fly often, and don't generate enough MR to earn decent redemption. Times are changing, and so are my product needs. Just wish the Green Card wasn't so expensive either.

<shrug>
I feel your pain.

I got tired of my own ~~coupon book~~ Amex Gold and closed it last year... and I haven't looked back. My own travel isn't consistent enough to warrant serious accumulation of MR points, and that's without considering having to deal with the ever-increasing AF and all the coupons.

To be fair (full disclosure) I never had an issue with the NPSL nature of the card, but that also gave me pause when it came to making larger than usual purchases. I know all about the online tool, but why bother when there are other cards that I *know* will work with no drama?

All these factors combined made me pull the plug. I sometimes wish I had downgraded to a Green for nostalgia reasons, but it would have been just that - basically an annual donation (the AF) I'd have been making with little benefit to show for it.

This guy gets it.

(Good news is I am probably "net positive" with SUB and actual MR redemption for a few nice flights, and being dilligent about buying $7 of Dunkin every month,etc. but those days are drawing to a close.)

Re: Amex Gold, thin ice.

BallBounces — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 21:25:06 GMT

@dfwxjer wrote:
If you don't travel then I'm not sure why you'd want an MR earning Amex. Redeeming MR for cash back doesn't make sense for the Gold or personal Platinum. The only good redemption value for MR points is travel and more specifically business/first class long haul flights if you want max value.

Remember, credit cards are a tool, and you need to select/use the right one for the job. The green card doesn't really make sense for you either since it just earns MR points. There are plenty of straight cash back cards that are much easier to use and offer higher cash back redemption with no annual fee.

Welcome to the conversation,

Re: Amex Gold, thin ice.

Lou-natic — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 23:36:34 GMT

@BallBounces wrote:
I think I have had enough of the Amex Gold Coupon Boo... er Charge Card. I will probably downgrade to Green at next AF. I like the notion of having an OG Charge Card, but I can also see a future where I get rid of it alltogether. Plus ... these products aren't charge cards anymore anyway.

I frankly don't put the spend through to generate MR that justify the hassle over a cash back system. I don't fly often, and don't generate enough MR to earn decent redemption. Times are changing, and so are my product needs. Just wish the Green Card wasn't so expensive either.

<shrug>

That's why I have a Blue Business Plus. Not hard to get but we aren't suppose to talk about that in this forum...

Re: Amex Gold, thin ice.

dfwxjer — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 13:36:03 GMT

@BallBounces wrote:
@ptatohed wrote:
Why hold either?
I've learned over the last 36 years of credit card usage, that it is good to have some diversification. Of course, the genesis of the question in the first place is: what's a reasonable cost of that diversification?

Plus, not every one drives a Honda Accord, if you know what I mean.

Wait, do you think holding an Amex is a flex? I assure you it is not. No one cares that you're making a bad financial decision for your situation.

What you're doing is lighting money on fire on an annual fee for a card that doesn't make sense for you. You're not diversifying your wallet with the Gold card but hey if it gains you some status in your head then I guess it's worth it...

Re: Amex Gold, thin ice.

BallBounces — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 23:16:38 GMT

@dfwxjer wrote:
@BallBounces wrote:
@ptatohed wrote:
Why hold either?
I've learned over the last 36 years of credit card usage, that it is good to have some diversification. Of course, the genesis of the question in the first place is: what's a reasonable cost of that diversification?

Plus, not every one drives a Honda Accord, if you know what I mean.

Wait, do you think holding an Amex is a flex? I assure you it is not. No one cares that you're making a bad financial decision for your situation.

What you're doing is lighting money on fire on an annual fee for a card that doesn't make sense for you. You're not diversifying your wallet with the Gold card but hey if it gains you some status in your head then I guess it's worth it...

1) No.

2) I feel like maybe you didn't read what I posted, and certainly didn't understand it.

Re: Amex Gold, thin ice.

dfwxjer — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 00:39:26 GMT

Sure thing, good luck with your card decision.

Re: Amex Gold, thin ice.

CreditCrusader — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 14:53:12 GMT

@ptatohed wrote:
Why hold either?

In the case of the gold, the person who eats out frequently can make it work, provided they're not eating out at McDonald's or Applebee's.

Problem is, you're basically earning points to try to mitigate the $325 AF. For high rollers who do power lunches/dinners, that can be done pretty easily. But even then, they're breaking even.

If I had to guess, people hold those charge cards for reasons of status. That metal AMEX Gold looks pretty darn dazzling. For some, maybe it's worth no net rewards gain to have it in their wallet. To each their own.

Edited to add: With the gold, groceries are also 4x, but I doubt anyone eats out a lot and also grocery shops a lot unless you're Joey Chestnut