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Whether you’re looking for your first credit card or your wallet is already bursting with plastic, you’ll want to do your research before acquiring a new card. After all, every credit card is different; from application requirements to card benefits, different banks have done their best to entice you as a customer.
A mid-tier card offered by American Express, the American Express® Gold Card is a solid option for many consumers. This is thanks to its strong earning structure and travel perks, among other benefits. Its also made of metal, which some cardholders love.
If you’re thinking about applying for the card, check out these five things to know before getting the American Express® Gold Card.
The American Express Gold Card is one of the most popular and coveted rewards credit cards. With generous rewards on dining and groceries and numerous statement credits the Amex Gold can provide immense value. However, it does come with a $325 annual fee (See Rates & Fees).
Many people wonder is it hard to get approved for the Amex Gold card? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the approval requirements factors that impact your odds, and steps you can take to boost your chances.
Amex Gold Card Overview
Before diving into approval odds, let’s do a quick rundown of the Amex Gold’s key benefits:
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Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $4,000 in purchases within 6 months of account opening.
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Rewards: Earn 4x points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 spent per year, then 1x), 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com, 1x points on other purchases.
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Statement Credits: Up to $240 per year in Uber Cash, up to $240 per year in dining credits, up to $100 per year in airline incidental credits.
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Other Perks: No foreign transaction fees, access to Amex offers, purchase protection, rental car insurance, baggage insurance, and more.
The Amex Gold is extremely popular thanks to its generous rewards on dining and groceries and numerous statement credits that can offset the annual fee. But you may be wondering, how easy or difficult is it to get approved?
What Credit Score Do You Need for the Amex Gold Card?
American Express does not publish specific credit score requirements for its cards. However, based on reports from applicants, you will likely need a minimum score of 690 to be approved for the Amex Gold.
Anecdotally, approval seems more likely with a score above 700. The higher your score, the better your approval odds. With excellent credit (scores above 740), approval should be straightforward.
Here are some recommended credit score guidelines for the Amex Gold:
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Excellent Credit (740+): Very likely to be approved
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Good Credit (690-739): Decent approval odds
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Fair Credit (630-689): Approval unlikely
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Poor Credit (Below 630): Very unlikely to be approved
As with any credit card, your approval odds increase along with your credit score. Focus on improving your credit before applying if possible.
Other Factors That Impact Amex Gold Approval
Your credit score is not the only factor that determines whether you’ll be approved for the Amex Gold. Here are some other key aspects that can impact your approval odds:
Income Requirement – While not official policy, reports indicate Amex prefers applicants to have an individual annual income of at least $40,000 or a household income of at least $70,000. Higher incomes improve your chances.
Credit History Length – Amex usually likes to see at least 3 years of credit history on your credit reports. A longer history helps demonstrate responsible credit management over time.
Existing Amex Cards – Having a previous Amex card can increase your chances for the Amex Gold. It shows you have experience with Amex Membership Rewards.
Inquiries and New Accounts – Too many recent credit card applications and new accounts can decrease approval odds. Try to limit new cards to 2-3 per year.
Debt-to-Income Ratio – Amex may analyze your income compared to existing debts and credit limits. Keep debt low and income high relative to credit limits.
Credit Mix – Having a mix of credit types (credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, etc) demonstrates you can manage different types of credit.
5 Steps to Improve Your Chance of Approval
If your credit score or profile could use some improvement, here are some steps you can take to maximize your odds of approval for the Amex Gold card:
1. Check your credit reports and fix any errors – Errors on your credit reports can significantly hurt your score. Review all 3 reports and dispute any inaccuracies.
2. Pay down credit card balances – High balances relative to limits can lower your score. Pay down cards to below 30% of the limit. Pay in full if possible.
3. Limit new credit applications – Each application causes a hard inquiry. Try to limit new cards to 2-3 per year.
4. Ask for credit limit increases – Higher limits help keep balances low relative to limits. Ask issuers to increase your limits.
5. Become an authorized user – Being added as an authorized user on a spouse or family member’s old account can help your credit mix and history.
By taking some or all of these steps, you can optimize your credit profile and maximize your chances for Amex Gold approval.
Alternatives If You’re Denied for the Amex Gold
The Amex Gold has strict approval requirements. If your application is denied, here are some alternative cards to consider:
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Amex EveryDay® Credit Card – No annual fee, earn 2x at US supermarkets (on first $6,000 per year).
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Amex Everday® Preferred Credit Card – $95 annual fee, earn 3x at US supermarkets (on first $6,000 per year).
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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – $95 annual fee, earn 2x on dining and travel, 60,000 point bonus.
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Citi Premier® Card – $95 annual fee, earn 3x on dining, groceries, gas, and more.
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Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card – No annual fee, earn 3% cash back on dining, groceries, and more.
Consider getting one of these cards first to build your Amex or card history, then reapply for the Gold card later when your credit is stronger.
The Bottom Line
While the Amex Gold card has strict approval standards, building your credit and optimizing your credit profile can significantly improve your approval odds. With a 690+ credit score and attention to other key factors, your chances are decent. With scores of 700+ and excellent credit management, approval likelihood is very high.
Keep in mind Amex welcome bonuses are once per lifetime, so don’t rush your application until you’re reasonably confident of approval. With some work, the lucrative Amex Gold card and its generous rewards could soon be yours to enjoy.
How to use American Express Membership Rewards
You don’t have to be a points expert to apply for the American Express® Gold Card. That being said, American Express Membership Rewards points are highly versatile, and knowing how to maximize them can greatly improve your travel experiences.
There are a variety of ways in which AmEx points can be redeemed, including transferring them to hotel and airline partners, redeeming them via the AmEx travel portal or using them for statement credits. However, not all options are created equal; the value you’ll receive for each point will vary based on how they’re redeemed.
This is especially pertinent when you consider the welcome offer available for the American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
NerdWallet estimates that AmEx points can be worth up to 2 cents each, making the welcome offer worth more than the annual fee by a longshot.
» Learn more: Advanced tips for using AmEx Membership Rewards points
Your lifestyle
Many cards offer different spending benefits, so you’ll always want to make sure that you’re applying for one that suits your needs. The American Express® Gold Card is no different — it’s a heavy hitter when it comes to all things food, but falls behind on other purchases:
• 4 points per $1 at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per year).
• 4 points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per year).
• 3 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express travel portal.
• 2 points per $1 on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases made through American Express travel portal.
• 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases.
Whether you’re a home chef or a takeout fanatic, the American Express® Gold Card has good earning potential for your purchases. It also has decent point earning on airfare, though this falls behind the 5 points per $1 spent on flights up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year offered by The Platinum Card® from American Express. Terms apply.
The American Express® Gold Card comes with a $10 monthly dining credit good for Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com and more. Enrollment required. Terms apply.
If most of your spending falls within these categories, the American Express® Gold Card could be an excellent option for you. Otherwise, you may be better off going for a card that offers high earnings categories that better fit your needs.
Amex Gold Card – 4 Years Later (My Honest Review)
FAQ
Is it hard to get approved for Amex Gold?
The American Express® Gold Card is hard to get because it requires good credit for approval, which means you need a credit score of 700+ to have good odds of …Jan 10, 2025
Is the American Express gold card hard?
Is it hard to get an Amex Gold Card? It is hard to get the American Express® Gold Card because you will need good to excellent credit for approval. Unless your credit score is 700 or higher and you have a lot of income, it will be very hard for you to get approved for the Amex Gold Card.
What is the credit limit for an Amex Gold?
The American Express Business Gold Card operates with no preset spending limit. Some business owners report initial spending capacity between $10,000 and $50,000, but there isn’t a fixed credit limit assigned to your account.
Who is eligible for Amex Gold Card?
How hard is it to get an Amex Gold Card?
Unless your credit score is 700 or higher and you have a lot of income, it will be very hard for you to get approved for the Amex Gold card. In order to get the Amex Gold card, you will have to meet the credit score requirement, have a steady income and be at least 18 years old. You’ll also need to have an SSN or ITIN.
How much does the American Express Gold Card cost?
When it comes time to apply for your first (or fifth) premium-adjacent rewards card, don’t ignore the American Express® Gold Card. The Amex Gold has an annual fee of $325 (see rates and fees), which can be fully offset if you fully use the dining, Dunkin’ Donuts and Resy statement credits and the Uber Cash benefit per calendar year.
Is American Express Gold a good card?
Enrollment required. Terms apply. If most of your spending falls within these categories, the American Express® Gold Card could be an excellent option for you. Otherwise, you may be better off going for a card that offers high earnings categories that better fit your needs.
What credit score do you need for American Express Gold Card?
And since it features some pretty decent benefits, the American Express® Gold Card requirements for approval tend to be a little stricter. We recommend that you have a good to excellent credit score, which ranges from 690-850, before you apply. » Learn more: The difference between a charge card and a credit card Vacation more, spend less.
Can I get an Amex card if I have good credit?
American Express requires good or excellent credit for most of its cards, so it can be difficult to be approved for an Amex card if you’re still establishing or rebuilding credit.
Is Amex gold worth it?
The Amex Gold’s limit varies based on each cardholder’s spending and payment habits as well as other factors. Amex Gold still could be worth it if you get at least this much value from the card’s rewards and other perks each year. Good or excellent. For good Amex Gold approval odds, you’ll want a credit score of 700 or higher.