One of my favorite things about rewards credit cards is that they make it possible to travel all over the world and create lasting memories.

By opening the right credit cards, I can earn sign-up bonuses that help me travel more often and in greater comfort, all at a much lower cost than if I were paying cash.

But when I first discovered points and miles, I was overwhelmed.

Everywhere I looked, there were articles pushing credit cards with “all-time highs” and “elevated bonuses.” I had no idea how to maximize rewards, so I just picked whatever card seemed the most exciting at the time.

Unfortunately, that approach led me to overlook one of the best cards for everyday spending and travel rewards: the American Express® Gold Card.

Looking back, I wish I had opened this card much sooner.

The rewards on dining and groceries alone would have earned me thousands of additional points over the years, not to mention the travel perks and statement credits I missed out on.

If you are just starting out with travel rewards – or even if you already have a few cards – this is one you do not want to delay getting like I did.

In this article, I will break down why waiting to open the Amex Gold was a mistake, what makes it such a powerful rewards card, and how you can maximize its benefits right away.

If you are on the fence, this might just be the push you need to add this card to your wallet today.

Why I Overlooked This Card At First

When I first started using rewards credit cards, I was focused on simplicity.

One of the very first cards I opened was the Citi Double Cash® Card, which earns an easy 2% back on every purchase. At the time, this seemed like a no-brainer.

I did not have to think about bonus categories, transfer partners, or complicated redemptions – I just swiped my card and earned cash back.

For over a year, I put all of my spending on that card and ended up earning about $380 in cash back. While that money was useful, I later realized that I had missed out on thousands of dollars in potential travel rewards by not opening cards with lucrative sign-up bonuses.

At the time, I also assumed that cards with annual fees were not worth it.

The idea of paying for a credit card felt unnecessary when I could just get a no-annual-fee card and earn something back for free. What I did not understand was that a card like the American Express® Gold Card, despite its fee, could easily provide far more value than I was getting from my simple cash-back setup.

It took me a long time to realize my mistake.

This card offers incredible rewards on dining and groceries, two of my biggest spending categories. Had I opened it sooner, I would have earned hundreds of thousands of Membership Rewards® points, which could have been redeemed for luxury flights, five-star hotels, or even everyday statement credits.

Instead, I spent over a year earning a modest cash-back total while leaving far greater value on the table.

The Game-Changing Benefits I Missed Out On

Looking back, I regret not opening the American Express® Gold Card much sooner.

This card is packed with valuable perks, and the rewards structure is perfect for everyday spending. By delaying my application, I missed out on thousands of dollars in points, travel perks, and statement credits.

Here is what I could have been earning all along.

A Massive Welcome Bonus

In 2020, the American Express® Gold Card offered a welcome bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after meeting the minimum spending requirement.

At the time, these points were worth at least $600 in travel if redeemed through Amex Travel.

However, if transferred to partners like Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, or Air Canada, those same points could have covered a Business Class ticket worth $1,200 or more.

By not getting this card sooner, I lost out on a huge chunk of points that could have taken me anywhere in the world.

Note: Some targeted welcome offers for the American Express® Gold Card were much higher than the public offer, sometimes exceeding 80,000 Membership Rewards® points.

Incredible Earning Rates On Everyday Spending

One of the biggest mistakes I made was putting all of my spending on a simple 2% cash-back card when the American Express® Gold Card was one of the best cards for food-related purchases.

In 2020, this card earned:

• 4x Membership Rewards points at Restaurants worldwide
• 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. Supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year, then 1x thereafter)
• 3x Membership Rewards points on Flights booked directly with Airlines or through Amex Travel
• 1x points on everything else

If I had used this card for just my dining and grocery spending, I could have earned three to four times more points than what I was getting with my old cash-back card.

Here is a quick comparison of the value “lost” on $5,000 of Dining and U.S. Supermarket spend:

American Express® Gold Card

• $5,000 x 4 points per dollar = 20,000 Membership Rewards® points
  • If transferred to travel partners, these points could be worth $400+ in flights.

2% Cash-Back Card

• $5,000 x 2% cash back = $100 in cash back

Valuable Statement Credits

At first, I dismissed the American Express® Gold Card because of its $250 annual fee, but what I did not realize was how easy it was to offset that cost with statement credits.

In 2020, the card offered:

• $120 in annual dining credits ($10 per month) for purchases at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Boxed, and participating Shake Shack locations
• $100 in annual airline fee credits for incidental charges like baggage fees and seat selection when choosing a preferred airline

If I had used these credits fully, that was $220 in yearly value – bringing the effective cost of the card down to just $30 per year.

That was a small price to pay for all the rewards and perks I had been missing.

Flexible And Valuable Redemption Options

One of the biggest advantages of the American Express® Gold Card is that its Membership Rewards® points can be transferred to top airline partners, unlocking incredible value for flights.

Unlike cash-back cards that limit your redemption options, Amex points can be used strategically to book premium cabin flights for a fraction of the usual cost.

Here are some of the best ways I could have redeemed my points if I had opened this card sooner:

• Air France-KLM Flying Blue: With as few as 37,500 Membership Rewards® points, I could have booked a Business Class flight to Paris or Amsterdam.
• Air Canada Aeroplan: For 60,000 points, I could have flown Business Class to Europe on airlines like Lufthansa, Swiss, or Austrian.
• Avianca LifeMiles: One of the best sweet spots for Amex points, Avianca LifeMiles allowed Business Class flights to Lisbon for just 35,000 points.
• ANA Mileage Club: Amex points can be transferred to ANA for one of the most valuable redemptions in the world: an around-the-world ticket for as few as 125,000 points in Business Class.

Had I opened the American Express® Gold Card sooner, I could have used these redemptions to fly in luxury across the world rather than settling for cash-back earnings.

Who Should Get This Card Now

Despite multiple benefit changes and an increase in the annual fee to $325, the American Express® Gold Card remains one of my most valuable and frequently used cards.

It is top of wallet for me because it rewards everyday spending while offering credits that offset most – if not all – of the fee. If you are someone who spends a lot on dining, groceries, and travel, this card could be a perfect fit.

Why This Card Still Delivers Huge Value

Even with the higher annual fee, the earning structure and perks make this card incredibly rewarding:

• 4x points per dollar spent at Restaurants (up to $50,000 per year) and U.S. Supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year).
• 3x points per dollar spent on Flights when booked directly with airlines.
• Baggage insurance that offers protection beyond what airlines provide if carry-on or checked bags are lost, damaged, or stolen.

The category-leading earning rates mean I have no problem racking up Membership Rewards® points quickly, especially when I transfer them to airline partners – particularly when there is a transfer bonus.

Easy-To-Use Credits That Offset The Fee

The American Express® Gold Card also provides valuable statement credits that help cover everyday expenses:

• $120 Uber Cash ($10 per month): Can be used for Uber rides or Uber Eats.
• $84 Dunkin’ Credit ($7 per month): Perfect for coffee lovers.
• $120 Dining Credit ($10 per month): Usable at select restaurants and food delivery services. I personally buy a $10 Five Guys gift card every month and save them up for a future meal.
• $100 Resy Credit ($50 semi-annually): A great perk, though somewhat dependent on whether you dine at Resy-listed restaurants.

These credits total $424 annually, which more than covers the $325 fee. Even if I do not use the $100 Resy credit, I still receive $324 in annual credits – just $1 less than the fee.

Is This Card Right For You

This card is an excellent choice if you:

• Spend a lot on dining and groceries and want 4x points on these everyday purchases.
• Want to maximize travel rewards through high-value airline transfer partners.
• Can fully use the statement credits, which can completely offset the annual fee.

On the other hand, this card may not be the best fit if you:

• Prefer simple cash-back rewards and do not want to track transfer partners.
• Do not spend much on dining or groceries, which means you will not maximize the 4x bonus.
• Cannot fully use the credits, making the $325 fee harder to justify.

The Card That Almost Took The Top Spot

While the American Express® Gold Card is the credit card I truly regret not getting sooner, there was one other strong contender: the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

This premium travel card offers a simple but powerful rewards structure, valuable credits, and top-tier lounge access, making it an incredible option for frequent travelers.

Why I Almost Chose The Capital One Venture X Instead

At first, I hesitated to open the Capital One Venture X because of its $395 annual fee. But after looking at the benefits, it became clear that this card more than pays for itself.

The key perks include:

• Unlimited 2x Miles On Every Purchase: Unlike the American Express® Gold Card, which has high bonus rates in certain categories, the Capital One Venture X earns a flat 2x miles on everything, making it perfect for everyday spending. So simple.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit: Automatically applied to bookings through the Capital One Travel portal, making it easy to use and offsetting most of the annual fee.
• 10,000 Bonus Miles Every Card Anniversary: Worth at least $100 in travel, this bonus alone makes the effective fee even lower.
• Priority Pass + Capital One Lounge Access: With a growing network of high-end airport lounges, Capital One is building some of the best credit card lounges in the country.

Why Venture X Is A No-Brainer For Me In Washington, D.C.

One of the biggest reasons I could not pass up this card is that I am based in Washington, D.C., where Capital One Lounges are available at both:

• Reagan National Airport (DCA)
• Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Having premium lounge access at both major D.C.-area airports is a huge perk for me.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, I wish I had opened the American Express® Gold Card much sooner.

The 4x points on dining and groceries, high-value airline transfer partners, and easy-to-use statement credits would have helped me earn and redeem rewards far more effectively than my early credit card choices.

Every month I delayed applying, I left thousands of points – and valuable travel experiences – on the table.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was also a strong contender for my “biggest regret” card, offering simple earning, premium travel perks, and lounge access.

But for my spending habits, the American Express® Gold Card was the clear winner.

If you spend a lot on food, love to travel, and want a card that maximizes every dollar, I highly recommend not waiting like I did.

If I could go back, I would have signed up as soon as possible to start earning high-value points, stacking rewards, and unlocking premium travel experiences.

Do not make the same mistake.

If this card fits your lifestyle, apply today and start getting the rewards you deserve.

And if you have any questions – or would like to share the card you wish you had applied for sooner – Head To Our Free Community. It is full of travel enthusiasts like yourself sharing tips, stories, and the latest deals.

Hunter Threadgill