Power Your Next Trip With the American Express^® Gold Card

Step 1: Earn Points Toward Your Trip With Everyday Spending

When your biggest spending categories, like dining out and groceries, also earn meaningful rewards, you don't need to overhaul your spending habits to see progress toward your travel plans. With the American Express Gold Card, annually you'll earn 4 Membership Rewards^® points for every dollar spent on up to $50,000 in purchases at restaurants worldwide, then 1 point per dollar spent for the rest of the year. (Terms apply.) You'll also earn 4 Membership Rewards points for every dollar spent on up to $25,000 in purchases at U.S. supermarkets, then 1 point per dollar spent for the rest of the year. Plus, all eligible purchases earn 1 point per dollar spent.

Over time, those points add up. By the time you start browsing flights, you may already be halfway there, all without changing the way you spend.

Learn more: How to Earn Travel Rewards

Step 2: Turn Points Into a Plan

It's time to start comparing flights, exploring hotel options and thinking about how you want your travel experience to feel, not just where you want to go. Your American Express Gold Card can help you plan the perfect trip. Log in to AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App^™ and unlock destination inspiration, smart planning tools and a world of options for making the most of your rewards.

You can use points to book travel and earn even more points in the process, helping to ensure that each moment of discovery fuels the next. For example:

• Earn 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on prepaid hotel bookings through AmexTravel.com and the Amex Travel App.
• Earn 3 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
• Earn 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
• Earn 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on cruises booked through AmexTravel.com.
• Earn a $100 credit toward eligible charges and enjoy exclusive perks and benefits when booking a stay at a Hotel Collection property through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. (Eligible charges vary by property; The Hotel Collection requires a two-night stay.)
• Enroll and receive complimentary Hertz Five Star^® Status to enjoy elevated services and free vehicle upgrades.

Learn more: How to Save Money on Flights

Step 3: Enjoy a Smoother Start to Your Trip

The first day of your trip sets the tone for everything that follows. Small hassles like navigating traffic to the airport, rushing for coffee or waiting in line for your rental car can start your journey off on the wrong foot. The American Express Gold Card helps eliminate some of those frictions for an effortless, enjoyable experience from the get-go.

• Leave the driving to someone else by reserving a ride to the airport and using the Uber Cash benefits available from your American Express Gold Card. Get up to $120 annually when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account.
• Grab coffee before boarding with your monthly Dunkin' credit. It's an easy way to get more value from a favorite morning habit. You can earn up to $84 annually in credits at U.S. Dunkin' locations when you use your American Express Gold Card to make purchases. Enrollment required.
• When you land at your destination, skip the rental counter at participating locations and head straight to your car, thanks to complimentary Hertz Five Star Status, which includes free vehicle upgrades and a wider selection of vehicles.

Small moments like this make your journey more relaxed—and isn't that what travel is all about?

Step 4: Savor a More Elevated Experience

Once you arrive, the focus shifts to enjoying your destination. That's easy to do when you booked a stay at The Hotel Collection via AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. With a two-night minimum stay, you could enjoy perks like early check-in or 4 p.m. late checkout when available, room upgrades when available on arrival (certain room categories not eligible) and a $100 credit toward eligible charges, which vary by property. Savor a gourmet dinner or luxurious spa visit, using your credit to offset the cost. It's a smart way to indulge without overspending.

As you sightsee, explore and dine, use your American Express Gold Card credits to help offset these expenses. For example, you can receive up to $100 in statement credits annually after you pay with the American Express Gold Card to dine at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. Enrollment required.

The rewards don't stop while you're on vacation. Satisfy your appetite for new culinary adventures, pay with your American Express Gold Card and continue earning 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at participating restaurants worldwide on up to $50,000 in purchases. Plus, there are no foreign transaction fees when you use your American Express Gold Card abroad, so you can savor new cuisines without concerns about additional charges.

Learn more: Do You Need a Credit Card to Travel?

Step 5: Focus on Fun, Not on What-Ifs

Delayed bags, rental car problems and unexpected interruptions can throw your trip off course. Booking travel with your American Express Gold Card can provide priceless peace of mind.

You can also rest easy knowing you can reach the American Express Global Assist^® Hotline 24/7 if you're more than 100 miles from home and need emergency assistance, such as medical referrals or cash wires. While you may never need the travel protections your Gold Card offers, knowing they're there helps you travel with confidence.

Learn more: How Your Credit Card Can Protect You When Traveling

Step 6: As One Trip Ends, Another Begins

Eventually, your trip winds down. You're back home, unpacking your bags, scrolling through photos and easing back into your daily routine. Meanwhile, the same purchases that earned the points you used to book this trip, like dining, groceries and everyday spending, continue generating new rewards. Plus, the trip you just took may have earned rewards too. That means your next trip isn't starting from zero: It's already building momentum.

How to Get the Most Value From Your Rewards Card

A few simple habits can help you maximize your rewards card's benefits.

• Choose a card that fits your lifestyle. When your rewards card works with your existing spending patterns, earning rewards is easy.
• Understand your card's benefits. Familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions of your card's membership rewards program. This prepares you to make the most of travel perks and protections on your trip and helps ensure you don't miss an opportunity to earn rewards.
• Earn rewards strategically. Monitoring your expenses to see where your money goes can help you identify new opportunities to use your card in ways that earn more rewards.
• Track your credits. Monthly or annual credits can be easy to overlook, but they're key to getting the most from a rewards card. Tracking your credits and offers is simple to do in the American Express^® App.
• Be intentional when using points. Plan to use points where they'll deliver the biggest benefit. For example, you can get solid value by redeeming points for travel but transferring them to participating airline and lodging loyalty programs often delivers even greater value.

Make the Most of Your Money and Your Life With the American Express Gold Card

Travel rewards aren't about chasing perks or spending beyond your means. At their best, they're a tool to make travel more accessible. Whether you're planning a quick weekend getaway or an ambitious trip abroad, using your American Express Gold Card points to power your travel plans can open new possibilities, elevate your travel experience and help you make lasting memories.

For more information and to apply for the American Express^® Gold Card, visit the American Express website.