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The American Express® Gold Card ranks high among travel credit cards, especially for those keen on accumulating substantial dining and flight benefits. Given its premium status, qualifying for this card can be more challenging compared to regular rewards credit cards. Let’s delve into the ease of securing the Amex Gold.
Plus, new American Express® Gold Card cardholders can earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
What Credit Score Do You Need for Amex Gold?
A good or excellent credit score from 670 to 850 is needed to qualify for the American Express Gold Card. This isn’t the hardest American Express credit card to get, but it requires past experience of responsible credit card usage.
The Amex Gold credit score requirements are similar to competing travel credit cards. It’s best to apply with a score above 700 to be firmly in the good credit category.
How Much Income Do You Need?
American Express doesn’t disclose a minimum income requirement for the Gold Card or any of the best American Express credit cards for travel. It’s best to apply when you know you can afford the $250 annual fee (See Rates & Fees) and the monthly balance and can satisfy the welcome bonus spending requirements. Estimates indicate most cardholders earn at least $65,000 per year.
There are fields to report your total annual income and total annual non-taxable income. The card issuer uses your reported income and credit history to make an application decision.
This card doesn’t have a preset spending limit, but your buying power can be higher with more income as long as you’re able to pay your balance in full each month.
Related: Is Amex Gold Worth It? The Pros & Cons
Is Getting an Amex Gold Hard?
There is moderate difficulty in qualifying for the American Express Gold Card as you need good or excellent credit and earn consistent income. Your approval odds should be high if you have several years of responsible credit usage and haven’t applied for multiple credit cards lately.
Each bank has different application rules. While each card application is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, here are some of the American Express Gold Card application rules:
- 5 Amex Cards Limit: You might only be able to have a combination of five consumer and business American Express cards at one time. This isn’t an official policy but several customers report denied applications when trying to open a sixth Amex product.
- One Welcome Offer Per Card: American Express only lets you earn a welcome bonus once per card. So, you can only earn the Amex Gold welcome offer once even if it’s been several years since you earned the first one.
Two additional rules that impact American Express credit cards with a preset spending limit but do not appear to affect charge cards are:
- 1 card approval in a five-day period
- No more than 2 new cards in 90 days
You may decide to apply if you have a qualifying credit score before the new accounts can temporarily harm your score. However, waiting can be the better course if you can’t afford the signup bonus for each newly-opened product.
New American Express® Gold Card cardholders can earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months. Learn more: American Express® Gold Card
Does Everyone Get Approved?
No, a basic requirement is needing a credit score above 670, having your existing credit accounts in good standing, and having an average or better income. Still, having good or excellent credit doesn’t guarantee approval.
Two potential reasons for rejection can include too many new accounts on your credit report, your existing debt balances being too high, or American Express doesn’t think you have sufficient income to afford the estimated monthly payment.
Related: The Best Limited-Time Credit Card Offers
Can You Prequalify for the Amex Gold Card?
Yes, there are two ways to estimate your Amex Gold approval ods without hurting your credit. First, you can prequalify using the CardMatch™ tool.
This service estimates your approval odds and may also let you apply for an exclusive offer. For example, I could earn 90,000 bonus Membership Rewards® points through CardMatch but only 75,000 points when applying directly through Amex. I also qualified for exclusive The Platinum Card® from American Express offers worth up to 125,000 Membership Rewards.
Your second option is using the American Express prequalification tool on the card issuer’s website. This prequalification method can be more accurate as it’s directly from the credit card provider, but CardMatch is pretty accurate too due to its special relationship with Amex.
If you receive an invitation to apply through either service, your approval odds are very good, and you will most likely be approved.
Related: Is CardMatch The First Place To Look Before Applying For a Credit Card?
Can I Get the Amex Gold if I have the Amex Platinum?
Yes, you can have the American Express Gold Card and American Express Platinum Card simultaneously. The American Express credit card combination is common as the Gold Card is used for dining and groceries plus the lifestyle credits. Next, you can use the Platinum Card for travel spending as it earns more.
It’s also possible to have the American Express® Green Card as well which provides more ways to earn bonus Membership Rewards. These three cards don’t have overlapping benefits so having one of each can be an effective credit card strategy.
New American Express® Gold Card cardholders can earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months. Learn more: American Express® Gold Card
Can I Downgrade Amex Platinum to Gold?
You may decide to downgrade your Platinum Card to a Gold Card if you want a lower annual fee, different card benefits, or want to avoid a credit check and have a new account.
The only way to downgrade is by calling American Express. Unfortunately, you won’t earn a welcome offer for the new product as you’re keeping your current account open.
For instance, you might downgrade so you can be eligible for more credit cards from different issuers. Downgrading can make a difference in staying below the Chase 5/24 limits. It can also make sense if you’re struggling to prequalify for the Gold Card but want it soon.
Summary of How Hard is it to Get the Amex Gold Card?
It’s fairly easy to get the American Express® Gold Card, although it’s best to apply with clean credit, an income of at least $60,000, and a positive relationship with American Express. Prequalifying through CardMatch™ is also a quick and risk-free way to see if you’re ready to apply.
New American Express® Gold Card cardholders can earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months. Learn more: American Express® Gold Card
For rates and fees of The American Express® Gold Card, please click here.
