Expert Insights: Dr. Pinto Weighs in on Amex Gold Card Perks and Pitfalls

Dr. Jo Ann Pinto, Associate Professor in the Accounting & Finance department, was featured in WalletHub’s piece about Amex Gold Card Benefits. The American Express® Gold Card is a premium rewards card that provides numerous benefits, including a generous rewards program, travel insurance, shopping protections, and hotel perks. It earns 4 points per $1 on U.S. supermarket and restaurant purchases, 3 points on flights booked through Amex Travel, and more. Cardholders also enjoy travel benefits such as trip delay insurance, baggage protection, and access to exclusive hotel perks through The Hotel Collection.

Pinto offers practical advice on the card, highlighting that it requires excellent credit and comes with a $325 annual fee. Pinto suggests that the card may be particularly valuable for frequent travelers or those who regularly shop at certain places, like Dunkin’ Donuts or Uber. However, for individuals who don’t dine out or travel often, she cautions that the rewards may not justify the cost. Pinto recommends shopping around for other options and to evaluate whether the benefits align with your needs before committing.