Here’s Why I Still Keep It (As Someone Who Loves the “Coupon Book” Style)

A lot of people complain that the Amex Gold feels like a coupon book. I’m the opposite — I lean into it. I treat the Gold like a predictable monthly rebate machine, and because I’m willing to manage the credits, the $325 fee still makes sense for me.

If you’re the type who doesn’t mind a little monthly optimization, the Gold is still one of the best daily drivers out there.

Here’s how I personally squeeze it.

Why I Still Love the Gold at $325

1. The 4X grocery multiplier is non-negotiable for me

I run almost all supermarket spend through the Gold. Between cooking at home and hosting friends on weekends, hitting the $25k cap isn’t hard. The 4X MR return alone covers a big chunk of the annual fee before I even touch the credits.

2. Dining is another easy 4X category

I eat out enough — nothing fancy, just regular life. Fast casual, small local spots, even airport dining. Every swipe at 4X stacks MR points fast enough that the fee looks smaller month by month.

3. This is where I differ from most people: I actually enjoy the credit structure

Most people hate:

  • monthly dining credit
  • monthly Uber credit

But this is my system:

I treat both credits like mini-challenges. I bake them into my routine so they feel automatic rather than forced.

  • The Uber credit goes straight into my Uber Cash balance. I use it on local rides or an occasional Uber Eats order when I’m too tired to cook.
  • The dining credit gets used at Grubhub for pickup. I’m not paying delivery fees or markups — just grabbing dinner or a snack I would’ve gotten anyway.

I don’t feel “trapped” by the credits because I’ve built habits around them. That’s the difference.

If you like optimizing small recurring benefits, the Gold becomes one of the most fun cards to own.

Why the Fee Doesn’t Bother Me

People always ask if $325 is too high. But here’s how it looks in my head:

  • I fully use the Uber credit
  • I reliably use the dining credit
  • I earn a ton of MR from 4X dining and groceries

Once all that’s accounted for, the effective fee feels far lower — closer to a couple dollars a month.

The folks who complain about the fee are the ones who aren’t using the credits or multipliers. If you’re willing to coupon-book this card, you can absolutely get ahead.

The Part Most People Don’t Admit

The Gold isn't a set-it-and-forget-it card.

It’s a card you operate. You manage it. You squeeze it. You plan around it a little.

If that sounds annoying, the Gold is the wrong pick. But if you like coupon booking — stacking rewards, catching credits, setting reminders, optimizing categories — this card becomes extremely rewarding.

I actually enjoy that monthly engagement. It keeps the card top-of-wallet because there's always some kind of value ticking in the background.

When the Gold Wouldn’t Be Worth It

Even as someone who likes squeezing credits, I’m realistic. The Gold isn't worth $325 if:

  • your grocery/dining spend is low
  • you forget monthly credits
  • you prefer simple cash-back structures
  • you don’t redeem MR efficiently

The Gold has a high ceiling, but only if you use it as intended.

Why I’m Keeping It Again This Year

I ran the math for myself:

  • Uber credit used 12/12 months
  • Dining credit used at high redemption value
  • 4X at restaurants is my default
  • 4X at grocery stores is unmatched for my spend

If Amex keeps the card as-is, I’ll keep renewing it. And yes, I absolutely call for retention offers too — Amex is generous if you’re actually putting spend through the Gold.