Amex Gold: the best credit card for the dieter and the foodie


Earning bonus cashback at restaurants is a relatively common category afforded by many credit card issuers.  But since you count your daily macros and especially your protein down to the milligram, you like to keep your dieting clean and cook at home.  So what if you could earn bonus cashback at supermarkets on top of restaurants?  Enter the Amex Gold card, which earns 4x Membership Rewards at both restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets.

Earn 4x MR at restaurants worldwide including Chiltepin Marisquillos' legendary grilled octopus for your protein and veggies

So whether you're an over-eater or a strict dieter, or the majority of the population in between, this card is a winner.  Yes, it does come with a hefty $250 annual fee, but let's take a look at some of the card benefits:

  • $100 annual airline fee credit
  • $120 annual dining credit
  • 4x points at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets
  • 3x points for flights booked directly with the airline or at amextravel.com
  • 1x points on all other purchases
  • Amex's legendary purchase and travel protection benefits
  • No foreign exchange transaction fees
As you can see, the annual credits alone almost cover the annual fee.  But here's the kicker: the amount you spend annually on eating.  If you dish out $2,000 a month on food, be it at Whole Foods or McDonald's (or both?), you're looking at 96k MR, which is enough for a roundtrip biz flight to Asia w/stopover.  So your normal eating habits alone would get you an annual free roundtrip long-haul biz flight.  And that's not even factoring the other points you'll earn on booking flights or everyday spending.

Redeem 95k MR for roundtrip biz class travel on Eva Airlines

Is this the right card for you?

Given that everyone needs to eat to survive, I can't picture a circumstance where this card wouldn't work well for the average eater.  You also get Amex's legendary customer service, purchase protection benefits, and access to Amex Offers.  The standard sign-up bonus is 35k, but if you apply through my referral link, you can get 50k!



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