The Am Ex Gold Card is my latest credit card and the best card for foodies and luxury seekers! Not to mention those that love to travel like me.
I feel so fancy when I lay down my new, metal, rose gold, Am Ex Card at restaurants! Plus, a pink credit card? Who else has one of those?! (Not into pink? Stick to classic gold.)
Though this card has a little higher fee than my other cards, I will share the perks that make back the annual fee and then some.
1. Rewards Points
The main reason I got this card is because the Am Ex Gold offers 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide. This also includes take out and delivery in the US.
I definitely consider myself a foodie, so I spend a lot on restaurants every month. Connecting with friends and family over a wonderful meal is one of the greatest joys in life! Don’t you think?
I also earn 4 points per dollar at U.S grocery stores (up to a limit of $25,000.) Note that this does not include retail stores like Walmart and Target. I use this card at those stores to maximize my points.
The Am Ex Gold also gives 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through Am Ex Travel. Compare the cost of flights though.
I usually book directly with the airlines to double dip on points. That way I earn Am Ex Gold points as well as airline miles.
I only earn 1 point per dollar for all other expenses, so I use my this card for all my other purchases.
2. Monthly Statement Credits
Am Ex Gold also gives a $10 credit each month for dining at certain restaurants. One of which is The Cheesecake Factory, which is a favorite of mine.
I can also get the credit at Grubhub, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and certain Shake Shake locations.
You do have to register for the statement credits once you receive the card. It is not automatic, but only takes a couple minutes.
Ever take Uber or use Uber Eats? This card also gives $10 a month in Uber Cash when you add your Am Ex Gold Card to your account.
To avoid delivery fees I just order my favorite takeout through the Uber Eats App and then select it for pickup instead of delivery. It’s a great way to use the credit without spending extra!
Be aware that both of these credits do not accumulate, so if you don’t use it that month the credits are gone.
3. Am Ex Gold Offers
Another great way to save money or earn more points is to check for Am Ex Gold Offers. They have great discounts on travel, dining, shopping, entertainment and more.
I scored a $100 credit on a recent trip to Santa Fe after spending $250 on my Marriott Hotel for the weekend.
I always check my Am Ex Gold Offers when I need to book a hotel because it offers the most savings. They have good offers on cruises as well.
I’ve also gotten discounts for charging everyday things like my cell phone bill, car insurance or streaming service.
The offers do have to be manually added to your card, but it only takes a few minutes. I get an email when new offers are available and I usually add them to my card while I’m hanging out at home watching TV.
4. The Am Ex Gold’s Hotel Collection
Dreaming of even more luxury? The Am Ex Gold offers a $100 experience credit when staying two nights or more at a Hotel Collection hotel when booked through Am Ex Travel.
I checked out one of The Hotel Collections beautiful and historic hotels above, The Hacienda del Sol on my recent trip to Tucson, Arizona.
They have several inner courtyards filled with fruit trees like this one above that are the perfect place to relax and read, have a chat or enjoy a glass of wine while you listen to the bubbling fountain. So peaceful!
Use the credit for dining, spa treatments or other experiences. Plus get a free room upgrade!
5. Other Perks
There are no foreign transaction fees when using the Am Ex Gold, which is very important to me.
Plus when I travel more than 100 miles from home I can use Am Ex Gold’s Global Assist Hotline for any medical and legal referrals should I experience any trouble while traveling. I can also get help with emergency wire transfers should I need it.
There is also baggage insurance and car rental loss and damage insurance when I book using my card. While I don’t usually check a bag I do rent cars and this saves a ton on skipping the insurance and also offers me peace of mind should something happen.
The Am Ex Gold also offers premium experiences and preferred access to premium seats for select cultural and sporting events too. Get first access to culinary events, concerts and new musicals. Fancy attending New York Fashion Week? The US Open for Tennis? VIP Access to the Grand Prix in Monaco? You can!
6. Am Ex Gold Bonus
Last, but very much not least, the Am Ex Gold is currently offering 60,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months.
I automate most of my bills to my credit cards, so it was very easy to make this requirement. It took me about 3 months.
That’s a pretty quick way to 66,000 points. That’s almost enough for a round trip business class flight from the East Coast to Spain. Iberia Airlines has them off peak for 37,000 points one way. They are one of Am Ex Gold’s many airline transfer parters.
I used my bonus miles to book a business class flight home from Paris this Fall on Air France’s website. I used left over miles from another card for my business class flight to Paris. Air France and KLM are Am Ex Gold transfer parters too. They often have business class flight sales for only 50,000 points each way.
That Paris flight home was a $4,200 flight if I had booked with cash! I only paid $384 for the taxes. It would have been less, but I’m flying back through London Heathrow which notoriously charges higher taxes and fees. Avoid flying through there if you are not traveling to England. It’s a crazy busy airport too. One of the busiest in the world.
It met my schedule requirements best though, so I was happy to pay a little more. It was still less than the cost of an economy ticket. I’d much rather fly in style! Wouldn’t you?
Is the Am Ex Gold Card fee worth it?
The annual fee for the Am Ex Gold card is $250. I think it is well worth it since I take advantage of the monthly dining and Uber credits each month, which add up to $240 per year. The additional offers that Am Ex Gold offers like the $100 I got off my Santa Fe Hotel put it over the top for me.
What I also love about this card is the flexibility in the amount of transfer parters it has. It has 13 air and 3 hotel transfer partners. Plus I’m never sure where my next adventure will be, so I have the flexibility to travel to many different places on a variety of airlines.
This is invaluable to me now that I found a consistent way to use miles to book business class flights from the US to Europe. No more being cramped in economy for me! I hope you give Am Ex Gold a try.
Ready to sign up?
Here is my personal referral link. If you apply using my link and get approved by 5/22/24 there is an extra bonus gift for you!
You will receive an additional 20% back in statement credits on restaurant purchases worldwide during the first 3 months of Card Membership! (After meeting your bonus spend. $50 maximum credit).
Please note I will also receive 10,000 points for my referral at no cost to you. A win, win I think. 😉
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First trip to Europe? I will be traveling to Paris, France in September with one of my best friends who has never been to Europe before.
It got me thinking of my first trip to Europe (which was also to Paris) almost two decades ago. As an American on a first trip to Europe, here are my top 10 things to know before you go.
I think being prepared for things in advance can help manage expectations, which always makes for a better travel experience.
Be free to enjoy all the spectacular experiences that a first trip to Europe has to offer, without getting annoyed that things are a little different from back home. After all, the whole point of travel is to see and experience new and different things!
1. Passport/Visas
The European Union doesn’t require a Visa for Americans yet. That will change come mid-2025.
Passports need to be valid for at least 6 months after the last day of the trip. Some airlines won’t even let you on the plane if the passport has less than 6 months until it expires.
Passports most likely won’t be a problem on a first trip to Europe because they will be new, but as your love of travel and adventure grows keep this in mind.
2. Money
Notify credit card companies of travel dates if they require that, especially if this is your first trip to Europe. Declined cards could be disastrous.
Also, make sure the credit card has no foreign transaction fees. Otherwise there could be a lot of extra charges waiting once at you get home.
My favorite card right now is the Capital One Venture Card . It has no foreign transaction fees, no pre-travel notification and offers a full reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check.
Plus, I get 2 points for every dollar I spend. I can use those points not only for future hotels or flights, but I can also cancel out travel expenses with points when I get back.
Bring a debit card and go to a local bank to obtain Euros or British Pounds. This will provide the best exchange rate.
I take enough out to last my whole trip. This way I minimize ATM fees and save time. It’s good to have some cash when I’m at a local market or buying street food.
3. Flights
Flights from the US to Europe are all overnight flights on the way there and morning or early afternoon flights on the way back.
First long haul flight? Here are a few tips. Dress comfortably. Flights are 7-10 hours long and what you wear can make all the difference between a relaxing journey and hours of misery.
Clothing
I wear leggings or joggers, a tank or t-shirt and a sweater or sweatshirt. Sometimes I wear a nice scarf with it to look more polished and put together.No jeans or shorts!
Shorts don’t protect your legs enough from dirty airplane seats or people bumping themselves or luggage into you.
I also don’t recommend anything with a tight waistband like jeans. Stomachs expand when flying due to the altitude and this can make things quite uncomfortable.
Flights also get cold over the Atlantic, so a soft and warm sweater or sweatshirt is great to keep me warm. It can also double as a blanket!
What do put in my personal item? I pack all the things in my carryon I think I will need to keep me occupied for hours, as well as keep me comfortable.
Electronics
I always make sure I have wired headphones. I can’t always connect to the airplane entertainment system with my earbuds and don’t want to buy them onboard. My tablet and ear buds are a necessity for reading or watching movies on my own device.
Personal Items
Personal items to keep me comfortable are a necessity. I bring hand wipes instead of hand sanitizer. I not only can clean my hands, but also clean the plane armrests and tray table to keep myself healthy while traveling.
Planes also dry me out, so I need lotion and lip care. I also bring an eye mask and earplugs for sleeping.
Want the ultimate way to fly on your first trip to Europe? Fly First or Business class! I haven’t hacked a First class flight yet, but check out this post on how you can fly business class to Europe for less with this card.
Be careful! I am now spoiled to fly any other way. They also will provide noise cancelling headphones and all the personal care items I previously mentioned. No need to pack those!
Airlines also provide a nice pillow and warm duvet when I’m ready to go to sleep in my lie-flat seat. 😄
4. Checking into the hotel
The front desk will ask for your passport when checking in. They will keep it for a day or so to provide travel information to the local government. Don’t be alarmed. You will get it back.
I take a photo copy of my passport, driver’s license and credit cards and keep it in my suitcase in case anything is lost or stolen. This saves a lot of headache should something happen.
5. Hotels
Hotel rooms in Europe are much smaller than in America. Rooms in Paris for example are the smallest I’ve ever encountered in Europe, with not much more room then to walk around the bed(s).
Rooms usually have one double bed or two of what I refer to as “Euro twin” beds separated by a tiny nightstand. These twin beds are narrower than the twin beds you may be used to in the US.
Use your room only to sleep and shower and then get out there and start exploring and making memories!
6. Electricity in your room
Some hotels will have a key card slot on the wall. Insert your key card to turn on the electricity to the room. Ever been on a cruise? You will be a pro at this already.
Other hotels have very old skeleton keys with a key tag with that has the room number on it. Don’t worry about carrying the keys around, for security purposes you will be expected to leave the key with the front desk when leaving. Just retrieve it upon returning to the hotel.
No need for thieves to know my hotel and room number if my bag is stolen.
Voltage is also different in Europe. America runs on 110 volts and Europe is 220 volts. Take an adaptor and a voltage convertor for plugging in electronics and hair styling tools.
My advice is always to travel light and leave the hair styling tools at home. Hotel rooms usually have a blow dryer, although it may be different than what you are used to. It looks to me more like a vacuum cleaner hose attached to the wall, but it gets the job done. 😂
Don’t be that person shorting out the whole electrical system for the hotel because you plugged in your curling iron or hair straightener from home without a converter.
Take a vacation from normal hair styling routines and go au natural. You are on vacation after all.
Can’t live without your curling iron or hair straightener? Consider buying one in Europe. No doubt you will love Europe so much you will be coming back again and again!
7. Hotel Bathrooms
Not all hotel rooms in Europe come with an attached bathroom. Make sure to check in the room description or find yourself going down the hall. However, the majority of hotels have tiny bathrooms worked into the room.
Bathrooms usually have a very small corner shower, no bathtub, free standing sink, toilet and perhaps a bidet at a fancier hotel. I lucked out and my bathroom in Galway below actually did have a tub, but don’t expect one.
There is usually not a lot of counter space either. Take a break from your elaborate morning makeup routine and relax. Try using less products.
I would also suggest investing in a hanging toiletry case. I like having more room to put things. Check out my post on my other packing essentials.
8. Public Restrooms
You will not find the abundance of public restrooms like you do in the America and most public restrooms require money to use. I jokingly refer to this as “pay to pee”. 😂
Either there will be a turnstile at the entrance to the restroom or a dish near the sink with an attendant to tip for keeping the restroom clean and tidy.
I suggest saving all the coins received as change, as there is nothing worse then having to use the restroom urgently and not having the right change.
On my first trip to London I desperately needed to use the restroom at the train station and the change machine outside the restroom was broken.
Thankfully a nice young women had pity on me and gave me the 10 pence I needed to get through the turnstile. Thank you kind lady wherever you are!
Take advantage of any attraction, museum or restaurant visited and use the restroom, even if you don’t think you have to go. I refer to this as “the preemptive pee”. 😂
Due to the age of buildings, look for the restroom in the basement. Most buildings were built before the invention of indoor plumbing.
Also, when using the restroom in a restaurant or cafe the expectation will be to make a purchase first.
Order a drink at the counter and then ask, “toilet?” which is a more universal term. Traveling to England? Look for the sign that says, W. C. (water closet).
When using a public restroom, the toilet will not always have a toilet seat. Practice your squats before you leave!
Also, there is not always toilet paper. I keep a small pack of tissues in my bag just in case.
Another thing on toilet paper. In Europe most plumbing is very old and sensitive. There will be a small trash can next to the toilet in which to wipe and then throw away the used tissue.
This does take awhile to get used to, but I don’t want to be the person who experiences the overflowing toilet. Embarrassing!
9. Air Conditioning
Most places in Europe do not have air conditioning due to the age of the buildings, including hotels. Keep this in mind when booking if it is important to you.
Also, even if the hotel says it has air conditioning due to Europe’s more strict energy conversation laws they may only be allowed to have it on for certain months of the year.
I suggest avoiding Summer in Europe all together. The heat can be sweltering, there will be a lot of crowds and you will pay a lot more.
Travel in shoulder season instead, or if visiting a big city consider travel in Winter. November or January – March can be great when the Christmas markets are over and will also save you some cash.
10. Restaurants
If you ask for water you will need to be specific and ask for “tap water” and be prepared for some funny looks.
Europeans drink bottled water and the restaurant will serve and charge for bottled water. Water comes in either still or sparkling (gas or no gas).
Drinks in Europe also do not come with ice and are usually not that cold. If you are a soda drinker be prepared for some lukewarm soda as I learned when I ordered my first Diet Coke in Paris. Hot and desperate for an ice cold beverage? Try looking for a McDonalds.
I once had to do that on a particularly steamy day in Rome. Soda is also very expensive in Europe. I suggest having a nice glass of wine for the same price. The house wine in restaurants is very affordable and delicious!
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