Changes To The American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card

American Express are making a number of changes to their Premier Rewards Gold Card, people have been expecting these changes every since the AmEx EveryDay cards were released. These new changes will come into effect on June 1st, 2015.

Changes

Let’s have a quick look at the breakdown of these changes:

  • Annual fee increased by $20 from $175 to $195, waived first year
  • 2x Membership Rewards points at U.S Restaurants
  • $100 Airline fee credit for incidental charges (e.g baggage fees)
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • “Personalized Travel Service”

The only negative change is the increased annual fee. This should be offset by most people with the $100 airline fee credit, but that will depend on how often you fly and if this will be able to be used for gift cards that can be resold or not.

Card Benefits

Let’s look at what the card benefits will look like in total after June 1st, 2015:

  • Annual fee of $195, waived first year
  • Standard sign up bonus of 25,000 Membership Rewards points after $2,000 in spend (more on how to get a larger bonus below)
  • 3x points on all purchases made directly with U.S Airlines
  • 2x points on all purchases made at U.S Supermarkets, Gas Stations & Restaurants
  • 1x points on all other purchases
  • $100 Airline incidental fee credit
  • No foreign transaction fee

Keep in mind they removed the benefit where you would receive 15,000 bonus points if you spent more than $30,000 in card member year.

Card Sign Up Bonus

The standard sign up bonus of 25,000 points sucks. Thankfully it’s actually possible to get a sign up bonus of 50,000 points on this card (the minimum spend requirement is only $1,000 instead of $2,000 as well). If you’d like to learn how to get this bonus, please read this post. .

Final Thoughts

For me this doesn’t really change the card that much, it’s already possible to get 2x flexible points on restaurant purchases with Citi & Chase, the airline incidental credit is nice but it doesn’t make it worth paying the $195 annual fee. Some people will say that the airline incidental is “as good as cash”, but it really isn’t even if you can buy airline gift cards you’d need to sell these at a loss and it’s also a hassle and use of your time.

Positive changes are nice, but honestly I was expecting more from American Express when it came to this card. My personal plan for this card is to wait until the sign up bonus is at least 75,000 Membership Rewards points, get it for the first year and then cancel It’s definitely not a keeper.

What are your thoughts on these new changes? If you have the American Express Premier Rewards card, is this enough to get you to keep it? If so, why?
    William Charles
  • On February 26, 2015, 18:30

View Comments (16)

  • Do you know if any changes are coming to the Business MR card? I'd love that $100 airline credit.

  • I've has this card for 5 years, and each year have managed to get the annual fee offset from customer service with a quick phone call. Some years it was $150 refunded ($75 instant and $75 after $3,000 spend in 3 months). Others it was 25,000 membership rewards points. For the points, worth more than $175 and/or the $25 net cost I would keep the card.

  • Can anyone comment if you are still able to get the 50,000 point offer referenced in the post? I've tried multiple times over different browsers the last week or so with no luck. Any suggestions/tips?

  • Will and others,

    Has the Gold card (personal) ever had a 75000 sign up bonus? I did the 50000 MRs with $1000 spend and I plan on buying AA gift cards (twice like the poster above has mentioned)...

    • Yes it has, but 50k + two $100 credits is still a good deal and I am tempted to pull the trigger myself.

      • You say 50k + two $100 credits-- this is assuming the $100 airline credit posts on June 1, 2015, and then is issued again at the start of the calendar year (Jan 2016) instead of the card anniversary year (or whenever AF hits).

        If that's the case , it might be better to go for it now (or until June 1) as the days of 75k may have already sailed.

  • Mistake above -> "3x points on all purchases made at U.S Supermarkets, Gas Stations & Restaurants"

    Only 2X for these categories.

  • 50K and first year waived plus $100 is definitely worth signing up for. But since it's only one lifetime bonus, it may pay to wait. That said, 75K offers are very rare.

    I.was going to keep the card and hope for 50K upgrade offer to Plat. Dunno if they offer Plat upgrades any more though?

  • My $175 annual fee just billed.

    I was intending to downgrade to keep my MRs, but now with the addition of the $100 airline credit, I am inclined to keep it.

    The $100 airline credit can be had twice - once in June, 2015 and then again in January, 2016. Sure, it's not "cash" but nearly as good since I will spend more than $200 per year on AA. And I can rack up 3x points on airfare purchases.

    Is my analysis off?

    • You're in a bit of a unique situation, but let's say you don't currently have the card. You apply now, get the $100 bonus this year and next year and pay no annual fee. Would you pay the annual fee in year two? I doubt it, because you've already gotten the $100 credit for that year.

      Don't get me wrong, this card is great in year one. But I don't think it's worth keeping year two onwards.

      In your situation it's probably worth paying the AF, but I doubt you'll be willing to pay the AF next year. Would you agree?

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