American Express Gold vs Citi Premier
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
American Express Gold wins 2-1. Heavy restaurant + grocery spenders ($1K+/mo on food) Citi Premier is still the right call if travel + dining + groceries combined — broader 3x than sapphire preferred..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | American Express Gold | Citi Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $325 | $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 4% (dining) | · 3% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 60,000 Membership Rewards points after $6,000 in 6 months | = 60,000 ThankYou points after $4,000 in 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | = 700 | = 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
American Express Gold
- 4x points at restaurants worldwide (incl. Uber Eats)
- 4x at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25K/year)
- 3x on flights booked direct or via amextravel.com
- $120 annual dining credit ($10/mo at select partners)
- $120 annual Uber Cash
- No foreign transaction fees
Citi Premier
- 3x ThankYou points on travel (incl. gas)
- 3x on dining
- 3x on supermarkets
- Transferable to 16 airline partners
- $100 annual hotel credit
- No foreign transaction fees
FAQ
›American Express Gold vs Citi Premier: which is better?
American Express Gold wins on more dimensions (2 vs 1). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use American Express Gold for its best categories, Citi Premier for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
American Express Gold: 60,000 Membership Rewards points after $6,000 in 6 months. Citi Premier: 60,000 ThankYou points after $4,000 in 3 months.