American Express Gold vs Discover It Miles
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Discover It Miles wins 3-2. No-fee flat travel earn — first-year doubled effectively makes it 3x. American Express Gold is still the right call if heavy restaurant + grocery spenders ($1k+/mo on food).
Side-by-side
| Criterion | American Express Gold | Discover It Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $325 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 4% (dining) | · 1.5% (general) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 1.5% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 60,000 Membership Rewards points after $6,000 in 6 months | = Discover doubles all miles earned in your first year (Mile Match) |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | · 700 | 670 |
| 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
Discover It Miles
- 1.5x miles on every purchase
- Discover Mile Match: doubles all miles earned in year 1
- Redeem against any travel purchase
- No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
- Free FICO score
FAQ
›American Express Gold vs Discover It Miles: which is better?
Discover It Miles wins on more dimensions (3 vs 2). 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, Discover It Miles 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. Discover It Miles: Discover doubles all miles earned in your first year (Mile Match).