American Express Gold with 2% Cash Rebate (tiered)

[SuperAho]

so how does one get on the invitation list?

I need one of these since the CT cash advantage card now sucks.

[GoodDeal]

so how does one get on the invitation list?

I need one of these since the CT cash advantage card now sucks.

I wasn't on an invitation list...

[gman]

I believe the older Amex Gold with cash rebate (i.e. years before I got mine) had a $75 fee. I think that was invitation only too. Then, they have a no fee one but it is still invitation only. When I posted about that in 2005, people here called Amex and was told it was invitation only.

I don't know if they now change the invitation only policy but applies a $75 annual fee. Or, the CSR GoodDeal talked to was confused and checked the wrong Amex Gold with cash rebate fee schedule. May be GoodDeal was lucky.

What I am trying to say is there were at least 2 type of Amex Gold with cash rebate. One with $75 annual fee and one without.

[gman]

so how does one get on the invitation list?

I personally have no idea how to get it. Amex send the application form to my office (address to my name) and I almost threw it to trash. All my credit card billings go to my home and not my office. And, when I got this Amex gold invitation, I already had 2 Amex cards and both of their addresses are my home.

[Vasyl]

My card has no fee. Had two Amex cards - Costco and Business for over 10 years with no late payments. Recieved an invitation in my office. Applied and got a card within 10 days.

[tor98]

so how does one get on the invitation list?

I need one of these since the CT cash advantage card now sucks.

Why don't you get a driver's edge mastercard? It pays 2% towards the lease or purchase of your next car. No annual fee and I personally prefer MC to AMEX for payment terms.

[zappre]

I crunched some numbers compared to my TD Travel Gold Visa and it does amount to considerably more back - and it's cash. Be aware that it's not 2% on the total you buy, it's 0.5% on the first $2500, 1% on the next $2500 and then 2% on any amount above $5000. So it's not a pure 2% deal. Still, if I charged $15,000 a year, I'd get $237.50 back, compared to the $105.00 I'd get back from TD after deducting the $120.00 annual rip. TD also has an 'Elite Gold' that is 1% with promotions for 2% periods during the year and free auto club but that also has a fee and is not as good to me. My only hesitation re: the Amex card is that Amex isn't accepted everywhere like Visa or MC, so my cash back would only be for expenses incurred at places that take Amex. That could considerably diminish the return and lower the attractiveness of the deal. Anyone who uses an Amex have an opinion on how widely it's accepted?

[Pseudo Nim]

My card has no fee. Had two Amex cards - Costco and Business for over 10 year with no late payments. Recieved an invitation in my office. Applied and got a card within 10 days.

I guess it depends on your profile and how much you spend on them?

Why don't you get a driver's edge mastercard? It pays 2% towards the lease or purchase of your next car. No annual fee and I personally prefer MC to AMEX for payment terms.

Because what if you don't want a car, or what if you're planning on getting a car in another country, or, or, or.....?

Though MC is more widely accepted than AMEX (on the other hand, AMEX has a much higher cool factor).

[gman]

I crunched some numbers compared to my TD Travel Gold Visa and it does amount to considerably more back - and it's cash. Be aware that it's not 2% on the total you buy, it's 0.5% on the first $2500, 1% on the next $2500 and then 2% on any amount above $5000. So it's not a pure 2% deal. Still, if I charged $15,000 a year, I'd get $237.50 back, compared to the $105.00 I'd get back from TD after deducting the $120.00 annual rip. TD also has an 'Elite Gold' that is 1% with promotions for 2% periods during the year and free auto club but that also has a fee and is not as good to me. My only hesitation re: the Amex card is that Amex isn't accepted everywhere like Visa or MC, so my cash back would only be for expenses incurred at places that take Amex. That could considerably diminish the return and lower the attractiveness of the deal. Anyone who uses an Amex have an opinion on how widely it's accepted?

It all depends on where you spend your money. I use CC wherever is possible. I use my Amex Gold as my main card and CitiBank Driver's Edge as secondary. In this month, my Amex Gold statement balance is $2240 and my Driver's Edge Master's is $540. That means I can use my Amex in 80% of the amount. Mind you that 80% of the amount is not the same as 80% of the stores.

Basically almost any big purchase, you can use Amex. I use Master in smaller purchase such as NoFrill, T&T, McDonalds, Tim Horton, small restaurants, etc.

[Pseudo Nim]

I crunched some numbers compared to my TD Travel Gold Visa and it does amount to considerably more back - and it's cash. Be aware that it's not 2% on the total you buy, it's 0.5% on the first $2500, 1% on the next $2500 and then 2% on any amount above $5000. So it's not a pure 2% deal. Still, if I charged $15,000 a year, I'd get $237.50 back, compared to the $105.00 I'd get back from TD after deducting the $120.00 annual rip. TD also has an 'Elite Gold' that is 1% with promotions for 2% periods during the year and free auto club but that also has a fee and is not as good to me. My only hesitation re: the Amex card is that Amex isn't accepted everywhere like Visa or MC, so my cash back would only be for expenses incurred at places that take Amex. That could considerably diminish the return and lower the attractiveness of the deal. Anyone who uses an Amex have an opinion on how widely it's accepted?

I have a somewhat mixed rate of acceptance on it. I'd say my case is 66% AMEX / 33% Visa/MC, although I am unlucky enough to have BOTH of the grocery stores near me not take AMEX, which is a huge recurrent expense (else the breakdown would be much more in Amex's favour). Most sit-down restaurants take it, most large stores take it, most small merchants do NOT, so based on that you should be able to calculate the potential attractiveness.

[TorontoEh]

i want to hear what brunes has to say... since starwood mc is still i think better, as its accepted everywhere and better conversion

[Vasyl]

I guess it depends on your profile and how much you spend on them?

I think that nobody really knows.

[Kev84]

erm... guys.. i just gave a try and he told me:

NO Annual Fee (confirmed MULTIPLE times)
American Express Gold Cash Back 2% card
Supplementary card are FREE

I HAVE NO AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD PRIOR

and i applied

[Vasyl]

I HAVE NO AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD PRIOR

So, profile has no weight whatsoever.

[SinGularity]

i ll try to call them later

i ve had an amex airmiles for about a year