Editorial take: American Express Gold Card
The ultimate foodie card, earning bonus points at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. Plus over $400 in easy-to-use statement credits make the annual fee a no-brainer.
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Side-by-side
American Express Gold Card vs American Express Schwab Investor Card
Both are travel travel cards. The American Express Gold Card comes from American Express at $325/yr; the American Express Schwab Investor Card from American Express at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
Both cards come from American Express and target travel spenders, so the choice usually comes down to whether you'll use the premium-tier benefits. The American Express Gold Card costs $325 more per year, only worth it if you'll actually use the upgraded perks.
| Feature | American Express Gold Card | American Express Schwab Investor Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $325 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 100,000 points | 10,000 Membership Rewards points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $2,000 | $110 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $8,000 in 6 mo | $1,000 in 6 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | American Express |
| Card category | travel | travel |
| Best earning category (Prepaid_hotels_amex) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | amex-mr | amex-mr |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
American Express Gold Card
$325/yr · 100,000 points
Read the full review
American Express Schwab Investor Card
$0/yr · 10,000 Membership Rewards points
Editorial take: American Express Schwab Investor Card
The hidden gem of the Amex MR lineup for Schwab brokerage customers. Flat 1.5X MR with $0 annual fee, full transfer-partner access, AND a 1.0 cents-per-point cash-into-brokerage redemption guarantees you can always extract real cash. The catch: you need a Schwab brokerage account to apply.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, American Express Gold Card or American Express Schwab Investor Card?
- The American Express Gold Card has the bigger bonus, 100,000 points, worth roughly $2,000, versus 10,000 Membership Rewards points (~$110) on the American Express Schwab Investor Card.
- Is the American Express Gold Card's $325 annual fee worth it compared to the American Express Schwab Investor Card?
- At $325/yr, the American Express Gold Card is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the American Express Schwab Investor Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the American Express Gold Card and American Express Schwab Investor Card?
- Yes, though both are issued by American Express so the same issuer-specific application rules apply (Chase 5/24 if applicable, Amex once-per-lifetime bonus, etc.). Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the American Express Gold Card or the American Express Schwab Investor Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Gold Card: $8,000 spend in 6 months. American Express Schwab Investor Card: $1,000 in 6 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.