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 Bilt Blue
Both are travel travel cards. The American Express Gold Card comes from American Express at $325/yr; the Bilt Blue from Bilt / Cardless at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the American Express Gold Card is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,900 more in estimated value) than the Bilt Blue's. Get the American Express Gold Card first; revisit the Bilt Blue after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | American Express Gold Card | Bilt Blue |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $325 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 100,000 points | $100 Bilt Cash |
| Bonus value (est.) | $2,000 | $100 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $8,000 in 6 mo | $0 in 0 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Column N.A. |
| Card category | travel | travel |
| Best earning category (Prepaid_hotels_amex) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | amex-mr | bilt |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
American Express Gold Card
$325/yr · 100,000 points
Read the full review
Bilt Blue
$0/yr · $100 Bilt Cash
Editorial take: Bilt Blue
The no-fee entry tier of Bilt 2.0, launched February 7, 2026. 1X base earn on everything else, with 3X on Lyft, up to 4X at Bilt dining partners, and 3X hotels / 2X flights through the Bilt Travel portal. Best for renters who want the no-fee anchor plus full transfer partner access without paying $95+. The 5-transactions-per-cycle minimum from legacy Bilt is gone, and Rent Day doubles everyday earn on the 1st up to 1,000 bonus points.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, American Express Gold Card or Bilt Blue?
- The American Express Gold Card has the bigger bonus, 100,000 points, worth roughly $2,000, versus $100 Bilt Cash (~$100) on the Bilt Blue.
- Is the American Express Gold Card's $325 annual fee worth it compared to the Bilt Blue?
- 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 Bilt Blue's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the American Express Gold Card and Bilt Blue?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Column N.A.) the application rules don't conflict. 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 Bilt Blue first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Gold Card: $8,000 spend in 6 months. Bilt Blue: $0 in 0 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.