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 Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa
Both are well-respected travel cards. The American Express Gold Card comes from American Express at $325/yr; the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa from Upgrade 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 ($1,800 more in estimated value) than the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa's. Get the American Express Gold Card first; revisit the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | American Express Gold Card | Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $325 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 100,000 points | $200 statement bonus |
| Bonus value (est.) | $2,000 | $200 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $8,000 in 6 mo | $0 in 2 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Upgrade |
| Card category | travel | cash-back |
| Best earning category (Prepaid_hotels_amex) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | amex-mr | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
American Express Gold Card
$325/yr · 100,000 points
Read the full review
Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa
$0/yr · $200 statement bonus
Editorial take: Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, American Express Gold Card or Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa?
- The American Express Gold Card has the bigger bonus, 100,000 points, worth roughly $2,000, versus $200 statement bonus (~$200) on the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa.
- Is the American Express Gold Card's $325 annual fee worth it compared to the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa?
- 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 Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the American Express Gold Card and Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Upgrade) 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 Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Gold Card: $8,000 spend in 6 months. Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa: $0 in 2 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.