{"id":183084,"date":"2024-10-07T22:00:20","date_gmt":"2024-10-07T22:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=183084\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:02:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:02:38","slug":"amex-gold-dining-changes-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/amex-membership-rewards\/amex-gold-dining-changes-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Amex to Cap 4X Bonus Earning Rate on the Amex Gold Card"},"content":{"rendered":"

The changes below have taken effect, and this post is no longer being updated. Here is our archive of major updates<\/a> from card issuers and loyalty programs.<\/em><\/p>\n

One of the best credit cards for dining<\/a> — the American Express\u00ae<\/sup> Gold Card<\/a> — is getting a new limit to the 4X rewards on dining purchases. As caught by Travel With Grant<\/a>, Amex Gold cardholders will only earn 4X points on the first $50,000 of spending each year, effective January 1, 2025.<\/p>\n

American Express Gold Introduces Limit to 4X Points on Dining<\/span><\/h2>\n

Other than the Citi Prestige\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/a> (which is no longer open to new applicants), the American Express\u00ae<\/sup> Gold Card<\/a> and the American Express\u00ae<\/sup> Business Gold Card<\/a> are the best cards for dining purchases. Both cards can earn 4X rewards on eligible dining and restaurant purchases worldwide. However, the American Express\u00ae<\/sup> Business Gold Card<\/a> requires that dining is one of your top eligible spending categories to get this earning rate.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Amex<\/p>\n

American Express\u00ae<\/sup> Business Gold Card<\/a> holders get 4X rewards on their top two of six spending categories, which might or might not include dining. A limit of $150,000 spent between the top two categories in a calendar year is already in place. As soon as members reach the threshold, they only earn 1X rewards on those categories.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Amex<\/p>\n

Now, the American Express\u00ae<\/sup> Gold Card<\/a> is introducing a comparable spending limit. Starting January 1, 2025<\/strong>, American Express\u00ae<\/sup> Gold Card<\/a> holders will only earn 4X rewards on the first $50,000<\/strong> spent in a calendar year on eligible dining and restaurant purchases. After that, cardholders will only get 1X rewards. The card already limits 4X rewards on groceries to the first $25,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets in a calendar year.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that eligible dining and restaurant purchases with the American Express\u00ae<\/sup> Gold Card<\/a> include restaurants worldwide, while the American Express\u00ae<\/sup> Business Gold Card<\/a> is limited to restaurants in the U.S.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our Take<\/span><\/h2>\n

It's hard to believe anyone naturally spends $50,000 in a calendar year on dining out. But apparently, that happened enough to warrant this new limit. While dining costs may be skyrocketing in some locations, $50,000 in a calendar year is a lot. Perhaps cardholders were putting business dining purchases on their personal card.<\/p>\n

This change probably won't affect most cardholders. However, if you were one of the few who spent more than $50,000 a year on dining purchases, you'll have to look to another card after you reach the new $50,000 limit. Outside of Amex, the U.S. Bank Altitude\u00ae<\/sup> Go Visa Signature\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/a> is the only other card with 4X rewards, on up to $2,000 spent each quarter, on eligible dining purchases\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Again, this change goes into effect on January 1, 2025<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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