The Gold Card's public welcome offer runs as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 of spend in 6 months. Amex personalizes the offer, so the exact number is shown before you apply, and checking it is a soft pull.
No referral needed. American Express's refer-a-friend program pays the person referred nothing extra, so this offer is what you get either way. The full program terms, including what the referring member earns.
Eligibility
Available nationwide
No state restrictions on this offer.
Hard credit inquiry
Applying posts a hard pull to your credit report.
American Express once-per-lifetime & the pop-up
One welcome bonus per card product, ever. It's enforced by a pre-submission pop-up you can safely test.
How to get the American Express Gold Card bonus
- Apply on americanexpress.com; the offer shown to you is a soft pull and will not affect your credit.
- If the shown offer is worth it, submit; spend $8,000 in the first 6 months.
- Points post 8 to 12 weeks after you meet the requirement.
The fine print that matters
- Welcome offers are personalized. The 100,000 figure is the public maximum, not a guaranteed offer.
- Amex's once-per-lifetime rule: you generally cannot earn a welcome bonus on a card you have held before.
- Points are Membership Rewards; their worth depends on how you redeem. This site publishes no cents-per-point valuation.
Verification and reports
Confirmed against americanexpress.com on Jul 17, 2026. Based on 0 field reports. Status Limited reports is computed from those reports, never hand-set.
Report your result
Reviewed by a human before it publishes. We do not ask for your name or contact, and a published report never carries one.
Spot something new or wrong? Send a tip. Corrections ship and are credited in the changelog.
Sources: americanexpress.com Gold Card (checked Jul 17, 2026)
Other American Express offers, so you can compare
American Express High Yield Savings3.00% APY
No minimum balance, no fees
American Express SkyMiles Reserve Business80,000 bonus milesmiles bonus
$10,000 in purchases in first 6 months
American Express Surpass Card130,000 pointspoints bonus
$3,000 in purchases in first 6 months
American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve100,000 milesmiles bonus
$5,000 in purchases in first 6 mo
Already a customer? What you earn for referring someone
American Express Gold Card referralNot published
5 per calendar year, per person · Tax form 1099-MISC
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