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 Mastercard
Both are travel travel cards. The American Express Gold Card comes from American Express at $250/yr; the Bilt Mastercard from Bilt / Wells Fargo 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 ($1,200 more in estimated value) than the Bilt Mastercard's. Get the American Express Gold Card first; revisit the Bilt Mastercard after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | American Express Gold Card | Bilt Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $250 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 60,000 points | No public offer |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,200 | $0 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $6,000 in 6 mo | $0 in 0 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Bilt / Wells Fargo |
| Card category | travel | travel |
| Best earning category (Restaurants) | 4x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | amex-mr | bilt |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
American Express Gold Card
$250/yr · 60,000 points
Read the full review
Bilt Mastercard
$0/yr · No public offer
Editorial take: Bilt Mastercard
The only card that earns points on rent with no fees. Pair it with Rent Day on the 1st of each month for bonus earning, then transfer to top partners like Hyatt at 1:1. A must-have for renters.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, American Express Gold Card or Bilt Mastercard?
- The American Express Gold Card has the bigger bonus — 60,000 points, worth roughly $1,200, versus No public offer (~$0) on the Bilt Mastercard.
- Is the American Express Gold Card's $250 annual fee worth it compared to the Bilt Mastercard?
- At $250/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 Mastercard's — pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the American Express Gold Card and Bilt Mastercard?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Bilt / Wells Fargo) 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 Mastercard first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Gold Card: $6,000 spend in 6 months. Bilt Mastercard: $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.