I have been an American Express cardmember for four years and now this is the only card that I prefer to use. I started out with American Express Green and built my history with the company until just a short year later, they invited me to become a Gold card holder. I really think that the benefits of the Gold card are worth the additional $25 you pay a year (beyond the standard Green annual fee of $50).

What I like about this card:

- convenient account access, online bill payment and downloading of account detail in Quicken or MS Money file format on the customizable American Express web site

- Membership Rewards program: cardmembers get one point for each dollar they charge on the card, with numerous "double-point" or "bonus point" opportunities throughout the year for things that everyone needs, like groceries! I am fairly close to being able to take a 7 night cruise through accrual of these Membership Rewards points (I charge all our household expenses and even some bills to the card, as it is paid off monthly and the points really add up!)

- highly professional, pleasant customer service staff

- lack of annoying telemarketing calls (unlike other cards I could name)

- personalized web site allows you to add content of your choosing, such as last minute vacation deals, Gold card events, etc.

- Gold card events e-mailed to you if you choose - I utilized this feature to get eight prime seats (9th row) for a Roger Waters concert for a reasonable price: I was able to call Ticketmaster on a separate line just for Gold card members and was able to get through right away on the first day of ticket sales

- Sign and Travel feature allows you to carry a balance for big-ticket purchases such as vacations and cruises with no pre-set spending limit - however, it is wise to pay the balance off as soon as possible as a high interest rate is charged on the balance (about 21%)

What I dislike about this card:

- not accepted everywhere (although the company provides a convenient online form to fill out indicating names of vendors who do not accept the card - this really worked for one vendor, who added acceptance of the card about a month after I filled out the form)

- takes a while to get accepted to the Sign & Travel program (about six months of payment history)

- Sign & Travel interest rate is noncompetitive with other credit cards I own that are at a much lower rate





Recommended: Yes