The American Express Reserve Card gives you travel credits, airport lounge access, and points on everyday purchases
The American Express Reserve Card (officially the American Express® Gold Card) is a premium rewards card designed for people who travel frequently or spend heavily on dining and groceries. It charges an annual fee, but it includes specific credits and perks that can offset that cost if you use them. The card earns points on airfare, hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets, and it gives you access to airport lounges and travel protections.
This guide explains what benefits come with the card, how much they are worth, and how to use them. It does not cover how to open the card or whether you should — that depends on your spending patterns and travel habits. Instead, it walks through what you actually get once you have the card in your wallet.
Key Takeaways
- The card charges an annual fee (currently $250) but includes a $120 dining credit and a $120 airline incidental credit that can reduce the net cost.
- You earn 4 points per dollar on airfare and hotels booked through American Express Travel, and 4 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants and supermarkets.
- The card includes access to airport lounges through the Centurion Network and select partner lounges, which you can use when traveling on any airline.
- Points can be transferred to airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio, or redeemed for cash back at a lower rate.
- The card includes trip cancellation insurance, baggage protection, and emergency medical coverage when you travel.
Annual Fee and Built-In Credits
The American Express Reserve Card costs $250 per year. American Express includes two credits designed to offset part of this cost: a $120 annual dining credit and a $120 annual airline incidental credit. These are not automatic refunds — you have to use them through specific channels for them to work.
The dining credit applies when you charge restaurant meals to the card. It covers dine-in and takeout at restaurants, but not groceries, bars, or food delivery services. You can use the full $120 in one transaction or spread it across multiple meals throughout the year. The credit resets on your card anniversary date.
The airline incidental credit covers fees charged by airlines, such as baggage fees, seat selection, and in-flight purchases. It does not cover the ticket itself. You choose which airline to link the credit to through your American Express account, and you can change your selection once per calendar year. If you do not use the full $120 in a year, the unused amount does not roll over.
How Points Earn on Different Purchases
The card uses a tiered points system. You earn the most points on categories where cardholders tend to spend the most: travel and dining. Here is how points accumulate across common purchase types.
You earn 4 points per dollar when you book airfare, hotels, or rental cars through American Express Travel (the card's travel portal). You also earn 4 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. You earn 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. There is no cap on points — you can earn as many as your spending allows.
The 4x rate on supermarkets applies only to U.S. supermarkets, not to warehouse clubs, gas stations, or online grocery delivery. The 4x rate on restaurants applies to the restaurant itself, not to food delivery apps or meal kit services. If you are unsure whether a merchant qualifies, check your statement after the charge posts — American Express will show how many points you earned.
Transferring Points to Airlines and Hotels
Points can be moved to airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio, meaning 1,000 points becomes 1,000 miles or points with the partner program. American Express has partnerships with most major U.S. airlines (including Delta, United, American, and Southwest) and hotel chains (including Marriott, Hilton, and IHG). You transfer points through your American Express account under the "Rewards" or "Membership Rewards" section.
Transferring points to a partner program is usually the highest-value way to use them if you have a specific trip in mind. For example, if you have earned 50,000 points and want to book a flight that costs 50,000 miles with your airline partner, a transfer gets you there directly. The downside is that once points are transferred, they cannot be moved back to American Express.
You can also redeem points for cash back, but the rate is lower — typically 0.6 to 1 cent per point, depending on how you redeem. This means 50,000 points might be worth $300 to $500 in cash back, compared to a $500+ flight booked with miles. Cash redemptions are useful if you do not have a specific travel goal or prefer the flexibility.
Airport Lounge Access and How to Use It
The card includes complimentary access to the Centurion Lounge network, which American Express owns and operates at major U.S. airports. You also get access to select partner lounges through the LoungeKey program. Lounge access is included for you and up to two companions per visit.
To use a lounge, show your card and a valid photo ID at the lounge entrance. You do not need to book in advance. Centurion Lounges typically offer free food, beverages, Wi-Fi, showers, and quiet seating. Partner lounges vary in what they offer, but most provide similar amenities. You can visit a lounge before any flight, regardless of which airline you are flying or whether you booked through American Express.
Lounge access is available only to the primary cardholder. If you add an authorized user to your card, they do not automatically get lounge access, though some lounges may allow them to enter as your guest. Check the specific lounge's policy before you visit.
Travel Insurance and Protections
The card includes several travel-related insurance policies that set up when you charge the trip to the card. These are not automatic — you need to understand what each one covers and when it applies.
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance reimburses you if you have to cancel or cut short a trip due to a covered reason (such as illness, injury, or death of a family member). Coverage is typically up to $10,000 per person. Baggage protection covers lost or delayed baggage, with limits on what is reimbursed. Emergency medical and dental coverage applies if you become ill or injured while traveling outside the United States. Emergency evacuation and transportation covers the cost of emergency medical evacuation if you are injured or become seriously ill abroad.
These policies have specific terms, exclusions, and claim procedures. Before you travel, log into your American Express account and review the full policy documents under "Travel Benefits" or "Insurance." If you need to file a claim, American Express will require documentation such as receipts, medical records, or proof of the covered event.
Concierge Services and Other Perks
The card includes access to a 24/7 concierge service that can help with travel planning, restaurant reservations, and other requests. You reach the concierge by calling the number on the back of your card. The concierge cannot book flights or hotels for you, but they can research options, make reservations at restaurants, and help with travel logistics.
The card also includes purchase protection, which covers items you buy with the card against theft or accidental damage for a limited time after purchase. It does not cover normal wear and tear or intentional damage. Extended warranty coverage extends the manufacturer's warranty on may be able to access items for an additional year.
American Express occasionally offers limited-time bonus perks or partnerships (such as statement credits at specific retailers or discounts at partner hotels). These change throughout the year, so check your account or the American Express website periodically to see what is currently available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the airline incidental credit on any airline?
You choose which airline to link the credit to through your American Express account. The credit applies only to that airline. You can change your selection once per calendar year. The credit covers airline fees like baggage charges and seat selection, but not the ticket price itself.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points remain in your American Express Membership Rewards account and do not expire as long as you keep at least one American Express card open. If you close all your American Express cards, your points will expire after a period of inactivity (usually 18 months). You can transfer points to airline or hotel partners before closing the card if you want to preserve their value.
Do I earn points on the annual fee?
No. Annual fees and other card fees do not earn points. Only purchases of goods and services earn points.
Can authorized users access airport lounges?
Authorized users do not automatically receive lounge access. However, they can enter a lounge as your guest if you are traveling with them. Policies vary by lounge, so confirm with the lounge before you visit.
How do I know if a purchase qualifies for the 4x points rate?
Check your statement after the charge posts. American Express will show the points earned for each transaction. If you are unsure before you buy, contact American Express customer service or check the merchant category on your statement from a previous similar purchase.