Here's Why I'm Planning to Ditch My American Express Gold Card This Year

I'm a fan of rewards credit cards because I like getting rewarded for my spending. I always pay my entire credit card balance to avoid expensive interest charges and use the rewards I earn to offset travel costs. But there's one card that I'm planning to get rid of soon. 

While I've owned the American Express® Gold Card for nearly three years, it's no longer meeting my needs. Here's why I hope to ditch it for another credit card that earns rewards. 

I'm sick of complicated monthly statement credits 

If you're an Uber and Uber Eats user and dine out or get takeout regularly, the American Express® Gold Card is a solid rewards card to consider. You'll get $10 in monthly Uber Cash, which you can use for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the United States (terms apply). 

You can earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with your Amex Gold Card at Grubhub, Goldbelly, Wine.com, The Cheesecake Factory, Milk Bar, and select Shake Shack locations. Terms apply. Enrollment required. 

But for me, these monthly credits are no longer worthwhile -- especially the monthly dining credits. Why? My city has no Shake Shack locations, and I'm not a big fan of The Cheesecake Factory. So, I place Grubhub orders so my credits don't go to waste. 

While I place pickup orders to avoid additional delivery and service fees, most eateries on food delivery apps increase the prices of their menu items. Restaurants and eateries do this to maximize their profits and offset the fees charged by the apps. 

If you're using apps like Grubhub, you're paying more for your food than you would if you ordered directly from a business. When I first got this card, I could get lunch for free or nearly free by ordering $10 or less menu items. That's no longer the case as restaurants continue increasing food prices within apps like Grubhub. 

I know that food costs have increased, but paying an extra $1 or $2 for a sandwich because I'm using a mobile app frustrates me. It all adds up and impacts my bank account balance. I'm now lucky if I get lunch for under $4 after getting my $10 monthly statement credit. While that's a low price for lunch, remember, I'm paying an annual fee of $250 to use this card (See rates and fees).

The American Express® Gold Card is no longer worthwhile for someone like me who prefers to order directly from restaurants. I don't want to use food delivery apps, so I'm exploring other cards on our best dining and restaurant cards list to find a more ideal solution for my needs. 

Use these cards to earn grocery and dining rewards  

Other credit cards beyond the Amex Gold Card will reward you for dining or grocery spending. Here are two options to consider instead.  

Earn up to $360 per year in grocery rewards 

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a solid grocery rewards credit card. With this card in your wallet, you can earn 6% cash back on grocery purchases at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in spending per year. Terms apply. You can earn up to $360 in cash back grocery rewards annually. 

You can also earn rewards when you use your card to make eligible streaming service, transit, and gas station purchases. Terms apply. This card has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. See rates and fees. 

Earn dining, grocery, and travel rewards 

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a good dining, grocery, and travel reward credit card option. You can earn 5 points per $1 when booking travel through the Chase Travel portal, and 2 points per $1 on other travel purchases made directly with your card. 

This card also earns 3 points per $1 on online grocery purchases, excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs. You'll earn 3 points per $1 when using your card for dining spending, including takeout and delivery. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has an annual fee of $95.

Check out our list of the best credit cards to learn about alternative cards that earn rewards.