{"id":258941,"date":"2026-08-21T13:00:42","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T13:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/21\/how-we-put-refreshed-amex-gold-card-perks-to-the-test-the-points-guy\/"},"modified":"2026-08-21T13:00:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T13:00:42","slug":"how-we-put-refreshed-amex-gold-card-perks-to-the-test-the-points-guy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/21\/how-we-put-refreshed-amex-gold-card-perks-to-the-test-the-points-guy\/","title":{"rendered":"How we put refreshed Amex Gold Card perks to the test – The Points Guy"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Nothing says summer vacation like an epic road trip: scenic ocean views, carefree beachside bike rides, eating lobster by the water and laughing with friends.<\/p>\n

For us, that meant packing our bags for coastal Maine. Between Portland’s restaurant scene, iconic lobster shacks, lighthouse-studded coastlines and sleepy island bike rides, it was everything we were dreaming of in an early-summer getaway.<\/p>\n

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ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And along the journey, we were able to put the refreshed American Express\u00ae Gold Card, with a $325 annual fee (see rates and fees), to the test by earning bonus points on flights, saving on dining, using some built-in statement credits and enjoying the hotel benefits.<\/p>\n

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SUMMER HULL\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Summer and Eric, here. We’ve been friends for nearly two decades. Back then, we used to meet up on mileage runs around the globe. These days, our travels have us checking out new hotels<\/a><\/span> and up-and-coming destinations<\/a><\/span>, but we still make time to get together whenever we can \u2014 preferably over a great meal (or, let’s be honest, several).<\/p>\n

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ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here’s how we planned our quick Maine adventure, made the most of our Amex Gold perks and discovered why this stretch of New England deserves a spot on every summer travel list.<\/p>\n

Fly and drive<\/h2>\n

Getting to Maine meant flights from opposite sides of the country: Summer from Houston and Eric from Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

We booked our airfare with the Amex Gold because it earns 3 points per dollar on airfare booked through AmexTravel.com<\/a><\/span>, the Amex Travel App\u2122 or directly with airlines. This meant we earned Membership Rewards points before the trip even began.<\/p>\n

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SUMMER HULL\/THE POINTS GUY<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Next, we took one of the card’s new benefits for a spin. Literally.<\/p>\n

At the rental counter, Eric’s complimentary Hertz Five Star status<\/a><\/span> (enrollment required) paid off with an upgrade from a compact car to a Buick Encore SUV \u2014 much appreciated for a few days of driving along Maine’s coast. He’d also earned 2 points per dollar on the prepaid car reservation by booking through AmexTravel.com.<\/p>\n

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ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although you cannot attach your Hertz loyalty number to the reservation on AmexTravel.com<\/a><\/span>, you can add your confirmation number to your Hertz account and then your elite benefits should apply, as they did for us.<\/p>\n

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ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With the car loaded up, we pointed it toward the Maine coast and officially kicked off the trip.<\/p>\n

Day 1: Lighthouses and lobster rolls<\/h2>\n

Rather than head straight into Portland from the airport, we pointed the car south to rugged Two Lights State Park in Cape Elizabeth, about 20 minutes away. After meandering along tree-lined roads past picturesque clapboard houses, we spotted the two lighthouses from which the park takes its name.<\/p>\n

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ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We parked our car and wandered along the rocky headland for a bit before stepping up to the counter at the Lobster Shack at Two Lights, an area institution, for our first lobster rolls of the trip. They were heaped with claw and tail meat plus a healthy dollop of mayo with a sprinkle of Old Bay.<\/p>\n

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ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Eric ordered a whoopie pie so Summer could try this quintessentially Maine dessert on her first trip to the state, plus a slice of strawberry-rhubarb pie for good measure.<\/p>\n

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ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The salt-tinged Atlantic breeze made that first Maine meal taste even better. As a bonus, Eric earned 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar* by paying with his Amex Gold Card, which is a fantastic return for restaurant purchases.<\/p>\n

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SUMMER HULL\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Our next stop was the Portland waterfront, where we caught the Casco Bay Lines ferry for the half-hour ride out to Peaks Island, enjoying sun-splashed city views along the way.<\/p>\n

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ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Just up the road from the dock, we rented bikes and pedaled our way around the island.<\/p>\n

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ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We stopped to admire the lovely homes, chat with summer residents and take in the ocean views from various perfectly placed benches.<\/p>\n

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ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

After our ride, we were parched, so we stopped for lemonades (okay, and maybe a glass of ros\u00e9) at Jones Landing Bar and Restaurant so we could spot the ferry when it arrived for the return journey to Portland. At the same time, we earned another round of points.<\/p>\n

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ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

*Earn 4 points per dollar on up to $50,000 spent on restaurant purchases worldwide each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar for the rest of the year.<\/em><\/p>\n

A collection of perks with The Hotel Collection<\/h2>\n

When we docked, we headed up the hill to our hotel, the Press Hotel, Autograph Collection<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

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ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The hotel is unique, charming and full of personality, located in the former offices of the Portland Press Herald newspaper.<\/p>\n

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ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You can find fun allusions to the building’s past, including a wall in the lobby mounted with 62 vintage typewriters, woodblock installations and even vintage Scrabble sets for tests of wit (or vocabulary, at least).<\/p>\n

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ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Because the Press Hotel participates in both Marriott Bonvoy and American Express’ The Hotel Collection, we were able to double dip a bit, earning Marriott points and elite benefits while also taking advantage of The Hotel Collection perks<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

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SUMMER HULL\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Amex Gold cardholders who book prepaid hotel stays through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App can earn 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar. Plus, when you book stays of two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com<\/a><\/span> or the Amex Travel App, you receive a $100 credit toward eligible charges, which may include food and beverage, spa, or other on-property charges (eligible charges vary by property).<\/p>\n

Other benefits you can enjoy on eligible The Hotel Collection stays include:<\/p>\n