Why the Amex Preferred Rewards Gold Still Stands Out in 2025

The American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card remains one of the UK’s most flexible and rewarding travel credit cards. 

 

Amex Preferred Rewards Gold: Designed for those who spend heavily on travel, dining, and online purchases, it offers 20,000 Membership Rewards points as a sign-up bonus (when spending £3,000 in the first 3 months), airport lounge access, and no annual fee in year one. Whether you’re a frequent traveller, Deliveroo loyalist, or points hobbyist, this card continues to deliver exceptional value—if used strategically.

Key Benefits Breakdown

•  20,000 Welcome Points – equivalent to a £100+ travel redemption or £90 in gift cards
•  2x Points on Travel & Dining – includes overseas spend, flights, and restaurants
•  Four Free Lounge Visits per Year – via Priority Pass (value: ~£88)
•  £120 Deliveroo Credit – split into £10/month
•  Travel Insurance – including lost luggage and delayed flights
•  Hotel Status Boosts – automatic enrollment in Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and Radisson Rewards elite tiers
•  Points Flexibility – transfer to 12+ airline partners (Avios, Flying Blue, Emirates Skywards)

Comparison Table: Amex Gold vs Competitors (2025 UK Edition)

Feature	Amex Gold	Barclaycard Avios Plus	HSBC Premier World Elite
Sign-Up Bonus	20,000 MR points	25,000 Avios	40,000 HSBC points
Lounge Access	4/year via PriorityPass	DragonPass pay-per-use	Unlimited LoungeKey
Annual Fee (Year 1)	£0	£20/month (£240/year)	£195/year
Travel Insurance Included	✅	❌	✅
Rewards Flexibility	12+ airline partners	BA Avios only	Transfer to Avios + others

Who Is This Card Really For?

“I booked a return trip to Lisbon using just the sign-up bonus. Lounge access alone saved me £60 on drinks and food.”
— Claire H., frequent flyer and Amex Gold user since 2023

The Gold card is best for:

• Frequent UK-Europe travellers
• Consumers spending £500+/month on dining, travel, or shopping
• Users of Deliveroo and other food delivery services
• Digital nomads needing versatile points over Avios-only solutions

If you fly long-haul multiple times per year or often use Priority Pass lounges, the free year one benefit already pays for itself. However, if you prefer cashback simplicity, or don’t travel much, a flat-rate rewards card may be better.

Cost vs Value: A Quick Analysis

After year one, the £195 annual fee may appear steep—but:

• 4 lounge visits = £88
• £120 Deliveroo credits
• Sign-up bonus value = £100+
• Travel insurance equivalent = £40–£100/year

Even conservatively, most users extract £300–£350 in total value yearly, often more when transferring points to Avios during promotions (30% transfer bonuses occur frequently).

Ready to Unlock the Full Strategy?

In the next section, we’ll reveal:

• Hidden point multipliers you might not be using
• How to stack this card with Amex Gold Business
• Real tips to extend lounge access beyond 4 visits
• FAQ on insurance limits, eligibility and credit checks

Continue to Page 2 for the in-depth guide on maximizing your Amex Gold value in 2025.