| Last updated on February 22nd, 2024
U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card
U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card
U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card
- 19.74% to 29.74% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 19.74% to 29.74% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
- 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
The U.S. Bank FlexPerks Gold American Express Card is a reliable – and powerful – travel rewards credit card from U.S. Bank. The card earns 3x points on restaurant purchases, 2x points with gas station and airline purchases, and 1x points on all other purchases.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- 5X FlexPoints on prepaid hotels and rental cars
- 3X FlexPoints at restaurants, 2X FlexPoints at gas stations, 2X FlexPoints at airlines, and 1X FlexPoints per $1 spent on all other eligible Net Purchases
- Enjoy an automatic statement credit reimbursement for TSA Precheck® or Global Entry
- Complimentary Boingo Wi-Fi at over 1 million hotspots worldwide
- Regular Purchase APR: 19.74% to 29.74% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer APR: 19.74% to 29.74% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each advance, whichever is greater
- Annual Fee: $85
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- You travel often, especially on flights
- You dine out – or while traveling – and plan to use your card to cover these purchases
- You want a travel card with no foreign transaction fees
- You dislike waiting in security lines at the airport and want a statement credit for TSA Precheck
In-Depth Review: U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card
The U.S. Bank FlexPerks Gold American Express Card is a rewards card designed to excel in every facet of daily life. The card, a rewards credit card from major American lender U.S. Bank, earns an impressive haul of FlexPoints with every purchase.
Who Can Benefit from the FlexPerks Gold Card?
The FlexPerks Gold American Express Card from US Bank is perfect for occasional travelers who desire a little extra – more relaxation time, more incidentals credits, and more time at the airport gate, rather than airport security.
If you’re someone who values convenience and wants to make the most of your travel experiences, the FlexPerks Gold Card is designed with you in mind. With its array of benefits and perks, this card is a great fit for those who want to maximize their relaxation time, enjoy additional credits for incidentals, and spend more time enjoying the amenities at the airport gate rather than dealing with the hassle of airport security.
How to Get the Card
Credit Needed
To be eligible for most US Bank credit cards, a minimum credit score of 700 is required. This means you should have a very good or excellent credit score before applying for the FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card.
Pre-Qualify Before Applying
US Bank does not offer a pre-qualification portal prior to applying. Instead, the bank sends preapproval offers by mail. These offers will contain specific details and an offer code from where you can apply. This is something of a letdown for potential applicants and especially those without a pre-existing banking relationship with US Bank.
How to Earn Rewards
The FlexPerks Card is designed with the occasional traveler in mind. As such, the FlexPerks® Gold American Express® earns its greatest rewards on the sorts of everyday purchases people spend heavily on. Cardholders earn the following rewards per $1 spent on purchases:
- Earn 5X FlexPerks points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the FlexPerks Rewards Center
- 3X points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery purchases
- 2X points on airlines, gas stations and EV charging stations, and
- 1X points on all other eligible purchases
FlexPerk Points differ from other US Bank reward points in that points expire five years from the end of the calendar quarter in which they were earned. This limitation reduces some of the long-term value with the card, but given that lengthy period, most cardholders will be just fine.
How to Redeem FlexPerks
Redeeming FlexPerks “FlexPoints” rewards with US Bank is straightforward. Cardholders can claim their rewards as a statement credit, a prepaid card, gift cards, or directly deposited into their US Bank checking or savings account. Claiming rewards as a US Bank Rewards Card requires at least $25 in rewards.
Since the U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card operates with FlexPerks, cardholders also have the additional option of redeeming points through the FlexPerks Rewards Center. This redemption option provides the best value for money for those concerned about maximizing rewards.
FlexPerk points expire five years after the quarter in which they are earned.
Travel Benefits
As a premium American Express card, the FlexPerks Gold Card has many of the same excellent perks you’d expect from other luxurious travel cards. These premium travel benefits include an automatic statement credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fees, access to Amex’s Global Dining Program (which provides reservations at big-name restaurants worldwide).
Cardholders also receive complimentary Boingo Wi-Fi, ensuring their phone or mobile device is always connected. Finally, you’ll enjoy no foreign transaction fees when using the card abroad.
US Bank Benefits
The U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card also comes with a selection of benefits courtesy of US Bank. These features include:
- Shipt: Cardholders enjoy three months of free Shipt membership, then nine months of membership at 50% off, with free delivery on orders $35+. Shipt delivers from a range of local stores, including Target, CVS, and Walgreens, with more added frequently. This perk requires a separate enrollment.
- NortonLifeLock: ID Navigator Powered by NortonLifeLock provides cardholders with access to multiple tools to help keep them safe. These features include Dark Web monitoring, stolen wallet assistance, data breach notifications, and more. To confirm eligibility for this service, visit cardbenefitidprotect.com.
- Online and Mobile Access: Manage your card when you want on your own terms. This service provides cardholders with access to a variety of card and account management tools, including:
- Contactless payments with EMV contactless chip technology
- Add authorized users to your account
- Financial education toolsat your fingertips.
- Link your card to PayPal or other mobile wallets
- Complimentary access to your FICO Score, upon free enrollment
American Express Benefits
The U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold Card also offers important protections and benefits through the American Express payment network. These benefits include:
| Extended Warranty | Return Protection | Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance | Amex Concierge |
| Purchase Protection | Zero Fraud Liability | Trip Delay Insurance | Amex Offers |
Although Visa and Mastercard are more widely accepted, Amex is accepted by 99% of US merchants as of 2024. This means you won’t have to worry about whether Amex is accepted.
Comparison
| FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card | American Express® Green Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rewards | Earn 5X FlexPoints on prepaid hotels and rental cars, 3X at restaurants, 2X at airlines, gas stations and EV charging stations, and 1X on all else | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points at Restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery, plus on all eligible travel, from subway swipes and window seats to hotel stays and city tours, and 1X on all other purchases | Earn 5X on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 2X on all other travel purchases, 3X on dining, 3X on groceries and streaming services, and 1X on all other purchases |
| Credits | TSA Precheck, Boingo Wi-Fi | TSA Precheck, CLEAR, LoungeBuddy | Hotel |
| Annual fee | $85 | $150 | $95 |
What We Like About the U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card
TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry® Credit
The inclusion of a $100 statement credit every four years for the cost of TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry® application fees is a valuable benefit. While this credit may not appear significant, it can greatly expedite your airport security experience and enhance your vacation.
Boingo Wi-Fi
The addition of complimentary Boingo Wi-Fi is another great benefit. It might not be an expensive perk, or one that is useful for everyone, but it will significantly benefit the traveler stuck at their gate.
Things to Consider
Annual Fee
The FlexPerks Gold Card has an $85 annual fee. While this fee is considered moderate, it may seem too steep when compared to other cards with similar fees, especially considering the benefits it offers in return.
The only major perk that justifies that fee is the addition of TSA Precheck statement credits, but this feature has an approximate value of $25 per year, since the credit applies every four years.
No Welcome Offer
Surprisingly, the FlexPerks® Gold Card does not offer a welcome bonus for new accounts. There are no bonus points awarded after meeting the minimum spending requirements, nor is there an introductory APR associated with the card.
This lack of a welcome offer may be disappointing for potential cardholders who are looking to earn extra rewards or take advantage of an introductory interest rate. However, the FlexPerks® Gold Card still offers a range of benefits and perks that may make it a worthwhile choice for certain individuals.
US Bank Ratings
How does US Bank rate as a credit card issuer? Here is a selection of ratings for US Bank, from consumers and financial experts:
| BestCards | Better Business Bureau | TrustPilot |
|
3.5/5 |
N/A |
1.5/5 |
Should You Apply for the U.S. Bank FlexPerks Gold American Express Card?
The FlexPerks Gold American Express Card from U.S. Bank is an excellent travel reward credit card for those who want a bevy of impressive perks without fear of being tied to any particular airline, hotel, or loyalty program. The card earns an impressive amount of points with every purchase, with the ability to earn triple FlexPoints on dining being the major feature.
That’s not to say earning double points with gas stations, and airline purchases are anything to scoff at – this makes the card a potent tool for both daily the daily commute and the weekend traveler.
Any travel credit card worth its salt needs travel perks, and the U.S. Bank FlexPerks Gold American Express Card delivers them in droves. Cardholders receive a statement credit for either TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fees, plus complimentary Boingo Wi-Fi. These perks mean not only do travelers spend less time in security, but more time enjoying themselves in the departure lounges with a device that’s always connected.
While the card comes with an annual fee of $85, this is a drop in the bucket compared to what it offers the frequent flyer. $25 airline allowances per flight are excellent benefits, and with only a few flights per year, they more than make up for the annual fee. Add to that Amex concierge service, Amex’s Global Dining Program, the many redemption options with FlexPoints, and no foreign transaction fees, and you have a rewards card that is heavy on the rewards – but also reliability from a competitive travel card.
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