Credit card benefits change on a regular basis, so it can be challenging to keep track of why a certain card is in your wallet. This is especially true if the card is no longer available or from a program that many people aren’t familiar with.
I’ve had the U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card* for many years. Although it isn’t the first card I pull from my wallet when making purchases, it offers enough value for me to keep it for the long term.
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U.S. Bank FlexPerks Gold Card Benefits
1. Earn up to 5X Points on Spending
Maximizing rewards on my purchases helps me travel the world with my wife and kids. The FlexPerks Gold card earns up to 5 points per dollar on purchases without any spending caps. It earns 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through the FlexPerks Rewards Center, 3 points per dollar on dining, takeout and restaurant delivery, 2 points per dollar at airlines and gas and EV charging stations and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.
While my Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers higher bonuses on travel booked directly, I don’t have any other cards that offer bonus points on EV charging—except the FlexPerks Gold. This alone makes it viable to hold.
2. Up to 20% Dining Discount
The U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card* offers dining benefits to encourage cardholders to support local restaurants. With this card, you’ll receive up to 20% off your bill or a free appetizer when you dine in or order takeout at participating restaurants.
3. Access to Amex Offers
Normally, Amex Offers are reserved for American Express customers who have an American Express credit card. However, these offers proved so popular that other banks introduced their own versions—for example Chase Offers and Citi Merchant Offers.
Because it’s powered by Amex, the U.S. Bank FlexPerks card also has access to Amex Offers. These deals enable customers to earn bonus points, higher earning rates or statement credits by activating offers and making an eligible purchase.
4. TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry Reimbursement
The FlexPerks Gold automatically reimburses your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee—up to $85 every 4.5 years or $100 every four years, respectively, when using the card to pay.
Getting either of these Trusted Traveler programs will improve your flying experience by reducing the time you need to wait at airport security. Plus, Global Entry offers streamlined processing when returning from international travel.
5. Complimentary Travel and Purchase Protections
No matter how solid your plans are, something can always go wrong when traveling. That’s why I always book trips with credit cards that offer travel insurance. These complimentary protections cover everything from flight delays, canceled trips, lost or damaged bags, rental cars and more.
With the FlexPerks Gold Amex, you’ll get the following protections when using the card to pay for the entirety of each reservation:
- Lost luggage insurance. Allows you to purchase essential items for your trip when your bag is lost and pay to replace lost items, up to insurance limits.
- Car rental insurance. Secondary coverage against damage or theft of a rental car in the U.S. or Canada and related charges by the company.
- Purchase protection. Covers items that are damaged or stolen within the first 90 days after they’re purchased. Claims are limited to $1,000 each.
- Extended warranty. Doubles manufacturer’s warranties of one year or less to protect your items against defects.
6. No Foreign Transaction Fees
Some cards charge foreign transaction fees as high as 3% of every purchase. This adds up fast when you’re abroad. The FlexPerks Gold card does not charge foreign transaction fees, so you can take it with you anywhere around the world to make purchases everywhere American Express is accepted. Be aware Amex is less accepted internationally than Visa or Mastercard.
7. Reasonable Annual Fee
This card charges an annual fee of $85. While paying an annual fee can be hard to justify for some customers, it can be worthwhile when using a card’s benefits.
Keeping this account open helps to lower my credit utilization ratio, grow my positive payment history and boost my average age of accounts. These factors combined make up 80% of your credit score. While you may close cards with annual fees when they’re no longer worth it, having multiple credit cards with no annual fees is an easy way to maximize your credit score in the long run.
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Bottom Line
Finding the link to apply for the U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card* on the U.S. Bank website can be challenging. However, when you find it, you’ll be rewarded with a valuable card that’s off the radar for most consumers.
With the ability to earn up to 5X points on spending, access Amex Offers and save up to 20% on your meals, this card is a keeper. If you’re unsure about the FlexPerks Gold card but want similar benefits, consider applying for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card*.
