American Express Gold Card vs. Discover it Student Cash Back
On the criteria below, American Express Gold Card wins 2 of 4. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.
American Express Gold Card
Amex
Discover it Student Cash Back
Discover
American Express Gold Card wins 2 of 4 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.
American Express Gold Card wins on first-year math and travel insurance; Discover it Student Cash Back wins on annual fee.
Pick the American Express Gold Card if year-one math is your priority; take the Discover it Student Cash Back if you want a cheaper card to keep long-term.
Who wins what
2 vs 1 (1 tie)- First-year math American Express Gold Card
American Express Gold Card wins on bonus value minus annual fee.
- Annual fee Discover it Student Cash Back
Discover it Student Cash Back is $325 cheaper to keep.
- Earning ceiling Tie
Same peak earning rate.
- Travel insurance American Express Gold Card
American Express Gold Card carries built-in travel insurance.
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- $325
- Free
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- $1,600
- —
- First-year net
- +$1,275
- +$0
- Peak earning rate
- 5×
- 5×
- Top categories
- Dining Worldwide, U.S. Supermarkets, Prepaid Hotels
- Rotating Quarterly
- Lounge access
- No
- No
- Travel insurance
- Yes
- No
- Elite status
- Yes
- No
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- None
- Reward currency
- American Express Membership Rewards
- Discover Cashback
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.