Travel · Card comparison
American Express Gold Card (UK) vs Wise Card
UK travellers comparing a premium credit card vs a specialist travel debit card
American Express Gold Card (UK)
Forex fee
None
ATM fee
3%
Score
7.2/10
Wise CardWinner
Forex fee
None
ATM fee
Free*
Score
9.2/10
Wise Card wins — UK travellers comparing a premium credit card vs a specialist travel debit card
Category
American Express Gold Card (UK)
Wise Card
Forex fee
None
None
Annual fee
£140/year
Free (one-time £7)
Acceptance abroad
Limited (Amex)
Excellent (Visa)
ATM use
3% fee + immediate interest
£200/month free
Rewards
Avios/MR points
None
Travel insurance
Included
None
Verdict
Wise wins for most travellers. Zero forex fee, better exchange rate, no annual fee, and works at ATMs. Amex Gold offers valuable Avios and travel perks but the £140/year fee, patchy Amex acceptance abroad, and unusable ATM product make it a secondary card at best. Carry both if you travel frequently for the rewards — use Wise as your primary.
Frequently asked questions
American Express Gold Card (UK)
Premium UK credit card with no forex fees — but Amex acceptance abroad is limited.
Forex feeNone
ATM3%
Monthly£140/year (after first year)
Score7.2/10
Winner
Wise Card
Mid-market rate with transparent fees — one of the lowest true costs for spending abroad.
Forex feeNone
ATMFree*
MonthlyFree (one-time £7 delivery fee)
Score9.2/10