American Express Gold UK -Complete Muslim Guide To Benefits

The American Express Gold card has been a staple in my wallet for nearly a decade now. As Muslims in the West, we often face a dilemma when it comes to credit cards and how to use them to maximise our spending without compromising our religion.

While many Muslims search for halal credit cards in the UK, the American Express Gold card can be used following Islamic principles when managed correctly.

This guide explains how to use the Amex Gold card in a halal way and how you can benefit from its rewards for travelling around the world, especially for Umrah.

When I first got my Amex Gold card, it was a charge card with no interest option, which made it easier to use from an Islamic perspective. Although this has changed in recent years, it is still possible to manage it properly and avoid interest completely.

Let me share how I have successfully navigated this for years while enjoying significant travel benefits.

Islamic Perspective on Credit Cards

From an Islamic perspective, the main concern with credit cards is riba (interest), which is clearly prohibited in Islam. However, most scholars agree that using a credit card is permissible if you:

Pay the balance in full before any interest accrues
Have the intention and means to pay in full
Use it for permissible transactions only
Don’t support prohibited industries

The key distinction is making sure that you pay the balance in full and that the rewards you receive are considered a gift for your custom.

Several contemporary scholars, including those on the Islamic Financial Services Board, have stated that using credit cards with the firm intention to pay in full before the interest-free period ends is acceptable. They view this as utilising a financial tool rather than engaging in an interest-based transaction.

Is Amex Gold Halal?

The Amex Gold card itself isn’t inherently halal or haram – it’s how you use it that matters.

It’s worth noting that the Amex Gold was previously a charge card requiring full payment each month, which aligned better with Islamic principles.

Now that it’s a credit card, you must be more intentional about paying in full.

Personal Experience and Recommendations

I pay off my balance in full every month. I treat my card like a debit card, and depending on my travel strategy, I use it and pay it off immediately.

I have held an American Express credit card for over 10 years and have benefited from several of their benefits. Including rewards programs that let me travel the world in business class (which I could not afford), issued their insurance when I was hospitalised in Dubai, or when Ikea wouldn’t refund me a damaged product. I also use their cashback offers and rewards. Even my business has an American Express Gold card.

I currently have the American Express Platinum card, and you can read my strategy here, but if you are just starting out, the Amex Gold is great for a Muslim since it is free for the first year.

In the United Kingdom, we have a limited number of options if we want to use travel rewards cards and have actual benefits.

Until recently, many people thought that American Express was not accepted everywhere, but I can tell you that this has changed recently.

Now, every major supermarket, including Lidl and Aldi, accepts Amex, and even my local halal butcher takes it. This makes earning points on everyday purchases much easier than before.

I subscribe to the theory that every little helps. I need to shop, pay my bills, and spend money on things I need anyway, so I might as well get something back. Proper management allows you to enjoy these benefits while staying true to Islamic principles.x

If you want to find out more about the card and sign up, you can do so via this link.

Make sure you read the small print as well since this is not financial advice but rather a personal experience with the card. We are not financial advisors.

How to Use Amex Gold in a Halal Way

Here’s my system for using the Amex Gold in a way that avoids interest:

Be good with money and know yourself!

Do not carry over any balance because the card representative interest rate on the card is 69.2% APR variable after the first year. The interest rate on purchases for the first year is 26.6% APR.

But remember, if you pay in full, these rates become irrelevant to you.

I do not want you to get into debt over rewards that will not benefit you. If you can afford it then go ahead because it can truly change your life.

I have been for Umrah for under £500 and taught hundreds of students how to use Amex reward points for Umrah. You can fly on Saudia business class using those reward points!

Set up automatic full payment: In your Amex account, set up a direct debit to pay the statement balance in full each month.
Check your account weekly: Review transactions to stay aware of your spending.
Set spending alerts: Configure the Amex app to notify you when you reach certain spending thresholds.
Treat it like a debit card: Only spend what you currently have in your bank account.

As I always emphasise, I pay my credit cards monthly in FULL. It is very easy to get carried away and get into bad debt. I certainly do not want this to happen to you or me. insha’Allah.

Key Benefits for Muslim Travellers

The Amex Gold offers several benefits that are particularly valuable for Muslim travellers.

First, if you are new to loyalty programs, this card is the best in class for newbies as it comes with all the benefits but £0 fees for the first year.
If you decide to keep the card you pay £195 per year after.

As I mentioned earlier, I offer a comprehensive course on using Amex reward points to plan your Umrah. You can explore my courses here.

As Muslims you can use your Amex points to transfer to partners like Hilton, Marriott and IHG which all have hotels in Makkah and Medinah making it a great redemption especially in Ramadan.

You can save up to 60% off your Hilton stays in Ramadan in Makkah by using those points.

You can also use the points for family holidays elsewhere in the world.

Just please don’t use them for Amazon voucher redemptions like my bestie because I was so upset with her. This is the worst way to redeem your points.

American Express also offers cashback and hotel deals within the portal so you can for example spend £250 on Hyatt hotels and get £100 back. They recently had a Premier Inn option as well, making it a great way for a UK family staycation.

The card is free for the first year, but there is a £195 fee after that. This fee isn’t a problem for me because I understand the value I receive, which far exceeds that amount. After all, I pay three times that for my Platinum card.

Check the example below to see how much you can save, not only on flights, but also when using cashback, Deliveroo, and lounge access.

You can sign up and see all the benefits here.

Even if you decide to cancel it after the first year, you have still enjoyed the benefits and tried new things.

If you’re new to Amex and haven’t had a card for 24 months, you can receive a generous points bonus of 20,000 + (22,000 if referred by a member) when you spend £3,000 in the first 3 months. This can be enough for:

2 return business tickets within Europe per person
A significant contribution toward Umrah flights free one-way ticket
Dubai off-season tickets with Virgin Atlantic from London.

Travel Benefits

Four FREE airport lounge passes per year: Lounge access is one of the reasons I pay for the Amex Platinum card, my and my daughter love them.
Comprehensive travel insurance: I used this when our bags were delayed during Umrah and when I was hospitalized in Dubai. The insurance covered me without any issues.
Flexible reward points: These can be converted to many airline programs, including ones that fly to Muslim-majority countries like Qatar Airways, Etihad, and Turkish Airlines.
Hotel benefits: Upgrades and perks when booking through their travel portal.

Everyday Benefits

£120 Deliveroo credit yearly: Great for ordering from halal restaurants.
Cashback offers: I’ve earned back my membership fee through targeted offers.
Shopping protection: Useful for claiming refunds on faulty goods when retailers refuse to cooperate.
Double points on foreign spending: Helpful when travelling to perform Umrah or Hajj. However, it is better to use a card like Revolut for that due to the exchange rates.

Practical Examples: Using Points for Umrah

Let me share how Amex Gold points can translate into real travel benefits for Muslim priorities:

Case Study: Umrah Trip

Annual spending of £20,000 on Amex Gold could generate approximately:

40,000 Membership Rewards points (including bonus points)
A return flight to Jeddah in Premium Economy ( more space ) is 40,000 points plus £585 instead of the average cash equivalent of £1500 per flight.

You can apply for the card via my referral link for higher reward points.

Just read the T&Cs, as this is not financial advice but a journalist’s review.

Conclusion

The American Express Gold card, when used responsibly with full monthly payments, can be a powerful tool for Muslim travellers looking to maximize their travel experiences without compromising on Islamic principles. The key is discipline and proper financial management.

By utilising the strategies outlined in this article, you can enjoy substantial travel benefits, consumer protections, and rewards while keeping your financial dealings halal. Whether you’re saving for Umrah, Hajj, or family trips, the Amex Gold can be a valuable addition to your financial toolkit when used correctly.

Remember: The card itself is neither halal nor haram – it’s how you use it that matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it haram to have a credit card as a Muslim?

No, having a credit card isn’t inherently haram. Credit cards offer a lot of protection for consumers and over the year I have had so many Muslims pay ten of thousands for holidays on debit card and lose money. The prohibition applies to paying interest, not having access to credit. If you pay your balance in full each month, most scholars consider it permissible.

What if I accidentally miss a payment and incur interest?

If this happens unintentionally, most scholars advise paying the interest (since it’s legally obligated) but also giving an equivalent amount to charity as a way of purifying your wealth. Then, strengthen your payment systems to prevent future occurrences. If you cannot afford the card then do not get it.

Are the reward points halal?

Most scholars consider reward points halal as they’re viewed as a discount on services or a marketing incentive rather than interest. They’re similar to buy-one-get-one offers or airline miles.

What about the annual fee after the first year?

The £195 annual fee is generally considered a service fee rather than interest, making it permissible from an Islamic perspective. You should evaluate whether the benefits outweigh this cost for your situation. Since it is free for the first year, make the most of it and decide if you want to keep it.

American Express Rewards Gold UK Is it Halal ? Complete Muslim Guide to Benefits

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