Travel can be expensive. Flights, hotels, car rentals, tours, meals - it all adds up. Quick. Sure, it doesn't have to be expensive, but it can and often is.

For example, you could stay at a hostel instead of a luxury resort. Instead of flying direct you could grab the seat next to the toilet on 3 different planes en route to your destination. Walk or take public transit instead of renting a car.  Eat at street vendors instead of nice restaurants.  Not exactly the luxurious holiday you might be looking for.

What if you're not looking for the ultimate experience to test your will and just want, well, a nice, relaxing vacation? Time to get your credit card out… or is it?

The American Express Gold Rewards Card is kind of like a credit card in that you can charge large purchases to it - like that trip. The difference? No pre-set spending limit and rewards points. Lots of rewards points. For everyday purchases like gas, groceries and drugstore items, you'll get double the points. For any travel you charge you'll also get double the points. Double the points means that for every dollar you spend, you'll get two points. By that formula, the rate at which you accumulate points is impressively fast and all you have to do is use your Amex card when making purchases. For more about points, read here as I explain how to book a trip with rewards points.

I've had my Amex card for a little under a month and my old credit card is getting more than a little jealous. So is my debit card. I use it almost every day because I can and because I'm racking up rewards points like crazy. When I'm buying gas I'm earning double the points. When I'm picking up groceries I'm earning double points. Even when I'm not buying gas, groceries, drugstore items or travel expenses I'm still earning points 1 to 1 with each dollar of my purchases. So that round of golf on the weekend just went towards paying for my next trip.

The verdict? The American Express Gold Rewards Card makes it easy to travel because it's easy to earn rewards points.  It's like it was designed by a group of people who have not only listened to what other rewards program members have suggested/complained about, but by actual travellers who know the value of being able to charge any travel from anywhere to the card and pay for it with rewards points