Existing American Express gold credit cardholders will pay an annual fee of $195 if their renewal date is before April 1st, 2019. The American Express Gold Upgrade F.A.Q page clearly states:
If you are a current Gold Card Member, your new annual fee will be effective on your anniversary date, on or after April 1, 2019. You will be notified in 2019 regarding your personal renewal date.
If your renewal is after April 1st, 2019 then you will pay the new fee of $250 on renewal. Some people are also being told that if it’s their first year of being a card member then they will pay $195 at renewal regardless of when their renewal is (assuming they signed up before October 4th, 2018).
