The American Express® Business Gold Card offers tailored rewards, earning 4x points in your top two spending categories each billing cycle from a list of six options (capped at $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year). With up to $395 in annual statement credits and valuable redemption options through Membership Rewards transfer partners, this card can be a powerful earning tool for many businesses.
This credit card review will cover everything you need to know about this card to determine if you should add this card or a different card to your wallet. Let’s dive right in.
Welcome Bonus
The Amex Business Gold currently offers the following welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
Before applying, you’ll want to review Amex’s restrictions on welcome offers. The Amex’s lifetime rule means you’re not eligible for this bonus if you’ve previously had this specific card. However, you may still qualify if you’ve had other Amex cards in the past.
For businesses able to meet the spending threshold, this welcome bonus provides an excellent opportunity to quickly build up a stash of valuable, flexible Membership Rewards points. Through Amex’s transfer partners, you can use these points for premium cabin flights, luxury hotel stays, and more.
Earning Membership Rewards Points
The Amex Business Gold earns 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar in your top 2 categories each billing cycle, including: 4x points apply to the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these 2 categories each calendar year, then earn 1 point per dollar. You can also earn 3x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked via AmexTravel.com. All other eligible purchases earn 1 point per dollar.
This card offers strong earning potential for businesses that spend heavily in the bonus categories. The ability to earn 4x points on your top two spending categories each month provides flexibility as your business expenses change. However, the $150,000 annual cap on 4x earning limits the upside for very high spenders.
For general business expenses outside the bonus categories, there are better options available that offer higher base earning rates. Overall, this card is best suited for businesses that can maximize the 4x categories rather than as a general spending card.
Annual Fee
The Amex Business Gold Card has an annual fee of $375 (rates & fees). While this is a substantial cost, the card offers several benefits that can help offset it. You’ll receive annual statement credits for eligible purchases at retailers like FedEx, Grubhub, office supply stores, and for Walmart+ membership. The card also provides valuable earning potential, giving you 4x points in your top two spending categories each billing cycle, up to $150,000 in combined purchases per year.
Business Gold Card Benefits
The Amex Business Gold offers the following benefits: $20 Monthly Credit: Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required. Walmart+ Credit: Get $12.95 back in statement credits each month when you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. No Preset Spending Limit: This card offers the spending flexibility of no preset spending limit, which adjusts according to factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history. Trip Delay Insurance: When your trip is significantly delayed due to covered reasons like equipment failures or severe weather, this protection reimburses you for reasonable expenses including lodging, meals, toiletries, and medication. The coverage activates when you pay for travel with your card and extends to family members on the same itinerary, though you’ll need to seek reimbursement from the travel carrier first.* Baggage Insurance Plan covers your baggage if it is lost, damaged, or stolen and you purchase your ticket with this card.* Secondary Rental Car Insurance: This card provides backup protection for rental car damage or theft when you charge the full rental to your card.* 90-Day Purchase Protection: Your new purchases are covered against damage and theft for 90 days when you use your card. This protection helps safeguard your eligible items right from the moment you buy them.* Extended Warranty Protection: When you purchase items with your credit card, you’ll get an extra year of warranty coverage on eligible items that have original manufacturer warranties of up to five years. This valuable perk means you can protect expensive electronics and appliances that come with longer manufacturer warranties without paying extra for store protection plans* * Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Redeeming American Express Membership Rewards
American Express Membership Rewards points are a versatile and valuable currency for travelers. The program offers numerous redemption options, with transfers to airline partners being the most lucrative way to use your points. Amex partners with 18 airlines and 3 hotel chains, allowing you to access a wide range of travel possibilities. Some of the best redemptions include booking business class flights to Europe through Air France-KLM Flying Blue for as low as 50,000 miles one-way. Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club offers excellent value for Delta One flights to Europe at 50,000 points, significantly less than booking directly through Delta. For those planning a trip to Asia, transferring to ANA Mileage Club can yield incredible value. Round-trip business class flights from the West Coast to Tokyo can be booked for just 90,000 miles. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer is another great option, especially for their renowned long-haul flights like New York to Singapore. Domestic travelers can benefit from transferring to British Airways Executive Club for short-haul American and Alaska Airlines flights, with awards starting at just 8,250 Avios for distances up to 650 miles. While transferring to airline partners typically offers the best value, Amex also allows direct redemptions for flights through their travel portal. However, this option generally provides lower value at 1 cent per point. To maximize your Membership Rewards, focus on high-value airline transfers for premium cabin international flights. With strategic planning, you can unlock extraordinary travel experiences and significant savings on your next adventure.
Membership Rewards Transfer Partners [1 to 1]
Aer Lingus Avios
AeroMexico [1 to 1.6]
Air Canada Aeroplan
Air France/KLM Flying Blue
ANA
Avianca LifeMiles
British Airways Avios
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Delta SkyMiles
El Al [1,000 to 20]
Emirates
Etihad Guest
Hawaiian Airlines
Iberia Avios
JetBlue [250 to 200]
Qantas
Qatar Airways
Singapore KrisFlyer
Virgin Atlantic
Choice
Marriott Bonvoy
Hilton Honors [1 to 2]
Pros and Cons
Here are the pros and cons of the Amex Business Gold:
Pros
Flexible Bonus Categories: Earn 4x points in your top two spending categories each month from a list of six business-relevant options. This adaptability can maximize rewards for businesses with fluctuating expenses.
Statement Credits: Up to $395 in annual credits ($240 for FedEx, Grubhub, and office supplies; $155 for Walmart+) help offset the annual fee.
Travel and Purchase Protections: The card offers various insurance benefits, such as trip delay coverage, cellphone protection, and an extended warranty, providing peace of mind for business owners.
Cons
High Annual Fee: The $375 annual fee is significant and may be difficult to justify for smaller businesses or those with lower spending.
Limited Premium Travel Benefits: Unlike some premium cards, it lacks luxury perks like airport lounge access.
Spending Cap on Bonus Points: The 4x points earning is limited to $150,000 in combined purchases per calendar year, potentially restricting high-spending businesses.
Alternatives to the Amex Business Gold Card
Now that you know about this credit card’s various benefits and pros and cons, it’s time to see its alternatives.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (review) delivers premium travel benefits including extensive lounge access (access is limited to eligible card members) and valuable hotel elite status. This premium business card excels at making travel more luxurious, though you’ll need to use multiple statement credits and travel perks to maximize its value. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earn Rewards: 5x points for flights, prepaid hotels booked at AmexTravel.com; 2x points per dollar for purchases up to $2 million in spending per calendar year in these categories: purchases of $5,000 or more regardless of category, U.S. cloud service and software providers, U.S. construction materials and hardware suppliers, U.S. electronics retailers, and U.S. shipping providers; and 1x points on all other eligible purchases. Card Benefits: Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Delta, Emirates, Etihad, Air France – KLM Flying Blue, Hawaiian Airlines, Hilton, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore KrisFlyer, and Virgin Atlantic.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (review) offers great rewards for small business owners. With bonus points on travel, shipping, advertising, and communication services, plus valuable travel protections, it’s a solid choice for companies looking to maximize their everyday spending. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earning Rewards: 3x points on travel, shipping, advertising made with social media sites and search engines, and internet, cable and phone services on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in the following categories each account anniversary year; 1x points on all other eligible purchases. Card Benefits: Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel, no foreign transaction fees, primary rental car insurance, trip cancellation insurance, cell phone protection, purchase protection, and extended warranty. Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, Emirates, Air France KLM Flying Blue, Hyatt, IHG, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Singapore KrisFlyer, Southwest, United, and Virgin Atlantic.
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business (review) simplifies rewards earning with double miles on everything you buy. This straightforward business card lets you transfer miles to travel partners or redeem directly for travel purchases, making it a practical choice for business owners who want travel flexibility without complex bonus categories. Welcome Bonus: Earn a 50,000 miles bonus when you spend $4,500 in the first 3 months. Earn Rewards: 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars for bookings via Capital One’s travel booking site; 2x miles on all other eligible purchases. Card Benefits: Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, primary rental car insurance, extended warranty, purchase protection, and no foreign transaction fees. Transfer Partners: Accor (2 to 1), Aeromexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Emirates, Etihad, Finnair, I Prefer Hotels (1 to 2), Japan Airlines(2 to 1.5), JetBlue (5 to 3), Qantas, Qatar, Singapore KrisFlyer, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Red, and Wyndham Rewards.
Is the Amex Business Gold Card Worth It?
The Amex Business Gold offers a compelling package for small business owners who can maximize its bonus categories and statement credits. You’ll earn 4x points in your top two spending categories each month, providing flexibility as your business expenses fluctuate.
With up to $395 in annual statement credits and valuable travel protections, the card’s benefits can help offset its $375 annual fee for many businesses. However, businesses with lower spending or those unable to take full advantage of the bonus categories may find better options with lower annual fees.
Learn How to Apply: American Express® Business Gold Card
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
