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 $845 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.
- You may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $15,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- 4x Points on Purchases in Your Top 2 Business Categories Each Billing Cycle (up to $150,000 in Combined Purchases Per Calendar Year; then 1x)
- Up to $845 in Statement Credits Each Year.
- $375 Annual Fee (Rates and Fees)
Welcome Bonus
The Amex Business Gold currently offers the following welcome bonus:
You may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $15,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
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:
- U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
- Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
- Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
- U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio);
- U.S. purchases at gas stations;
- U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery.
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 or the Amex Travel App™. 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 (through 10/01/2026), Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
Walmart+ Credit: Get up to a $12.95 statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card.
ChatGPT Business Credit: Enroll and get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business. Subject to auto-renewal.
SquareSpace Credit: Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits per calendar year for U.S. purchases with Squarespace. Subscription purchases subject to auto-renewal.
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 shine brightest when you transfer them to airline and hotel partners. You can also book travel through Amex Travel at 1 cent per point, but transfers usually deliver far more value.
You can transfer Membership Rewards points to 16 airline partners: Aer Lingus AerClub, Aeromexico Rewards, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, ANA Mileage Club, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways Club, Cathay, Delta SkyMiles, Emirates Skywards, Iberia Club, JetBlue TrueBlue, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Singapore KrisFlyer, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
Three hotel partners round out the list: Choice Privileges, Hilton Honors, and Marriott Bonvoy.
Most transfers are 1:1, but a few aren't. Aeromexico transfers at 1:1.6, Cathay and Emirates at 5:4, JetBlue at 250:200, and Hilton at 1:2.
These partners span all three major airline alliances, so you can reach almost any route worldwide.
A few standout redemptions worth chasing:
- Fly Iberia business class to Madrid from 40,500 Avios each way on off-peak dates.
- Book Singapore's business or suites class on ultra-long-haul flights through KrisFlyer.
- Reach Europe on Flying Blue from 60,000 miles, with monthly Promo Rewards trimming prices further.
- Fly Qatar Airways' Qsuites from North America starting at 70,000 Avios.
- Book United Polaris business class to Europe for 50,000 miles through ANA.
Just confirm your award space before you move any points, since every transfer is irreversible.
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 $845 in annual credits 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.
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 $845 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
- You may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $15,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- 4x Points on Purchases in Your Top 2 Business Categories Each Billing Cycle (up to $150,000 in Combined Purchases Per Calendar Year; then 1x)
- Up to $845 in Statement Credits Each Year.
- $375 Annual Fee (Rates and Fees)
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.
