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Feb 7, 2025
American Express Business Gold Card Review: Is It the Best Business Credit Card for Rewards?
The American Express Business Gold Card is often touted as a rewards powerhouse for businesses, and for good reason.
For entrepreneurs and small business owners seeking the best rewards on everyday business purchases, the American Express® Business Gold Card is a compelling contender. Our review breaks down what makes the Amex Business Gold unique, how it stacks up against competitors, and how to maximize its valuable Membership Rewards points.
Learn more about the American Express® Business Gold Card.
Introduction
The American Express Business Gold Card is often touted as a rewards powerhouse for businesses, and for good reason. It automatically adapts to your spending by offering 4X Membership Rewards® points on your top two spending categories each month (from a list of six eligible categories) – a unique feature that sets it apart from many other cards. This flexibility makes it stand out in a crowded field: flat-rate cards like the Capital One Spark Miles for Business offer simplicity but not category bonuses, while travel-focused cards like the CitiBusiness® AAdvantage® Platinum Select® provide airline perks but lack flexible rewards. Even when compared to other points cards – for example, the popular Chase Ink Business Preferred® or the no-annual-fee Chase Ink Business Cash® – the Business Gold Card carves its own niche with premium benefits and dynamic earning potential.
Who is this card best for? Primarily entrepreneurs, small business owners, and high-spending businesses that want to turn business purchases into travel rewards. If your company spends heavily on categories like advertising, tech, gas, or dining, this card effectively turbo-charges those expenses into a stash of points. The ability to earn 4X points in key areas, combined with travel and purchase protections, makes the Amex Business Gold a top candidate for the best business credit card for rewards in today’s market.
However, with a high annual fee (more on that below) and specific reward structures, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. In this American Express Business Gold review, we’ll delve into the card’s features, weigh it against competitors, and help you decide if it’s the right choice for your business.
Learn more about the American Express® Business Gold Card.
Key Takeaways
Up to 4X Points on Top Categories: Earn 4X Membership Rewards points on the top two categories where your business spends the most each month (from a list of 6 options), up to $150,000 in combined annual spend – making it one of the best credit cards for business purchases in high-expense categories. (1X points on other purchases.)
Valuable Welcome Offer: A hefty welcome bonus (currently around 100,000 Membership Rewards points) when you meet the initial spending requirement, giving your rewards balance a quick boost.
Flexible, High-Value Rewards: Points earned are Amex Membership Rewards, known for excellent versatility. You can redeem points for travel, transfer to numerous airline/hotel partners, or use them for business expenses, getting far more potential value than straightforward cash back. (See how to redeem Amex Membership Rewards points for maximum value below.)
Notable Perks & Credits: Comes with up to $395 in annual statement credits (up to $240/year for select business purchases like FedEx, Grubhub, and office supplies, plus $155/year in credits for a Walmart+ membership), which can offset the card’s cost. Additional benefits include travel protections, purchase protections, and no foreign transaction fees, enhancing its appeal for frequent travelers.
High Annual Fee (but Offsettable): The card carries a $375 annual fee (effective Feb 2024, increased from $295). While steep, it can be well worth it for businesses that maximize the 4X categories and utilize the credits and perks.
Who Should Consider: Ideal for business owners who spend significantly in the bonus categories (e.g. advertising, tech, gas, dining, etc.) and who can leverage travel rewards. Also great for those looking for one of the best credit cards for entrepreneurs that scales rewards with spending.
Who Might Pass: If your business expenses are low or mostly outside the bonus categories, or if you prefer simple cash back, alternatives like flat-rate cards or lower-fee cards (Chase Ink or others) might be more cost-effective.
Learn more about the American Express® Business Gold Card.
American Express® Business Gold Card Overview
At a Glance: The Amex Business Gold is a premium business rewards card that adapts to your spending habits. It offers robust point-earning potential in common business categories, a suite of protections and credits, and charges a high annual fee to match its premium benefits. Below we break down the core features — rewards structure, annual fee value, benefits and perks, and important costs like APR — to give a clear picture of what to expect.
Rewards Structure & Earning Rates
The signature feature of the Business Gold Card is its rewards program, tailored for diverse business spending:
4X Points on Top 2 Categories: Every billing cycle, you automatically earn 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar on the two eligible spending categories where your business spent the most. This applies to the first $150,000 in combined annual spend across those bonus categories (then 1X after reaching the cap). There are six eligible categories to cover a wide range of business expenses:
U.S. Gas Stations: Great for companies with vehicles or transportation needs.
U.S. Restaurants (including takeout & delivery): Ideal for client dinners, team meals, or travel dining.
U.S. Wireless Telephone Services: Earn 4X on your business’s cell phone bills and telecom expenses.
U.S. Electronic Goods Retailers & Software/Cloud Providers: This includes hardware and software purchases from select providers (think Apple, Dell, Microsoft, etc., as well as popular cloud services).
U.S. Advertising in Select Media: Earn 4X for online, TV, and radio advertising spend (e.g. social media ads, search engine marketing – crucial for marketing-heavy businesses).
Transit & Commuting: Covering trains, rideshares (Uber/Lyft), taxis, parking, tolls, buses, and more – useful for urban commuting and travel within cities.
Importantly, the card automatically picks your top two spend categories each month for the 4X bonus – there’s no need to manually select categories. This means your rewards adapt if your spending patterns change month to month.
3X Points on Travel via Amex Travel: You earn 3X points per dollar on flights, prepaid hotels, and prepaid travel packages booked through AmexTravel.com. If you often book business travel through Amex’s portal, this is a nice boost (note: booking through Amex Travel can also unlock certain travel benefits like The Hotel Collection perks). Keep in mind this 3X is specifically for Amex Travel bookings – airfare or hotels booked directly with an airline/hotel will not get a bonus (they would earn 1X unless they happen to fall into one of your top categories like “gas” or “restaurant” spend in that month).
1X Points on Other Purchases: All other eligible purchases that don’t fall into the above will earn 1 point per dollar. There’s no limit to 1X earnings, but obviously the value here is maximizing the 4X category spend whenever possible.
Redemption Options: The Membership Rewards points you earn are extremely flexible:
You can transfer points to 20+ travel partners (airlines like Delta, British Airways, Emirates, etc., and hotels like Marriott, Hilton). Savvy travelers often get outsized value by converting points into airline miles for premium cabin flights. For example, transferring points to an airline for a business-class ticket can yield far more than 1¢ per point in value.
Redeem through Amex Travel: Use points to book flights, hotels, or other travel directly. Points are generally worth 1¢ each when used this way (e.g., 50,000 points = $500 travel), which is straightforward. (Note: Previously, the Business Gold offered a 25% points rebate on flights booked with points on your selected airline, but this perk was discontinued in recent updates.)
Other options include statement credits, gift cards, or merchandise, though these typically give a lower value per point (often around 0.6¢ to 0.8¢ per point). As an entrepreneur, you’ll usually get the best bang for your buck using points for travel or transferable rewards rather than cashing out for mediocre value.
Overall, the rewards structure makes the Amex Business Gold extremely appealing to businesses with significant spend in the eligible categories. Earning 4X points (effectively ~4% back in rewards, or more if transferred strategically) on big expenses like ad campaigns or software licensing can translate into thousands of dollars in travel rewards. It’s a key reason this card is often named among the best credit cards for business purchases that yield travel rewards.
Learn more about the American Express® Business Gold Card.
Annual Fee and Value Proposition
The annual fee for the American Express Business Gold Card is $375 (rates and fees are subject to change). This is a substantial yearly cost – notably higher than many competitor cards (for instance, the Chase Ink Business Preferred’s fee is $95, and several other business cards are under $100 or even no fee).
However, Amex has added value to justify the fee:
Offsetting Credits: As part of a recent refresh, the card now offers up to $395 in annual statement credits for select spending:
Up to $240 “Flexible Business” Credits: You get $20 per month in statement credits that can be used toward eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx (shipping), Grubhub (food delivery), and Office Supply stores. If your business uses any of these services regularly, these credits can essentially put $240 back in your pocket over a year.
Up to $155 in Walmart+ Credits: If you use Walmart+, charge the monthly membership fee ( ~$12.95/month) to your Business Gold Card and it will be reimbursed. A year of Walmart+ (which includes benefits like free shipping and fuel discounts) is covered up to $155 annually.
Together, these credits can add up to $395, slightly exceeding the $375 annual fee. In an optimal scenario (where you fully utilize the credits each month), you’re effectively paying $0 (or even coming out ahead) on net annual fee. Of course, not every business will use FedEx or Walmart+ monthly, but many can at least partially take advantage of these offers.
Is the Fee Worth It? For many small businesses, yes – if you spend enough in the 4X categories and use the perks. Just consider: if you spend, say, $50,000 a year in 4X categories, that’s 200,000 points earned, which can easily be worth well over $2,000 in travel. Even after the fee, you’re coming out way ahead in rewards. Plus, if you leverage even a portion of the credits, the effective cost drops further. On the other hand, if your spending is low (or spread in areas like rent or inventory that don’t fall under bonus categories), and you won’t use the credits or perks, then paying $375 might not be justified – a lower-fee or no-fee card could be more cost-effective.
American Express also frequently updates its cards with new benefits, so the value proposition can evolve. As of now, the equation is: High fee, but high potential value for those who maximize what the Business Gold offers.
Learn more about the American Express® Business Gold Card.
Perks and Benefits Beyond Rewards
Beyond earning points, the Amex Business Gold Card includes a suite of benefits aimed at supporting your business and travel needs. Here are some of the notable benefits and protections that come with the card:
Travel Benefits & Protections:
The Hotel Collection: When you book a stay of 2 nights or more through Amex Travel at eligible Hotel Collection properties, you get a $100 hotel credit to spend on qualifying dining, spa, or resort activities. You’ll also enjoy a room upgrade if available. This is a nice perk if your business travel includes hotel stays — it adds a bit of luxury and savings.
Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance: When you use the Business Gold to reserve and pay for a rental car, you can be covered by secondary rental car insurance (collision damage waiver) for theft or damage. This can save you from buying costly insurance at the rental counter. (For business rentals, Amex’s coverage is typically secondary to any corporate insurance you might carry.)
Trip Delay Insurance: If your flight is delayed (generally 6+ hours or overnight, terms apply), you can be reimbursed for expenses like lodging or meals, up to a certain amount (e.g., $300 per trip). Trip delays are common in travel; having this coverage means less out-of-pocket cost when the unexpected happens.
Baggage Insurance: The card provides coverage if your luggage is lost, damaged, or stolen when traveling. Coverage amounts (for carry-on and checked bags) can help replace your belongings in unfortunate situations.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: When traveling or making purchases overseas for your business, you won’t pay extra surcharges. Many basic cards charge ~3% on foreign transactions; the Business Gold charges 0%, saving you money if you have international expenses.
Purchase and Business Protections:
Purchase Protection: New items bought with the card are covered against damage or theft for 90 days from purchase (up to a limit, e.g., $1,000 per claim). For a busy office or on-the-go entrepreneur, this is peace of mind — if that new business laptop is accidentally dropped or a shipment of equipment is stolen off your porch, you may be able to get reimbursed.
Extended Warranty: Amex extends the manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year on eligible purchases. So if you buy, say, electronics with a 1-year warranty, you effectively have 2 years coverage when using the Business Gold. This can save you money on buying extended warranties separately.
Cell Phone Protection: When you pay your business’s cell phone bill with the Business Gold Card, you get cell phone insurance included. If your phone is damaged or stolen, you can be covered for repairs or replacement (typically up to $800 per claim, with a modest deductible, and up to 2 claims per year). This is a particularly valuable perk for entrepreneurs who rely on their phones – it effectively replaces separate phone insurance plans.
Account Manager Access: You can grant an employee or trusted individual access to manage your account (view statements, make payments) without giving them full card privileges. This is useful if you have a finance person or assistant handling administrative tasks.
Free Employee Cards: You can add employee cards (additional cards) at no extra annual fee (limits apply, but Amex allows a high number of employee cards, up to 99). Employee cards also earn Membership Rewards points on all their spending, contributing to your points pool. You can even set individual spending limits for each employee card. This makes it easier to consolidate business spending on one rewards program and track expenses.
Membership Rewards Program Benefits:
All the points you earn on the Business Gold go into your Membership Rewards account, where they can be combined with points from other Amex cards you hold (for example, if you also have an Amex Business Platinum or Amex Blue Business Plus, etc.). Having a single, large pool of points increases redemption possibilities. Additionally, Amex frequently offers transfer bonuses to partners (e.g., a 20% bonus when transferring to British Airways Avios), which can supercharge the value of your points.
In summary, the Business Gold Card isn’t just about the points; it’s also about the peace of mind and convenience that come with being an Amex cardmember. These perks — from travel insurance to purchase protections — add tangible value, especially for a business user who might actually use these benefits over the course of a year. They help justify the premium status of the card.
Learn more about the American Express® Business Gold Card.
APR, Interest and Fees
The American Express Business Gold is structured as a charge card with Pay Over Time options. Historically, Amex “Gold” cards required full payment each month, but with Pay Over Time enabled, it can function similar to a credit card for eligible purchases, allowing you to carry a balance (though carrying a balance is generally not advisable if you can avoid it, due to interest costs).
APR (Annual Percentage Rate): For purchases that are eligible and that you choose to revolve on Pay Over Time, the regular APR ranges roughly from 18.49% to 27.49% variable, based on your creditworthiness and prevailing rates. This is a high interest rate (typical for business credit cards), so if you use the Pay Over Time feature, plan carefully. Tip: Try to use the card as a charge card (pay in full each month) to avoid interest. The true value of this card is in the rewards, which quickly get negated if you’re paying steep interest on carried balances.
Intro APR Offer: A nice perk for new cardholders – currently the Business Gold Card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 6 months from account opening (on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time). This can help a new business manage cash flow or make a large purchase and pay it off over half a year with no interest. After the intro period, the variable APR applies. (There is no balance transfer offer, as is common with most business rewards cards.)
Other Fees:
Annual Fee: $375 (not waived the first year). As detailed above, this is the primary cost of the card, offset by strong rewards and credits.
Late Payment Fee: If you fail to pay on time, Amex may charge a late fee (often up to $39) and it could affect your Pay Over Time status.
Cash Advance: Not a typical use for this card (and likely not even enabled, since it's more charge-style), but any cash advance would incur a fee and a high APR (usually around 29%+).
Foreign Transaction Fees: $0. This is worth reiterating — you won’t incur extra fees for international transactions, which aligns with the travel-friendly nature of the card.
One thing to note: because the Business Gold can be used as a charge card, there is technically no preset spending limit. This doesn’t mean unlimited spending; rather, your purchasing power can adjust based on your usage, payment history, and financials. This flexibility can be useful if your business has fluctuating expenses – you might be able to make a larger purchase in a pinch, as long as you have the ability to pay it off. Amex will let you know if a specific charge is approved or not based on your account profile.
Bottom line on costs: If you pay on time and avoid carrying balances, the cost of the Amex Business Gold is essentially the annual fee (which, as we covered, can be offset). The card is best for businesses that plan to use it frequently for rewards, not as a financing tool beyond the short 0% intro period.
Learn more about the American Express® Business Gold Card.
Sign-Up Bonus & Earning Potential
One of the biggest immediate attractions of the Business Gold Card is its sign-up bonus (welcome offer) – which can be extremely valuable – and the ongoing earning potential given your business’s spending patterns.
Welcome Offer for New Cardholders
As of now, new American Express Business Gold Card members can earn a welcome bonus of 100,000 Membership Rewards points after meeting the required minimum spend. The typical offer is “Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership.” (Exact offers can vary or change over time, and sometimes Amex may target certain applicants with different bonuses, but 100k points is a commonly advertised deal in early 2024.)
How valuable is 100,000 points? Potentially, very valuable:
If used for travel via Amex or transfer partners, those 100k points could be worth $1,000 or more. For instance, transferring 100k points to an airline like Air Canada Aeroplan or Delta could get you multiple flight tickets or one very nice long-haul business class flight (worth several thousand dollars). Even the simplest use — redeeming through AmexTravel at 1¢ per point — makes it a $1,000 value.
Compared to competitors, this is one of the richer sign-up bonuses out there. By contrast, many other business cards offer bonuses in the range of $500–$900 in value (e.g., Chase Ink Preferred often ~100k Chase points which is similar, Capital One Spark Miles typically 50k miles = $500, etc.). The 100k Amex points stands out, though note the $15,000 spending requirement in 3 months is quite high. This card is clearly aiming at businesses with sizable expenses who can comfortably hit that threshold. If $15k in a quarter is more than your business spends, you might not fully benefit from the welcome bonus.
0% APR bonus period: Don’t forget, along with the points bonus, the card currently gives 0% interest on purchases for 6 months. This isn’t a cash bonus, but it’s a valuable financing perk. Essentially, if you have a large purchase or a bunch of expenses right after opening the card, you can carry that balance for six months interest-free while still earning rewards on it. Just be sure to clear it by month 7 to avoid interest.
Overall, the welcome offer is a great incentive, especially if you have a big expense coming up (like buying equipment, funding a marketing campaign, or paying annual fees for software) that can count toward that $15k minimum spend. It effectively rewards you twice – once with the bonus and again with the points on the spend itself (you’d earn at least 15k points from the $15k spend, plus the 100k bonus, totaling 115k points or more).
Learn more about the American Express® Business Gold Card.
Real-World Earning Examples
To appreciate the Business Gold Card’s earning power, let’s look at some real-world spending examples for a hypothetical business and see how many points you could accrue. These examples also highlight how the card selects the top 2 categories for 4X each month:
Example 1: Marketing Agency – Suppose you run a small marketing firm. In a given month, your spending might look like:
$8,000 on online advertising (Facebook ads, Google ads) – category: advertising (4X eligible)
$2,000 on software subscriptions and cloud services – category: software/cloud (4X eligible)
$1,500 on client dinners and team lunches – category: restaurants (4X eligible)
$500 on miscellaneous office supplies – (not one of the 6 categories, so 1X)
In that month, your top two categories by spend are advertising ($8k) and software ($2k). Those would earn 4X:
Advertising: $8,000 * 4 = 32,000 points
Software/Cloud: $2,000 * 4 = 8,000 points
All other spend (including the $1,500 dining and $500 supplies) would be at 1X since only the top 2 categories get 4X. That’s $2,000 * 1 = 2,000 points.
Total points for that month: 32,000 + 8,000 + 2,000 = 42,000 Membership Rewards points. Just in one month! If your spending were similar each month, you’d be looking at roughly 500,000 points a year, which is an enormous amount of travel rewards (enough for multiple international business class trips if used wisely).
Now, in the above scenario, note that dining was $1,500 but did not get 4X because it wasn’t in the top two spend categories for that month. If in another month your spending shifts (say fewer ad buys, more dining), the card will adapt and perhaps restaurants will become a 4X category in that month.Example 2: Small Retail Business – You own a retail store and have different expenses:
$3,000 on inventory from a wholesale supplier (this likely doesn’t fall into any of the bonus categories, so 1X)
$1,200 on gas for delivery vehicles – category: U.S. gas (4X eligible)
$800 on shipping costs via FedEx/UPS – (Note: as of 2024, “shipping” is no longer a 4X category on Business Gold, so this would be 1X now)
$600 on phone and internet bills – category: wireless telephone services (4X eligible)
$400 on travel (flights/hotels booked directly) – would be 1X because travel bookings not via Amex Travel and not a top category here
That totals $6,000 for the month. The top two categories by spend are inventory ($3k, but no bonus category) and gas ($1.2k). However, since inventory isn’t a defined bonus category, the card will pick Gas ($1,200) and Wireless/Phone ($600) as the top two eligible categories:
Gas: $1,200 * 4 = 4,800 points
Wireless Phone: $600 * 4 = 2,400 points
Everything else (inventory, shipping, travel, etc. that month): $4,200 * 1 = 4,200 points.
Total points for the month: 4,800 + 2,400 + 4,200 = 11,400 points. Annually, that would be ~136,800 points if spending remained consistent each month.
In this scenario, the business had a lot of spend that didn’t fall under bonus categories (inventory, shipping). So while 11k points/month is still decent, the card shines more when a larger portion of spend hits the bonus areas. If this retail business could, for example, put inventory purchases on a card that earns better on general spend, and reserve the Business Gold for gas, phone, and perhaps try to shift a category like using Amex Travel for travel bookings (to earn 3X on that $400), they’d extract more value.
These examples illustrate a key point: The Amex Business Gold Card’s value is directly tied to how much of your spending falls into its bonus categories. A business with heavy advertising, tech, or travel dining spend can reap tremendous rewards. Even a more mixed-spending business will see a solid return, especially with the welcome bonus factored in.
For context, let’s compare quickly: If you instead used a flat 2% cash back card (no bonus categories) for the above examples:
Example 1’s $12,000 spend would net $240 cash back (2%). The Business Gold net ~42,000 points, which even at a low valuation of 1¢ is $420 – nearly double, and potentially more if points are valued higher.
Example 2’s $6,000 spend would net $120 cash back. Business Gold earned 11,400 points (~$114 at 1¢ each, so nearly the same in that case). But if those points are used for say an airline transfer where you get 1.5-2¢ value, that’s $170-$228, beating the flat 2% card.
This shows that for high-intent users who maximize categories, the Business Gold can indeed make a strong case as one of the best business credit cards for rewards available.
Learn more about the American Express® Business Gold Card.
Competitor Comparisons
No credit card exists in a vacuum, especially not one aimed at business owners who are likely shopping around for the best fit. The Amex Business Gold competes with several other popular business cards, each with its own strengths. Below, we’ll compare the Business Gold head-to-head with four key competitors that entrepreneurs often consider:
Amex Business Gold vs. Chase Ink Business Preferred
The Chase Ink Business Preferred® is often mentioned in the same breath as the Amex Business Gold because both are premier points-based cards for small businesses. Here’s how they stack up:
Rewards Structure: Chase Ink Business Preferred (CIP) offers 3X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on the first $150,000 combined spend each year in its bonus categories: travel, shipping, internet/cable/phone services, and advertising on search engines/social media. All other spend is 1X. In contrast, the Amex Business Gold gives 4X on top 2 categories (from a broader list) up to $150k.
Analysis: The Business Gold can yield a higher multiplier (4X vs 3X) and covers categories like gas, restaurants, and tech that CIP doesn’t bonus. However, CIP covers travel booked directly and shipping, which Business Gold no longer bonused (Amex shifted to bonusing travel via their portal only, and removed shipping category). So, if your business spends a lot on travel and shipping, CIP’s 3X might actually cover those whereas Business Gold would only get 1X on shipping and require using Amex Travel for flights/hotels to get 3X.
Both cards have the same $150k cap in bonus categories, which is plenty for most small businesses (and if you’re spending beyond that, you might even consider using both cards to maximize different category strengths).
Point Value & Redemption: Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR) points and Amex Membership Rewards (MR) points are often considered two of the top flexible rewards currencies. Each program has a slew of airline/hotel transfer partners. UR points can be extremely valuable, especially if you have personal Chase cards like Sapphire Reserve (which can boost point value on travel redemptions or provide a 1.5¢ portal redemption). MR points have a larger roster of transfer partners (and often unique ones like Aeroplan, ANA, etc.).
For a business owner, it’s almost a wash – both points are great. If you prefer simplicity, Chase UR has the edge when redeemed through Chase’s travel portal (1.25¢ per point value with the Ink Preferred, since it pairs with Sapphire Preferred’s rate – actually CIP by itself allows transfers but portal booking might be 1¢ unless you have Sapphire Preferred/Reserve). Amex MR requires a bit more strategy for maximum value (transfers, etc.), but offers more options.
Neither program is objectively “better” – it depends on which airlines/hotels you use. For example, if you fly Southwest or United a lot, Chase UR (with transfers to those) might be more useful. If you fly Delta or use Marriott, Amex MR is great.
Annual Fee: Chase Ink Preferred has a $95 annual fee vs Amex Business Gold’s $375. That’s a huge difference. CIP’s fee is modest and easily covered by its rewards; Amex’s fee is high but offset by credits if used. If minimizing out-of-pocket cost is a priority, CIP wins here. There’s no contest in fee – the Business Gold will cost more (unless you max out the credits).
Sign-Up Bonus: CIP historically offers a strong sign-up bonus (currently around 90,000 Chase points after spending $8,000 in 3 months, as of latest offers – sometimes it’s been 100k or even 120k points in promos). Amex Business Gold’s welcome is ~100,000 points for $15k spend.
CIP’s bonus is easier to attain for many (lower spend requirement, and 90k Chase points is a bit less total value than 100k MR but same ballpark). Both are excellent, but if you can’t hit $15k spend for Amex, the CIP’s bonus might be more reachable at $8k spend.
Benefits & Perks:
The Chase Ink Preferred includes valuable travel and purchase protections too: e.g., Cell Phone Protection (up to $600 per claim if you pay your phone bill with it), Primary Car Rental CDW coverage for business rentals, Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance (up to $5k per trip), Trip Delay Reimbursement (up to $500 for delays 12+ hours), baggage insurance, etc. It’s actually loaded with protections similar to Chase Sapphire Preferred. And employee cards are free on CIP as well.
Amex Business Gold has the credits (FedEx/Grubhub, Walmart+) which Chase doesn’t offer, and a few different perks (Hotel Collection, etc., as described earlier). It also has strong purchase protections, extended warranty, and now the cell phone insurance as well (which was something CIP had and now Gold has too).
Both cards have no foreign transaction fees.
Acceptance: One practical note – Chase is Visa, Amex is Amex. In the US, both are widely accepted, though Visa slightly more so (some smaller vendors don’t take Amex due to fees). Internationally, Visa has wider acceptance. If your business travels to remote areas abroad, the Visa might swipe more places. Generally, this gap has closed a lot in major cities, but it’s a consideration.
Verdict – Business Gold vs Chase Ink Preferred: If you value maximum point earning and your spending aligns with Amex’s categories (and you can utilize the credits), the Amex Business Gold can deliver more rewards potential despite its higher fee. It’s arguably a better fit for businesses with big advertising, tech, or varied spending that want flexible travel rewards. On the other hand, the Chase Ink Preferred is a phenomenal all-around card with a low fee and might make more sense if you want to keep costs down while still earning great travel points, especially if travel and shipping are key expenses for you. Many savvy business owners actually carry both – using the Amex for 4X categories and the Chase card for 3X categories or when Amex isn’t accepted. But if choosing one, lean Amex Business Gold for rewards maximization and Chase Ink Preferred for fee value and well-rounded coverage.
Learn more about the American Express® Business Gold Card.
Amex Business Gold vs. Capital One Spark Miles for Business
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business represents a very different approach to rewards compared to Amex Business Gold. Spark Miles is a simple, flat-rate travel rewards card, while Amex is an optimized, category-based card. Key points of comparison:
Rewards Earning: Capital One Spark Miles gives 2X miles on every purchase, unlimited. There are no bonus categories, no caps – just a straightforward 2 miles per dollar no matter what you buy. Plus, it offers 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through the Capital One Travel portal (if you choose to use it, similar to how some personal cards like Capital One Venture work).
Amex Business Gold, as we know, is up to 4X on select categories, 1X elsewhere.
Flat-rate vs Category: If your business spending is all over the place or heavily in non-bonus areas, a flat 2X might yield more overall rewards (because 2X on everything can beat 1X on many things with Amex). However, if a large portion of your spend aligns with any of Amex’s 4X categories, the Gold will likely out-earn the Spark. For instance, $100k of assorted spend with Spark = 200k miles. With Amex, if even half of that $100k hits 4X categories and half 1X, you’d earn 200k + 50k = 250k points – better. If nearly all $100k is in categories, you’d earn 400k points – dramatically better.
Spark’s simplicity is its selling point: you don’t have to think about categories at all. You always know you’re getting a solid return on every swipe.
Rewards Redemption: Spark “Miles” are effectively fixed-value points. They can be redeemed as a statement credit against travel purchases at a rate of 1 cent per mile (e.g. 50,000 miles = $500 travel credit). Alternatively, in recent years Capital One has added airline/hotel transfer partners for its miles, making them more like traditional points. You can transfer Spark Miles to partners like Air Canada Aeroplan, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, etc., often at a 1:1 rate. This means Spark Miles have upside if you learn to utilize transfers (similar to Amex points).
That said, most Spark users love the simplicity of just erasing travel purchases. You buy a flight or hotel with the card, then later apply miles to cover it. No blackout dates, no award seat search – very straightforward.
Amex points, conversely, almost nudge you to think about best uses. They can be used similarly (via Amex Travel Pay with Points at 1¢ value), but to get great value you’ll likely transfer to airlines or use specific strategies.
If “ease of use” is a priority, Spark might have the edge. If “maximizing value” is the goal, Amex MR points are generally considered more powerful given more partners and possibilities.
Annual Fee: Capital One Spark Miles has a $95 annual fee (and it’s often $0 intro for the first year). Compared to $375, it’s much easier on the budget. No significant credits to offset (Spark sometimes has promotions but generally it’s just the rewards doing the work). If you can’t stomach a high annual fee, the Spark is more palatable.
Sign-Up Bonus: The Spark Miles card’s typical welcome bonus is around 50,000 miles for spending $4,500 in 3 months. Sometimes it has higher targeted offers, but usually in that range (which equals $500 in travel credit). That’s a smaller bonus than Amex Gold’s 100k (~$1,000) but also requires much less spending. So, for a newer or smaller business, the Spark’s bonus might be achievable whereas $15k for Amex’s might not.
There have been larger Spark bonuses in the past (even up to 200k for huge spend, or 150k, etc., on special editions or Spark+ cards), but the standard offer is modest.
Benefits & Extras:
Spark Miles for Business comes with some useful perks despite its simplicity: notably, it offers a credit (up to $100) for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application every four years. This is a travel-oriented perk to make your airport experience smoother. The Amex Business Gold does not have a Global Entry/TSA Pre credit, so this is something Spark provides that Amex doesn’t.
Spark also allows free employee cards, and like Amex, no foreign transaction fees (it’s a Visa Signature, widely accepted).
Purchase and travel protections on Spark Miles are decent but not as extensive as Amex or Chase. You might get things like travel accident insurance, car rental collision damage waiver (secondary), and extended warranty, but Capital One’s benefits on Spark aren’t as heavily advertised. The Amex Gold clearly shines in purchase/travel protections in comparison.
Spark Miles doesn’t offer fancy travel credits or lounge access or anything – it’s not meant for luxury, it’s meant for efficiency.
Verdict – Business Gold vs Spark Miles: The decision here comes down to simplicity vs. optimization. If you want a simple, easy-to-manage rewards card that still earns solid travel rewards on everything (and you prefer a lower fee), the Capital One Spark Miles is fantastic. It’s often recommended as one of the best credit cards for entrepreneurs who want straightforward rewards without juggling categories – you get 2X on whatever you buy, period. It’s also great if you travel internationally, given the no FX fees and Visa acceptance, plus that Global Entry credit is a nice touch for a $95 card.
On the other hand, if your business expenses can take advantage of the 4X categories, the Amex Business Gold will simply earn you more rewards faster. Yes, you have to pay a higher fee and keep track of using those credits, but the payoff in points (which can be extremely valuable when redeemed right) may far outweigh Spark’s 2X return. Also, if you value the more comprehensive perks (like better purchase protections, etc.), Amex delivers more.
In short: choose Amex Business Gold for maximum rewards potential and premium perks; choose Spark Miles for a low-maintenance, steady earning card that still delivers good (if not best-in-class) rewards.
Learn more about the American Express® Business Gold Card.
Amex Business Gold vs. CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select
The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard is a co-branded airline credit card, specifically for American Airlines flyers. Comparing a co-branded airline card to a flexible rewards card like the Business Gold is a bit like comparing apples to oranges, but let’s look at what matters for a business owner deciding between them:
Rewards Currency: The CitiBusiness AAdvantage card earns American Airlines AAdvantage miles, not flexible points. Its typical earn rate is 2 AAdvantage miles per $1 on certain categories (and AA purchases), 1 mile per $1 on everything else. Specifically, you get 2X on AA purchases, 2X at gas stations, 2X on telecom (cable, phone), and 2X on car rentals. Those are relatively narrow bonuses, and there’s no adaptive category feature.
By contrast, Amex Gold’s 4X on broad categories and 1X on other stuff earns Membership Rewards points.
The fundamental difference: AAdvantage miles are only useful for flights (and some AA partner redemptions). They’re great if you fly American often or want to redeem for Oneworld partner flights. But they can’t be cashed out easily or used for hotels, etc. Membership Rewards points can be used for virtually anything (via transfers or pay with points).
So, if you want flexibility, Amex wins easily. If you specifically want to accumulate AA miles (perhaps you’re chasing elite status or you know you’ll redeem for AA award flights), the Citi card directly earns those and might make sense as a complementary card.
Perks and Benefits: The reason to get an AA co-branded card usually isn’t for the earn rate (2x on limited categories isn’t exciting). It’s for the travel perks on American Airlines:
The CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select offers free checked bag on American Airlines flights for you and (up to 4) employees traveling with you. This alone can save ~$30 per bag per person each way, adding up if you and colleagues travel often on AA.
It also gives priority boarding on American Airlines flights (you board in Group 4 or 5, earlier than main economy, so you secure overhead space, etc.).
You get 25% off in-flight purchases (like Wi-Fi, food, beverages) on AA when using the card.
Perhaps the biggest unique perk: spend $30,000 on the card in a year and get a Companion Certificate – basically a domestic economy companion ticket for $99 (plus taxes) which can be used to bring a colleague or partner along on a flight. This is of limited use (and $30k spend for a $99 companion ticket is a high bar unless you’re anyway spending a lot and prefer putting it on this card).
The Amex Business Gold doesn’t give airline-specific perks like free bags or priority boarding. It’s more about the points and general travel protections. So if those AA perks are important to you, the Citi AA card has them and Amex doesn’t.
Annual Fee: CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select has a $99 annual fee, often waived the first year. That’s modest and straightforward. Amex, again, is $375 (with ways to offset but still higher cash outlay). So cost-wise, the Citi AA card is easier to hold, especially if you fly AA even once or twice a year (free bag for two flights could nearly cover the fee).
Sign-Up Bonus: Co-branded airline cards often have attractive welcome bonuses. The AA Business card frequently offers something like 60,000-70,000 AAdvantage miles after spending $3k-$4k in 3 months. Sometimes more, like 75k for $5k (as seen recently). In pure flight value, 70k AA miles can be huge (a round-trip to Europe in economy, or a one-way business class to Asia, etc.).
Amex Gold’s 100k MR points is flexible and arguably even more valuable if used right, but again, it requires $15k spend vs ~$4k for the AA card’s bonus. So if you have limited spend and specifically want a big chunk of airline miles, the AA card’s bonus is enticing and easier to get.
Point/Mile Value: AAdvantage miles can be very valuable for certain redemptions (like long-haul business class on AA or partners). But if you’re not an AA frequent flyer, they might sit unused. Membership Rewards points could also be used to get AA flights indirectly (since Amex points transfer to British Airways or Etihad, which can book AA flights, albeit with some complexity).
If you are loyal to American Airlines for your travel, having their co-brand card plus earning status via flying might make sense. If you prefer flexibility or don’t fly one airline consistently, a flexible points card is usually better.
Verdict – Business Gold vs CitiBusiness AAdvantage: Choose the Citi AAdvantage Business card if your business travel is largely on American Airlines and you value the airline perks like free bags and priority boarding. It’s essentially a must-have for frequent AA fliers to save money and get those conveniences. It also makes earning AA miles easy if that’s your preferred reward currency.
Choose the Amex Business Gold if you want versatile rewards that aren’t tied to a single airline and superior earning rates on everyday spending. The Amex will outperform in pure rewards for spend (4X vs the Citi’s mostly 2X categories), and the points can be used for many different travel programs or other redemptions.
In fact, many business travelers carry both: use the Amex Business Gold to pay for most expenses and rack up tons of points, but keep the AA card to pay for the actual AA airfare (to get the free bag benefit on that flight, and 2x miles on the ticket). This way, you leverage each card’s strengths. If you have to pick one and you’re not sure of your airline loyalty, the Amex is more flexible. If you’re deeply embedded with American Airlines, the Citi card complements your travel style.
Learn more about the American Express® Business Gold Card.
Amex Business Gold vs. Chase Ink Business Cash
The Chase Ink Business Cash® is a bit of a dark horse competitor here because it’s a no-annual-fee card with a cashback (or points) structure, appealing to more budget-conscious business owners. But it’s often compared because points enthusiasts know the Ink Cash can actually earn 5X points in some areas. Let’s compare:
Rewards Structure: Ink Business Cash offers:
5% cash back (5x points) on the first $25,000 spent annually at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services (combined). These are common business expenses – if you buy a lot of office supplies or electronics at places like Staples/Office Depot, or if your cable and phone bills are big, 5% is huge.
2% cash back (2x points) on the first $25,000 spent at gas stations and restaurants (combined per year). Decent for fueling company cars or taking clients out, though capped at $25k.
1% on everything else.
Technically, it’s marketed as cashback, but really it earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points (5% = 5 points per dollar, etc.). If you also hold a Chase Ink Preferred or Sapphire Preferred/Reserve, those points can be pooled and transferred to travel partners. If you hold only the Ink Cash, you can redeem for cash or through Chase’s portal at face value ($.01 each).
The Amex Business Gold, by comparison, has 4X on two categories (which could include some similar categories like gas, restaurants, wireless phone – overlaps exist), up to $150k (much higher cap), then 1X.
Analysis: In categories like office supplies or internet, Ink Cash’s 5X (5%) is better than Amex’s 4X (4%). If your business spends a lot on office supplies or tech at office stores (which often sell a lot more than just pens – you can buy gift cards, electronics, etc.), Ink Cash is a points powerhouse with no fee. Likewise, if you have big phone/internet bills, once again 5X up to $25k is great.
On gas and dining, Amex Gold gives potentially 4X unlimited (well, up to $150k combined across all categories) whereas Ink Cash gives 2X up to $25k. Amex clearly wins for heavy spenders in gas/restaurants; but if you’re a small operation with say <$25k a year in gas+restaurants, the difference between 4X and 2X might not be that huge, especially since Ink Cash is free.
The key is the cap: Ink Cash’s lucrative rates drop to 1% after $25k in those categories each year. Amex’s cap is much higher ($150k across categories). So medium-to-large spend businesses will find Ink Cash limiting after a point.
Annual Fee: Ink Cash = $0 annual fee. That is its shining trait. It costs nothing to hold, so any rewards you get are pure gravy. Amex Gold = $375, so you need to earn/benefit enough to break even on that each year.
Sign-Up Bonus: Ink Cash often has a great bonus like $750 cash back (which is 75,000 points) after $6,000 spend in 3 months. That’s extremely rich for a no-fee card. Sometimes it’s slightly different, but usually in the $750 range. Those 75k Chase points can be even more valuable if transferred (again requiring a premium Chase card in your arsenal).
A person could theoretically get an Ink Cash, earn 75k points, and if they also have (or later get) an Ink Preferred or Sapphire, that 75k could become airline miles, hotel points, etc.
Amex Gold’s 100k for $15k is bigger but also a much bigger spend and has a fee. For a scrappy new business with tighter budgets, Ink Cash’s bonus is easier and with no fee risk.
Perks & Benefits: Ink Cash is more barebones on benefits. It does have some purchase protection, extended warranty, etc., but since it’s a no-fee card, it doesn’t pack the premium perks like travel insurance or credits.
No foreign transaction fee? Actually, the Ink Cash does charge foreign transaction fees (3%), which is something to note – it’s not a travel-oriented card. So you wouldn’t want to use it abroad. Amex Gold, no FX fees.
No special travel perks or concierge or such on Ink Cash. Amex Gold, as we saw, has a variety of perks included.
Point Redemption: If you solely have Ink Cash, you can only redeem for cash back or gift cards or travel through Chase at 1¢ each. If you have a premium Chase card, Ink Cash’s points can be transferred to that account and then to travel partners. This synergy is why many business owners pair an Ink Cash (to earn 5x on some things) with an Ink Preferred or Sapphire Reserve (to redeem for travel at high value).
So one could argue Ink Cash isn’t fully comparable alone to Amex Gold, but as part of a Chase combo it’s very powerful.
Verdict – Business Gold vs Chase Ink Cash: If your goal is to minimize fees while still earning strong rewards, the Chase Ink Business Cash is a superstar for certain categories and certainly one of the best credit cards for business purchases in office supplies/telecom. For a small business on a budget, it’s hard to say no to a no-annual-fee card that gives 5% back on key expenses.
However, it has limits (literally, caps) and fewer perks. The Amex Business Gold is better suited for larger spenders and those who want premium benefits and flexible travel points. It will reward high spending far beyond what an Ink Cash can (due to higher caps and more categories, plus a broader redemption value through MR points). But it charges that hefty fee for privilege.
A strategy some businesses use: Combine them. Use the Amex Business Gold for categories like advertising, airfare via Amex Travel, or whenever you’ve exceeded the Ink Cash’s cap, and use the Ink Cash for the first $25k of office/telecom and gas/restaurant spend to get 5%/2% with no fee. This way, you maximize rewards across the board.
If you have to pick one card: choose Amex Business Gold if your annual spend in bonus categories is high enough to justify the fee and you want travel rewards. Choose Ink Business Cash if you want a no-fee solution and have moderate spend concentrated in its 5%/2% categories (or if you’re pairing with other Chase cards for a full strategy).
Learn more about the American Express® Business Gold Card.
Best Strategies to Maximize Amex Business Gold Rewards
Once you have the American Express Business Gold Card in your hands, you’ll want to squeeze every bit of value from it. Here are some expert strategies to maximize your rewards and benefits:
1. Aim Your Spending at the 4X Categories
This might sound obvious, but it’s the cornerstone: use the Business Gold for all spending that fits its high-reward categories, and consider other cards for non-bonus spend. Since the card automatically rewards your top 2 categories each month, make sure as many of your big expenses as possible fall into those eligible categories:
If you have advertising costs (online ads, etc.), put them on this card.
Paying for software subscriptions, cloud services, or buying computers/equipment from a vendor like Dell or Apple? Use the Business Gold.
Fill up company vehicles at U.S. gas stations using this card.
Take clients or your team out for dinners and pay with this card.
Cover your monthly wireless phone bill with this card (and you’ll also trigger the phone insurance perk).
If your team has work-related transit or parking expenses, consider using this card to pay those too.
By funneling these expenses through the Business Gold, you’re ensuring you get the full 4X return where possible. Remember the cap of $150,000 in a year for 4X – which is quite high. If you’re one of the few businesses with more than $150k in those expenses, after hitting that, you might switch to another card for that category until the next year (or get a second Business Gold for another employee if that’s feasible). But most small businesses won’t hit that cap in normal operations.
2. Pair with a 2X Everywhere Card for Other Purchases
For purchases that don’t fall under the Business Gold’s bonus categories, you might consider pairing it with another card that has a strong flat reward. For example, the American Express Blue Business® Plus card has no annual fee and earns 2X Membership Rewards points on all purchases up to $50k/year (then 1X). Using the Blue Business Plus for miscellaneous spend (office rent, inventory, non-category spend) gives you a baseline of 2X on everything else, which is better than the Gold’s 1X. Both earn Membership Rewards, so your points pool stays together.
If you prefer cashback, you might pair with something like a 2% cash back card for non-bonus items. But the idea is: don’t settle for 1X if you have options. The Amex Gold can be the workhorse for bonus categories, and a flat-rate card can handle the rest – maximizing your overall rewards earning.
3. Take Full Advantage of the Statement Credits
Don’t leave free money on the table. Those $20 monthly credits for FedEx, Grubhub, and office supplies and the Walmart+ credit can substantially reduce your net cost:
If your business ships packages or products, make FedEx your go-to (up to $20 of charges monthly will be reimbursed – essentially a free $20 if you already needed shipping).
When feeding the office or ordering client meals, consider using Grubhub/Seamless and paying with Business Gold to trigger the credit.
Office supply stores not only sell paper and ink, but often stock electronics, gift cards to other retailers, and more. You could use your $20 credit toward stocking up on essentials (or even buying a Visa gift card, in-store, which effectively turns it into cash value).
If you can use Walmart+: it offers free shipping on many items and other perks. If your business or personal life can utilize that (perhaps for office snacks, cleaning supplies, or even electronics), having the membership free via credits is great. Ensure you put that Walmart+ monthly charge on the Business Gold so it gets credited each month.
Set reminders if needed so you don’t forget to use these credits. Many cardholders fail to maximize credits simply by forgetting. $20 a month at an office supply store could be as simple as doing your ink/toner purchase on that schedule.
4. Leverage Amex Offers
Keep an eye on Amex Offers, which are special promotions available in your online Amex account dashboard. These offers can give you extra points or statement credits for spending at specific merchants. For instance, an offer might be “Spend $100 at [Merchant] and get a $20 statement credit” or “Get 10,000 bonus points when spending $500 at [Vendor].” These change frequently and can add significant value. It’s like additional coupons for using your card at places you might shop anyway.
Since Business Gold is a premium card, it often gets some lucrative Amex Offers. Check the Amex app or site regularly and add offers to your card with a click. Then use the card for those purchases to stack even more savings or points.
5. Optimize Your Membership Rewards Redemptions
Earning points is half the game; redeeming them smartly is the other half. Here’s how to get the most out of your Amex points:
Transfer to Airline/Hotel Partners: This is usually the #1 way to maximize value. Study the list of Amex transfer partners (which include Delta SkyMiles, British Airways Avios, Air Canada Aeroplan, Emirates Skywards, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and many more). Transfers are typically 1:1. If you have a travel goal in mind – say a business class flight for a conference trip – see how many miles that costs via an airline program, and transfer points to that program when you’re ready to book. Often you can get valuations of 2 cents per point or higher this way. For example, 100k Amex points might become 100k Air Canada points, which could book a couple of round-trip flights that would have cost $2,000+. This is how some users double or triple the value of their points compared to basic redemption.
Redeem through Amex Travel for Airfare: If you prefer simplicity and flexibility (or if you need to book travel that isn’t available with miles, like a flight with no award seats), you can pay with points through Amex Travel at a rate of 1 cent per point for most redemptions. With Business Gold, there’s no longer the 25% rebate, so it’s a straight valuation. However, sometimes Amex runs promotions or you might see elevated rates on certain redemptions. If you have the Amex Business Platinum, that card gives a 35% point rebate on Pay with Points for flights – but that’s another card’s benefit.
Don’t Use Points for Low-Value Options: Avoid using your hard-earned points for things like statement credits on your bill, gift cards (unless at a discount), or shopping on Amazon. Those often give you less than 1 cent per point in value (sometimes as low as 0.6 cents). It’s generally not a good deal – you’d be better off paying cash for those and saving the points for travel.
Combine Points Across Cards: If you or your business partners have other Amex Membership Rewards cards (such as an Amex Platinum, Amex Green, Amex Blue for Business, or even personal Gold), remember you can pool points. Use each card for its strengths (e.g., Personal Gold for 4X on supermarkets/dining, Business Gold for business categories, Blue for 2X on uncategorized spend), then combine all points when ready to redeem for a big reward.
Effectively, learning how to redeem Amex Membership Rewards points is just as important as earning them. Take some time to familiarize yourself with at least a couple of airline programs that align with your travel needs. That way, when you’re flush with points, you know exactly how to deploy them for a first-class trip or a much-needed vacation.
6. Consider Combining with Other Amex Business Cards
American Express offers a suite of business cards that play well together. Two combos to think about:
Amex Business Gold + Amex Business Platinum: The Business Platinum has a very high fee ($695), but brings perks like airport lounge access, a 35% airline points rebate on Pay-with-Points, higher status with hotels/car rentals, and more. You wouldn’t necessarily get both right away unless you see clear value, but some growing businesses use Gold to earn and Platinum to enjoy travel luxuries. All points from both go into one MR account. Also, Business Platinum earns 5X on flights and prepaid hotels (via Amex Travel) and 1.5X on purchases over $5k each (up to a cap), which can complement the Gold’s structure.
Amex Business Gold + Blue Business Plus: As mentioned, this is a great one-two punch. Use Gold for bonus categories, Blue for everything else at 2X. The Blue Business Plus has no annual fee and effectively boosts your base earning on non-bonus spend. It’s one of the easiest ways to accelerate your points earning without extra cost.
Employee Cards Strategy: Issue Business Gold employee cards (free for up to a certain number) to any trusted employees who incur business expenses. Their spend will also count toward your rewards (all points funnel to the main account). This can help you hit the spend needed for the welcome bonus faster and accrue more points from distributed spending. Just be sure to set clear spending policies and maybe set limits on each employee card if needed.
7. Plan Your Big Purchases Around the Bonus and Billing Cycle
If you have a particularly large business purchase coming up (say a big ad buy or a major equipment purchase), try to align it with maximizing your card’s benefits:
During Welcome Offer Period: If you’re still within your first 3 months and shooting for that $15k spend for the 100k bonus, obviously channel that big purchase onto the Business Gold to help meet the threshold.
Consider Category Timing: The “top 2 categories each billing cycle” means if you have control of timing, it might make sense to group certain purchases in the same billing period to elevate them into top two. For example, if you have a moderate amount of advertising and a big tech purchase, doing them in the same month ensures both might be top two and get 4X. If you spread out spend too thinly, you might end up with categories that don’t make the cut in a given month.
Reap Yearly Caps Fully: The 4X cap resets every calendar year. If you’re nearing the end of the year and close to the $150k cap, you might hold off some expenses until the new year to start fresh at 4X, if feasible. Conversely, if it’s early in the year and you have budget flexibility, front-loading some known expenses (pay annual contracts upfront, etc.) could get them under the cap early while earning max points.
8. Utilize Travel Protections and Insurance by Default
Make it a habit to book your business travel with the Business Gold Card whenever it makes sense, so you automatically get the built-in protections:
Always pay for rental cars with it (and decline the collision damage waiver offered by the rental company, since you’re covered by Amex’s policy – just make sure you understand it’s secondary coverage).
Use it to pay for airfare or hotels (even if you’re booking through Amex Travel or directly, either you get 3X via Amex Travel or you get 1X but the purchase protection still applies). This way, if there’s a significant delay or lost luggage, you know you have coverage and can file a claim.
Pay your cell phone bills with it for the free phone insurance (as opposed to another card or bank account draft).
By running these expenses through the card, you’re not only earning points but also actively using the Amex Business Gold benefits (explained earlier) that keep your business protected. It’s one less thing to worry about when things go wrong on a trip or a purchase.
In summary, maximize points in, maximize value out. Use the card where it shines (4X categories, travel bookings for protections, etc.), and leverage the Amex ecosystem (offers, partners, other cards) to enhance its value. Doing so will ensure you get a far greater return than the cost of the card and truly experience why this is considered one of the best business credit cards for entrepreneurs who know how to work the rewards game.
Should You Get the American Express® Business Gold Card?
After absorbing all this information, you might still wonder: Is the Amex Business Gold Card right for my business? The answer depends on your spending habits, business needs, and reward preferences. Let’s break down who will benefit most from this card, and who might be better off with an alternative.
Who is this Card Best For?
High-Spending Businesses in Bonus Categories: If you run a business that regularly spends in the categories of advertising, tech, gas, dining, wireless, or travel (transit and Amex Travel bookings), the Business Gold is almost tailor-made for you. For example, a startup pouring money into Facebook and Google ads, or a consulting firm with lots of travel and client meals, can rack up points at a dizzying rate. Such businesses will find the 4X rewards extremely rewarding (pun intended) and can justify the annual fee easily.
Entrepreneurs Who Love Travel Rewards: The card is ideal for those who want to turn business expenses into travel opportunities. If you get excited by the idea of flying business class to a conference for free using points, or treating yourself to a luxury hotel on points earned from buying everyday business supplies, then the Membership Rewards program will delight you. It’s a card for the points strategist as well as the frequent traveler. Many consider it one of the best credit cards for entrepreneurs with travel goals, because it provides a fast track to large point balances.
Businesses That Can Use the Credits: If you know your business spends at least $20 a month at FedEx, Grubhub, or office supply stores (combined) and could use Walmart+, then you effectively recoup the annual fee in credits. It’s a no-brainer to keep the card in this case. For instance, a small e-commerce business that ships products via FedEx daily will effortlessly max out the $20 monthly FedEx credit — that alone is $240 saved per year.
Those Needing Multiple Employee Cards: Companies that have several team members making purchases can add employee cards free and consolidate points. If you want to easily track and earn on all company spending in one account, Amex makes it easy. Plus you get the insurance benefits (like cell phone coverage) across those lines if used properly.
Reward Optimizers (Already in Amex ecosystem): If you already have some Amex cards or are willing to build a portfolio (like pairing with Platinum or Blue for Business), the Business Gold can be a cornerstone. It’s particularly powerful when part of an Amex trifecta to cover various spending categories with maximum points.
Established Businesses with Good Cash Flow: Since it’s essentially a charge card that you’re expected to pay off (aside from that 6-month intro APR and any Pay Over Time usage), it suits businesses that are financially disciplined and pay balances in full. If you often need to revolve large balances beyond 6 months, a lower-interest or introductory 0% APR card might be better suited. But if you treat this card as a tool for rewards and benefits (not long-term financing), and you have the cash flow to cover your charges monthly, you’ll get the most from it.
Who Might Want to Consider an Alternative?
Smaller Spenders or Budget-Conscious Startups: If your business expenditures are modest – say you spend only a few thousand a month total – the $375 fee might be hard to justify, especially if that spend doesn’t concentrate in the 4X categories. You might earn, for example, 30k points in a year but pay $375, which is not a great trade-off. In such cases, a no-annual-fee card like Chase Ink Cash or a lower-fee general card might yield a better net reward (since any points earned are pure gain without having to overcome a fee hurdle).
Businesses with Different Major Expenses: Not every business spends big on the Amex categories. If your largest expenses are, say, inventory, raw materials, or third-party contractors, these may not fall under any 4X category. Putting $100k of such spend on Business Gold would yield just 100k points (1x) – whereas a flat 2% cash back card would yield the equivalent of 200k points (or $2k cash). In this scenario, something like Capital One Spark Cash (2% cash back on everything) or even Amex’s own Blue Business Cash (2% cash back up to $50k) might be more straightforwardly rewarding.
Those Who Prefer Cash Back Simplicity: Some business owners don’t want to bother with transfer partners or travel redemptions. They just want to offset expenses or see a lower statement balance. If you’d rather have cash back to reinvest in your business than points to juggle, then a cash-back oriented card could be better. While you can redeem Amex points for statement credit, it’s at a poorer rate (~0.6 cents per point), so the Business Gold is not optimal for pure cashback seekers.
Loyalists to Other Travel Programs: If your business is deeply tied to a specific travel ecosystem, a co-branded card might serve you more directly. For example, if you and your employees only fly Delta for work, the Amex Delta Business Platinum or Reserve card might give you more direct benefits (like free checked bags, priority boarding, or even Sky Club access) than the flexible points of Business Gold. Similarly, if your company is based around Marriott or Hilton stays, their co-branded Amex business cards could yield more in-hotel benefits (like status or free nights). The Amex Business Gold is flexible, but doesn’t give you elite status in any program or direct airline perks. So pick it if you value flexibility over specificity.
If You Can’t Utilize the Credits: Let’s say you have no use for Walmart+ and you rarely if ever use FedEx or Grubhub, etc. Then the $395 in credits might be worthless to you, meaning the $375 fee is a real $375 cost. If at the same time your points earning isn’t super high, you might question the value. For instance, a freelance consultant working from home might not ship anything (no FedEx use), might not need office supplies monthly, and perhaps doesn’t want Walmart+. If they also only spend $20k a year on the card mostly in random categories, the math may not favor holding Business Gold versus a no-fee 2% card (which would yield $400 in cash on $20k spend, versus maybe ~30k points ($300 value) on Amex minus $375 fee = net negative).
Those with Credit Limit Needs: Since Amex Business Gold is a charge card, it doesn’t have a predefined credit limit. While that can be a pro for flexible spending, some might prefer a card that explicitly gives, say, a $50k credit line they know they can tap into, and potentially carry a portion of that if needed beyond a month. If you anticipate needing to revolve a balance or want a cushion for financing, a card with a 0% APR intro (Chase Ink Unlimited has 0% 12 months, for example) or a low APR might be more practical.
In essence, match the card to your business profile. The Amex Business Gold Card is best for those who plan to maximize its features – high rewards categories, redeeming points for high value, and enjoying the protections and services that come with Amex. If that doesn’t sound like it aligns with your business spending or you’re not interested in playing the points game, then you won’t hurt for alternatives. Many other cards can fill niches: Chase’s Ink cards for those in the UR ecosystem, Capital One’s Spark cards for flat-rate fans, Citi’s AA card for airline perk seekers, or even Amex Business Platinum for heavy travelers wanting premium lounge access.
Learn more about the American Express® Business Gold Card.
Final Verdict
The American Express Business Gold Card stands out as a powerful tool for businesses that want to turn their expenditures into rewards. Its unique ability to adapt to your spending – by rewarding your top two categories at 4X points – essentially means the card “gets to know” your business and gives you maximum points where you spend the most. For many entrepreneurs and growing companies, this translates into an opportunity to earn hundreds of thousands of points per year, which can fuel travel dreams or provide a financial cushion via valuable rewards.
The card’s strengths are clear: an excellent welcome bonus, a versatile rewards currency (Membership Rewards) with high redemption value potential, and a host of ancillary benefits like travel insurance, purchase protections, and annual credits that can offset its cost. It’s no exaggeration to say this is one of the best business credit cards for rewards – particularly travel rewards – given the right user.
However, the Business Gold Card is a premium product with a premium price. The increased $375 annual fee means it’s best in the hands of someone who will genuinely leverage those 4X categories and credits. If you do, the card can pay for itself many times over (through points worth far more than the fee, and savings from credits and protections). If you don’t, the calculus could sour and you might be better served by a lower-cost card.
In comparison to its competitors, Amex Business Gold often outshines in rewards earning potential but sometimes trails in fee affordability or specific perks:
Versus Chase Ink Preferred or Ink Cash, it offers higher reward rates but at a higher fee.
Versus Capital One Spark, it offers more rewards for category spend but requires more effort to maximize.
Versus airline cards like Citi AAdvantage, it offers flexibility over specialization.
So, is it worth applying for? If your business aligns with what the Business Gold offers – absolutely yes. You’ll join the ranks of business owners who enjoy free flights, upgrades, and an array of protections simply by routing their everyday spending through this card. The key is to be intentional: use it where it shines, take advantage of the perks, and you’ll find it’s a game-changer for your business finances and travel experiences.
Conversely, if after reading this review you realize your spend patterns don’t fit well, or you’re not ready for a premium card, it’s better to choose an alternative now and maybe revisit the Business Gold when your business grows into it.
Final words: The American Express Business Gold Card is a top-tier option for the savvy entrepreneur. It offers a blend of high-octane rewards and solid benefits, with the cachet of American Express’s renowned service. For many businesses aiming to maximize returns on their expenses, the Business Gold Card is not just worth it – it’s a golden opportunity.
