The Amex Business Gold Card is an industry leader that ranks as one of Business Insider's best business cards for earning bonus rewards on common workplace expenses.
This card has a high annual fee, which is now $375 after a 2024 rate increase (rates and fees). But the Amex Business Gold Card can still be worth the cost if you can use its benefits to your advantage.
$375
0% intro APR for six months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time
18.49% - 27.49% Variable
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points
Good to Excellent
- You can earn bonus points on the categories where you make the most purchases (from a list of options)
- High annual fee
The American Express® Business Gold Card is a good choice if your business spends a lot in certain categories and you want to earn Membership Rewards points for travel or other redemptions. It's got a high annual fee, but if you can use the card's benefits to your advantage, it can be well worth it.
- Welcome Offer: 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.*
- 0% Intro APR ¤ for 6 months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time, then a 18.49% to 27.49% variable APR.*
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.*
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.*
- 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.*
- 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. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.*
- The Business Gold Card comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and White Gold. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
- *Terms Apply
- See Rates & Fees
Amex Business Gold Card Review
The American Express® Business Gold Card can be a good choice if your business spends a lot of money in certain categories, and you want to earn and use Amex points for travel or other redemptions.
The card also comes with a wide array of travel and shopping benefits including car rental insurance, trip delay insurance, and purchase protections, which can save you money and help offset the annual fee. Terms apply.
Amex Business Gold Card Rewards
Welcome Bonus
The Amex Business Gold Card currently offers a substantial welcome bonus offer of 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the card within the first three months of card membership. Based on Business Insider's points and miles valuations, that's worth around $1,800 in travel since Amex points are worth an average of 1.8 cents apiece. Terms apply.
This bonus is one of the more generous welcome offers available on any card, especially since Amex points can be so valuable when redeemed for travel.
The spending requirement can be on the steeper side for small businesses. If you're concerned about spending enough in time, consider applying for this card right before making a large purchase so that expense can count toward your requirements.
Earning Rewards
The Amex Business Gold Card is unique for earning rewards based on your highest spending categories. It earns 4 points per dollar on select business spending (up to $150,000, then 1 point), 3 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on Amex Travel, and 1 point per dollar on everything else. Terms apply.
Here's the breakdown:
4x Bonus Categories
You'll earn 4 points per dollar on your top two categories of business spend from the list below each month:
- U.S. gas stations
- U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery)
- U.S. wireless telephone service providers
- U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
- U.S. purchases for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio)
- Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
The 4 point earning is capped at $150,000 total in combined spending from these categories each calendar year, after which you'll earn 1 point per dollar.
Additional Earning Rates
American Express® Business Gold Card cardholders also earn 3 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
What Counts as an Eligible Purchase Under the Bonus Categories?
Some of the bonus categories are fairly self-explanatory, such as U.S. restaurants and U.S. gas stations. Others are more specific than you might think.
Computer Hardware, Software, and Cloud Systems
Amex will only award bonus points for purchases from U.S. locations of companies on this list:
- Apple
- CDW
- Dell
- HP
- IBM
- Intuit
- Lenovo
- Microsoft
- Newegg
- Oracle
- Rackspace
- Sage Software
- Salesforce.com
- Symantec
- Tiger Direct
You won't earn a bonus for purchases made through a third party (including resellers and online marketplaces) or a third-party payment account.
Advertising in Select Media (Online, TV, Radio)
With the Amex Business Gold Card, you can earn bonus points on U.S. purchases of online, television, and radio advertising made directly from media providers to promote your business.
Examples of eligible merchants include Facebook, Yahoo, NBC National Broadcasting, and CBS Radio (not a complete list). You will not earn additional rewards for direct mail services, including list or lead generation.
Redeeming Rewards
Amex points are extremely flexible, even if you don't travel. But the best way to maximize your rewards is by redeeming them for flights and hotels.
Travel Redemptions
Amex Membership Rewards points go the farthest when you transfer them to Amex partner airlines and hotels, such as Delta, Marriott, Air Canada Aeroplan, and British Airways. When booking travel with points, you can often get significantly more value per point by using them for business- and first-class flights that would otherwise cost thousands of dollars each way.
You can also use Membership Rewards for airfare, hotels, rental cars, and more through American Express Travel. You pay the cash fare for your purchase, but use your points to "wipe out" the charge at check-out. You can use as many points as you have, or you can opt to pay for just a portion of your travel using points.
Non-Travel Redemptions
Amex points can also be redeemed in the following ways at the associated rates:
- Statement credits to cover charges on your account (0.6 cents per point)
- Merchandise — pay at checkout with Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and other merchants (0.7 cents per point)
- Food delivery with GrubHub and Seamless (0.7 cents per point)
- New York City taxi fare (1 cent per point)
- Charity donations (0.7 cents per point)
- Gift cards (variable value per point, most less than 1 cent per point)
Most of these redemption rates aren't very appealing when compared to travel value, but they may fit your personal spending strategy.
Amex Business Gold Card Benefits and Features
The Amex Business Gold Card comes with useful travel and shopping benefits that can save you a lot of money, particularly if things don't go as planned.
0% Intro APR
The Amex Business Gold Card offers new cardholders an introductory promotion of 0% intro APR for six months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time, followed by a 18.49% - 27.49% Variable APR (rates and fees).
This is a decent offer for new cardholders with large expenses they'd like to pay off over time. However, it's not the best option around — there are other business cards that offer longer zero-interest periods.
Cellphone Insurance
You can be reimbursed for up to $800 in repair or replacement costs if your eligible cellphone is damaged or stolen. To be eligible for this benefit, your cellphone number must be listed on your wireless bill, and the prior month's wireless bill must have been paid with the Amex Business Gold Card. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim, and cardholders are limited to 2 approved claims per rolling 12-month period. Terms apply.
Up to $240 Flexible Business Credit
This benefit gives cardholders up to $20 in monthly statement credits when they use the Amex Business Gold Card to pay for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This benefit requires prior enrollment via the Amex cardholder dashboard and terms apply.
Up to $155 Walmart+ Membership Credit
Cardholders who use this card to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership get a monthly statement credit of up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes. This benefit requires enrollment, and your Walmart+ membership must be set up for monthly auto-renewal. The benefit does not apply to annual memberships. Terms apply.
Up to $100 Credit Through The Hotel Collection
Amex Business Gold Card cardholders can also book upscale properties through The Hotel Collection, and receive benefits when they stay at least two consecutive nights. Perks may include $100 in property credits for qualifying dining, spa, and resort activities, and a room upgrade if available. Terms apply.
Car Rental Insurance
If you use your Amex Business Gold Card to pay for your entire car rental and decline the rental company's collision damage waiver, you'll get secondary coverage for damage due to theft and collision. Some vehicle types and countries are excluded, so read the terms and conditions carefully. Terms apply.
Trip Delay Insurance
You can get reimbursed up to $300 for eligible expenses including meals, lodging, toiletries, medication, and other personal items if you've paid for covered round-trip travel with your Amex Business Gold Card, and your trip is delayed by 12 hours or more. This benefit is available for two eligible claims per consecutive 12-month period. Terms apply.
Baggage Insurance Plan
If you pay for a covered trip with your Amex Business Gold Card, you can be covered for baggage loss or damage, up to $500 per person for checked bags and $1,250 per person for carry-on luggage. There are exclusions for high-risk items and some states have different coverage limits, so check the terms and conditions for specific details. Terms apply.
Purchase Protection
When you pay for an eligible item with your Amex Business Gold Card, this purchase protection benefit can cover theft or damage that occurs within 90 days of purchase, up to a maximum of $1,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per account per calendar year. Terms apply.
Extended Warranty
The Amex Business Gold Card comes with up to one additional year of extended warranty coverage for eligible new purchases in the U.S. or its territories, on manufacturer's warranties of five years or less. There's a coverage limit of up to $10,000 per item, and up to $50,000 per cardholder account per calendar year. Terms apply.
Global Assist Hotline
Cardholders get access to Amex's Global Assist Hotline, which can help arrange services like passport replacement, medical referrals, and translation services when they're traveling.
The service itself is complimentary, but you'll be responsible for any third-party costs incurred. Terms apply.
Amex Offers
Like other American Express cards, the Amex Business Gold Card offers targeted discounts and bonus rewards at participating merchants through Amex Offers. To get in on these deals, just enroll your card in the offer through your online account and make a qualifying purchase. Terms apply.
Small Business Benefits
The American Express® Business Gold Card also offers benefits specifically geared toward small-business owners (terms apply), including:
- Employee cards with spending limits that you can set up online or by calling American Express
- Flexibility to Pay Over Time with interest, or pay your full balance
Amex Business Gold Card Annual Fee and Other Costs
Annual Fee
The Amex Business Gold Card has a $375 annual fee (rates and fees).
This fee is high for a mid-tier business card, especially since it doesn't include premium benefits like complimentary airport lounge access.
However, a business owner who can maximize most or all of the card's many statement credits will come out significantly ahead each year, even after factoring in the annual expense of the Amex Business Gold Card.
Other Fees
The card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, so it's a good option to use if your small business makes a lot of international purchases, or if you frequently travel abroad (rates and fees).
Like most other cards, you'll have to pay fees for late or returned payments. And if you choose Amex's Pay Over Time option, there's a 0% intro APR for six months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time then 18.49% - 27.49% Variable APR (rates and fees).
Amex Business Gold Card Alternatives
If you don't spend much money on purchases that qualify for the American Express® Business Gold Card's bonus categories, you might want to consider other business rewards cards that offer a flat rate of return on all purchases.
American Express® Business Gold Card vs. The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express earns 2 points per dollar on all business purchases, on up to $50,000 a year (then 1 point per dollar), and doesn't charge an annual fee.
This card is a good fit for business owners with relatively low expenses who want a straightforward credit card without paying any annual fees. There are no bonus categories, which also means you won't lose any earning opportunities.
Even better, you'll earn the same valuable Amex points as the American Express® Business Gold Card earns. This makes it easy for you to combine rewards if you get another Amex card down the road, or focus on building your stash of points for future redemptions.
Get the Amex Blue Business Plus Card if you value simplicity, and your small business spends less than $50,000 in annual expenses each year. If your company consistently spends more than $50,000 a year, especially on bonus category expenses, the American Express® Business Gold Card's higher earning potential will help you come out well ahead of the annual fee.
Read more in our Amex Blue Business Plus credit card review.
American Express® Business Gold Card vs. Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
The no-annual-fee Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is another good choice, especially if you aren't set on getting an Amex card.
This card is ideal for cost-conscious business owners who want to avoid paying annual fees at all costs. It earns 1.5% back (in the form of 1.5 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar) on all purchases with no limit. Chase points are just as valuable as Amex points at an average of 1.8 cents apiece.
The Ink Business Unlimited also comes with a welcome offer of $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, and a new cardholder offer of 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months, then 17.49% - 23.49% Variable APR. Meanwhile, the Amex Business Gold Card has a steep annual fee despite its many generous benefits, and offers a shorter introductory zero-interest period.
Choose the Ink Business Unlimited if you prioritize lower costs over rewards and statement credits. If you don't mind paying an annual fee for higher earning potential and better benefits, the Amex Business Gold Card is a better fit for you.
Read more in our Chase Ink Business Unlimited credit card review.
American Express® Business Gold Card vs. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
On the opposite end of the spectrum, you may want to consider one of the most premium business cards on the market. If you value airport lounge access for work travel, plus hundreds of dollars' worth of statement credits for business expenses at Dell, Adobe, and Indeed (terms apply), The Business Platinum Card® from American Express may make sense for you.
This card has a steep annual fee of $695, but comes with generous perks including unlimited access to the famed network of Amex Centurion Lounges worldwide. Most of the benefits require enrollment through Amex, but many are very easy to activate. Terms apply.
And if you spend a lot on flights each year, you'll quickly rack up rewards by earning 5 Amex points per dollar on airfare booked through Amex Travel or directly with airlines (up to $500,000 per calendar year).
Stick with the Amex Business Gold Card if you don't fly often enough to maximize Amex Business Platinum Card's premium lounge access and 5 points per dollar earned on airfare. If you're ready to upgrade to greater comfort in the skies, you'll find The Business Platinum Card® from American Express's benefits well worth the annual fee.
Read more in our Amex Business Platinum card review.
Amex Business Gold Cardholder Insights
In addition to summarizing our own analysis of the American Express® Business Gold Card's benefits, Business Insider's personal finance experts reviewed customer reviews from online forums like Reddit to see what everyday cardholders have to say about the card.
Many cardholders were unhappy about the 2024 annual fee rate increase and benefit changes, but some were able to find significant value in the updated perks such as Walmart+ membership credits. Others have been happy to earn elevated welcome offers on occasion.
Entrepreneurs with smaller businesses expressed concern about spending enough money to earn the welcome bonus. Others recommended paying business rent expenses on the card to help reach the required threshold.
Amex Business Gold Card Frequently Asked Questions
The Amex Business Gold Card is worth it for your business if you spend a lot of money each year on eligible expenses that earn 4 points per dollar (up to $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year, then 1 point). But if most of your spending is outside those categories, you may want to consider a different business card with bonus rewards for your biggest expenses.
Yes, it can be hard to get the Amex Business Gold Card if you don't have excellent credit. Amex looks at your credit score, income, and other factors when considering your application. You'll also need a business venture to be eligible for this small-business card, although it doesn't have to be a huge corporation or have a formal structure. Freelance work and side gigs like driving for Uber can all qualify you for a business card.
Your Amex Business Gold Card does not have a preset credit limit, which means the spending limit is flexible. The amount you can spend adapts based on your purchase, payment, and credit history.
Yes, the Amex Business Gold Card is made of metal.
No, the Amex Business Gold Card doesn't come with airport lounge access. If you want an Amex card with access to lounge networks like Amex Centurion Lounge, check out The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed This Card
We focused on the following factors when reviewing the Amex Business Gold Card:
- Ease of use — Does the card have a rewards program and benefits that are easy to use and navigate? Is it easy to redeem rewards?
- Rewards earning — If there's a welcome bonus, is it competitive with other cards? Are there ongoing bonus categories, and are any capped at a maximum spending amount?
- Benefits — Are the card's benefits useful, especially to business owners, and do they justify the card's annual fee if there is one?
- Annual fee — If the card has an annual fee, is it offset by the value of the rewards and perks it offers?
Read Business Insider's guide to how we rate cards for more details about our methodology.
