American Express Business Gold Card Review 2024

• American Express Business Gold Card Introduction
• American Express Business Gold Card Quick Facts
• What Is the American Express Business Gold Card Best For?
• American Express Business Gold Card Rewards
• Other American Express Business Gold Card Benefits
• Fine Print
• How To Maximize American Express Business Gold Card Rewards
• How the American Express Business Gold Card Stacks Up
• Is the American Express Business Gold Card for You?
• Methodology
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The American Express® Business Gold Card is a card apparently meant for high-spending small business owners who shop at Walmart and also get the munchies. With monthly credit toward a Walmart+ membership and up to $20 per month in credits on either FedEx, Grubhub or office supply store purchases with enrollment, Amex promotes the card as having more credits than the annual fee. However, this coupon-book approach to benefits requires more time and patience than most small business owners likely have.

This card earns a lucrative 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on the top two bonus categories, up to $150,000 annually. Points accrued can be redeemed for travel through American Express Travel or transferred to popular American Express airline and hotel partners like Delta Air Lines, British Airways and Marriott. You also get some travel protections with this card such as trip delay¹ and baggage insurance².

The card notably lacks an airport lounge benefit or primary car rental coverage that many cards in the same price range offer. So, the card will help you travel, but not necessarily in comfort or completely hassle-free.

The card has a welcome offer: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $10,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of opening an account. Employee cards cost $95 for the first five and $95 for each additional card thereafter. There are no foreign transaction fees.

• Annual fee: $375
• Welcome offer: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $10,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of opening an account
• This card is a pay-in-full card, not a credit card, meaning that it’s designed to be paid in full each month
• Earn 4 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on the 2 select categories where a business spends the most each month (up to $150,000 combined purchases per calendar year), 3 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on Amex Travel and 1 point per dollar is earned for other purchases
• Flexible redemption and points transfer options to more than 20 American Express partners
• Up to $240 annual flexible business credit for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub and office supply stores (enrollment required)

In addition to accelerated point earning through bonus categories, businesses receive benefits like car rental loss and damage insurance³, baggage insurance² and a Global Assist hotline⁴ to ensure their employees are covered while traveling for business. Note that the car insurance is secondary, not primary.

The card’s purchase protection⁵ and extended warranty⁶ can also help you quickly replace or repair your work devices after they’re lost, stolen or go on the fritz. This makes the Amex Business Gold a favorite within Forbes Advisor’s best credit cards for startups and new businesses and best business credit cards in general.

After you’ve learned everything that the American Express® Business Gold Card has to offer, you can compare it to other choices on our best business gas cards, best high-limit business credit cards and best American Express business credit cards lists.

Earning Rewards

The American Express® Business Gold Card earns 4 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on the 2 select categories where a business spends the most each month (up to $150,000 combined purchases per calendar year), 3 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on Amex Travel and 1 point per dollar is earned for other purchases.

Eligible 4-points-per-dollar bonus spending categories include:

• Transit purchases including trains, rideshare, ferries, tolls, parking, buses and subways
• U.S. advertising purchases in select media
• U.S. monthly cellphone services
• U.S. electronic store and cloud purchases
• U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
• U.S. purchases at gas stations

Note that only spending in the top two categories each month counts for the enhanced earning rate. If you spend heavily on advertising, restaurants and gas stations in the same month you’re out of luck. After $150,000 is spent on purchases in bonus categories each account anniversary year, cardholders will continue to earn at a rate of 1 point per dollar spent, with no maximum.

Eligible 3-points-per-dollar purchases include airline tickets and prepaid hotel stays booked through Amex Travel.

The Amex Business Gold also offers a welcome bonus of 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $10,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of opening an account.

Redeeming Rewards

Various options exist for redeeming rewards with the Amex Business Gold. Cardholders can redeem points for merchandise, gift cards or a statement credit on their bill at values typically less than one cent per point. Savvy cardholders will discover that redeeming Membership Rewards points for travel is typically the best use of points.

There are two ways to redeem points for travel as a cardholder. First, you can book travel, which includes airfare, hotels, cruises and more through American Express Travel using Membership Rewards® Pay with Points. Pay with Points requires a minimum redemption of 5,000 points.

The second, potentially more valuable option is the ability to transfer Membership Rewards points to one of Amex’s airline or hotel travel partners. Points can be transferred to over 15 airline partners including Delta, British Airways Avios, Air France-KLM Flying Blue and Virgin Atlantic FlyingClub. Hotel partners include Marriott, Hilton and Choice Hotels.

By transferring points, particularly to airlines, it’s possible to get elevated value versus paying cash or booking directly through American Express Travel using Membership Rewards. Remember to compare pricing between the Amex Travel portal and the number of points needed to redeem for the award ticket through the airline’s frequent flyer program.

Rewards Potential

To determine the rewards potential of the Amex Business Gold, we analyzed a small business based on a sole proprietorship with $118,438 in annual income and $39,337 in annual expenses that can reasonably be charged to a credit card.

Since rewards categories are dynamic, it’s reasonable to expect that half of a business’s $39,337 in expenses would fall into one of the top two categories that earn 4 points per dollar each month. We also expect that since this card earns rewards toward travel, this business would spend $8,573 a year in this category.

American Express® Business Gold Card Rewards Potential
Category	Earning Rate	Estimated Annual Spend	Estimated Annual Earnings
Bonus Category Spending	4X	$19,669	78,676
Amex Travel	3X	$8,573	25,719
Nonbonused spending	1X	$11,095	11,095
Total			115,490 Membership Rewards Points

See MoreSee Less

• Pay over time option. A flexible payment option (with interest) to help manage cash flow on eligible purchases.
• Cellphone protection.⁷ Pay your bill with the Amex Gold Business Card and you can be reimbursed for repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of two approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply.
• The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel. Spend at least two consecutive nights and earn $100 hotel credit and room upgrade upon arrival, if available.
• Car rental loss and damage insurance. Covers damage or theft to a rental vehicle when you use your card to reserve and pay for car rentals and decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver. This coverage is secondary to your existing policy.
• Baggage insurance plan. Protection for up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage when you purchase travel on a common carrier using your card.
• Amex Offers. Save money with targeted Amex offers available to cardholders using an enrolled Amex credit card.
• Purchase protection. Provides coverage up to $1,000 for items that are lost or stolen within 90 days of purchase.
• Extended warranty. Provides up to one additional year of coverage in addition to the original manufacturer’s warranty.

Interest Rates

• Regular APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable
• Purchase intro APR: N/A
• Balance transfer intro APR: N/A

Fees

• Annual fee: $375
• Balance transfer fee: N/A
• Foreign purchase transaction fee: None

Amex partners with over 15 airlines and three hotel chains you can transfer your Membership Rewards to. Most of them transfer at a 1:1 ratio, but some exceptions exist.

Airlines	Transfer Ratio	Hotels	Transfer Ratio
Aer Lingus	1,000 Points = 1,000 Avios	Choice Privileges	1,000 Points = 1,000 Choice Privileges®
AeroMexico	1,000 Points = 1,600 Premier Points	Hilton Honors	1,000 Points = 2,000 Hilton Honors Points
Aeroplan	1,000 Points = 1,000 Aeroplan® Points	Marriott Bonvoy	1,000 Points = 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points
Air France KLM	1,000 Points = 1,000 Flying Blue® Miles
ANA Mileage Club	1,000 Points = 1,000 ANA Mileage Club Miles
Avianca LifeMiles	1,000 Points = 1,000 LifeMiles
British Airways Executive Club	1,000 Points = 1,000 Avios
Cathay Pacific	1,000 Points = 1,000 Asia MilesTM
Delta Air Lines	1,000 Points = 1,000 miles
Emirates Skywards	1,000 Points = 1,000 Skywards Miles
Etihad Guest	1,000 Points = 1,000 Etihad Guest Miles
HawaiianMiles	1,000 Points = 1,000 HawaiianMiles®
Iberia Plus	1,000 Points = 1,000 Avios
JetBlue TrueBlue	250 Points = 200 TrueBlue points
Qantas Frequent Flyer	500 Points = 500 Qantas Points
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer	1,000 Points = 1,000 KrisFlyer® Miles
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club	1,000 Points = 1,000 Virgin Points

See MoreSee Less

American Express® Business Gold Card vs. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is equipped with an equally appealing reward structure, which can make it an attractive choice for small business owners. The card earns 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases, yet has a modest annual fee of $95.

Chase and American Express each maintain an impressive list of transfer partners. While Chase has fewer airline and hotel partners than Amex, some of Chase’s partners may be more useful for U.S.-based travelers, including Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and Hyatt.

Ink Business Preferred cardholders will receive 1.25 cents per dollar on travel redemptions booked through Chase Travel℠. Like the American Express® Business Gold Card, transferring points to transfer partners may result in higher value for those rewards.

Compare. American Express® Business Gold vs. Ink Business Preferred®

American Express® Business Gold Card vs. The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

It’s hard to beat the value and simplicity of a single card with generous earnings on all spending. The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (terms apply, see rates & fees) earns 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners up to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, then 1 point per dollar on all other purchases and carries no annual fee.

Small business owners with a limited amount of credit card spending or who spend primarily in categories that aren’t among the American Express® Business Gold Card’s bonus categories will probably do better with the Blue Business Plus card. But those whose business expenses are concentrated on advertising, gas, dining or technology would likely earn enough points to justify the annual fee on the American Express® Business Gold Card.

American Express® Business Gold Card vs. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, see rates & fees) is a premium card for business owners who want big perks and benefits. It offers narrower bonus-earning opportunities than the American Express® Business Gold Card, earning 5 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels through American Express Travel, 1.5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software and cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.

However, it packs a punch with travel perks such as Gold Elite status with Marriott and Hilton with enrollment, up to $200 in airline incidental credits on an eligible airline you choose each year, up to a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, airport lounge access at participating lounges and cellphone protection⁷ in exchange for a hefty $695 annual fee.

A company’s most frequent business expenses will determine the most profitable card when deciding between these two options. A frequent flyer who travels often for business and purchases flights may enjoy the perks and rewards afforded by The Business Platinum Card® from American Express while those wanting a card that earns a high rate on everyday business expenses may fare better with the American Express® Business Gold Card.

The American Express® Business Gold Card is a solid choice for businesses that can maximize the bonus categories on everyday business expenses and value earning travel rewards as Membership Rewards points. Just make sure you don’t assign value to the monthly credits this card offers unless they go toward purchases you already make.

Business owners who spend heavily in the bonus categories offered by the Amex Business Gold may earn enough rewards to offset the annual fee. However, those with high spending in other areas may be better served by a business credit card that offers different bonus categories or one that earns an elevated flat rate on every purchase. Those willing to spend this much on an annual fee might want to consider a premium business travel credit card instead.

Forbes Advisor considers a variety of criteria when assigning credit cards a rating. Cards are graded based on numerous factors, including:

• Annual fees
• Welcome bonus offers
• Ongoing earning rates
• Value of individual points or miles
• Included travel or merchant credits
• Additional cardholder benefits

Card features we expect cardholders to use the most often are weighted more heavily in our ratings. Altogether, the factors come together to provide a star rating for each individual card.

Read more: How Forbes Advisor rates credit cards

To view rates and fees for American Express® Business Gold Card please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page.
¹Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
²Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Eligible Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible Account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
³Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
⁴You can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
⁵When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase with their Eligible Card, Purchase Protection can help protect their Covered Purchases for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
⁶When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
⁷Coverage for a Stolen or damaged Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per Eligible Card Account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per Eligible Card Account per 12 month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.