American Express® Business Gold Card review: generously monthly rewards in your top two spending categories

To view rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, see this page.

American Express® Business Gold Card: Overview

APR

• Intro: N/A
• Purchase: 19.49%–27.49% variable (for Pay Over Time transactions)
• Balance transfer: N/A
• Cash advance: N/A
• Penalty: 29.99%

Annual fee: $295 ($375 if application is received on or after 2/1/24)

Foreign transaction fee: 0%

Late payment fee: $39 or 2.99% of any past due Pay in Full amount, whichever is greater

Returned payment fee: $39

Unlike other rewards cards that dole out the maximum points for a single spending category, the American Express® Business Gold Card gives you the highest rewards for your top two spending categories each billing cycle. The card can also be an excellent jet-setting companion, featuring trip delay insurance, baggage insurance, access to enhanced travel experiences, and no foreign transaction fee. 

While the card does have a $295 annual fee, becoming (and remaining) a cardholder could be well worth it if you take full advantage of the perks.

American Express® Business Gold Card: Rewards

The Business Gold Card has a three-tier rewards structure. You’ll earn:

• 4x Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories. 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.
• 3x Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card
• 1x Membership Rewards® points on all other purchases

There are six business spending categories that qualify for 4x Membership Rewards points:
 

• Airfare (direct from the airline)
• Shipping
• Restaurants
• Gas stations
• Advertising (online, radio, or TV)
• Select technology solutions or providers

Generally, purchases must be made through U.S.-based merchants. Once you’ve earned 4x points on $150,000 worth of qualifying expenses in a calendar year, subsequent purchases will earn 1x points.

Most account charges qualify to earn reward points. However, exceptions include:

• Interest and fees
• Prepaid cards
• Travelers checks

Does the American Express® Business Gold Card offer a bonus?

The American Express® Business Gold Card offers 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.

How to redeem American Express® Business Gold Card points 

You can redeem your American Express® Business Gold Card Membership Rewards points in several ways. However, certain redemption methods are more lucrative than others, so compare your options carefully and note that terms apply..

Pay with points

Your points can defray the cost of a new purchase when you shop with a merchant partner. You’ll have to use your card to buy the item or service. Then, the points will get deducted from your Membership Rewards account and applied to your credit card account. Each of your points may be worth up to one cent when you redeem them this way.

You can also shop on MembershipRewards.com. However, when you use your points on this platform, they’ll only be worth half a cent apiece.

Transfer points to travel partners

You may get the greatest return on your points when you transfer them to your preferred hotel or airline loyalty program. Each point will be worth at least one cent. If you frequently stay at Hilton resorts, each of your Membership Rewards points will be worth two Hilton Honors points.

Upgrade with points

Your points can get you a better seat on your next flight if you offer some of them to your preferred airline. If the airline accepts your offer, you’ll use your card to pay for the seat upgrade. Then, American Express will deduct the Membership Rewards points you offered and apply them to your Business Gold account.

Apply points to charges

Your Membership Rewards points can reduce your credit card balance. However, each point is only worth six-tenths of a cent when you redeem them this way. Plus, you must have sufficient points to erase an entire charge on your account. You’ll also have to make your minimum payment during the same billing cycle, as applying your points doesn’t count as paying your bill.

Redeem for gift cards

Your Membership Rewards points are redeemable for gift cards. You may get nearly a one-cent per point exchange rate on dining and retail gift cards. However, your points may only go half as far for other gift card options.

Additional benefits

The American Express® Business Gold Card features many other benefits besides Membership Rewards points for purchases, including:

• No preset spending limit: Your account has no predetermined credit limit. Instead, your spending cap fluctuates based on your account activity and credit profile.
• Pay Over Time: You can split up payments for most purchases over multiple billing cycles if you stay under your stated Pay Over Time credit limit. When you carry a balance, you’ll pay interest on that amount. You’ll also have to pay off any amount not included in your Pay Over Time balance each month.
• 25% airline bonus: Get two and a half points for every ten points (up to 250,000 points) you redeem for eligible flights when you use your Membership Rewards to Pay with Points through American Express Travel.
• The Hotel Collection: Enjoy special travel perks like room upgrades and up to $100 experience credits for dining and activities at participating resorts.
• Global Assist® Hotline: If you have an emergency and are 100+ miles from home, contact American Express for medical, financial, and legal assistance.
• Baggage insurance: If your luggage gets damaged, stolen, or lost, you may get up to $1,250 for your carry-on and up to $500 for your checked baggage (in excess of the common carrier coverage).
• Trip delay insurance: You may be covered if your roundtrip journey gets delayed for over 12 hours.
• Car rental loss and damage insurance: This coverage can help if your rental vehicle gets damaged or stolen.
• Extended warranty: Being a cardholder may prolong your original manufacturer’s warranty by up to an additional year.
• Purchase protection: If you buy a new gadget that gets stolen or accidentally damaged within 90 days of purchase, you may qualify to receive up to $1,000 to cover the loss.
• QuickBooks integration: You can connect your card to QuickBooks, and your purchases will get automatically tagged with your preset expense categories.
• Employee cards: Give your employees free cards and let them earn points for your business.
• Account alerts: Receive notifications when your bill is due or if there’s any suspicious or unusual activity on your account.
• Account statements and year-end summary: Analyze account statements and summaries to understand your spending and create company budgets.
• Relationship Care® Service: Contact American Express 24/7 with questions or concerns about your Gold Card.

Is the American Express® Business Gold Card right for you?

If you want to accumulate a significant amount of rewards for using your card to cover regular business expenses and enjoy various travel benefits, the American Express® Business Gold Card may be right for you. Earning the welcome bonus of 70,000 points could net you $700 worth of rewards (assuming a one-cent per point exchange rate), more than reimbursing you for the $295 annual fee. 

However, if your business doesn’t have a lot of expenses, reaching the spending threshold required to earn that bonus may be challenging. In that case, the card may not be worth the annual fee.

Credit cards similar to the American Express® Business Gold Card

You have other options if the American Express® Business Gold Card isn’t the right fit. 

The American Express® Business Green Rewards Card vs. the American Express® Business Gold Card

The Business Green Rewards Card from American Express is similar to the American Express® Business Gold Card in a few ways. It features no preset spending limit, the Pay Over Time option (and the accompanying APR), and no foreign transaction fees. 

However, it has a scaled-down welcome bonus, rewards structure, and annual fee. If you spend $3,000 within three months of opening your account, you’ll earn 15,000 bonus points. You’ll also earn 2x Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com and 1x the points on all other eligible purchases, with no earning cap. After a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, the annual fee is just $95, making the card potentially worthwhile if you have limited business expenses.

All information about the Business Green Rewards Card from American Express has been collected independently by Fortune Recommends™.

Frequently asked questions

Is the American Express® Business Gold Card worth it?

The American Express® Business Gold Card may be worth it if the account’s reward structure and perks outweigh its annual fee. You should carefully review your spending and the card’s benefits to see if you’d come out ahead.

What is the limit on the Amex Business Gold Card?

The Amex Business Gold Card doesn’t have a preset spending limit. American Express allows your credit line to fluctuate based on your credit rating and account history.

What are the requirements for an American Express® Business Gold Card?

American Express doesn’t offer specific eligibility requirements for its credit cards. However, you’re more likely to qualify for the Business Gold Card if you have good to excellent credit (670+ credit score).

Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

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.