MoneyGeek’s Take

American Express® Business Gold Card Review

Featuring a lucrative rewards system and plenty of business perks, the American Express® Business Gold Card is perfect for entrepreneurs and business owners who want to make the most out of their business expenses.

Advertising & Editorial DisclosureLast Updated: 3/13/2023
Reviewed By     |  
American Express® Business Gold Card

The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.

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.

The American Express® Business Gold Card offers one of the best and most flexible rewards systems for business owners, even with the $295 annual fee. Out of six bonus categories, you can earn 4X Membership Rewards points per $1 spent in the two categories where your business spends the most. This applies to the first $150,000 spent per calendar year and can adjust every billing cycle, giving you the flexibility to earn in different categories over time. On all other purchases, you earn one point per $1.

Card Details to Know Up Front
  • Bonus, Fee or Feature
    Has or Not
  • Has Annual Fee
  • Has Balance Transfer Offer
  • Has APR Offer
  • Cash Back Rewards
  • Travel Rewards
Click to see this card’s rates, fees and how they compare to other cards in our dataset.
OUR REVIEW AT A GLANCE

American Express® Business Gold Card at a Glance

Best suited for high-spending business owners, the Business Gold Card from American Express lets you maximize your purchases and benefit from a generous welcome bonus.


  • American Express® Business Gold Card

    A dynamic rewards card for high-spending business owners

    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
    • $295Annual Fee
    • 1–4 Points per $1Rewards Rate
    • 1xRewards Rate on TV, Phone, Internet Services
    • 4xRewards Rate on Gas
    American Express® Business Gold Card

    Terms, rates and fees apply

    Compare this credit card with other top-rated cards from our partners.

Pros & Cons Explained

The American Express® Business Gold Card benefits can be valuable for business owners who spend a lot in any of the six bonus categories. However, there are areas where the card could improve that are worth noting.

Pros

  • Benefits
    Description
  • Attractive Rewards
    Get 4X points for every $1 in two business categories you spend the most in. This includes purchases from the following categories: airfare purchased directly from the airline, gas stations, restaurants, advertising in select media and purchases from select technology providers.
  • Sizable Welcome Bonus
    If you spend $10,000 within the first three months upon account opening, you get 70,000 Membership Rewards points.
  • Versatile Point Usage
    The American Express Membership Rewards can be transferred to a variety of hotels and airlines thanks to the company’s partnerships. Points can also be used for statement credit, select merchant checkouts or even your next flight.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fee
    Frequent fliers can use the Business Gold Card from American Express to pay for their purchases abroad, as the card has no foreign transaction fees.
  • No Preset Limits
    There is no preset credit limit on this card, but it does change based on your spending habits and credit history.

Cons

  • Drawbacks
    Description
  • High annual fee
    In exchange for the high rewards rate, the Business Gold Card has an annual fee of $295. This may seem steep, but if the card is used wisely and you spend at least $305 per month in your 4X categories, you can easily recoup the cost.
  • No elite travel benefits
    For all that it offers in travel rewards, this card does not offer any airport lounge access or elite status.
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LOOKING FOR THE BEST CREDIT CARDS OF 2022?

The benefits of the American Express® Business Gold Card earned it a place in our best travel cards list. Take a look at other cards suited for travel to see if they are preferable for your spending habits.

Bonuses & Rewards Explained

The American Express® Business Gold Card is loaded with a bonus rewards system and perks suited for business owners with significant expenses or frequent flyers.

1

Welcome Bonus

Earn 70,000 points if you spend $10,000 within the first three months upon account opening.

2

Dynamic Rewards Structure

The Business Gold Card from American Express has six categories where you can earn 4X points from any two you spend the most on. Categories include airfare purchased directly from the airline, gas stations, restaurants, advertising in select media, shipping and services from select technology providers. This is up to a limit of $150,000 per calendar year, then all remaining purchases get 1X in points. All other purchases outside of the bonus categories also get 1x points.

3

Amex Travel

You can offset travel costs by booking through the Amex Travel portal. Using your points through the Pay With Points feature grants you 1.25¢ per point (which includes a 25% bonus) for all flights on a single carrier of your choosing. The 25% points rebate can still apply to other carriers, but only for business and first-class tickets.

4

The Hotel Collection

Get access to the Amex Hotel Collection. This gives you $100 in room credit and an upgrade (if available) if you’re staying at a partner hotel for more than two nights and booked it through American Express Travel.

Other Features Explained

There are more American Express® Business Gold Card benefits beyond its unique rewards structure. These other features work behind the scenes to provide you with an overall great experience.

  • Card Feature
    Description
  • 24/7 Customer Service
    If you come across an issue with your credit card, you can call American Express any time, anywhere. They have a dedicated hotline for fraud, a customer service chat through their online portal and mobile app and a customer service hotline for all other inquiries.
  • Car Rental and Travel Protection
    American Express cardholders get secondary car rental loss and damage insurance, trip delay insurance and baggage insurance.
  • Pay Over Time
    Eligible cardholders can get help paying for significant purchases over $100.
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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

"The Hotel Collection is an underutilized benefit that has the potential for incredible travel redemptions and upgrades in luxury hotels around the world. Be sure to take advantage of this benefit on the Amex Business Gold Card." — Alene Laney, Credit Card Journalist

Understanding the Fine Print

Given the hefty annual fee, it’s important to understand all the fees involved with the American Express Business Gold Card.

  • Card Feature
    Amount or Rate
  • APR
    18.74% – 26.74% Variable
  • Annual Fee
    $295
  • Cash Back Rewards
  • Rewards Rate
    1–4 Points per $1
  • Airline Benefits
  • fairCredit icon

    Regular APR

    All purchases have a variable APR of 18.74% – 26.74%, which is based on your creditworthiness and the market’s prime rate. Purchases under $100 have to be paid in full the following payment period, while those above $100 can go through the Pay Over Time program for a flexible payment program.

  • coins2 icon

    Penalty Fees

    If you pay past your due date, a fee of $39 or 2.99% applies, whichever is greater. Returned payments also get a flat fee of $39.

  • rewards icon

    Rewards Rate

    Get four Membership Rewards points for every $1 spent in two bonus categories you spend the most in each billing period. This is capped at $150,000 per year across all categories. All other purchases not part of your top two categories get the base rate of one point per dollar. You can earn 4X the rewards from two of the six categories:

    • Airfare purchased directly from the airline
    • Advertising from select media
    • Gas stations
    • Restaurants
    • Shipping expenses
    • Hardware, software and cloud purchases
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WHERE TO FIND THIS INFORMATION?

Business owners who want to compare the American Express® Business Gold Card against other business cards should take a look at the rewards rate and the additional perks included. Look at how many points you can earn per dollar and try to maximize your points according to your financial spending habits. You can find this information on the card issuer’s website or the credit card agreement database maintained by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Who Should & Shouldn’t Consider American Express® Business Gold Card?

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Other Considerations for American Express® Business Gold Card

The benefits of the Business Gold Card are best for business owners who spend significantly in at least one of the six categories. Ultimately, however, your financial situation and habits will dictate whether or not this card is right for you.

Things to Consider if This Will Be Your First or Only Credit Card

While the Business Gold Card’s rewards are appealing, qualifying for it can be difficult. Applicants must have a credit score above 660 to have a chance at approval. Not to mention, the high annual fee makes it vital for cardholders to offset costs by taking advantage of the rewards system. This can be difficult for small business owners who don’t have significant costs, as you must spend at least $2,000 per month in any of the bonus categories to benefit from the card.

Things to Consider if This Will Be an Additional Card in Your Wallet

It’s important to keep in mind the card’s high annual fee when deciding if the Business Gold Card will be an addition to the cards in your business wallet. Ensure that you can reap the rewards and balance the costs between cards as much as possible. Otherwise, you may be better off with a rewards card that has no annual fees.

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WHY TRUST OUR REVIEWS

MoneyGeek’s American Express® Business Gold Card review follows a six-step process used in all our credit card reviews. This involves gathering all the information on the card and standardizing data points to make it easier for comparison. We then estimate average spending profiles and factor in any introductory or welcome bonuses, all of which lets us establish the three-year value of the card. Monthly re-rankings are conducted in order to factor in any new offers or bonuses.

How American Express® Business Gold Card Compares to Other Cards

The Business Gold Card from American Express holds its own given its dynamic rewards structure. However, those looking for more travel perks may find that other cards have better payouts. When it comes down to it, how this card compares against others will depend on the financial situation and needs of each business.

In-Depth Credit Card Comparisons:
Quick Comparison of American Express® Business Gold Card
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American Express® Business Gold Card

  • Rewards Rate: 4X Membership Rewards per $1 on two bonus categories for the first $150,000 spent on eligible purchases per calendar year, 1X on everything else
  • APR: 18.74% – 26.74% variable
  • Annual Fee: $295
  • Welcome Bonus: 70,000 points after spending $10,000 within the first three months
  • Mini Verdict: Best for businesses with high spending in specific categories
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The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

  • Rewards Rate: 2x Membership Rewards Points per $1 for the first $50,000 spent per year then 1x points per $1
  • APR: 17.74% – 25.74% variable
  • Annual Fee: None
  • Welcome Bonus: Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards points if you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months.
  • Mini Verdict: Best for businesses with average spending across all categories

Other Helpful Decision-Making Q&As

The American Express® Business Gold Card benefits are appealing — but this card isn’t for everyone. Below are a few frequently asked questions that can help business owners determine whether this card is for them.

Still not sure about this card? Consider these options.

The benefits that come with the Business Gold Card are appealing. It’s a solid choice for business owners who spend a lot in at least one of their six bonus categories — but it’s not a card for everyone. With such a high annual fee, smaller businesses may opt for a different business card with no annual fees or more bonus categories. To find one that suits you, check out MoneyGeek’s list of best credit cards for small businesses today.

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*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
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