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

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

American Express® Business Gold Card: Overview

annual interest rate

• introduce: not applicable
• Buy: 19.49%–27.49% variable (for time-payment transactions)
• Balance referral: not applicable
• Cash advance: not applicable
• punish: 29.99%

annual fee: $295 ($375 if application received on or after February 1, 2024)

Foreign Transaction Fees: 0%

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

Refund payment fees: $39

Unlike other rewards cards that issue maximum points for a single spending category, American Express® Business Gold Card Offers top rewards for your top two spending categories each billing cycle. The card also makes a great companion when flying, offering trip delay coverage, baggage insurance, an enhanced travel experience, and no foreign transaction fees.

While the card has an annual fee of $295, it may be worth it to become (and remain) a cardholder if you take advantage of the benefits.

American Express® Business Gold Card: Rewards

The Business Gold Card has a three-tier reward structure. What you will get:

• Earn 4x Membership Rewards® points in the 2 categories in which your business spends the most each billing cycle out of 6 qualifying categories. Each calendar year, you’ll earn 4x points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases in these categories (1x thereafter). Only the first 2 categories count toward the $150,000 cap each billing cycle.
• Earn 3x Membership Rewards® points when you book flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com with the Business Gold Card
• All other purchases earn 1x Membership Rewards® point

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

• Air tickets (directly from the airline)
• Shipping
• Dining room
• Gas station
• Advertising (online, radio or TV)
• Select a technology solution or provider

Generally, purchases must be made through a U.S. merchant. Once you earn 4x points on $150,000 worth of qualifying spend in a calendar year, you’ll earn 1x points on subsequent purchases.

Most account charges are eligible to earn bonus points. However, exceptions include:

• interest and fees
• prepaid card
• travel check

Does the American Express® Business Gold Card offer bonuses?

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

How to redeem American Express® Business Gold Card points

You can redeem your American Express® Business Gold Card There are many ways to earn points as a member. However, some redemption methods are more profitable than others, so compare your options carefully and note the applicable terms.

Pay with points

When you shop with merchant partners, your points pay for new purchases. You must use your card to purchase goods or services. Points will then be deducted from your Membership Rewards account and credited to your credit card account. When you redeem this way, each of your points can be worth as much as a penny.

You can also shop at MembershipRewards.com. However, when you use your points on this platform, each point is worth only half a penny.

Transfer points to travel partners

You’ll likely get the biggest points return when you transfer your points to your preferred hotel or airline loyalty program. Each point is worth at least a penny. If you frequently stay at a Hilton resort, each Membership Rewards point you earn will equal two Hilton Honors points.

Upgrade with points

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

Apply points to expenses

Your Membership Rewards points can reduce your credit card balance. However, each point is worth only six-tenths of a cent when you redeem it this way. Plus, you must have enough points to eliminate all charges on your account. You must also make the minimum payment within the same billing cycle because using points does not count as paying your bill.

Redeem gift card

Your Membership Rewards points can be redeemed for gift cards. Redemption rates for restaurant and retail gift cards can be closer to one cent per point. However, your points may be half as much as other gift card options.

extra benefits

In addition to bonus points for member purchases, the American Express® Business Gold Card has many other benefits, including:

• No preset spending limit: Your account does not have a scheduled credit limit. Instead, your spending limit fluctuates based on your account activity and credit profile.
• Pay over time: You can spread the payment for most purchases over multiple billing cycles if you stay under your stated installment credit limit. When you have a balance, you’ll pay interest on that amount. You must also pay off any amount not included in the overdue payment balance each month.
• 25% airline bonus: When you use Membership Rewards to pay with points through American Express Travel, you’ll earn two and a half points for every 10 points you redeem (up to a maximum of 250,000 points).
• Featured hotels: Enjoy special travel perks like room upgrades and up to $100 in experience credits on resort dining and activities.
• Global Assistance® Line: If you are experiencing an emergency and are more than 100 miles from home, contact American Express for medical, financial and legal assistance.
• Baggage insurance: If your baggage is damaged, stolen or lost, you may be reimbursed up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage (in addition to common carrier coverage).
• Trip delay insurance: If your round trip is delayed by more than 12 hours, you may be covered.
• Car rental loss and damage insurance: This coverage can assist if your rental vehicle is damaged or stolen.
• Extended warranty: Becoming a cardholder extends the original manufacturer’s warranty by up to one year.
• Purchase protection: If you purchase a new device that is stolen or accidentally damaged within 90 days of purchase, you may be eligible for up to $1,000 in damages.
• QuickBooks integration: You can connect your card to QuickBooks and your purchases will automatically be tagged to your preset expense categories.
• Staff Card: Give your employees free cards so they can earn points for your business.
• Account reminder: You’ll receive notifications when your bill is due or 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 build a company budget.
• Relationship Care® Services: If you have any questions or concerns about your Gold Card, please contact American Express 24/7.

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

If you want to use your card to accumulate generous rewards to cover everyday business expenses and enjoy a variety of travel benefits, the American Express® Business Gold Card may be right for you. Earning a welcome bonus of 70,000 points could net you $700 worth of rewards (assuming an exchange rate of 1 cent per point), which is more than paying back your $295 annual fee.

However, if your business doesn’t have a lot of expenses, it can be difficult to reach the spending threshold needed to earn a bonus. In this case, the card may not be worth the annual fee.

Credit cards like the American Express® Business Gold Card

If the American Express® Business Gold Card isn’t right, you have other options.

American Express® Business Green Rewards Card and American Express® Business Gold Card

The American Express Business Green Rewards Card is similar in some ways to the American Express® Business Gold Card. It has no preset spending limits, installment options (and accompanying annual percentage rates), and no foreign transaction fees.

However, its welcome bonus, reward structure, and annual fee have been scaled back. If you spend $3,000 within three months of opening your account, you’ll earn 15,000 bonus points. You can also earn 2x Membership Rewards points on amextravel.com flight and prepaid hotel bookings, and 1x points on all other qualifying purchases, with no upper limit. With an annual fee of just $95 after an introductory annual fee of $0 the first year, this card may be worth it if your business expenses are limited.

All information about the American Express Business Green Rewards Card is independently collected by: Wealth Recommendations™.

frequently asked questions

Is the American Express® Business Gold Card worth it?

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

What are the limits on the American Express Business Gold Card?

The American Express Business Gold Card has no preset spending limits. American Express allows your credit limit to fluctuate based on your credit rating and account history.

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

American Express offers no specific eligibility requirements for its credit cards. However, if you have good to excellent credit (credit score 670 or above), you are more likely to get a Business Gold Card.

Please note that card details are accurate as of the date of publication but may be changed by the card issuer at any time. Please contact your card issuer to verify rates, fees and offers before applying.

Terms apply to American Express card offers and offers. Certain American Express offers and offers may require registration. Please visit americanexpress.com for more information.

Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and restrictions apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by American Express Insurance Company.