AmEx Business Gold: Bonus Categories or Bust With This Pricey Business Card
The card automatically earns 4X points in categories where you spend the most. But the annual fee is hefty.
Overview
The bottom line:
The American Express® Business Gold Card's hefty annual fee is worth it if you spend a lot on advertising, gas or restaurants. But if you're looking for an everyday card for general spending, there are better options that are less expensive.
Credit card details
Annual fee
$375
Regular APR
18.24%-28.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
N/A
Rewards rate
1x-4x
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle 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. Terms Apply.
Points
Foreign transaction fee
0%
Intro offer
100,000
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. Terms Apply.
Points
Pros & Cons
Pros
Transfer partners
New cardholder bonus offer
High reward rate in bonus categories
Cons
High annual fee
Complicated rewards
Spending caps on bonus rewards
More details from American Express
- 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.*
- 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
If you’re looking for a business card to maximize rewards on specific business expenses, the American Express® Business Gold Card is a worthy contender.
The card delivers 4X points in your top two bonus categories each month (up to $150,000 in combined spending annually) and 1X points on all other purchases. Eligible bonus categories include: advertising, software, gas stations, restaurants, transit and wireless service (only purchases made in the U.S. qualify). Terms apply.
The smartest approach with the American Express® Business Gold Card is a deliberate one. Use it for only two of the previously mentioned categories each month to max out the highest-value rewards. Then, default to another business credit card
Do that and you could earn at least $6,000 worth of AmEx Membership Rewards points in a year. That would more than offset the card’s massive annual fee, which increased to $375 on February 1, 2024. Terms apply.
The American Express® Business Gold Card is best for small-business owners who:
- Want to maximize rewards earned on business expenses.
- Spend at least $150,000 annually on advertising, gas, restaurants, software, transit or wireless service (in the U.S.).
- Can pay the annual fee.
Want bonus points without the massive annual fee? The U.S. Bank Business Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Looking for an everyday business credit card? The Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card
» MORE: Best business gas credit cards
Key features of the American Express® Business Gold Card
To view rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, see this page
Card type: Small business
Annual fee: $375.
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. Terms Apply.
Rewards: Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle 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. Terms Apply.
The categories include:
- Advertising purchases for select media (online, TV and radio) at U.S. media providers.
- U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers, as well as software and cloud system providers.
- U.S. purchases at gas stations.
- U.S. purchases at restaurants (including takeout and delivery).
- Transit purchases, including rideshare, trains, taxis, ferries, parking, buses, tolls and subways.
- Monthly wireless phone charges made directly from a U.S. wireless phone service provider.
American Express Membership Rewards points are generally worth 0.5 cent to 1 cent apiece
Full list of AmEx transfer partners
Interest rate: Purchases made with the American Express® Business Gold Card are classified as either "Pay Over Time" or "Pay In Full":
- Pay Over Time: This is an optional feature that allows you to carry a balance from one month to the next. If you have this option activated, eligible purchases are automatically classified as Pay Over Time. The ongoing APR is 18.24%-28.99% Variable APR. Although the American Express® Business Gold Card does not have a preset spending limit, it does impose a limit on your Pay Over Time balance; any eligible purchases above that limit become Pay In Full. Terms apply.
- Pay In Full: These purchases must be paid off completely each month, so they do not incur interest. All purchases over your Pay Over Time balance limit are Pay In Full. If you choose not to use Pay Over Time, then all purchases are Pay In Full. Terms apply.
Foreign transaction fee: None.
Other perks:
- Earn up to $20 in statement credits each month 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.
- Monthly credit of up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes) for Walmart+ membership when paid for with your Business Gold Card.
Secondary rental car coverage - Terms and exclusions apply.
Why you might want the American Express® Business Gold Card
Your spending matches bonus categories
The main selling point of the American Express® Business Gold Card is its bonus categories: advertising, gas, restaurants, software, transit or wireless service (U.S. purchases only). You’ll earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined spending in your top two categories, which change automatically depending on where you spend the most each month.
If you spend a lot in any of those categories, this card can offer fantastic rewards. The operative term, however, is "a lot," as you'll have to spend $9,375 in 4X categories each year before you break even on the $375 annual fee.
But if you max out spending in the bonus categories, you could earn $6,000 worth of Membership Rewards points. Those points offer the most value when redeemed via AmEx Travel. Each point is worth 1 cent, but your AmEx points could be worth
» MORE: What are AmEx Points Worth?
Credit limit flexibility
Unlike other business cards, the American Express® Business Gold Card card lets you carry a balance for some purchases — but not all of them. Cardholders have a set limit for such Pay Over Time charges; however, you are also able to spend above that limit, provided you pay any additional charges off in full that billing cycle. (Terms apply.) This gives business owners much needed flexibility to pay for expenses as they arise, without worrying about maxing out their business card.
Why you might want a different card
High annual fee
If you like personalized rewards categories but aren’t keen on annual fees, consider the U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card
Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas and EV charging stations (transactions of $200 or less)*, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants (*excludes discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs). Earn 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases. Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Travel Center when using your card.
Spending doesn’t match bonus categories
It doesn't matter how generous a card's bonus categories are if they aren't in areas where you spend. If you want an all-around, easy-to-use travel credit card that rewards you on every purchase for a comparatively low annual fee, consider the Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Want an option that pays cash back? The Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card
Middling bonus offer for the price
The bonus offer on the American Express® Business Gold Card isn't bad — but it's not as big as one might hope for a card with such a high annual fee.
Chase's Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
A lack of premium travel perks
When the fee on a card tops $100, you start looking for premium perks like airport lounge access, automatic travel credits or reimbursements. Here, the American Express® Business Gold Card falls short.
For a similar annual fee ($395), the Capital One Venture X Business
Is the American Express® Business Gold Card right for you?
The American Express® Business Gold Card could be a points-earning bonanza for the right high-spending entrepreneur, with rewards categories automatically tailored to company expenses. But there are other business cards that offer bonus rewards categories or even customization for lower annual fees.
Terms, fees and disclaimers
To view rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, see this page this page
The information related to Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
For the American Express® Business Gold Card, no preset spending limit means your spending limit is flexible. Unlike a traditional card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history.
Insurance Benefit: Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance
- Car 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 - Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
The annual fee is $375. Terms apply.
Cardholders earn 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent in the two categories (from a list of six) where they spend the most each billing cycle. The 4X rewards apply to the first $150,000 per year in combined spending in the two monthly categories. Other spending earns 1 point per dollar. Terms apply.
The categories are: U.S. purchases for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio); U.S. purchases made directly from select technology providers of computer hardware, software and cloud solutions; U.S. purchases at gas stations; U.S. purchases at restaurants; monthly U.S. wireless service charges; and transit purchases.
Gold is better for business operators who spend heavily in select bonus categories, like on gas, advertising or at restaurants. Platinum is geared toward frequent business travelers who want VIP treatment. NerdWallet’s comparison
You’ll need at least good credit to qualify for the American Express® Business Gold Card. Generally speaking, “good credit” is defined as a score of at least 690. But a credit score alone isn’t enough to qualify for any credit card. Issuers take into account your income, existing debts and other information.
American Express® Business Gold Card began life as a charge card, meaning the balance had to be paid in full every month. However, cardholders are now able to carry a balance on certain purchases using American Express' "Pay Over TIme"