The American Express® Business Gold Card offers elevated bonus category rewards for businesses on expenses like advertising, shipping, travel, and more. But is the increased earning power worth the annual fee? This comprehensive Amex Business Gold Card review covers everything small business owners need to determine if it’s the right card for their company.
Introduction to the Amex Business Gold Card
The American Express Business Gold Card sits near the top of Amex’s lineup of small business credit cards, just below the premium Business Platinum Card. This card offers 4X points in your choice of bonus spending categories, with options tailored to business spending like advertising, shipping, and travel. The $295 annual fee is reasonable among premium business cards.
In this review, we’ll analyze the rewards structure, benefits, fees, and approval requirements to see if the Amex Business Gold Card aligns well with your business’ spending.
American Express Business Gold Card Quick Facts
- $295 annual fee
- 4X points in your choice of 2 categories
- 3X points on airline purchases directly from airlines
- 1X points on non-bonus purchases
- 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
Highlights
- Earn 4X points in your top 2 spending categories each month like advertising, shipping, gas, restaurants, and more
- 3X points on airfare purchased directly from airlines
- Valuable Membership Rewards point transfers
- Employee cards available at no extra cost
What Is the Amex Business Gold Card Best For?
The Amex Business Gold Card makes the most sense for:
- Businesses with significant expenses in the key bonus categories
- Companies with various business spending needs
- Businesses who can maximize Membership Rewards airline transfers
- Responsible cardholders who pay balances off monthly
This card aims to provide an elevated earn rate on common business expenditures. If your spending doesn’t align with the bonus categories, the annual fee may outweigh the rewards.
Amex Business Gold Card Rewards
Here’s how the Amex Business Gold Card earns points:
- 4X points in your choice of 2 select categories per billing cycle like advertising, gas, shipping, and more
- 3X points on flights booked directly from airlines
- 1X points on other purchases
There are no foreign transaction fees. You’ll earn 4X points internationally in your selected categories.
New cardholders can earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of card membership.
Earning Rewards
Select your two 4X point bonus categories each month from:
- U.S. purchases for advertising in select media
- U.S. purchases made directly from select technology providers
- U.S. purchases at gas stations
- U.S. purchases for shipping
- U.S. purchases at restaurants
Airfare purchased directly from airlines automatically earns 3X points. All other purchases earn 1X point per dollar.
Redeeming Rewards
You can redeem Membership Rewards® points for:
- Gift cards
- Travel
- Merchandise
- Events
- Donations
- Statement credits
Transfer points to airline/hotel partners to maximize value.
Rewards Potential
Based on your spending, you could potentially earn:
- 182,500 Membership Rewards® points or more in the first year from the welcome bonus and rewards earnings.
- Enough points for $1,825+ in airfare redemptions.
- Over $2,900 in value when transferring points to frequent flyer programs.
American Express Business Gold Card Benefits
Additional benefits of the card include:
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
- Employee cards at no extra cost
- Purchase protection and extended warranty
While limited, these benefits offset some of the annual fee alongside the rewards you can earn.
American Express Business Gold Card Fees
Besides the $295 annual fee, expect:
- No foreign transaction fees
- Balance transfer fee of 3% or $5 minimum
- Cash advance fee of 5% or $10 minimum
- Late payment fee up to $39
- Returned payment fee up to $39
As long as you pay your bill on time and in full, interest charges and fees can be avoided.
American Express Business Gold Card Requirements
As a premium business card, you’ll need good to excellent business credit for approval:
- Minimum 3 years in business recommended
- Good personal credit recommended
- Reported annual revenue of $250,000+
As an alternative, try the Amex Blue Business Plus® Card which has no annual fee and more accessible approval.
Compare the Amex Business Gold Card With Other Cards
The Amex Business Gold competes directly with other premium business card options like:
- Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card – 3X on travel, shipping, internet, etc. $95 annual fee.
- Capital One Spark Miles for Business – 2X flat-rate rewards. $95 annual fee waived the first year.
- Wells Fargo Business Platinum Card® – 1.5X rewards on eligible purchases. $0 annual fee.
For maximum perks and premium rewards, the Amex Business Platinum Card is a step up but has a $695 annual fee.
How To Maximize Amex Business Gold Rewards
Follow these tips to get the most value from the card:
- Select bonus categories each month that match your highest business expenses
- Put your advertising, shipping, restaurant, and travel expenses on the card
- Book flights directly with airlines for 3X points
- Transfer Membership Rewards® to airline partners to book award travel
- Use employee cards to earn points faster
- Pay your bill on time and in full each month to avoid interest
Amex Gold Transfer Partners
Transfer points to the following travel partners to maximize redemptions:
- Delta Air Lines
- British Airways Executive Club
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Air France KLM
- Emirates Skywards
- Etihad Guest
Always compare transfer rates to get the best return on your points.
Fine Print
Things to know about the Amex Business Gold Card:
- Credit approval required. Terms apply.
- High APR of 19.49% – 27.49% variable.
- Balance transfers and cash advances incur fees.
- Late and returned payment fees up to $39.
Review the rates and fees to fully understand costs before applying.
Compare American Express (Amex) Business Gold Card With Other Cards
The Amex Business Gold Card shines for:
- Valuable 4X rewards in customizable categories
- Lucrative 3X points on airfare purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
Downsides are the $295 annual fee and significant credit/revenue requirements for approval. But for businesses who can maximize bonus categories, it provides superb earnings potential.
Methodology
To determine if the Amex Business Gold Card fits your company, consider:
- Your highest monthly business spending categories
- Your travel and airfare expenses each year
- Your credit score and business revenue
- If you carry balances or pay in full each month
Crunching the numbers on potential rewards versus costs will clarify if it makes sense.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 4X points in your choice of 2 categories
- 3X points on airfare purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- $295 annual fee
- Requires good business credit for approval
- High interest rates and fees
For businesses optimized to take advantage of the bonus category opportunities and airline rewards, the pros likely outweigh the cons. But carefully evaluate your expenses first.
The Bottom Line
With the ability to earn elevated points on your top spending categories each month and flights, the American Express® Business Gold Card provides superb rewards potential for many companies. Just be sure your credit and finances meet the requirements first. Overall an excellent option among premium business credit cards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does the Amex Business Gold Card offer a welcome bonus?
Yes, new cardholders can earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $10,000 in the first 3 months of card membership.
What is the minimum credit score for approval?
You’ll need good to excellent business credit for approval. Aim for at least a 690 personal credit score.
Are there foreign transaction fees?
No, a benefit of the Amex Business Gold Card is no foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
Can employees get cards too?
Yes, employee cards are available at no extra cost for managing employee spending.
How are points redeemed?
Points can be redeemed for gift cards, travel, merchandise, donations, or transferred to airline/hotel partners.