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How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
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Advertising Disclosure

LendingTree is an advertising-supported comparison service. The site features products from our partners as well as institutions which are not advertising partners. While we make an effort to include the best deals available to the general public, we make no warranty that such information represents all available products. We are compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order).
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American Express Disclosure
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

American Express Disclosure

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

American Express® Business Gold Card Review

Updated on:
Content was accurate at the time of publication.
LendingTree's Review

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Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.
4.3
American Express<sup>®</sup> Business Gold Card
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.*
Rewards Rate
Get 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 eligible categories where your business spent the most each month on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). 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. Terms apply.
Extra Perks
No foreign transaction fees & many helpful business tools*
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It was not reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This site may be compensated through a credit card issuer partnership.

The information related to the American Express® Business Gold Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.

Key Takeaway

If you’re a small business owner who wants to earn a generous amount of Membership Rewards® points in the categories you spend the most in each month, the American Express® Business Gold Card is a great option — even with its $375 annual fee.

Is the American Express® Business Gold Card worth it?

If your business spending fluctuates from month to month, the American Express® Business Gold Card is a standout card, since it automatically lets you earn the highest rewards rate in the top two categories you spend the most in each month.

This card does come with a $375 annual fee; however, the value you can get from its welcome offer, rewards rate and benefits can more than make up for that amount each year.

We highlight the pros and cons of the American Express® Business Gold Card, and compare it to The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card with no annual fee to help you determine which card is the right fit for you.

*To see rates & fees for American Express® Business Gold Card, please click here.
*To see rates & fees for The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, please click here.

American Express® Business Gold Card overview

    • 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.*
    • 0% Intro APR ¤ for 6 months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time, then a 18.99% to 27.99% variable APR.*
    • 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 now comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and Limited Edition White Gold. White Gold design is only available while supplies last. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
    • *Terms Apply
  • Recommended Credit
    Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion
  • 660 720 850
    Good / Excellent
  • Extended warranty1
  • Purchase protection1
  • Amex Offers (enrollment required)
  • American Express Experiences
  • American Express Preferred Seating
  • Free employee cards

Intro Purchase APR

0% on purchases for 6 months from date of account opening

Regular Purchase APR

18.99% - 27.99% Variable

Intro BT APR

N/A

Regular BT APR

N/A

Annual Fee

$375

Cash Advance Fee

N/A

Foreign Transaction Fee

None

Balance Transfer Fee

N/A

Pros and cons

  • Generous rewards on your top spending categories
  • Solid welcome offer
  • 25% airline bonus
  • Foreign transaction fee: None
  • No preset spending limit
  • Pricey annual fee
  • High spend requirement to earn welcome offer
  • 4X points categories may not fit spending habits
  • Can’t carry a balance on some purchases

What we like about the American Express® Business Gold Card

  • Generous rewards on your top spending categories

    When you use the American Express® Business Gold Card, you’ll get 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 eligible categories where your business spent the most each month on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). 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. Terms apply.

    The 4X bonus categories include the following:

    • Purchases at U.S. media providers for select advertising (online, TV, radio)
    • Purchases made from U.S. electronic goods retailers and software and cloud system providers
    • U.S. restaurant purchases, including takeout and delivery
    • U.S. gas station purchases
    • Transit purchases (including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses and subways)
    • Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a U.S. service provider

    Note that the elevated rate only applies to the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases from the two categories each calendar year (1X Membership Rewards points on all other purchases). Still, if you max out the spending cap, you can earn 600,000 points per year on those purchases.

  • Solid welcome offer

    You’ll 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.* If you use your Membership Rewards points to book flights through the Amex Travel portal, they’ll be worth 1 cent each – making the welcome offer worth $1,000. Points can also be redeemed for other travel, gift cards or merchandise, or used to cover your card charges — but often for less value.

    You can typically squeeze the most value from your Membership Rewards points by transferring them to one of American Express’s travel partners, largely at a rate of 1 to 1. Partners include British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Marriott Bonvoy and more.

  • Foreign transaction fee: None

    While many credit cards charge foreign transaction fees ranging from around 3% to 5% of the amount of each transaction when you make purchases outside of the U.S., the American Express® Business Gold Card doesn’t. This makes the card ideal to bring along when traveling abroad.

  • 25% airline bonus

    When you use your American Express® Business Gold Card to book an eligible flight through American Express Travel using Membership Rewards® Pay with Points, you’ll get 25% of your points back — up to a maximum of 250,000 points per calendar year.

    Plus, enjoy the following travel benefits:

    • Baggage insurance plan1
    • Global Assist® Hotline when traveling more than 100 miles from home2
    • Trip delay insurance3
    • Car rental loss and damage insurance4
    • Up to $100 experience credit for qualifying dining, spa and resort activities when you book a participating property in The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel and stay at least two consecutive nights

  • No preset spending limit

    Unlike most credit cards, which have a set credit limit you have to keep your spending within, the American Express® Business Gold Card has no preset spending limit. Now, that doesn’t mean you can spend an unlimited amount with this card — rather, the limit is flexible and adapts based on factors like your credit history and your purchase and payment history.

What to look out for with the American Express® Business Gold Card

  • Pricey annual fee

    With an annual fee of $375, the American Express® Business Gold Card won’t be cheap to carry. And while the welcome bonus can more than make up for that amount during the first year of card membership, you’ll have to spend at least $9,375 per year after that in categories that earn 4X points to recoup the annual fee (assuming you redeem those points for a 1-cent value each).

    If you don’t plan on spending enough to justify the annual fee, you may want to consider a no annual fee card, like The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card. Just know that rewards cards with no annual fee often offer lower rewards rates and less robust benefits than those that do charge one.

    *To see rates & fees for The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, please click here.

  • High spend requirement to earn welcome offer

    To earn this card’s welcome offer, you’ll need to spend $15,000 in the first three months of card membership. This equals out to approximately $5,000 per month for three months.

    If you’re planning to spend heavily on the card during the first three months, the welcome offer can be easily attainable. But if your business operates on a smaller scale, you may want to consider a card that requires a lower spend to earn the welcome offer.

  • Bonus categories may not align with your spending

    If your spending fits well within the six categories that can potentially earn the 4X rewards rate, the American Express® Business Gold Card can be a great choice. But if you spend more in other categories — such as hotels, grocery stores, commuting or online purchases — a card that offers accelerated rewards on those purchases will likely serve you better.

  • Can't carry a balance on some purchases

    With the American Express® Business Gold Card, you can only carry a balance from month to month on certain charges through its Pay Over Time option. This feature lets you pay for eligible purchases of $100 or more over time with interest; however, you’ll still be responsible for paying the remainder of your purchases in full at the end of each billing cycle.

    Note that enrollment for Pay Over Time is required, and you’ll accrue interest charges on all eligible purchases if you choose to carry a balance.

    If you want to finance a large purchase and pay it off over time interest-free, you should instead consider a card that offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for a year or longer. The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, for example, comes with a 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months, after which an APR of 18.49% to 24.49% Variable applies.

Alternate cards to the American Express® Business Gold Card

American Express® Business Gold Card vs. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

| Disclosures
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
apply-now-icon Apply Now
on American Express's secure site
Rates & Fees
| Terms Apply
N/A
18.99% - 27.99% Variable
$695
5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and
  • Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
  • Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
  • Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card®, here.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
  • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card®.
  • The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
  • $695 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
660 720 850
Good / Excellent

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

 

If you’re a business owner who travels frequently and doesn’t mind paying a much heftier price tag for more premium travel benefits, such as airport lounge access, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express will be a better fit.

You’ll earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Plus, get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases. Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.

This card does charge a high annual fee of $695, but if you take advantage of its valuable travel benefits and credits, you can more than make up for that amount each year. Along with access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection® and a 35% airline bonus, this includes:

  • Up to $400 annual Dell Technologies credit*
  • Up to $360 annual Indeed credit*
  • Up to $200 annual airline fee credit*
  • Up to $199 annual CLEAR® Plus credit*
  • Up to $150 annual Adobe credit*
  • Up to $120 annual wireless credit*
  • Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fee credit*
*Enrollment required for these benefits.
*To see rates & fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.

American Express® Business Gold Card vs. The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

| Disclosures
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
apply-now-icon Apply Now
on American Express's secure site
Rates & Fees
| Terms Apply
0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
17.99% - 25.99% Variable
No annual fee
Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000
  • Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
  • 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.99% - 25.99%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
  • Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
  • From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
  • Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Terms Apply.
660 720 850
Good / Excellent

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

 

If the earning categories for the American Express® Business Gold Card don’t match your spending habits, and you don’t plan to take advantage of premium travel benefits, a no annual fee business card — like The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card — may be better suited for your needs.

The card offers a solid earning rate on every purchase: Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% If you max out the annual $50,000 spending cap, you can earn $1,000 in cash back on those purchases each year.

If you need to finance a big purchase, this card offers an introductory APR of 0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening (then 17.99% - 25.99% Variable APR), unlike the American Express® Business Gold Card and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.

*To see rates & fees for The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, please click here.

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

If you spend thousands of dollars each year on business expenses that fit into the American Express® Business Gold Card’s offered bonus categories — and you take advantage of the card’s travel benefits — you stand to get a lot of value from the card, even with its $375 annual fee.

But if you want access to even more luxurious travel benefits and credits that can be worth more than $1,400 per year, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express may be a better fit.

Or, if you want to earn a solid cash back rate on all of your business expenses, but you aren’t ready to commit to paying an annual fee each year, The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card may be preferable.

apply-now-icon Apply Now
on American Express's secure site
Rates & Fees
|Terms Apply
1. 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.
2. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
3. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
4. 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. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

To see rates & fees for American Express cards mentioned on this page, visit the links provided below:

The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.