Amex Business Gold Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
If you qualify for a business card, the American Express Business Gold is worth considering at the right time. Because American Express generally limits sign-up bonuses to once per lifetime, it’s usually best to wait for an elevated offer before applying. The $375 annual fee can be partially offset with the card's statement credits, but only if those are expenses you already have. Otherwise, the card can be difficult to justify as a long-term keeper.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The standard 100,000 point bonus after $15,000 in purchases within the first three months is solid, but we’ve seen higher public offers for the same spending requirement. Because of the Amex 1/7 Rule, it may be worth waiting for an elevated offer.
An elevated welcome offer alone can make the card worthwhile in the first year. Long-term value depends on how much use you get from the statement credits and spending multipliers:
- $300 annual ChatGPT Business credit (note that the business version requires a minimum of two users)
- $20 monthly credit for FedEx, Grubhub, or office supply stores
- $12.95 monthly Walmart+ credit
- 4x points in your top two eligible spending categories each billing cycle, on up to $150,000 in combined purchases annually
- There are six eligible spending categories for the 4x spending multiplier
- 3x on travel purchases booked through the Amex Travel portal
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
Some reasons this card might not be right for you include:
- You can’t organically spend $15,000 in the first three months to receive the sign-up bonus.
- You want to wait for an elevated sign-up bonus because of American Express’s 1/7 rule.
- You won’t use the statement credits for FedEx, Grubhub, office supply stores, or Walmart+ to offset the annual fee after the first year.
What to Know About Amex Membership Rewards
Amex points are great in theory. We just find them harder to collect and more expensive to hold than Chase points.
- If you’re in the points game long enough, you’ll dabble in both main systems (Chase & Amex).
- Amex has a one card bonus every 7 years rule, so ultimately, there will be more of a limit to how many you can collect via sign-up bonuses.
- There is only one no-fee card that allows you to earn and keep Membership Rewards points - the Blue Business Plus card.
- Delta and Hilton are solid transfer values and having Amex points gives you top-off flexibility if you are invested in either of those systems.
- We do find Amex travel a higher quality of service over the Chase travel portal.
How The Amex Business Gold Credit Card Fits In The Amex Membership Rewards Ecosystem
American Express offers several Membership Rewards cards worth comparing before applying for the Business Gold.
- American Express Business Platinum: Higher 200,000 point signup bonus and significantly more perks, but also a much higher $895 annual fee. Elevated offers on the Business Platinum can make the decision easier.
- Business Green: Generally not worth considering, as the low sign-up bonus and limited benefits do not justify the $95 annual fee.
- American Express Platinum: Comparable to the Business Platinum, with a $895 annual fee, a 150,000 point bonus, and a different mix of travel and lifestyle benefits.
- Personal Gold: Also worth considering, though as with most Amex cards, it’s usually best to wait for an elevated offer.
If you plan to collect multiple American Express personal cards, pay close attention to the Amex Family Rule. If you get the Platinum first, you won’t be eligible for the sign-up bonus on the Green or Gold later. To maximize bonuses, apply in the order of Green, then Gold, then Platinum, though many people skip the Green because of the low welcome offer, finding it doesn't justify a spot on their 5/24 list.
This rule does not apply to American Express business cards. If you start with the Business Platinum because of a strong offer, you can still earn the sign-up bonus on the Business Gold and/or Green later.
My Experience, No Filter
Neither my wife nor I could get approved for new Chase business cards, and we had already applied for most other recommended cards that weren’t co-branded airline or hotel cards. I received a targeted offer for the American Express Business Gold card with a sign-up bonus of 175,000 miles after spending $15,000 in the first three months. That amount was high for us, but we had a spring break trip and a large purchase coming up, so it worked out.
We’ve enjoyed the Walmart+ membership for free grocery delivery, which we use at least once per week. We haven’t maximized the $20 monthly credit because we rarely spend much at office supply stores or on DoorDash. We haven’t decided yet if we’ll keep the card after the first year, but the large sign-up bonus made it worthwhile for us initially.
Card Information
Differentiating Perks
Rules
Card Extras
No extras to display for this card.
Historical Card Offers
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Estimated Next Offer
Amex Business Gold Application Rules
This business card will not show on your personal credit report, so it won't count against your 5/24 status
Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule
Amex allows only 1 bonus per specific card every 7 years (yours or that version of the card)
After you apply, Amex may show a pop-up saying you're ineligible for the welcome bonus
