Best in Class
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Amex Business Gold Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
If you can qualify for a business card, you’ll want to add the American Express Business Gold at some point. Because American Express points are more expensive to hold, that timing should match a specific intended use. Since American Express uses a “once per lifetime” policy for sign-up bonuses, it’s best to wait for the right special offer. You can offset the $20/month credit on FedEx, Grubhub, or office supply stores and the $12.95/month Walmart+ membership credit against the $375 annual fee, but only if you already plan to spend that money. Otherwise, it’s tough to justify keeping the card long term.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The general sign-up bonus offer of 100,000 points after spending $15,000 in the first three months is okay, but there have been public offers as high as 100,000 points for the same spending requirement. You may want to hold out for an elevated offer to maximize your “once per lifetime” bonus—especially if there are other cards on your list you can still qualify for. Once you get the American Express Business Gold, its sign-up bonus alone can be worthwhile if you can meet the spending requirement naturally.
Whether you keep it beyond the first year depends on whether you already use the available credits. If so, those benefits can wipe out the $375 annual fee. Another major perk is 4x points in your top two eligible spending categories each month, on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories (there are six eligible categories). Those 4x points add to your total while you’re meeting your welcome bonus. However, once you meet the spending requirement for the sign-up bonus, you may move on to the next card and its sign-up bonus, making the 4x structure less valuable.
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 once per lifetime 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
The American Express Business Platinum offers a slightly higher sign-up bonus (200,000 points) and more perks, but it carries a $895 annual fee. Public offers for the Business Platinum have gone as high as 150,000 points, so keep that in mind. Meanwhile, the Green Business card isn’t worth mentioning beyond advising you not to get it—the low sign-up bonus and lack of benefits don’t justify its annual fee.
On the personal side, the American Express Platinum is comparable to the Business Platinum. It has the same high fee ($895) and a similar sign-up bonus (typically 175,000 points), with somewhat different benefits. The personal Gold card is also worth a look, but timing is crucial.
If you plan to collect multiple American Express personal cards, remember that if you get the Platinum first, you won’t be eligible for the sign-up bonus on the Green or Gold later. To get all three, apply in the order of Green, then Gold, then Platinum. This specific rule does not currently apply to American Express business cards. Therefore, if you start with the Business Platinum to take advantage of a great offer, you can still get the sign-up bonus on the Business Gold later (assuming the rule remains unchanged).
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
Bonus Points
100,000
Minimum Spend
$15,000 / 3mo
Point Value
1.55 ¢
Annual Value
Annual Fee
$375
1st Year Value
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Differentiating Perks
Unique 4X Spend Categories
Rules
Card Extras
Extra
Worth/Fit
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Total Annual Value
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Card Benefits
No benefits are available for this card.
Historical Card Offers
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Average Frequency
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Estimated Next Offer
Start Date
Offer Length
Bonus
Minimum Spend
Spend Categories
6.2¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
6.2¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
6.2¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
6.2¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
6.2¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
4.7¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
1.6¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
1.6¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
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
Point Transfer Options
+9 Lower Value Transfers Show
Ranking of Cards Offering Amex Membership Rewards
Downgrade Options
Amex Business Green
Amex Membership Rewards