American Express Business Gold Card Review: 4x Points & More

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There are very few premium business cards that can be of use when in the office and out and about. One of them is the American Express® Business Gold Card. If you are looking for a way to maximize your travel and daily business purchases, this might be your card. This American Express Business Gold review will help you decide if the Business Gold is worth owning.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

American Express Business Gold Review

The American Express Business Gold has a $295 annual fee ($375 if the application is received on or after 2/1/24; See Rates & Fees) which might make you wince at first. But before you dismiss it, know that there might be perks that benefit you and will be worth the fee. This card can be a good option if you have large monthly expenses and plan on redeeming your rewards points for award travel.

Welcome Offer

New American Express® Business Gold Card cardholders can earn 70,000 points after spending $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

Additionally, cardholders can choose between Gold or a Rose Gold Card, which was previously only available for consumer cardholders.

Earning Membership Rewards

The main reason to consider applying for the Business Gold is for flexible ways to earn and redeem rewards points. Every purchase earns American Express Membership Rewards points which are some of the most valuable card points available.

Pro Tip: If you’re looking for ways to earn travel rewards, check out our guide to the best rewards credit cards. You’ll find flexible, airline, hotel, cash back, and business credit cards that can help you reach your travel goals quickly.

Your first $150,000 in combined annual spending earns 4 Membership Rewards per $1 on the 2 categories in which your business spent the most each billing cycle, then 1x point. Only the top two categories in each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap. Categories include:

• U.S. purchases at electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
• Monthly wireless telephone service charges that are made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
• Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshares, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
• Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online, TV, and radio)
• U.S. purchases at gas stations
• U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery

Additionally, American Express Travel purchases through amextravel.com will now earn 3x points per $1.

All annual spending above $150,000 for the bonus categories and all non-bonus spending earns an unlimited 1x point per $1.

American Express Business Gold Review: Redeeming Points

Redeeming miles is fairly simple (as is exemplified in our redeeming Capital One Venture miles guide). With the American Express Business Gold card, your points are most valuable when redeeming for award flights. You can also book other types of award travel or cash rewards. However, your points will most likely be worth less than 1 cent each.

1:1 Point Transfers

Another main reason to get the American Express® Business Gold Card is the Membership Rewards airline and hotel transfer partners. It’s possible to transfer your points on a 1:1 basis to many of the best domestic and international frequent flyer programs.

Transferring points requires a little more effort, but you can get more value from each point. You might consider booking directly through the carrier when each point is worth more than 1.25 cents each. This can be easier than you think for most airlines if you have flexible travel dates.

Here are the American Express Membership Rewards travel partners:

• Aer Lingus
• Aeromexico
• Air Canada
• Air France
• Alitalia
• ANA
• Asia Miles
• Avianca
• British Airways
• Delta Air Lines
• El Al Israel Airlines
• Emirates
• Etihad
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Iberia
• JetBlue
• Qantas
• Singapore Airlines
• Virgin Atlantic Airways
• Choice Privileges
• Hilton Honors
• Marriott Bonvoy

You can find good value by booking flights operated through these airlines (side note that Hawaiian Airlines Credit Cards and Avianca LifeMiles Credit Cards each currently have their own limited-time offers with high mile-earning opportunities). Another way to save points is by booking partner flights.

For instance, you can book a United Airlines partner flight through Singapore Airlines to Hawaii for 35,000 points roundtrip. Booking directly through United costs you 45,000 miles. You might also notice that United isn’t an Amex transfer partner, so this is a backdoor way to fly on United with Membership Rewards.

Another option is transferring your miles to British Airways. Short-haul flights in Europe and Asia start at 4,000 Avios. You can also book partner flights on American Airlines starting at 7,500 points for flights less than 500 miles when Delta isn’t a good redemption option for your destination.

American Express Business Gold Review: Additional Benefits

You will need to get the American Express Business Platinum Card if you want perks like an up to $200 airline fee credit (enrollment required) or airport lounge access. But you can still enjoy several travel protection benefits with the Amex Business Gold, as exemplified below.

Premium Roadside Assistance

This is one of the few cards that offer free roadside assistance up to four times a year. You get complimentary tows up to 10 miles, battery jumpstarts, and flat tire service.

Baggage Insurance

Lost, damaged, or stolen luggage is eligible for $1,250 in carry-on baggage and $500 in checked baggage reimbursement. These benefits can be in addition to any compensation the airline gives you. You will need to book your entire ticket with the Business Gold Card to qualify for the Amex baggage insurance plan.

Pay Over Time

American Express Business Gold cardholders also have access to a Pay Over Time Option that lets cardholders decide whether they want to pay for their eligible purchases in full each month or pay over time with interest (terms apply). 

Cell Phone Protection

Qualified devices can be eligible for up to $800 per claim in cell phone protection. You may be reimbursed the lesser of your repair or replacement costs following damage or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when the cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month’s wireless bill was paid with an eligible card account.

However, a $50 deductible applies to each claim. Additionally, there is a limit to two approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply.

Walmart+

Get $12.95 back in statement credits each month when you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. $12.95 plus applicable taxes.

FedEx, GrubHub, and Office Supply Stores

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.

Annual Fee

The annual fee is $295 starting with your first monthly statement ($375 if the application is received on or after 2/1/24; See Rates & Fees). But, you won’t pay any foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees). While this fee is higher than most business cards, it can be worth it if you can maximize the bonus categories and travel redemption options.

However, if you are looking for more options, one of the best Chase business credit cards may be better suited to your needs. Some options include hotel business cards, cash back business cards, and even business cards without an annual fee.

If you are looking to stay in the American Express family but want to avoid annual fees, The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card doesn’t have an annual fee (See Rates & Fees) but also doesn’t come with as many perks. Cardholders earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases of up to $50,000 per calendar year, and then 1% cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.

It also comes with Expanded Buying Power which gives cardholders the ability to spend beyond their credit limit. 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 American Express, and other factors.

Credit Score Needed for the American Express Business Gold

You will have the best approval odds with a 670 personal credit score which is the starting point of good credit. A steady business income and being in operation for several years is also important.

American Express Business Gold Review: Positives and Negatives

The highlights below can help you quickly decide if the American Express® Business Gold Card is a good option for you.

Pros

• 1:1 Membership Rewards airline and hotel point transfers
• Earn 4x bonus points on two purchase categories (Up to $150,000 in annual spending, then 1x point)
• No foreign transaction fee (See Rates & Fees)

Cons

• No complimentary travel credits or airport lounge access
• Points are worth less than 1 cent each when not redeemed for award flights

Summary

The American Express® Business Gold Card can be a good option if you can earn plenty of points from the two 4x bonus categories. The premium travel insurance benefits can also be of great value when your travel plans get interrupted.

Related Articles:

• 7 Best Business Credit Cards for Cell Phones
• Amex Business Platinum Card Review: 100,000 Points, Flight Perks, & More
• Best Business Credit Cards for Shipping Purchases
• The Best Limited-Time Travel Credit Card Offers
• The Best Business Credit Cards for Office Supplies

For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, please click here.

For rates and fees of The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, please click here.