American Express Business Gold Card

Card Details and Application Link

American Express® Business Gold Card ⓘ $943 1st Yr Value EstimateClick to learn about first year value estimates 100K points ⓘAffiliateThis is an affiliate offer. Frequent Miler may earn a commission if you are approved for this offer 100K points after $15K spend in 3 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees) $375 Annual Fee Click here to learn how to apply This is an affiliate offer. Frequent Miler may earn a commission if you are approved for this offer Alternate Offer: Some people are targeted for offers as high as 200K. See this for more details. Recent better offer: 200K after $15K spend expired 2/10/25 FM Mini Review: This card may be a keeper for those who use the monthly credits, but keep only if you also make good use of one or two 4X categories. Click here for our complete card review Earning rate: Earn 4X in combined purchases in the two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month (capped at $150K spend per calendar year, then 1x): Electronic goods retailers or software and cloud system providers in the U.S. ✦U.S. purchases at restaurants ✦Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S. ✦ U.S. purchases for advertising in select media ✦ U.S. purchases at gas stations ✦ Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways. ✦ 3x on eligible purchases through AmexTravel.com ✦ 1x on all other purchases. Terms apply. Base: 1X (1.55%) Travel: 3X (4.65%) Dine: 4X (6.2%) Gas: 4X (6.2%) Shop: 4X (6.2%) Phone: 4X (6.2%) Biz: 4X (6.2%) Card Info: Amex Pay Over Time Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Noteworthy perks: Earn up to $20 in statement credits each month for eligible purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and office supply stores. Enrollment required. ✦ Monthly Walmart+ Membership credit after you use the card to pay for one monthly Walmart+ membership ✦ Terms Apply. (Rates & Fees)

The American Express Business Gold card doesn’t have the plethora of elite perks that the Business Platinum card has. What it does have is a lower annual fee and much better earning categories. With the recent addition of “flexible business” and Walmart+ credits, this card will be a no-brainer for almost anyone for the first year and an interesting keeper card for folks who can maximize the credits and the 4x bonus categories.

Annual Fees

Primary user

• $375/year

Authorized users

• Authorized User Annual Fee: $95 for the first five cards, then $95 for each additional card.

Amex Business Gold Bonus Earning Categories

4X – Combined in top two categories each billing cycle (capped at $150K spend per calendar year, then 1x):

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

3x – eligible purchases through AmexTravel.com

1x – everywhere else

Amex Business Gold Perks

Annual Credits

• $240 Flexible Business Credit: 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.
• $155 Walmart+ Membership: Use your Business Gold Card to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and receive a statement credit for $12.95 (plus applicable taxes) that covers the full cost (excluding any Plus Up Benefits) each month.

Additional Perks

• Hotel Collection: Book a two-night minimum The Hotel Collection stay through American Express Travel and get a $100 experience credit to use during your stay.

Travel Protections

• Auto Rental Coverage: Secondary auto rental CDW (collision damage waiver). Provides reimbursement for theft and collision damage for rental cars in the U.S. and abroad.*
• Trip Delay Reimbursement: Covers delays of more than 6 hours or that require an overnight stay. Up to $300 per trip.*
• Lost Luggage Reimbursement: Up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage ($10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip).*

Purchase Protections

• Cell Phone Insurance: $800/claim and a $50 deductible/claim (2 claims max/year).*
• Extended Warranty: One additional year, on eligible warranties of five years or less (US warranties only, max $10,000/claim, $50,000/account/year).*
• Damage and Theft Protection: 90 days against damage or theft (up to $1,000 per claim and $50,000 per year).*

Amex Business Gold Application Tips

Should you apply?

Business Gold card welcome offers are usually worth considerably more than the card’s annual fee.  So, as long as you can make use of some of the card’s perks, and as long as you can meet the offer’s minimum spend requirements, it can make sense to sign up for at least one year (assuming that you can get approved).  You can always cancel (or downgrade to a less expensive card) once the annual fee comes due in year 2 so as to avoid paying for the second year.

Are you eligible?

Amex reconsideration

If denied, call reconsideration: 877-399-3083 (new account holders) or 866-314-0237 (current account holders).

How to Earn Membership Rewards Points

Credit card welcome offers

The easiest and quickest way to earn Membership Rewards points is through Amex credit card welcome bonuses.

Most Amex welcome offers stipulate that you can’t get the bonus if you’ve ever had that card before. However, targeted offers sometimes do not have that once per lifetime language.  In those cases, you can get the bonus even if you’ve had the card before. See: 8 ways to get the best targeted Amex welcome bonus offers.

Below are the Amex cards with the best current and public Membership Rewards welcome offers.

Card Offer
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express ⓘ $1950 1st Yr Value Estimate$200 airline incidental fee credit for select airline only valued at $140, $400 Dell credit ($200 per six months) valued at $100, $200 Hilton credit ($50 per quarter) valued at $150, $120 wireless credit ($10 per month) valued at $90, $500 statement credit when purchasing $2,500 of airfare valued at $150 Click to learn about first year value estimates Limited Time Offer: 150K points + $500 statement credit ⓘAffiliateThis is an affiliate offer. Frequent Miler may earn a commission if you are approved for this offer 150K points after $20K spend in the first 3 months. Plus, earn a $500 statement credit after you spend $2,500 on qualifying flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel with your Business Platinum Card(R) within the first 3 months of Card Membership.. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees) (Offer Expires 6/30/2025) $695 Annual Fee Learn more Alternate Offer: Some people are targeted for offers as high as 250K. See this for more details. Recent better offer: 250K after $20K spend expired 2/10/25
The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley ⓘ $1871 1st Yr Value Estimate$200 Fine Hotels & Resorts credit valued at $100, $200 airline incidental fee credit for select airline only valued at $140, $200 Uber credit ($15 per month, $35/December) valued at $100, $100 Saks credit ($50 per six months) valued at $25 Click to learn about first year value estimates 150K points Non-AffiliateThis is NOT an affiliate offer. We always present the best offer even when it means less revenue for Frequent Miler 150K after $8K spend in first 6 months. Terms apply. (Offer Expires 6/11/2025) $695 Annual Fee Learn more Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Recent better offer: None
The Platinum Card® from American Express for Schwab ⓘ $1484 1st Yr Value Estimate$200 Fine Hotels & Resorts credit valued at $100, $200 airline incidental fee credit for select airline only valued at $140, $200 Uber credit ($15 per month, $35/December) valued at $100, $100 Saks credit ($50 per six months) valued at $25 Click to learn about first year value estimates 125K points Non-AffiliateThis is NOT an affiliate offer. We always present the best offer even when it means less revenue for Frequent Miler 125K after $8K spend in first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees) $695 Annual Fee Learn more This card is only available to clients that maintain an eligible Schwab brokerage account. Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Recent better offer: 100K points + 10x when you Shop Small in the US & at restaurants worldwide [Expired 1/20/22]
American Express® Gold Card ⓘ $1152 1st Yr Value Estimate$120 Dining credit ($10 per month) valued at $30, $100 Resy credit ($50 per six months) valued at $85, $120 Uber credit ($10 per month) valued at $60 Click to learn about first year value estimates 90K points ⓘFriend-ReferralThis is a friend-referral offer. A member of the Frequent Miler community may earn a referral bonus if you are approved for this offer 90K points after $6K in purchases in the first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees) $325 Annual Fee Learn more Alternate Offer: 75K points after spending $6,000 in 6 months + 20% back at restaurants worldwide (limit $250 back) Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Recent better offer: 100K after $6K in the first 6 months + 20% back at restaurants for the first 12 months up to $250 back [Expired 11/10/24 - referrals only]
The Platinum Card® from American Express ⓘ $1096 1st Yr Value Estimate$200 Fine Hotels & Resorts credit valued at $100, $200 airline incidental fee credit for select airline only valued at $140, $200 Uber credit ($15 per month, $35/December) valued at $100, $100 Saks credit ($50 per six months) valued at $25 Click to learn about first year value estimates 100K points + 10x Non-AffiliateThis is NOT an affiliate offer. We always present the best offer even when it means less revenue for Frequent Miler 100K points after $8K spend in 6 months + 10x points at restaurants worldwide on up to $25K spend in 6 months. Terms apply. $695 Annual Fee Learn more Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Recent better offer: 175K points after $8K spend in 6 months.
American Express® Business Gold Card ⓘ $943 1st Yr Value EstimateClick to learn about first year value estimates 100K points ⓘAffiliateThis is an affiliate offer. Frequent Miler may earn a commission if you are approved for this offer 100K points after $15K spend in 3 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees) $375 Annual Fee Learn more Alternate Offer: Some people are targeted for offers as high as 200K. See this for more details. Recent better offer: 200K after $15K spend expired 2/10/25
American Express® Green Card ⓘ $424 1st Yr Value EstimateClick to learn about first year value estimates 40K points ⓘFriend-ReferralThis is a friend-referral offer. A member of the Frequent Miler community may earn a referral bonus if you are approved for this offer 40K after $3K spend in first 6 months. Terms apply. See Rates & Fees $150 Annual Fee Learn more Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Recent better offer: 60K after $3K spend in first 6 months + 20% off travel and transit purchases for first 6 months. [Expired 8/21/23]
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express ⓘ $233 1st Yr Value EstimateClick to learn about first year value estimates 15K points + 0% APR for 12 months ⓘAffiliateThis is an affiliate offer. Frequent Miler may earn a commission if you are approved for this offer 15k points after $3k spend within the first 3 months + 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.49% - 27.49%,, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. (Rates & Fees) No Annual Fee Learn more Alternate Offer: Some people have been targeted for an offer in their online account for 75K points after $15K in purchases in their first 12 months.
Business Green Rewards Card from American Express ⓘ $91 1st Yr Value EstimateClick to learn about first year value estimates 15K points ⓘAffiliateThis is an affiliate offer. Frequent Miler may earn a commission if you are approved for this offer 15K points after $3K spend within first 3 months of card membership. Terms & limitations apply. (Rates & Fees) $95 Annual Fee Learn more

Credit card upgrade offers

Amex frequently offers bonus points for upgrading from one card to another.  For example, we’ve seen 50,000 point offers for upgrading from the Business Gold card to the Business Platinum card.  Even better, these upgrade offers often do not have the once per lifetime language associated with them. That is, if you are targeted for an upgrade offer, you may be able to earn the bonus points even if you’ve had the card before.  It is best to accept these offers only after you have earned a signup bonus for the higher end card.

Credit card category bonuses

The next best way to earn Membership Rewards points is by using the best card for each category of spend.  If you spend a lot personally or through your business on any of the below categories, you can do very well.  Particularly noteworthy is the no-annual-fee Blue Business Plus Credit Card which offers 2 points per dollar for all spend, up to $50K spend per calendar year (then 1X thereafter).  That’s fantastic.

* The Amex EveryDay Preferred card earns a 50% bonus every billing period in which the card was used for 30 or more transactions.  Before the 50% bonus, the card has the following bonus categories: 3x points at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1x); 2x points at US gas stations; 1x points on other purchases.  After the 50% bonus, it offers: 4.5x points at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1.5x); 3x points at US gas stations; 1.5x points on other purchases.

** The Business Gold Card offers 4X on the two categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle from the following categories: ⚬ US purchases at restaurants ⚬ U.S. purchases for advertising in select media ⚬ U.S. purchases at gas stations ⚬ Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways. ⚬ U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers ⚬ Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S. 4X applies to first $150,000 in combined purchases in your two categories each calendar year, 1X point per dollar thereafter and on other purchases. Terms apply.

Credit card referrals

Another great way to earn Membership Rewards points is by referring friends and relatives.  In some cases referral bonuses are really big.  However, if you want to keep your friends, then make sure that the offer they get is as good as the best available public offer (compare to our Best Offers page).

Log into your account to check for any special referral offers.

Note that this option is especially powerful since you can now refer friends to other cards — even to cards you do not have.  See this post for full details: Maximizing value from Amex multi-referrals.

Amex Offers

Amex Offers are usually best for saving cash.  But, sometimes Amex Offers provide terrific opportunities for point earning instead.  One (now expired) example was an offer for Reebok: Spend $75 or more, Get 1,500 Membership Rewards points. And one for Hugo Boss: Spend $250 or more, Get 5,000 points.

Sometimes Amex Offers are longer term and act more like a new category bonus.  For example, you’ll often see offers to earn 2X rewards at various merchants.

Log into your account and check the section titled “Amex Offers and Benefits” to look for offers like these.

Other options to earn Membership Rewards

FX International Payments

Amex offers businesses the ability to earn 1 Membership Rewards point per $30 of foreign wire payments (max 4,000 points per transaction).  Even better, you may receive a welcome bonus offer like the one shown above (keep an eye out for this in your mailbox or email!).

Where to Redeem Membership Rewards Points

In general, Membership Rewards points are worth up to 1 cent each when redeemed for merchandise or gift cards. Fortunately, there are three ways in which it is possible to get more value: redeem points for flights, transfer points to hotel or airline partners, or invest rewards. More on each below…

Redeem points for travel

Transfer points to travel partners

The best use of Membership Rewards points, in our opinion, is to transfer points to airline and hotel partners in order to book high value awards. Your best bet is usually to wait until you find a great flight or night award before transferring points. One exception: Amex often offers 30% or higher transfer bonuses to certain programs (Virgin Atlantic and British Airways are two recent examples).  If you’re confident that you’ll use the points for good value, it may make sense to transfer points when those bonuses are in effect.

For specific examples of great ways to use points transferred to airline miles, please see: Amex Membership Rewards sweet spots.

Current Amex transfer bonuses

Here are the currently available transfer bonuses from Amex Membership Rewards (this table will update automatically when new offers are found):

Points can be transferred to the loyalty accounts of the primary cardholder or any authorized user or employee on the account.

Amex transfer partners

It is free to transfer Membership Rewards points to foreign airlines. For transfers to US airlines, however, Amex charges an “excise tax offset fee” of $0.0006 per point (with a maximum fee of $99). Airlines subject to this fee are noted below.

Other options for redeeming Membership Rewards

You can also redeem points for gift cards or merchandise. At most, with this approach you’ll get 1 cent per point value, but usually you’ll get quite a bit less.

You can also use points to pay some merchants directly (Amazon.com, for example). Don’t do this. These options offer very poor value. Further, they may compromise the security of your account (i.e. if someone hacks into your Amazon account, they might spend your Ultimate Rewards points – causing you a headache in getting your points reinstated).

Managing Membership Rewards Points

Amex Business Gold: Should I Keep or Cancel?

Deciding whether to keep or cancel Amex Business Gold cards can be a tough decision. Given the card’s high annual fee, it’s a significant investment to keep the card year after year.  If you make good use of the card’s perks and bonus categories, it could be worth it. Otherwise, move on to greener pastures.

*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.

Related Cards

Card Offer
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express ⓘ $1950 1st Yr Value Estimate$200 airline incidental fee credit for select airline only valued at $140, $400 Dell credit ($200 per six months) valued at $100, $200 Hilton credit ($50 per quarter) valued at $150, $120 wireless credit ($10 per month) valued at $90, $500 statement credit when purchasing $2,500 of airfare valued at $150 Click to learn about first year value estimates Limited Time Offer: 150K points + $500 statement credit ⓘAffiliateThis is an affiliate offer. Frequent Miler may earn a commission if you are approved for this offer 150K points after $20K spend in the first 3 months. Plus, earn a $500 statement credit after you spend $2,500 on qualifying flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel with your Business Platinum Card(R) within the first 3 months of Card Membership.. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees) (Offer Expires 6/30/2025) $695 Annual Fee Learn more Alternate Offer: Some people are targeted for offers as high as 250K. See this for more details. Recent better offer: 250K after $20K spend expired 2/10/25
The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley ⓘ $1871 1st Yr Value Estimate$200 Fine Hotels & Resorts credit valued at $100, $200 airline incidental fee credit for select airline only valued at $140, $200 Uber credit ($15 per month, $35/December) valued at $100, $100 Saks credit ($50 per six months) valued at $25 Click to learn about first year value estimates 150K points Non-AffiliateThis is NOT an affiliate offer. We always present the best offer even when it means less revenue for Frequent Miler 150K after $8K spend in first 6 months. Terms apply. (Offer Expires 6/11/2025) $695 Annual Fee Learn more Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Recent better offer: None
The Platinum Card® from American Express for Schwab ⓘ $1484 1st Yr Value Estimate$200 Fine Hotels & Resorts credit valued at $100, $200 airline incidental fee credit for select airline only valued at $140, $200 Uber credit ($15 per month, $35/December) valued at $100, $100 Saks credit ($50 per six months) valued at $25 Click to learn about first year value estimates 125K points Non-AffiliateThis is NOT an affiliate offer. We always present the best offer even when it means less revenue for Frequent Miler 125K after $8K spend in first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees) $695 Annual Fee Learn more This card is only available to clients that maintain an eligible Schwab brokerage account. Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Recent better offer: 100K points + 10x when you Shop Small in the US & at restaurants worldwide [Expired 1/20/22]
American Express® Gold Card ⓘ $1152 1st Yr Value Estimate$120 Dining credit ($10 per month) valued at $30, $100 Resy credit ($50 per six months) valued at $85, $120 Uber credit ($10 per month) valued at $60 Click to learn about first year value estimates 90K points ⓘFriend-ReferralThis is a friend-referral offer. A member of the Frequent Miler community may earn a referral bonus if you are approved for this offer 90K points after $6K in purchases in the first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees) $325 Annual Fee Learn more Alternate Offer: 75K points after spending $6,000 in 6 months + 20% back at restaurants worldwide (limit $250 back) Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Recent better offer: 100K after $6K in the first 6 months + 20% back at restaurants for the first 12 months up to $250 back [Expired 11/10/24 - referrals only]
The Platinum Card® from American Express ⓘ $1096 1st Yr Value Estimate$200 Fine Hotels & Resorts credit valued at $100, $200 airline incidental fee credit for select airline only valued at $140, $200 Uber credit ($15 per month, $35/December) valued at $100, $100 Saks credit ($50 per six months) valued at $25 Click to learn about first year value estimates 100K points + 10x Non-AffiliateThis is NOT an affiliate offer. We always present the best offer even when it means less revenue for Frequent Miler 100K points after $8K spend in 6 months + 10x points at restaurants worldwide on up to $25K spend in 6 months. Terms apply. $695 Annual Fee Learn more Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Recent better offer: 175K points after $8K spend in 6 months.
American Express® Business Gold Card ⓘ $943 1st Yr Value EstimateClick to learn about first year value estimates 100K points ⓘAffiliateThis is an affiliate offer. Frequent Miler may earn a commission if you are approved for this offer 100K points after $15K spend in 3 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees) $375 Annual Fee Learn more Alternate Offer: Some people are targeted for offers as high as 200K. See this for more details. Recent better offer: 200K after $15K spend expired 2/10/25
American Express® Green Card ⓘ $424 1st Yr Value EstimateClick to learn about first year value estimates 40K points ⓘFriend-ReferralThis is a friend-referral offer. A member of the Frequent Miler community may earn a referral bonus if you are approved for this offer 40K after $3K spend in first 6 months. Terms apply. See Rates & Fees $150 Annual Fee Learn more Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Recent better offer: 60K after $3K spend in first 6 months + 20% off travel and transit purchases for first 6 months. [Expired 8/21/23]
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express ⓘ $233 1st Yr Value EstimateClick to learn about first year value estimates 15K points + 0% APR for 12 months ⓘAffiliateThis is an affiliate offer. Frequent Miler may earn a commission if you are approved for this offer 15k points after $3k spend within the first 3 months + 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.49% - 27.49%,, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. (Rates & Fees) No Annual Fee Learn more Alternate Offer: Some people have been targeted for an offer in their online account for 75K points after $15K in purchases in their first 12 months.
Business Green Rewards Card from American Express ⓘ $91 1st Yr Value EstimateClick to learn about first year value estimates 15K points ⓘAffiliateThis is an affiliate offer. Frequent Miler may earn a commission if you are approved for this offer 15K points after $3K spend within first 3 months of card membership. Terms & limitations apply. (Rates & Fees) $95 Annual Fee Learn more