Annual Fee: $375
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
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.
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
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.
For American Express products listed in this page, 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.
The Amex Business Gold Card is a flexible business credit card that lets you choose two categories in which to earn extra rewards, such as travel, advertising, or technology, making it a versatile choice for businesses with varying spending needs. With valuable benefits like purchase protection and access to the American Express business ecosystem, this card is designed to help businesses maximize their rewards and efficiently manage their expenses.
[.redeem]4x[.redeem] per $1 on the two categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle from six eligible categories (for the first $150,000, then 1x after that). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.
[.redeem]3x[.redeem] per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel
[.redeem]1x[.redeem] per $1 on all other eligible purchases
For American Express products listed in this page, 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.
🏆 Best for restaurants
Annual Fee: $325
Annual Fee: $0
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
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.
Our goal is to help you explore the world affordably and experience life changing travel by maximizing miles and points. Our team of travel and credit card experts is here to help you make decisions about which cards belong in your wallet. Based on your travel goals, we offer unbiased advice to help you make the best choices. Keep in mind that our suggestions require responsible credit card use.
Here at Daily Drop, we score cards based on six different categories: annual fee, welcome offer, point redemption value, rewards rates, benefits, and travel protections. You’ll notice that APR is not considered because we never recommend carrying a credit card balance if your goal is to maximize miles and points for travel. While these scores are opinion-based, our team has earned and redeemed millions of miles and points and has traveled to almost every country in the world. After all, we wouldn’t be Daily Drop if we weren’t practicing what we preach.
Out of the many business cards I have in my wallet, the American Express® Business Gold is among the most used. My favorite benefit (and what really sets it apart from other products) is the flexible 4x points per $1 earned on my top two eligible spending categories. Even for my small business this means several thousand Amex points per month just from my typical business spending. Other benefits like the monthly $20 GrubHub statement credit means free Chipotle during a long day of recording. Not to mention, this card comes with a huge sign up offer and so many redemption options, especially since American Express has the most transfer partners. I'd say this is a worthwhile addition to any side hustler or small business owners wallet, and this is definitely a card that I'll be keeping in my wallet for many years to come.
💡 And if you’re turned off by the word “business” being in the card name, check out this article which helped thousands of Daily Drop readers open business cards last year. 😉
[.pro]Ability to earn valuable Membership Rewards points on everyday business expenses[.pro]
[.pro]No preset spending limit, providing flexibility for business spending[.pro]
[.pro]Access to a range of premium business benefits and expense management tools[.pro]
[.con]Comes with an annual fee[.con]
[.con]Specific bonus categories may vary, and some businesses may not maximize the rewards potential[.con]
[.redeem]4x[.redeem] per $1 on the two categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle from six eligible categories (for the first $150,000, then 1x after that). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.
[.redeem]3x[.redeem] per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel
[.redeem]1x[.redeem] per $1 on all other eligible purchases
[.dontreco] We don’t recommend: Using Points for Statement Credits or Gift Cards [.dontreco]
While you can redeem Membership Rewards® points for statement credits or gift cards, the value per point is often lower compared to other redemption options. Typically, points redeemed this way are worth around 0.6 cents per point, which doesn't provide the best bang for your buck.
[.sometimesreco] We sometimes recommend: Using the Amex Travel Portal [.sometimesreco]
Redeeming points through the Amex Travel Portal can be a good option, especially if you find a deal that suits your travel plans. However, the value you get per point can vary, usually around 1 cent per point. While it's not the highest value, it’s definitely convenient and flexible.
[.alwaysreco] We always recommend: Transferring Points to Airline and Hotel Partners [.alwaysreco]
To get the highest value from your Membership Rewards® points, transferring them to one of Amex’s airline or hotel partners is usually the best option. Many transfer partners offer better redemption rates, often exceeding 1 cent per point, and sometimes significantly more, especially for premium cabin flights and high-end hotel stays.
[.favairlines]Our Favorite Airline Transfer Partners[.favairlines]
Delta SkyMiles: Great for domestic and international travel with a large network and frequent flyer benefits.
British Airways Avios: Ideal for short-haul flights and unique opportunities like off-peak awards.
Emirates Skywards: Excellent for luxurious travel experiences, especially in premium cabins.
[.favhotels]Our Favorite Hotel Transfer Partners[.favhotels]
Marriott Bonvoy: Offers a wide range of properties worldwide and often has promotions for extra value.
Hilton Honors: Flexible redemption options and frequent promotions for point transfers.
Choice Privileges: Good for budget and mid-range hotels, especially in Europe and North America.
Simply log into your Amex account, click on “Earn and redeem,” and you’ll see Amex’s long list of transfer partners. From there, make your transfer selection based on your trip and transfer those points. And just like that, you’re on your way! ✈️
Did we mention that the Amex Business Gold card has a pretty nice list of transfer partners? In case you need convincing, here’s that list:
Brendan and his wife, Erin, used 500k points to take a three-month honeymoon. I mean… sign me up! They applied for three specific cards, one of which was the Amex Gold Card! Learn more about their massive points-earning spree and redemption strategies (including staying in a literal castle) in this video 👇
Why? If you’re a frequent traveler who values premium benefits and services, the Business Platinum Card is a perfect companion to the Amex Business Gold. This card offers tons of travel perks, including access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite and Hilton Honors Gold statuses (enrollment required), and a $200 airline fee credit each year (yay!).
Although the Business Platinum Card has a higher annual fee, the value it provides in travel perks can easily offset the cost. You’ll also earn 5x Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, 1.5x points on eligible purchases in key business categories, and 1x points on other purchases. If you're already enjoying the rewards and flexibility of the Business Gold Card, the Business Platinum Card will only elevate your earning potential.
Why? The Venture X Business Card pairs perfectly with the Amex Business Gold. With 2x miles on all purchases and 10x miles on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel, it complements the Business Gold Card’s high earning rates on business categories. Enjoy premium travel benefits like a $300 annual travel credit, access to 1,300+ airport lounges, and up to 10,000 bonus miles yearly. With no foreign transaction fees, it’s ideal for international business trips. Together, these cards maximize rewards and perks for both business expenses and travel.
Why? If you’re looking for a straightforward, no-annual-fee option that complements the rewards and benefits of the Amex Business Gold, the Blue Business Plus is a solid choice. This card offers 2x Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases up to $50,000 per year, then 1x points on all other purchases. It's a great way to earn flexible rewards on routine expenses without any additional cost. With the Blue Business Plus, you’ll get Expanded Buying Power, which gives you the flexibility to spend beyond your credit limit with no preset spending limit. This feature is particularly useful for businesses with fluctuating expenses. Pairing the Blue Business Plus with the Business Gold Card allows you to maximize your rewards on everyday purchases while leveraging the higher earning potential and benefits of the Business Gold Card.
Understanding Your Top Spending Categories:
Each billing cycle, the card automatically applies the 4x points to the two categories where your business spends the most. These categories include:
By analyzing your spending habits and focusing on these categories, you can ensure that you're maximizing your rewards each month.
Taking Advantage of Your Travel Benefits:
Take advantage of the travel-related perks and protections offered by the Amex Business Gold, including no foreign transaction fees, baggage insurance, and trip delay insurance. When booking travel, use the Membership Rewards® program to redeem points for flights, hotel stays, and car rentals, or transfer points to one of Amex's travel partners to get even more value.
Combining with Other Amex Cards:
Pair your Amex Business Gold with other Amex cards like the Platinum Card® from American Express for additional travel benefits or the Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express for 2x points on all purchases up to $50,000 per year. This combination can help you maximize your points and benefits across different spending categories and travel needs.
Businesses with various monthly expenses will find the Amex Business Gold particularly useful. The card automatically awards 4x points on the top two categories where you spend the most each billing cycle. This flexibility ensures that you’re always earning maximum rewards on the areas where your business invests the most, without needing to manually select categories or keep track of changing spending patterns.
For business owners who travel often, the Amex Business Gold offers several travel-related perks and protections. There are no foreign transaction fees, and the card provides valuable benefits like baggage insurance, trip delay insurance, and access to the American Express® Travel portal. Plus, the 4x points on airfare purchased directly from airlines make it an excellent choice for those who frequently book flights.
Let’s talk business cards for a second. You do not need to own a registered business with employees earning millions of dollars a year to open a business credit card. In fact, if you make ANY side or freelance income, you have a business. So really, the Amex Business Gold could be for almost everyone. And what’s even better? Points can be transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners, often at a really decent rate, allowing for solid travel redemptions.
You probably shouldn’t own a credit card if you: (1) have a bad credit score, (2) are a non-U.S. resident (for this particular card), and (3) cannot control your spending. If your credit score is below 670, you'll need to improve it before applying for travel credit cards, as approval for the best ones, like the Amex Business Gold, is unlikely. Be honest with yourself: if a new credit card will tempt you to overspend, it's best to avoid it. Credit cards are crucial for earning miles and points, but they require responsible use.
The recommended credit score for the Amex Business Gold is 700-850 (Good to Excellent). But again, if you’re in a solid place with your credit and feel you are ready for a new card, don’t let the fear of being rejected keep you from applying. We’ve known several people to be rejected on their first application, use the reconsideration line, and be granted the Amex Business Gold. The worst they can say is “no,” and more often than not, we’ve found these people want to help!