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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Emily Thompson specializes in beginner content as a credit cards editor. She taps into her prior experience as a high school English teacher to help others demystify credit scores and unlock experiences that credit card rewards can make possible.
Ryan is a former TPG credit cards writer who has been around points and miles for several years and has published content at Miles to Memories, AwardWallet and The Points Guy. His wife joins him on many of his trips, and they enjoy snowboarding, diving, and seeing animals in the wild. When not traveling, Ryan is probably answering questions from his family about how he travels so much and whether this points & miles stuff is illegal.
also contributed to this story
December 9, 2024 • 8 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
A leading business card was recognized as the Best Business Card at the 2024 TPG Awards for its flexible bonus categories and valuable statement credits.
The card adapts bonus earnings monthly to match the top two spending categories, with a yearly cap on bonus-eligible purchases.
Cardholders can receive various statement credits for select services and purchases, potentially offsetting the card's cost if fully utilized.
Additional benefits include business management tools, travel protections, and purchase coverage, appealing to small-business owners seeking value and flexibility.
What to consider
Some offers mentioned in the article are no longer available.
Bonus earnings are capped annually for specific categories, and enrollment is required to receive certain statement credits.
The card is not a traditional credit card and has no preset spending limit, with eligibility for features like Pay Over Time determined individually.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of statement credits, bonus categories, and lesser-known business and travel protections available with this business card.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Every year, the TPG Awards honor excellence in credit cards, loyalty programs and travel. Please click here to read more about our winner selection process and methodology for the 2024 TPG Awards.
Small businesses must constantly reevaluate their expenses and spending habits to stay in business. And just as you check whether you can get your products at a lower price from another supplier, you should consider whether the credit card — or cards — you’re using for business expenses get the best return on your purchases — for a reasonable annual fee.
One of our favorite cards — in fact, the winner of the Best Business Card at the 2024 TPG Awards — is the American Express® Business Gold Card. It has flexible bonus categories and valuable statement credits.
However, it also has a substantial $375 annual fee (see rates and fees), so let’s consider whether this card’s earning potential and benefits make that fee worth paying.
Welcome offer
New applicants for the Amex Business Gold can find out their offer and see if they are eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
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Membership Rewards points are worth 2 cents apiece, according to TPG's December 2024 valuations. That makes this bonus worth up to $4,000, providing a solid return on spending.
Many credit cards offer set bonus categories and allow you to earn extra rewards on purchases at those merchants — but you’re often forced into those categories. In contrast, the Amex Business Gold provides bonus earnings that adjust monthly, so you can earn additional points where you’re spending the most.
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Cardmembers earn 4 points per dollar in the two categories where they spend the most each billing cycle. This applies to the first $150,000 in combined purchases in bonus categories yearly (then 1 point per dollar after that). The available bonus categories include:
Transit purchases, including trains, taxicabs, ride-hailing services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses and subways
U.S. purchases from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
U.S. monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider
U.S. purchases at gas stations
U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
U.S. purchases for advertising in select media (online, TV or radio)
Beyond the top two spending categories from this list, cardholders earn 3 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
If you can earn bonus points on the full $150,000 of spending in these available bonus categories, you’ll earn a staggering 600,000 bonus points each year — worth $12,000 according to TPG's December 2024 valuations.
With the Amex Business Gold, you can get up to $845 in statement credits each year:
Up to $300 back annually for U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business (subject to auto-renewal; enrollment required)
Up to $240 back annually (up to $20 back per month) for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx (through Oct. 1, 2026), Grubhub and office supply stores (enrollment required)
Up to $155 back annually (up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee; Plus Ups not eligible) for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal; enrollment required)
Up to $150 back annually for U.S. subscription purchases with Squarespace (subject to auto-renewal; enrollment required)
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If you can take full advantage of these statement credits, you’ll more than justify the annual fee cost
Amex Business Gold primary cardholders can access several business-related benefits. These perks include year-end summaries, auto-expense categorization in Intuit QuickBooks and bill-pay services with Vendor Pay by Bill.com.
Vendor Pay is free for the first user and offers six free months for the second user, then $15 per month for the second user. Enrollment is required in advance for this benefit.
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The primary cardmember can add up to five Business Gold cards for $95 total, and then $95 for each additional card after that (see rates and fees). They can also add additional employee for no additional fee, up to 99 additional cards.
There’s no real difference between the two other than being able to select between the Gold and Rose Gold versions. As a result, most small-business owners should opt for the additional business expense card.
Regardless of your choice, these cards will help the primary account holder earn rewards on employee spending while also controlling and limiting employee spending as needed. In fact, you can also designate other people as account managers to handle many of these features.
The Amex Business Gold card is not a traditional credit card but has no preset spending limit. This means the amount you can spend on the card will vary based on things like creditworthiness, payment history and your relationship with American Express. Additionally, you may be eligible to enroll in Pay Over Time on your card, and Amex sometimes sends out targeted offers of bonus points to enroll in this feature.
Amex Business Gold cardholders enjoy several additional perks and protections, including:
Access to The Hotel Collection: The primary cardmember can make The Hotel Collection bookings with Amex Travel. While a two-night minimum is imposed on these bookings, you can receive perks like up to $100 on-property credit for things like dining, spa or resort activities and room upgrades at check-in (when available).
Access to Amex Offers: Cardmembers have access to Amex Offers, which can provide savings or bonus points on qualifying purchases for targeted cardholders.
Travel protections: Cardmembers enjoy multiple travel protections, including baggage insurance,* trip delay insurance** and car rental insurance.***
Cellphone protection: Cardmembers can be reimbursed for the cost to repair or replace their stolen or damaged cellphone up to $800 per claim for up to two approved claims per year (with a $50 deductible for each claim).**
Extended warranty: Eligible warranties of five years or less can be extended by one year (applies to warranties of 5 years or less on Covered Purchases in the United States or its territories or possession)*
Purchase protection: Eligible purchases are covered for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date if stolen or damaged (limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per account each calendar year).*
It’s difficult to quantify the specific value of these benefits, but the protections alone will provide you with invaluable peace of mind.
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*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
**Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
***Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
If you can maximize its bonus categories and statement credits, the Amex Business Gold will provide value for your business that far exceeds its annual fee. However, if you aren’t able to utilize the statement credits or want additional travel-specific benefits, you’ll likely get better value from a different card.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold card, click here.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
