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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.
Stella is a full-time writer with expertise in credit cards, points and miles, and all things travel. She is a journalism graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and previously worked as a copywriter at JetBlue Airways and as a credit cards writer at LendingTree.
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
also contributed to this story
December 13, 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
Premium business cards often include statement credits to help offset their costs, and this card is no exception, offering credits for select merchants and services.
You can maximize rewards by focusing spending on the top two eligible business categories each billing cycle, up to a set annual limit.
The card provides additional benefits such as hotel perks, cellphone protection, purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.
Optimal use involves pairing with other products in the same rewards ecosystem to boost overall points accumulation.
What to consider
Statement credits require enrollment and are limited to specific merchants and services, with expiration dates for some offers.
Bonus rewards are only earned in your top two eligible categories each billing cycle, and only on U.S. purchases; other transactions earn a lower rate.
Points are valued at 2 cents each as of December 2024 per TPG's valuations, especially when transferred to airline or hotel partners.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed strategies for maximizing rewards, including when to use this card versus other options for business expenses and travel.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Most cards with premium annual fees come with statement credits to help offset this cost year after year, and the American Express® Business Gold Card is no exception. Maximizing statement credits can also help offset the card's $375 annual fee (see rates and fees). Alongside statement credits, understanding your card's bonus categories and knowing when to use the card is the best way to rack up points.
As an Amex Business Gold cardmember, you'll want to learn how to maximize your earning potential for better receptions in the future, so here are some of our best strategies for doing so.
Overview of the Amex Business Gold's benefits
For business owners more concerned with spending and earning than superfluous statement credits that can take a lot of time and effort to use (we're looking at you, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express), the Amex Business Gold is a worthwhile option.
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Here are a number of the benefits you'll get with the card as a new or existing cardmember:
Earning rate: Earn 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar on the two categories where your business spent the most each billing cycle on the first $150,000 in combined spending each calendar year (then 1 point per dollar). Current categories include:
Monthly wireless charges from U.S. wireless service providers
Transit (trains, taxi cabs, ride-hailing, tolls, ferries, buses and subways)
Statement credits: Receive up to $240 each calendar year (up to $20 each month in statement credits) for eligible purchases at FedEx (through Oct. 1, 2026), Grubhub and office supply stores. You'll also receive up to $300 in annual statement credits toward U.S. ChatGPT Business purchases (subject to auto-renewal). Plus, receive up to $155 back per calendar year (up to $12.95 a month plus applicable taxes) in statement credits for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal; Plus Up excluded). Enrollment required for select benefits.
The Hotel Collection: When you book a reservation through The Hotel Collection for at least two consecutive nights, you'll get elitelike perks, such as an up-to-$100 hotel credit and a room upgrade (upon availability). Terms apply.
No foreign transaction fees: When traveling internationally, you won't incur foreign transaction fees when you pay with this card (see rates and fees).
Cellphone protection*: Get reimbursed for a damaged or lost cellphone up to $800 per claim when the monthly service bill is paid using the Amex Business Gold (no more than two claims per 12-month period; subject to a $50 deductible per claim).
*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Strategies for maximizing the Amex Business Gold
That said, here's a cheat sheet of when and when not to use your new Amex Business Gold Card.
Use your Amex Business Gold to pay for top business expenses
While this sounds like a no-brainer, the Amex Business Gold is the best for your top two eligible business categories, as you'll earn 4 points per dollar automatically on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year (then 1 point per dollar).
While you don't have to activate these bonus categories each year, it's absolutely worth strategizing which two categories you want to prioritize that make the most sense for your business.
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Think about the two categories from the list above that will get you as close as possible to maximizing the $150,000 spending threshold per calendar year. You're looking at a potential maximum of 600,000 Membership Rewards points earned, or a value of $12,000, based on TPG's December 2024 valuations.
Even if you're a smaller business or a freelancer who can't get near the $150,000 limit, earning 4 points per dollar on select business categories can help you achieve your travel goals (on up to the first $150,000 in spending in those categories each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).
Once you accrue a lot of points, you can do lots with your Membership Rewards balance. Our favorite way at TPG is to transfer your points to Amex's airline and hotel loyalty partners, giving you an outsize value of 2 cents each (or greater) based on our December 2024 valuations.
Use your Amex Business Gold for big-ticket purchases
Your business likely has to invest in big-ticket purchases from time to time that are necessary for your everyday functions. Although you'll only earn 1 point per dollar on nonbonus purchases, the card's shopping protections are convincing reasons to still pay with your Amex Business Gold.
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Purchase protection* covers eligible items from damage or theft up to 90 days from the date of purchase and can reimburse you up to $1,000 per item (with up to a $50,000-per-calendar-year maximum).
On the other hand, extended warranty* adds an additional year of coverage to an original manufacturer's warranty of five years or less, reimbursing you up to $10,000 per item and up to $50,000 per calendar year on the card. As noted, you also have cellphone protection when paying your wireless service bill using your Amex Business Gold.
You never know when something may happen, and these benefits are essential to help protect your business against the potentially high costs of unforeseen issues.
*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
When not to use the Amex Business Gold
Though the Amex Business Gold is helpful for the above scenarios, there are a few noteworthy exceptions.
Don't use your Amex Business Gold when traveling abroad
Although the Amex Business Gold doesn't have any foreign transaction fees, you won't get the 4 points per dollar earning rate on most purchases outside the U.S. — including restaurants and gas stations. If you dine out or fill up your rental car with gas in another country, you'll only earn 1 point per dollar.
Don't use your Amex Business Gold outside of the top two categories
Suppose you strategize and intentionally only use your Amex Business Gold on U.S. technology solutions and U.S. advertising purchases.
In that case, you'll want to supplement your card strategy with other options that offer bonus points on the Amex Business Gold's other potential categories and other nonbonus expenses.
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Remember that only your top two categories each month will earn 4 points per dollar — every other purchase will only accrue 1 point per dollar.
You can still maximize your points
Fortunately, the Amex Business Gold pairs well with other cards in the Membership Rewards family. Case in point: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express has no annual fee (see rates and fees) and offers 2 points per dollar on the first $50,000 spent on purchases each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar.
You can add another 100,000 Membership Rewards points to your rewards balance every year by maximizing this threshold for purchases that don't fit into the categories of the Amex Business Gold.
Meanwhile, the consumer version of the Amex Business Gold — the American Express® Gold Card — comes with a $325 annual fee (see rates and fees) but has excellent returns that can pair well with the business card.
Amex Gold cardmembers can earn 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and at worldwide restaurants (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar). Thus, using the Business Gold for other purchases within its bonus categories can greatly expand your overall earning potential.
The Amex Business Gold tends to fly under the radar compared to the Amex Business Platinum. Still, there are many reasons why a business should opt for the Business Gold instead, with the potential of earning 600,000 Membership Rewards points by maximizing the $150,000 spending cap on select categories.
That's a terrific haul of points that will allow you and your company to seek new destinations for a fraction of the usual cost.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Business Plus, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex 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.
