Is the Amex Business Gold worth the annual fee?
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
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 earn 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 on purchases within the first three months of card membership.
Membership Rewards points are worth 2 cents apiece, according to TPG's December 2024 valuations. That makes this bonus worth $2,000, providing a solid return on spending during the welcome offer period.
For the first year, this bonus value completely covers the card’s annual fee — though starting in year two, you’ll need to crunch the numbers to decide if it’s still worth it.
Related: How to redeem American Express Membership Rewards for maximum value
Adaptive bonus earnings
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.
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 through Amex Travel or AmexTravel.com 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.
Related: What credit score do you need for the Amex Business Gold Card?
Statement credits
With the Amex Business Gold, you can get up to $395 in statement credits each year:
- Up to $240 back annually (up to $20 back per month) for eligible purchases at FedEx, Grubhub and office supply stores (enrollment required)
- Up to $155 back annually (up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee. Plus Up Benefits not eligible) for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal)
If you can take full advantage of these statement credits, you’ll more than justify the annual fee cost with this benefit alone.
Related: A guide to the Amex Walmart+ benefit
Small-business perks
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.
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.
Related: 6 lesser-known perks of the Amex Business Gold Card
Additional perks and protections
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.
*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.
Related: Your complete guide to shopping protections on American Express cards
Bottom line
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 more details, read our full review of the Amex Business Gold.
Apply here: American Express Business Gold Card
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold card, click here.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.