The American Express Business Gold card is a premier credit card designed to meet the needs of business owners who want to maximize their rewards while enjoying flexible spending options. With the ability to earn up to 4X Membership Rewards® points on top spending categories and a welcome bonus of up to 100,000 points, this card offers powerful earning potential for businesses.

The card also provides features like travel credits, access to business tools, and payment flexibility, making it an excellent choice for businesses looking to streamline their finances and optimize rewards. In addition to its rewards system, the Business Gold card comes with enhanced travel perks, expense management tools, and special credits, such as the Walmart+ membership credit.

Key information about the American Express Business Gold card

The American Express Business Gold card stands out in the business credit card market for its focus on rewards and flexibility. Cardholders can earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible spending categories each billing cycle.

This includes expenses like advertising, electronics, gas stations, restaurants, and more. The points cap for this rate is set at $150,000 annually, after which you earn 1X points on eligible purchases. The card also offers a 0% introductory APR for the first six months on purchases made through the Pay Over Time feature, followed by a variable APR between 19.49% and 28.49%.

Furthermore, American Express includes access to a variety of business credits, such as up to $240 annually for purchases at select merchants and $155 per year for a Walmart+ membership, adding further value to the card.

How does the annual fee work?

The American Express Business Gold card comes with an annual fee of $375. This fee covers a range of premium features, such as higher points earning rates and business credits. However, for businesses that take full advantage of the rewards and credits offered by the card, the fee can quickly pay for itself.

How is the credit limit determined?

One of the unique features of the American Express Business Gold card is that it has no pre-set spending limit. This doesn’t mean unlimited spending, but rather that the limit is flexible and adjusts based on your spending habits, payment history, and financial profile. This dynamic spending limit is designed to grow with your business, offering more flexibility as your needs evolve.

Credit card benefits 

• 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories each billing cycle.
• 3X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com.
• No pre-set spending limit, offering flexibility based on your business needs and spending habits.
• $240 annual flexible business credit, split into $20 monthly credits for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and office supply stores.
• $155 Walmart+ credit for covering the cost of a Walmart+ membership when charged to your card.
• 0% introductory APR for the first six months on eligible purchases using the Pay Over Time feature.

4X points on top spending categories

The most notable feature of the American Express Business Gold card is its ability to earn 4X points on your top two spending categories each billing cycle. These categories are automatically selected based on where your business spends the most money, ensuring that you maximize points where you need them most.

The six eligible categories—ranging from advertising and electronics to gas and restaurants—cover a wide variety of common business expenses, making it easy to earn rewards on the purchases that matter most to your company.

Disadvantages

• Annual fee: At $375, the annual fee can be a significant cost for smaller businesses or those with lower spending levels.
• Points cap: The 4X points rate applies only to the first $150,000 in combined purchases from the top two categories each year, which may limit the total rewards potential for larger businesses with higher spending.
• Limited international rewards: The rewards categories are focused on U.S. purchases, making it less appealing for businesses with substantial international spending.

High annual fee

One of the main disadvantages of the American Express Business Gold card is its $375 annual fee. For businesses that don’t spend enough to take full advantage of the 4X points categories or the available credits, this fee may outweigh the benefits.

However, businesses that can utilize the $240 flexible business credit and Walmart+ membership credit can reduce the effective cost of the card. Still, for smaller businesses with limited spending, there may be other cards available with lower fees and more targeted rewards programs.

Who can apply for this card?

The American Express Business Gold card is designed for business owners who want to maximize rewards while maintaining flexibility in their spending. To apply for the card, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:

• Business ownership: Applicants must own a business or be authorized to open a business account.
• Good credit: While there’s no specific credit score requirement, applicants generally need a good to excellent credit score to qualify for this card.
• U.S. residency: The card is available to U.S. businesses, and applicants must provide a U.S. address and tax identification number (TIN or EIN).

How to apply for the American Express Business Gold card

Applying online

The most convenient way to apply for the American Express Business Gold card is through the American Express website. To apply, click “Apply Now” and complete the application form with your business information, including your legal business name, address, and tax ID number. After submitting your application, you can receive a decision in as little as 30 seconds.

By phone

Alternatively, you can apply by calling the dedicated American Express application line. A representative will guide you through the application process, collect the necessary information, and submit your application for review.

In-person application

While most American Express business card applications are handled online or by phone, you may also apply through an authorized American Express representative if you prefer a more personalized experience. In conclusion, the American Express Business Gold card is an excellent choice for businesses that prioritize maximizing rewards in key spending categories.

With its 4X points structure, flexible spending limit, and additional business credits, this card provides value to businesses with a range of spending needs. However, its high annual fee and U.S.-focused rewards may not be suitable for all companies, particularly those with lower spending or significant international operations.