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4X points automatically on your 2 highest business spending categories — $240 in annual credits offset the $375 fee
Earn 4X Membership Rewards points on your top 2 spending categories each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories — no activation required. Up to $395 in annual credits at FedEx, Grubhub, Walmart+, Squarespace, and office supply stores, plus 99 employee cards and no foreign transaction fees.
$375
Annual Fee
100,000
Membership Rewards points · Welcome Bonus
4X
Top Rate
Annual Fee
$375
Authorized User Fee
$95
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
Network
—
Rewards Currency
American Express Membership Rewards
Point Valuation
1.5–2 cpp (mid: 1.8)
Credit Required
Good to Excellent
Welcome Offer
100,000
Membership Rewards points
Spend $15,000 in the first 3 months
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership. Worth $2,000 when transferred to airline partners at 2cpp, or enough for 2 round-trip domestic flights in business class.
Benefits & Perks
Program & Transfers
22 transfer partners: 19 airlines + 3 hotels across all alliances
Amex Membership Rewards offers the most extensive transfer network in the industry with 19 airline and 3 hotel partners. The program's strength lies in premium cabin redemptions, with exceptional sweet spots like ANA first class via Virgin Atlantic and Delta One awards through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Unlike competitors, Amex frequently runs transfer bonuses (15-40%) to partners like Virgin Atlantic, Avianca, and British Airways, often 3-4 times per year. These bonuses can dramatically improve redemption value, making MR points worth 2-3+ cents per point for savvy users who time their transfers. The program covers all three major alliances with multiple partners in each, providing unmatched redundancy. If one partner has poor availability, you have alternatives. This flexibility, combined with instant transfers to most partners, makes Membership Rewards ideal for last-minute premium cabin bookings.
Reviews & Analysis
Details & Terms
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| No CR | This business card will not show on your personal credit report, so it won't count against your 5/24 status |
| No 5/24 | Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule |
| Amex 1/7 | Amex allows only 1 bonus per specific card every 7 years (yours or that version of the card) |
| Amex Popup Jail | After you apply, Amex may show a pop-up saying you're ineligible for the welcome bonus |
| Cash Advance APR | 28.49% (Variable) |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 |
| Authorized User Fee | $95 |
4X points automatically on your 2 highest business spending categories — $240 in annual credits offset the $375 fee
Earn 4X Membership Rewards points on your top 2 spending categories each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories — no activation required. Up to $395 in annual credits at FedEx, Grubhub, Walmart+, Squarespace, and office supply stores, plus 99 employee cards and no foreign transaction fees.
$375
Annual Fee
100,000
Membership Rewards points · Welcome Bonus
4X
Top Rate
Annual Fee
$375
Authorized User Fee
$95
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
Network
—
Rewards Currency
American Express Membership Rewards
Point Valuation
1.5–2 cpp (mid: 1.8)
Credit Required
Good to Excellent
Welcome Offer
100,000
Membership Rewards points
Spend $15,000 in the first 3 months
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership. Worth $2,000 when transferred to airline partners at 2cpp, or enough for 2 round-trip domestic flights in business class.
Benefits & Perks
Program & Transfers
22 transfer partners: 19 airlines + 3 hotels across all alliances
Amex Membership Rewards offers the most extensive transfer network in the industry with 19 airline and 3 hotel partners. The program's strength lies in premium cabin redemptions, with exceptional sweet spots like ANA first class via Virgin Atlantic and Delta One awards through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Unlike competitors, Amex frequently runs transfer bonuses (15-40%) to partners like Virgin Atlantic, Avianca, and British Airways, often 3-4 times per year. These bonuses can dramatically improve redemption value, making MR points worth 2-3+ cents per point for savvy users who time their transfers. The program covers all three major alliances with multiple partners in each, providing unmatched redundancy. If one partner has poor availability, you have alternatives. This flexibility, combined with instant transfers to most partners, makes Membership Rewards ideal for last-minute premium cabin bookings.
Reviews & Analysis
Details & Terms
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| No CR | This business card will not show on your personal credit report, so it won't count against your 5/24 status |
| No 5/24 | Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule |
| Amex 1/7 | Amex allows only 1 bonus per specific card every 7 years (yours or that version of the card) |
| Amex Popup Jail | After you apply, Amex may show a pop-up saying you're ineligible for the welcome bonus |
| Cash Advance APR | 28.49% (Variable) |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 |
| Authorized User Fee | $95 |
4X points automatically on your 2 highest business spending categories — $240 in annual credits offset the $375 fee
Earn 4X Membership Rewards points on your top 2 spending categories each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories — no activation required. Up to $395 in annual credits at FedEx, Grubhub, Walmart+, Squarespace, and office supply stores, plus 99 employee cards and no foreign transaction fees.
$375
Annual Fee
100,000
Membership Rewards points · Welcome Bonus
4X
Top Rate
Annual Fee
$375
Authorized User Fee
$95
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
Network
—
Rewards Currency
American Express Membership Rewards
Point Valuation
1.5–2 cpp (mid: 1.8)
Credit Required
Good to Excellent
Welcome Offer
100,000
Membership Rewards points
Spend $15,000 in the first 3 months
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership. Worth $2,000 when transferred to airline partners at 2cpp, or enough for 2 round-trip domestic flights in business class.
Benefits & Perks
Program & Transfers
22 transfer partners: 19 airlines + 3 hotels across all alliances
Amex Membership Rewards offers the most extensive transfer network in the industry with 19 airline and 3 hotel partners. The program's strength lies in premium cabin redemptions, with exceptional sweet spots like ANA first class via Virgin Atlantic and Delta One awards through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Unlike competitors, Amex frequently runs transfer bonuses (15-40%) to partners like Virgin Atlantic, Avianca, and British Airways, often 3-4 times per year. These bonuses can dramatically improve redemption value, making MR points worth 2-3+ cents per point for savvy users who time their transfers. The program covers all three major alliances with multiple partners in each, providing unmatched redundancy. If one partner has poor availability, you have alternatives. This flexibility, combined with instant transfers to most partners, makes Membership Rewards ideal for last-minute premium cabin bookings.
Reviews & Analysis
Details & Terms
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| No CR | This business card will not show on your personal credit report, so it won't count against your 5/24 status |
| No 5/24 | Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule |
| Amex 1/7 | Amex allows only 1 bonus per specific card every 7 years (yours or that version of the card) |
| Amex Popup Jail | After you apply, Amex may show a pop-up saying you're ineligible for the welcome bonus |
| Cash Advance APR | 28.49% (Variable) |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 |
| Authorized User Fee | $95 |
Top 2 Categories
4X on top 2 categories: airfare, advertising, gas, shipping, computer/software/cloud, restaurants (up to $150K combined/year)
Cap: $150,000/annual
Advertisements
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: purchases at US media providers for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio). Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Cloud Providers
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: U.S. purchases made from software & cloud system providers. Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Dining
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery. Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Electronic Stores
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers. Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Gas Stations
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: U.S. purchases at gas stations. Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Software
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: U.S. purchases made from software & cloud system providers. Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Telecom
Monthly wireless telephone service charges from U.S. service providers (one of top 2 categories, up to $150K/year)
Cap: $150,000/annual
Tolls
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: Tolls. Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Transit
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways. Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Flights
3X on flights booked directly with airlines
Air Travel Amextravelcom
Flights booked via AmexTravel.com
Prepaid Hotels Amextravelcom
Prepaid hotels booked via AmexTravel.com
Automatically earn 4X Membership Rewards points on the 2 categories where you spend most each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories: advertising, restaurants, gas stations, transit, software/cloud, and wireless. Up to $150,000 in combined annual spending.
Spend $5,000/month on advertising and $3,000/month at restaurants: earn 32,000 points/month (worth $640 at 2cpp), or 384,000 points annually from just two categories.
Book business travel through AmexTravel.com and earn 3X Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotel stays. Combine with Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts for premium perks.
Book a $2,000 business trip on AmexTravel.com: earn 6,000 points worth $120 at 2cpp, compared to 2,000 points (1X) at most other booking channels.
Earn 1 Membership Rewards point per dollar on all other eligible business purchases. Pair with the Blue Business Plus (2X on first $50K) for non-bonus spending to maximize your overall earn rate.
Pair with Blue Business Plus for non-bonus spending: use Business Gold for top categories (4X) and Blue Business Plus for everything else (2X) to never earn below 2X on any purchase.
Total face value: $654
Estimated annual value: $288
| Credit | Value | Category | Frequency | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $150 Squarespace | $150 | Statement Credit | Annual | |
| $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck | $120 | Travel | — | |
| $20/mo business credit | $20/Monthly | Statement Credit | Monthly | |
| $155/yr Walmart+ | $12.95/Monthly | Statement Credit | Monthly |
Combined Protection Value
$53,651
You're not responsible for unauthorized charges. Amex covers 100% of fraudulent transactions when reported promptly.
Get coverage up to $50,000 for theft or damage to rental vehicles when you decline rental company insurance and pay with your card
Trigger: Coverage automatic when entire rental paid with card
Get reimbursed up to $1,000 per item and $50,000 per year for damage or theft of eligible purchases within 90 days of purchase
Get up to $800 per claim and $1,600 annually for cell phone damage or theft when you pay monthly wireless bill with Business Gold Card
Get reimbursed up to $1,250 for carry-on and $500 for checked baggage if lost, damaged, or stolen during common carrier travel
Trigger: Entire fare for ticket must be charged to card
Get reimbursed up to $300 per trip for essential expenses when your trip is delayed more than 12 hours, up to twice per year
Transfer your Membership Rewards points to 20 leading loyalty programs for maximum value.
Most partners accept Membership Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio with instant or near-instant transfers.
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5:8 | instant | — | — | |
| 1:1 | instant | — | — | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | — | 1.8 cpp | |
| 5:4 | instant | — | 1.35 cpp | |
| 1:1 | instant | — | — | |
| Route / Property | Points | Book With | Cabin/Type | Value / Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intra-Europe Economy via Iberia | 3,500 | — | economy | europe |
| Intra-Europe in Economy on a Partner | 4,000 | — | economy | europe |
| Domestic US in Business on a Partner | 6,000 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Europe in Economy | 6,000 | — | economy | europe |
| US to South America in Economy | 7,100 | — | economy | south_america |
| Domestic US and Canada in Economy | 7,100 | — | economy | united_states |
| Intra-Europe in Economy | 7,500 | — | economy | europe |
| Intra-Europe in Business | 8,000 | — | business | europe |
| US to Canada in Economy | 10,300 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Mexico in Economy on a Partner | 11,500 | — | economy | central_america |
| Canada to Hawaii in Economy | 11,600 | — | economy | united_states |
| Domestic US in First Class | 12,500 | — | first | united_states |
| US to Mexico in Economy | 14,400 | — | economy | central_america |
| US to Hawaii in Economy on a Partner | 15,000 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Iceland in Economy on a Partner | 17,000 | — | economy | europe |
| US to Japan in Economy | 20,000 | — | economy | asia |
| US to Asia in Economy | 20,000 | — | economy | asia |
| US to South America in Business | 22,500 | — | business | south_america |
| US to Northern Africa in Economy | 25,000 | — | economy | africa |
| US to Hong Kong in Economy | 27,000 | — | economy | asia |
Showing top 20 of 47 sweet spots
Highest automatic category bonus among mid-tier business cards at 4X. $375 fee partially offset by $395 in credits at FedEx, Grubhub, Walmart+, Squarespace. Vs. $95 Ink Business Preferred (3X fixed categories): more per dollar, higher fee. Vs. $695 Amex Business Platinum: no lounge access but stronger earn rates.
If you qualify for a business card, the American Express Business Gold can be worthwhile. Wait for an elevated sign-up bonus and ensure the monthly credits offset the $375 annual fee.
If you can qualify for a business card, you’ll want to add the American Express Business Gold at some point. Because American Express points are more expensive to hold, that timing should match a specific intended use. Since American Express uses a **“** once per lifetime **”** policy for sign-up bonuses, it’s best to wait for the right special offer. You can offset the **$20/month credit** on FedEx, Grubhub, or office supply stores and the **$12.95/month Walmart+ membership credit** against the **$375 annual fee**, but only if you already plan to spend that money. Otherwise, it’s tough to justify keeping the card long term.
The general **sign-up bonus offer of 100,000 (current special 200,000) points after spending $15,000 in the first three months** is okay, but there have been public offers as high as 100,000 points for the same spending requirement. You may want to hold out for an elevated offer to maximize your “once per lifetime” bonus—especially if there are other cards on your list you can still qualify for. Once you get the American Express Business Gold, its sign-up bonus alone can be worthwhile if you can meet the spending requirement naturally.
Whether you keep it beyond the first year depends on whether you already use the available credits. If so, those benefits can wipe out the $375 annual fee. Another major perk is **4x points in your top two eligible spending categories each month**, on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories (there are six eligible categories). Those 4x points add to your total while you’re meeting your welcome bonus. However, once you meet the spending requirement for the sign-up bonus, you may move on to the next card and its sign-up bonus, making the 4x structure less valuable.
Some reasons this card might not be right for you include:
- You can’t organically spend $15,000 in the first three months to receive the sign-up bonus.
- You want to wait for an elevated sign-up bonus because of American Express’s once per lifetime rule.
- You won’t use the statement credits for FedEx, Grubhub, office supply stores, or Walmart+ to offset the annual fee after the first year.
**Amex points are great in theory. We just find them harder to collect and more expensive to hold than Chase points.**
- If you’re in the points game long enough, you’ll dabble in both main systems (Chase & Amex).
- Amex has a one card bonus every 7 years rule, so ultimately, there will be more of a limit to how many you can collect via sign-up bonuses.
- There is only one no-fee card that allows you to earn and keep Membership Rewards points - the Blue Business Plus card.
- Delta and Hilton are solid transfer values and having Amex points gives you top-off flexibility if you are invested in either of those systems.
- We do find Amex travel a higher quality of service over the Chase travel portal.
Credit Utilization (60%)
Excludes earning value, lounge access, insurance, and elite status
Total Value Captured
$392.40
Annual Fee
-$375
Net Annual Value
+$17.40
You can redeem Membership Rewards points for a statement credit at only 0.6¢ per point. With an Amex Business Checking account you can reach 1¢ per point, which still isn’t great value. For the best return, transfer points to airline or hotel partners before booking.
The best place to use Amex points is with transfer partners. Move points to an airline or hotel program and book award travel for more than 1¢ per point you'll earn from the Amex Travel Portal. Partner sweet spots often yield much higher value once you get more advanced in the hobby.
You can upgrade, but it’s usually not recommended. Amex limits welcome offers to roughly once every 7 years per card. Upgrade bonuses are typically much smaller than new-card offers, so applying for a new Platinum card generally provides better long-term value.
There’s no way to avoid the [Amex Platinum](https://pointsnav.com/credit-cards/american-express-platinum-personal) annual fee. The card’s benefits and welcome offer can offset year one, but ongoing value depends on your use of credits and lounges. If the math no longer works, your options are to cancel or downgrade to a lower-fee card.
Yes. Upgrading with points often costs less than paying cash, but you’ll usually get better value by transferring points to the airline and booking business class from the start. Amex partner sweet spots can produce excellent premium-cabin redemptions when available.
Transfer to airline partners when redemption value exceeds 1.5 cents per point (common for business/first class). Use the Amex Travel portal at 1 cpp for economy flights when transfer partners offer poor availability or require fuel surcharges. Portal bookings earn 5x on Platinum for effective 5 cpp value, making them competitive with mediocre transfer redemptions.
Log into your Amex account, navigate to the rewards section, click "Transfer Points," link your loyalty account with your chosen airline partner, select the partner and amount, then initiate the transfer. Transfers are irreversible once completed, so verify all details before confirming.
There is a federal excise tax of $0.0006 per point (maximum $99 per transaction) when transferring to US-based airline partners like Delta, Hawaiian, and JetBlue. No transfer fees apply to other partners, hotel programs, or international airlines. Always check the specific partner's terms before transferring.
Points from multiple Amex Membership Rewards cards automatically pool under one login for flexible redemptions. You cannot directly transfer points between different Amex accounts or to unauthorized users, but you can transfer pooled points to an authorized user's loyalty account after a 90-day waiting period.
CNBC Select's review calling the Business Gold an incredibly versatile small business card and one of the best for earning rewards on advertising, shipping, restaurants, and other common business expenses.
NerdWallet's 4.2/5 rated review analyzing the 4X bonus categories, break-even analysis ($9,375 in 4X categories to offset $375 fee), and comparison with Ink Business Preferred and Capital One Venture X Business.
Head-to-head comparison of the personal Amex Gold vs. Business Gold, covering earn rate differences, credit structures, 4X category overlap, and which card is better for different spending profiles.
Comprehensive TPG review covering the 4X automatic category bonus, $395 in annual credits, employee card options, and whether the $375 annual fee is justified for business owners with variable spending.
CNBC Select coverage of the Business Gold Card overhaul with new benefits including Squarespace credit, updated annual fee, and enhanced statement credit lineup.
Coverage of the elevated 200K welcome offer on the Business Gold Card, including analysis of earning structure, return on investment, and comparison with the standard 100K offer.
Bankrate's review of the Business Gold Card covering the automatic 4X category selection, $240 flexible business credit, Walmart+ credit, and Squarespace credit for business owners.
Forbes Advisor review covering the $20 monthly flexible business credit at FedEx, Grubhub, and office supply stores, 4X automatic category earning, and comparison with other business rewards cards.
U.S. News review evaluating the Business Gold Card's exceptional value for its $375 annual fee, covering the automatic 4X categories and credit offset strategy.
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Top 2 Categories
4X on top 2 categories: airfare, advertising, gas, shipping, computer/software/cloud, restaurants (up to $150K combined/year)
Cap: $150,000/annual
Advertisements
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: purchases at US media providers for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio). Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Cloud Providers
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: U.S. purchases made from software & cloud system providers. Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Dining
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery. Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Electronic Stores
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers. Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Gas Stations
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: U.S. purchases at gas stations. Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Software
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: U.S. purchases made from software & cloud system providers. Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Telecom
Monthly wireless telephone service charges from U.S. service providers (one of top 2 categories, up to $150K/year)
Cap: $150,000/annual
Tolls
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: Tolls. Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Transit
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways. Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Flights
3X on flights booked directly with airlines
Air Travel Amextravelcom
Flights booked via AmexTravel.com
Prepaid Hotels Amextravelcom
Prepaid hotels booked via AmexTravel.com
Automatically earn 4X Membership Rewards points on the 2 categories where you spend most each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories: advertising, restaurants, gas stations, transit, software/cloud, and wireless. Up to $150,000 in combined annual spending.
Spend $5,000/month on advertising and $3,000/month at restaurants: earn 32,000 points/month (worth $640 at 2cpp), or 384,000 points annually from just two categories.
Book business travel through AmexTravel.com and earn 3X Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotel stays. Combine with Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts for premium perks.
Book a $2,000 business trip on AmexTravel.com: earn 6,000 points worth $120 at 2cpp, compared to 2,000 points (1X) at most other booking channels.
Earn 1 Membership Rewards point per dollar on all other eligible business purchases. Pair with the Blue Business Plus (2X on first $50K) for non-bonus spending to maximize your overall earn rate.
Pair with Blue Business Plus for non-bonus spending: use Business Gold for top categories (4X) and Blue Business Plus for everything else (2X) to never earn below 2X on any purchase.
Total face value: $654
Estimated annual value: $288
| Credit | Value | Category | Frequency | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $150 Squarespace | $150 | Statement Credit | Annual | |
| $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck | $120 | Travel | — | |
| $20/mo business credit | $20/Monthly | Statement Credit | Monthly | |
| $155/yr Walmart+ | $12.95/Monthly | Statement Credit | Monthly |
Combined Protection Value
$53,651
You're not responsible for unauthorized charges. Amex covers 100% of fraudulent transactions when reported promptly.
Get coverage up to $50,000 for theft or damage to rental vehicles when you decline rental company insurance and pay with your card
Trigger: Coverage automatic when entire rental paid with card
Get reimbursed up to $1,000 per item and $50,000 per year for damage or theft of eligible purchases within 90 days of purchase
Get up to $800 per claim and $1,600 annually for cell phone damage or theft when you pay monthly wireless bill with Business Gold Card
Get reimbursed up to $1,250 for carry-on and $500 for checked baggage if lost, damaged, or stolen during common carrier travel
Trigger: Entire fare for ticket must be charged to card
Get reimbursed up to $300 per trip for essential expenses when your trip is delayed more than 12 hours, up to twice per year
Transfer your Membership Rewards points to 20 leading loyalty programs for maximum value.
Most partners accept Membership Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio with instant or near-instant transfers.
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5:8 | instant | — | — | |
| 1:1 | instant | — | — | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | — | 1.8 cpp | |
| 5:4 | instant | — | 1.35 cpp | |
| 1:1 | instant | — | — | |
| Route / Property | Points | Book With | Cabin/Type | Value / Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intra-Europe Economy via Iberia | 3,500 | — | economy | europe |
| Intra-Europe in Economy on a Partner | 4,000 | — | economy | europe |
| Domestic US in Business on a Partner | 6,000 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Europe in Economy | 6,000 | — | economy | europe |
| US to South America in Economy | 7,100 | — | economy | south_america |
| Domestic US and Canada in Economy | 7,100 | — | economy | united_states |
| Intra-Europe in Economy | 7,500 | — | economy | europe |
| Intra-Europe in Business | 8,000 | — | business | europe |
| US to Canada in Economy | 10,300 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Mexico in Economy on a Partner | 11,500 | — | economy | central_america |
| Canada to Hawaii in Economy | 11,600 | — | economy | united_states |
| Domestic US in First Class | 12,500 | — | first | united_states |
| US to Mexico in Economy | 14,400 | — | economy | central_america |
| US to Hawaii in Economy on a Partner | 15,000 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Iceland in Economy on a Partner | 17,000 | — | economy | europe |
| US to Japan in Economy | 20,000 | — | economy | asia |
| US to Asia in Economy | 20,000 | — | economy | asia |
| US to South America in Business | 22,500 | — | business | south_america |
| US to Northern Africa in Economy | 25,000 | — | economy | africa |
| US to Hong Kong in Economy | 27,000 | — | economy | asia |
Showing top 20 of 47 sweet spots
Highest automatic category bonus among mid-tier business cards at 4X. $375 fee partially offset by $395 in credits at FedEx, Grubhub, Walmart+, Squarespace. Vs. $95 Ink Business Preferred (3X fixed categories): more per dollar, higher fee. Vs. $695 Amex Business Platinum: no lounge access but stronger earn rates.
If you qualify for a business card, the American Express Business Gold can be worthwhile. Wait for an elevated sign-up bonus and ensure the monthly credits offset the $375 annual fee.
If you can qualify for a business card, you’ll want to add the American Express Business Gold at some point. Because American Express points are more expensive to hold, that timing should match a specific intended use. Since American Express uses a **“** once per lifetime **”** policy for sign-up bonuses, it’s best to wait for the right special offer. You can offset the **$20/month credit** on FedEx, Grubhub, or office supply stores and the **$12.95/month Walmart+ membership credit** against the **$375 annual fee**, but only if you already plan to spend that money. Otherwise, it’s tough to justify keeping the card long term.
The general **sign-up bonus offer of 100,000 (current special 200,000) points after spending $15,000 in the first three months** is okay, but there have been public offers as high as 100,000 points for the same spending requirement. You may want to hold out for an elevated offer to maximize your “once per lifetime” bonus—especially if there are other cards on your list you can still qualify for. Once you get the American Express Business Gold, its sign-up bonus alone can be worthwhile if you can meet the spending requirement naturally.
Whether you keep it beyond the first year depends on whether you already use the available credits. If so, those benefits can wipe out the $375 annual fee. Another major perk is **4x points in your top two eligible spending categories each month**, on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories (there are six eligible categories). Those 4x points add to your total while you’re meeting your welcome bonus. However, once you meet the spending requirement for the sign-up bonus, you may move on to the next card and its sign-up bonus, making the 4x structure less valuable.
Some reasons this card might not be right for you include:
- You can’t organically spend $15,000 in the first three months to receive the sign-up bonus.
- You want to wait for an elevated sign-up bonus because of American Express’s once per lifetime rule.
- You won’t use the statement credits for FedEx, Grubhub, office supply stores, or Walmart+ to offset the annual fee after the first year.
**Amex points are great in theory. We just find them harder to collect and more expensive to hold than Chase points.**
- If you’re in the points game long enough, you’ll dabble in both main systems (Chase & Amex).
- Amex has a one card bonus every 7 years rule, so ultimately, there will be more of a limit to how many you can collect via sign-up bonuses.
- There is only one no-fee card that allows you to earn and keep Membership Rewards points - the Blue Business Plus card.
- Delta and Hilton are solid transfer values and having Amex points gives you top-off flexibility if you are invested in either of those systems.
- We do find Amex travel a higher quality of service over the Chase travel portal.
Credit Utilization (60%)
Excludes earning value, lounge access, insurance, and elite status
Total Value Captured
$392.40
Annual Fee
-$375
Net Annual Value
+$17.40
You can redeem Membership Rewards points for a statement credit at only 0.6¢ per point. With an Amex Business Checking account you can reach 1¢ per point, which still isn’t great value. For the best return, transfer points to airline or hotel partners before booking.
The best place to use Amex points is with transfer partners. Move points to an airline or hotel program and book award travel for more than 1¢ per point you'll earn from the Amex Travel Portal. Partner sweet spots often yield much higher value once you get more advanced in the hobby.
You can upgrade, but it’s usually not recommended. Amex limits welcome offers to roughly once every 7 years per card. Upgrade bonuses are typically much smaller than new-card offers, so applying for a new Platinum card generally provides better long-term value.
There’s no way to avoid the [Amex Platinum](https://pointsnav.com/credit-cards/american-express-platinum-personal) annual fee. The card’s benefits and welcome offer can offset year one, but ongoing value depends on your use of credits and lounges. If the math no longer works, your options are to cancel or downgrade to a lower-fee card.
Yes. Upgrading with points often costs less than paying cash, but you’ll usually get better value by transferring points to the airline and booking business class from the start. Amex partner sweet spots can produce excellent premium-cabin redemptions when available.
Transfer to airline partners when redemption value exceeds 1.5 cents per point (common for business/first class). Use the Amex Travel portal at 1 cpp for economy flights when transfer partners offer poor availability or require fuel surcharges. Portal bookings earn 5x on Platinum for effective 5 cpp value, making them competitive with mediocre transfer redemptions.
Log into your Amex account, navigate to the rewards section, click "Transfer Points," link your loyalty account with your chosen airline partner, select the partner and amount, then initiate the transfer. Transfers are irreversible once completed, so verify all details before confirming.
There is a federal excise tax of $0.0006 per point (maximum $99 per transaction) when transferring to US-based airline partners like Delta, Hawaiian, and JetBlue. No transfer fees apply to other partners, hotel programs, or international airlines. Always check the specific partner's terms before transferring.
Points from multiple Amex Membership Rewards cards automatically pool under one login for flexible redemptions. You cannot directly transfer points between different Amex accounts or to unauthorized users, but you can transfer pooled points to an authorized user's loyalty account after a 90-day waiting period.
CNBC Select's review calling the Business Gold an incredibly versatile small business card and one of the best for earning rewards on advertising, shipping, restaurants, and other common business expenses.
NerdWallet's 4.2/5 rated review analyzing the 4X bonus categories, break-even analysis ($9,375 in 4X categories to offset $375 fee), and comparison with Ink Business Preferred and Capital One Venture X Business.
Head-to-head comparison of the personal Amex Gold vs. Business Gold, covering earn rate differences, credit structures, 4X category overlap, and which card is better for different spending profiles.
Comprehensive TPG review covering the 4X automatic category bonus, $395 in annual credits, employee card options, and whether the $375 annual fee is justified for business owners with variable spending.
CNBC Select coverage of the Business Gold Card overhaul with new benefits including Squarespace credit, updated annual fee, and enhanced statement credit lineup.
Coverage of the elevated 200K welcome offer on the Business Gold Card, including analysis of earning structure, return on investment, and comparison with the standard 100K offer.
Bankrate's review of the Business Gold Card covering the automatic 4X category selection, $240 flexible business credit, Walmart+ credit, and Squarespace credit for business owners.
Forbes Advisor review covering the $20 monthly flexible business credit at FedEx, Grubhub, and office supply stores, 4X automatic category earning, and comparison with other business rewards cards.
U.S. News review evaluating the Business Gold Card's exceptional value for its $375 annual fee, covering the automatic 4X categories and credit offset strategy.
| Source | Date | URL |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
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Top 2 Categories
4X on top 2 categories: airfare, advertising, gas, shipping, computer/software/cloud, restaurants (up to $150K combined/year)
Cap: $150,000/annual
Advertisements
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: purchases at US media providers for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio). Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Cloud Providers
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: U.S. purchases made from software & cloud system providers. Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Dining
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery. Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Electronic Stores
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers. Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Gas Stations
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: U.S. purchases at gas stations. Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Software
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: U.S. purchases made from software & cloud system providers. Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Telecom
Monthly wireless telephone service charges from U.S. service providers (one of top 2 categories, up to $150K/year)
Cap: $150,000/annual
Tolls
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: Tolls. Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Transit
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle: Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways. Only the top 2 categories from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap (then 1X thereafter).
Cap: $150,000/annual
Flights
3X on flights booked directly with airlines
Air Travel Amextravelcom
Flights booked via AmexTravel.com
Prepaid Hotels Amextravelcom
Prepaid hotels booked via AmexTravel.com
Automatically earn 4X Membership Rewards points on the 2 categories where you spend most each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories: advertising, restaurants, gas stations, transit, software/cloud, and wireless. Up to $150,000 in combined annual spending.
Spend $5,000/month on advertising and $3,000/month at restaurants: earn 32,000 points/month (worth $640 at 2cpp), or 384,000 points annually from just two categories.
Book business travel through AmexTravel.com and earn 3X Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotel stays. Combine with Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts for premium perks.
Book a $2,000 business trip on AmexTravel.com: earn 6,000 points worth $120 at 2cpp, compared to 2,000 points (1X) at most other booking channels.
Earn 1 Membership Rewards point per dollar on all other eligible business purchases. Pair with the Blue Business Plus (2X on first $50K) for non-bonus spending to maximize your overall earn rate.
Pair with Blue Business Plus for non-bonus spending: use Business Gold for top categories (4X) and Blue Business Plus for everything else (2X) to never earn below 2X on any purchase.
Total face value: $654
Estimated annual value: $288
| Credit | Value | Category | Frequency | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $150 Squarespace | $150 | Statement Credit | Annual | |
| $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck | $120 | Travel | — | |
| $20/mo business credit | $20/Monthly | Statement Credit | Monthly | |
| $155/yr Walmart+ | $12.95/Monthly | Statement Credit | Monthly |
Combined Protection Value
$53,651
You're not responsible for unauthorized charges. Amex covers 100% of fraudulent transactions when reported promptly.
Get coverage up to $50,000 for theft or damage to rental vehicles when you decline rental company insurance and pay with your card
Trigger: Coverage automatic when entire rental paid with card
Get reimbursed up to $1,000 per item and $50,000 per year for damage or theft of eligible purchases within 90 days of purchase
Get up to $800 per claim and $1,600 annually for cell phone damage or theft when you pay monthly wireless bill with Business Gold Card
Get reimbursed up to $1,250 for carry-on and $500 for checked baggage if lost, damaged, or stolen during common carrier travel
Trigger: Entire fare for ticket must be charged to card
Get reimbursed up to $300 per trip for essential expenses when your trip is delayed more than 12 hours, up to twice per year
Transfer your Membership Rewards points to 20 leading loyalty programs for maximum value.
Most partners accept Membership Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio with instant or near-instant transfers.
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5:8 | instant | — | — | |
| 1:1 | instant | — | — | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | — | 1.8 cpp | |
| 5:4 | instant | — | 1.35 cpp | |
| 1:1 | instant | — | — | |
| Route / Property | Points | Book With | Cabin/Type | Value / Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intra-Europe Economy via Iberia | 3,500 | — | economy | europe |
| Intra-Europe in Economy on a Partner | 4,000 | — | economy | europe |
| Domestic US in Business on a Partner | 6,000 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Europe in Economy | 6,000 | — | economy | europe |
| US to South America in Economy | 7,100 | — | economy | south_america |
| Domestic US and Canada in Economy | 7,100 | — | economy | united_states |
| Intra-Europe in Economy | 7,500 | — | economy | europe |
| Intra-Europe in Business | 8,000 | — | business | europe |
| US to Canada in Economy | 10,300 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Mexico in Economy on a Partner | 11,500 | — | economy | central_america |
| Canada to Hawaii in Economy | 11,600 | — | economy | united_states |
| Domestic US in First Class | 12,500 | — | first | united_states |
| US to Mexico in Economy | 14,400 | — | economy | central_america |
| US to Hawaii in Economy on a Partner | 15,000 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Iceland in Economy on a Partner | 17,000 | — | economy | europe |
| US to Japan in Economy | 20,000 | — | economy | asia |
| US to Asia in Economy | 20,000 | — | economy | asia |
| US to South America in Business | 22,500 | — | business | south_america |
| US to Northern Africa in Economy | 25,000 | — | economy | africa |
| US to Hong Kong in Economy | 27,000 | — | economy | asia |
Showing top 20 of 47 sweet spots
Highest automatic category bonus among mid-tier business cards at 4X. $375 fee partially offset by $395 in credits at FedEx, Grubhub, Walmart+, Squarespace. Vs. $95 Ink Business Preferred (3X fixed categories): more per dollar, higher fee. Vs. $695 Amex Business Platinum: no lounge access but stronger earn rates.
If you qualify for a business card, the American Express Business Gold can be worthwhile. Wait for an elevated sign-up bonus and ensure the monthly credits offset the $375 annual fee.
If you can qualify for a business card, you’ll want to add the American Express Business Gold at some point. Because American Express points are more expensive to hold, that timing should match a specific intended use. Since American Express uses a **“** once per lifetime **”** policy for sign-up bonuses, it’s best to wait for the right special offer. You can offset the **$20/month credit** on FedEx, Grubhub, or office supply stores and the **$12.95/month Walmart+ membership credit** against the **$375 annual fee**, but only if you already plan to spend that money. Otherwise, it’s tough to justify keeping the card long term.
The general **sign-up bonus offer of 100,000 (current special 200,000) points after spending $15,000 in the first three months** is okay, but there have been public offers as high as 100,000 points for the same spending requirement. You may want to hold out for an elevated offer to maximize your “once per lifetime” bonus—especially if there are other cards on your list you can still qualify for. Once you get the American Express Business Gold, its sign-up bonus alone can be worthwhile if you can meet the spending requirement naturally.
Whether you keep it beyond the first year depends on whether you already use the available credits. If so, those benefits can wipe out the $375 annual fee. Another major perk is **4x points in your top two eligible spending categories each month**, on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories (there are six eligible categories). Those 4x points add to your total while you’re meeting your welcome bonus. However, once you meet the spending requirement for the sign-up bonus, you may move on to the next card and its sign-up bonus, making the 4x structure less valuable.
Some reasons this card might not be right for you include:
- You can’t organically spend $15,000 in the first three months to receive the sign-up bonus.
- You want to wait for an elevated sign-up bonus because of American Express’s once per lifetime rule.
- You won’t use the statement credits for FedEx, Grubhub, office supply stores, or Walmart+ to offset the annual fee after the first year.
**Amex points are great in theory. We just find them harder to collect and more expensive to hold than Chase points.**
- If you’re in the points game long enough, you’ll dabble in both main systems (Chase & Amex).
- Amex has a one card bonus every 7 years rule, so ultimately, there will be more of a limit to how many you can collect via sign-up bonuses.
- There is only one no-fee card that allows you to earn and keep Membership Rewards points - the Blue Business Plus card.
- Delta and Hilton are solid transfer values and having Amex points gives you top-off flexibility if you are invested in either of those systems.
- We do find Amex travel a higher quality of service over the Chase travel portal.
Credit Utilization (60%)
Excludes earning value, lounge access, insurance, and elite status
Total Value Captured
$392.40
Annual Fee
-$375
Net Annual Value
+$17.40
You can redeem Membership Rewards points for a statement credit at only 0.6¢ per point. With an Amex Business Checking account you can reach 1¢ per point, which still isn’t great value. For the best return, transfer points to airline or hotel partners before booking.
The best place to use Amex points is with transfer partners. Move points to an airline or hotel program and book award travel for more than 1¢ per point you'll earn from the Amex Travel Portal. Partner sweet spots often yield much higher value once you get more advanced in the hobby.
You can upgrade, but it’s usually not recommended. Amex limits welcome offers to roughly once every 7 years per card. Upgrade bonuses are typically much smaller than new-card offers, so applying for a new Platinum card generally provides better long-term value.
There’s no way to avoid the [Amex Platinum](https://pointsnav.com/credit-cards/american-express-platinum-personal) annual fee. The card’s benefits and welcome offer can offset year one, but ongoing value depends on your use of credits and lounges. If the math no longer works, your options are to cancel or downgrade to a lower-fee card.
Yes. Upgrading with points often costs less than paying cash, but you’ll usually get better value by transferring points to the airline and booking business class from the start. Amex partner sweet spots can produce excellent premium-cabin redemptions when available.
Transfer to airline partners when redemption value exceeds 1.5 cents per point (common for business/first class). Use the Amex Travel portal at 1 cpp for economy flights when transfer partners offer poor availability or require fuel surcharges. Portal bookings earn 5x on Platinum for effective 5 cpp value, making them competitive with mediocre transfer redemptions.
Log into your Amex account, navigate to the rewards section, click "Transfer Points," link your loyalty account with your chosen airline partner, select the partner and amount, then initiate the transfer. Transfers are irreversible once completed, so verify all details before confirming.
There is a federal excise tax of $0.0006 per point (maximum $99 per transaction) when transferring to US-based airline partners like Delta, Hawaiian, and JetBlue. No transfer fees apply to other partners, hotel programs, or international airlines. Always check the specific partner's terms before transferring.
Points from multiple Amex Membership Rewards cards automatically pool under one login for flexible redemptions. You cannot directly transfer points between different Amex accounts or to unauthorized users, but you can transfer pooled points to an authorized user's loyalty account after a 90-day waiting period.
CNBC Select's review calling the Business Gold an incredibly versatile small business card and one of the best for earning rewards on advertising, shipping, restaurants, and other common business expenses.
NerdWallet's 4.2/5 rated review analyzing the 4X bonus categories, break-even analysis ($9,375 in 4X categories to offset $375 fee), and comparison with Ink Business Preferred and Capital One Venture X Business.
Head-to-head comparison of the personal Amex Gold vs. Business Gold, covering earn rate differences, credit structures, 4X category overlap, and which card is better for different spending profiles.
Comprehensive TPG review covering the 4X automatic category bonus, $395 in annual credits, employee card options, and whether the $375 annual fee is justified for business owners with variable spending.
CNBC Select coverage of the Business Gold Card overhaul with new benefits including Squarespace credit, updated annual fee, and enhanced statement credit lineup.
Coverage of the elevated 200K welcome offer on the Business Gold Card, including analysis of earning structure, return on investment, and comparison with the standard 100K offer.
Bankrate's review of the Business Gold Card covering the automatic 4X category selection, $240 flexible business credit, Walmart+ credit, and Squarespace credit for business owners.
Forbes Advisor review covering the $20 monthly flexible business credit at FedEx, Grubhub, and office supply stores, 4X automatic category earning, and comparison with other business rewards cards.
U.S. News review evaluating the Business Gold Card's exceptional value for its $375 annual fee, covering the automatic 4X categories and credit offset strategy.
| Source | Date | URL |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
Trigger: Coverage activates after 12+ hour delay
Reimbursement up to $300/item ($1K annually) when merchant won't accept return within 90 days. Premium cards only.
Automatically extend manufacturer's warranties by up to 1 year on eligible items with warranties of 5 years or less
| 1:1 |
| instant |
| 94% |
| — |
| 1:1 | instant | 88% | 1.5 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 81% | 1.4 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 81% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | 1.2 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 69% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 69% | — |
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:2 | instant | 63% | 0.5 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | 44% | 0.7 cpp | |
| 2:3 | instant | 44% | 0.6 cpp |
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
cathay_pacific_asia_miles | 1:1 | instant | — | — |
air_france_klm_flying_blue | 1:1 | instant | 81% | — |
The American Express Business Platinum offers a slightly higher sign-up bonus (200,000 points) and more perks, but it carries a $895 annual fee. Public offers for the Business Platinum have gone as high as 150,000 points, so keep that in mind. Meanwhile, the Green Business card isn’t worth mentioning beyond advising you not to get it—the low sign-up bonus and lack of benefits don’t justify its annual fee.
On the personal side, the American Express Platinum is comparable to the Business Platinum. It has the same high fee ($895) and a similar sign-up bonus (typically 175,000 points), with somewhat different benefits. The personal Gold card is also worth a look, but timing is crucial.
If you plan to collect multiple American Express personal cards, remember that if you get the Platinum first, you won’t be eligible for the sign-up bonus on the Green or Gold later. To get all three, apply in the order of Green, then Gold, then Platinum. This specific rule does not currently apply to American Express business cards. Therefore, if you start with the Business Platinum to take advantage of a great offer, you can still get the sign-up bonus on the Business Gold later (assuming the rule remains unchanged).
Neither my wife nor I could get approved for new Chase business cards, and we had already applied for most other recommended cards that weren’t co-branded airline or hotel cards. I received a targeted offer for the American Express Business Gold card with a sign-up bonus of 175,000 miles after spending $15,000 in the first three months. That amount was high for us, but we had a spring break trip and a large purchase coming up, so it worked out.
We’ve enjoyed the Walmart+ membership for free grocery delivery, which we use at least once per week. We haven’t maximized the $20 monthly credit because we rarely spend much at office supply stores or on DoorDash. We haven’t decided yet if we’ll keep the card after the first year, but the large sign-up bonus made it worthwhile for us initially.
Trigger: Coverage activates after 12+ hour delay
Reimbursement up to $300/item ($1K annually) when merchant won't accept return within 90 days. Premium cards only.
Automatically extend manufacturer's warranties by up to 1 year on eligible items with warranties of 5 years or less
| 1:1 |
| instant |
| 94% |
| — |
| 1:1 | instant | 88% | 1.5 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 81% | 1.4 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 81% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | 1.2 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 69% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 69% | — |
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:2 | instant | 63% | 0.5 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | 44% | 0.7 cpp | |
| 2:3 | instant | 44% | 0.6 cpp |
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
cathay_pacific_asia_miles | 1:1 | instant | — | — |
air_france_klm_flying_blue | 1:1 | instant | 81% | — |
The American Express Business Platinum offers a slightly higher sign-up bonus (200,000 points) and more perks, but it carries a $895 annual fee. Public offers for the Business Platinum have gone as high as 150,000 points, so keep that in mind. Meanwhile, the Green Business card isn’t worth mentioning beyond advising you not to get it—the low sign-up bonus and lack of benefits don’t justify its annual fee.
On the personal side, the American Express Platinum is comparable to the Business Platinum. It has the same high fee ($895) and a similar sign-up bonus (typically 175,000 points), with somewhat different benefits. The personal Gold card is also worth a look, but timing is crucial.
If you plan to collect multiple American Express personal cards, remember that if you get the Platinum first, you won’t be eligible for the sign-up bonus on the Green or Gold later. To get all three, apply in the order of Green, then Gold, then Platinum. This specific rule does not currently apply to American Express business cards. Therefore, if you start with the Business Platinum to take advantage of a great offer, you can still get the sign-up bonus on the Business Gold later (assuming the rule remains unchanged).
Neither my wife nor I could get approved for new Chase business cards, and we had already applied for most other recommended cards that weren’t co-branded airline or hotel cards. I received a targeted offer for the American Express Business Gold card with a sign-up bonus of 175,000 miles after spending $15,000 in the first three months. That amount was high for us, but we had a spring break trip and a large purchase coming up, so it worked out.
We’ve enjoyed the Walmart+ membership for free grocery delivery, which we use at least once per week. We haven’t maximized the $20 monthly credit because we rarely spend much at office supply stores or on DoorDash. We haven’t decided yet if we’ll keep the card after the first year, but the large sign-up bonus made it worthwhile for us initially.
Trigger: Coverage activates after 12+ hour delay
Reimbursement up to $300/item ($1K annually) when merchant won't accept return within 90 days. Premium cards only.
Automatically extend manufacturer's warranties by up to 1 year on eligible items with warranties of 5 years or less
| 1:1 |
| instant |
| 94% |
| — |
| 1:1 | instant | 88% | 1.5 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 81% | 1.4 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 81% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | 1.2 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 69% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 69% | — |
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:2 | instant | 63% | 0.5 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | 44% | 0.7 cpp | |
| 2:3 | instant | 44% | 0.6 cpp |
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
cathay_pacific_asia_miles | 1:1 | instant | — | — |
air_france_klm_flying_blue | 1:1 | instant | 81% | — |
The American Express Business Platinum offers a slightly higher sign-up bonus (200,000 points) and more perks, but it carries a $895 annual fee. Public offers for the Business Platinum have gone as high as 150,000 points, so keep that in mind. Meanwhile, the Green Business card isn’t worth mentioning beyond advising you not to get it—the low sign-up bonus and lack of benefits don’t justify its annual fee.
On the personal side, the American Express Platinum is comparable to the Business Platinum. It has the same high fee ($895) and a similar sign-up bonus (typically 175,000 points), with somewhat different benefits. The personal Gold card is also worth a look, but timing is crucial.
If you plan to collect multiple American Express personal cards, remember that if you get the Platinum first, you won’t be eligible for the sign-up bonus on the Green or Gold later. To get all three, apply in the order of Green, then Gold, then Platinum. This specific rule does not currently apply to American Express business cards. Therefore, if you start with the Business Platinum to take advantage of a great offer, you can still get the sign-up bonus on the Business Gold later (assuming the rule remains unchanged).
Neither my wife nor I could get approved for new Chase business cards, and we had already applied for most other recommended cards that weren’t co-branded airline or hotel cards. I received a targeted offer for the American Express Business Gold card with a sign-up bonus of 175,000 miles after spending $15,000 in the first three months. That amount was high for us, but we had a spring break trip and a large purchase coming up, so it worked out.
We’ve enjoyed the Walmart+ membership for free grocery delivery, which we use at least once per week. We haven’t maximized the $20 monthly credit because we rarely spend much at office supply stores or on DoorDash. We haven’t decided yet if we’ll keep the card after the first year, but the large sign-up bonus made it worthwhile for us initially.
