Amex Gold vs. Amex Business Gold: Which one takes the lead?

For those seeking cards that deliver substantial points-earning rewards across various categories, the Gold series within American Express deserves a closer examination.

The personal American Express® Gold Card and the American Express® Business Gold Card occupy a space between mid-tier and ultra-premium offerings. However, with annual fees of $325 (view rates and fees) for the Amex Gold and $375 (see rates and fees) for the Amex Business Gold, these cards are certainly not inexpensive.

Both the Amex Gold and Amex Business Gold have recently been updated, featuring changes to their earning systems and benefits, along with higher annual fees.

Let’s explore and compare these two Gold cards to determine which one might suit your needs best.

Comparison of Amex Gold and Amex Business Gold

Welcome bonuses for Amex Gold vs. Amex Business Gold

The Amex Gold offers a generous welcome bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of opening the card, plus 20% back as a statement credit on eligible restaurant purchases (up to $100) during that same period. In contrast, the Amex Business Gold provides an even more enticing offer of 100,000 Membership Rewards points, but requires $15,000 in spending within the first three months.

You might be able to secure an even better welcome offer for the Amex Gold by utilizing the CardMatch tool (offers are subject to change at any time) or through a referral offer from an existing cardholder.

According to TPG's July valuation of 2 cents per Membership Rewards point, the welcome bonus for the Amex Gold is valued at $1,300. In comparison, the welcome bonus for the Amex Business Gold is worth $2,000, though it requires a higher spending threshold.

Remember that Amex has stringent policies regarding welcome bonuses. They allow only one bonus per card for a lifetime, regardless of how much time has elapsed since your last application for that card. Thus, if you’ve previously held either card, you may not qualify for the welcome bonus again.

Winner: Amex Business Gold, unless you can’t meet the spending requirement.

Amex Gold vs. Amex Business Gold perks

Both the personal Amex Gold and the Amex Business Gold offer a range of similar shopping and travel protections, which are nearly identical for both cards. With the updated Amex Business Gold, business owners will benefit from the newly added cellphone protection,* which reimburses up to $800 for the repair or replacement of damaged or stolen phones when you charge your monthly phone bill to the card. This benefit allows for up to two claims within a 12-month period, each subject to a $50 deductible.

*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.

Neither card imposes a foreign transaction fee (see rates and fees for Amex Gold; see rates and fees for Amex Business Gold), and both provide access to make reservations through Amex's Hotel Collection, which offers benefits for stays of two nights or more — including on-property credits and room upgrades based on availability.

The personal Amex Gold includes exclusive statement credit benefits designed to help offset its annual fee:

• Up to $120 annual dining credit: Receive up to $10 in statement credits each month when you use the Amex Gold at participating dining partners such as Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment is necessary, and you must register on the Amex website to access this benefit.
• Up to $120 per year in Uber Cash. Get $10 in monthly Uber Cash by downloading the app and linking your Gold Card to your Uber account. This can be applied to Uber Eats orders or rides within the U.S. and can be combined with the monthly Uber Cash provided on The Platinum Card® from American Express.
• Up to $100 annual Resy credits: Cardmembers can access a biannual statement credit of up to $50 by dining at U.S. Resy restaurants or making other eligible purchases through Resy.
• Up to $84 in annual Dunkin' credits: Cardmembers receive a monthly statement credit of up to $7 for use at all Dunkin' locations in the U.S.

The Amex Business Gold offers several benefits, including:

• Up to $240 with select business merchants: Get up to $240 each year (up to $20 monthly in statement credits) on qualifying purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and office supply retailers.
• Up to $155 for Walmart+: Earn up to $155 each year (up to $12.95 monthly plus applicable taxes) in statement credits for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to automatic renewal). Plus-Ups are not included.
• Cellphone protection: Receive reimbursement for repair or replacement costs of a damaged cellphone up to $800 for two approved claims within a 12-month period when the monthly bill is paid using the Amex Business Gold (with a $50 deductible per claim).

Winner: Amex Gold. The diverse statement credits and their straightforward usage give this card a significant advantage.

Earning points with Amex Gold compared to Amex Business Gold

Both the Amex Gold and Amex Business Gold provide up to 4 points per dollar spent in select categories, translating to an 8% return on spending, according to TPG's July 2024 valuation of Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each.

With the personal Amex Gold, you can earn points in the following categories:

• 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants (capped at $50,000 in annual spending, then 1 point per dollar) and at U.S. supermarkets (capped at $25,000 in annual spending, then 1 point per dollar)
• 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with the airline or through amextravel.com
• 2 points per dollar on prepaid hotels and other qualifying purchases made via amextravel.com
• 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases

The 4 points per dollar on dining and U.S. supermarkets are particularly competitive compared to other cards, making the Amex Gold a top choice on our lists of best cards for groceries and best cards for dining out.

In contrast, the Amex Business Gold card features robust bonus categories tailored for businesses. Notably, you automatically earn 4 points per dollar in your top two spending categories each billing cycle (on the first $150,000 in combined purchases annually, then 1 point per dollar), eliminating the need to choose categories yourself. The eligible categories include:

• U.S. advertising purchases in select media
• Gas station purchases in the U.S.
• Restaurant purchases in the U.S.
• Transit expenses including trains, taxis, rideshares, tolls, ferries, buses, parking, and subways
• Purchases made with U.S. retailers of electronic goods, software, and cloud services
• Monthly wireless phone bills directly with U.S. providers.

Moreover, the updated Amex Business Gold earns 3 points per dollar on flights, prepaid hotels, and prepaid travel packages booked directly through Amex Travel or amextravel.com.

This category structure makes the card appealing to those looking to earn travel rewards with minimal effort. Essentially, you automatically accumulate 4 points per dollar in your top two spending categories from the eligible list on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year, then 1 point afterwards.

This card is designed as a comprehensive solution that you can use for all your purchases, allowing you to concentrate more on your business operations.

Winner: It's a draw. Both cards present attractive earning structures, and the better option will depend on your individual spending patterns.

Comparing point redemption options for the Amex Gold and Amex Business Gold

Both the Amex Gold and Amex Business Gold accumulate Membership Rewards points that can be redeemed in multiple ways.

You can also redeem points for gift cards, travel through AmexTravel, and with merchant partners via the Membership Rewards portal. Furthermore, the Pay with Points feature allows you to use your Membership Reward points at 15 different online retailers.

Winner: It's a tie. Both cards provide identical redemption options.

Comparing point transfers for the Amex Gold and Amex Business Gold

However, the most advantageous way to redeem your Membership Rewards points from either card is by transferring them to Amex's 21 airline and hotel partners. With a variety of choices available, you'll find a transfer partner within each of the three major airline alliances as well as several independent carriers.

TPG's senior writer Ben Smithson frequently transfers his Membership Rewards to Air Canada's Aeroplan program to leverage its region and distance-based award chart along with its notable sweet spots.

Winner: It's a tie. Both cards accrue Membership Rewards points and share identical transfer options.

Am I better off with the Amex Gold or Amex Business Gold?

The Amex Gold stands out for dining and U.S. grocery purchases, and its statement credits effectively cover the annual fee. It caters to a broader audience and is ideal for those without significant business expenses. In contrast, the Amex Business Gold is designed for larger, well-established businesses with substantial operating costs. Your choice should be guided by your spending patterns and which benefits deliver greater value.

Final thoughts

For most consumers who frequently dine out and shop for groceries, the Amex Gold is the ideal option. On the other hand, the Business Gold is only beneficial if your company incurs significant expenses in specific areas like advertising and technology. If you already possess the Amex Gold and are looking for a business card to complement it, then The Business Platinum Card® from American Express might be the superior choice.