If you’re a frequent flyer, there’s likely no other card on the market better for you and your company.
Pros:
70,000 rewards points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months2X points for rental cars booked through American Express Travel4X points on business spending in top two business categories per billing cycle (up to $150,000 in one calendar year)Free access to expense management toolsNo preset spending limitNo foreign transaction fee$100 hotel credit with each booking when you stay for at least two consecutive nights
Cons:
$295 annual fee$150,000 spending cap on 4X points rewards in select categories in one calendar year
Business Gold cardholders get 4X the rewards points in two select categories in which they spend the most money each billing cycle. The categories you have to choose from include:
AirfareAdvertising (Online, TV, Radio)Computer hardwareSoftwareCloud StorageRestaurants Gas stationsUS purchases for shipping
After you spend $150,000 in combined purchases in the select categories in one calendar year, the rewards points drop to 1 point per dollar. 25% airline bonus Whenever you book your flight through the American Express online travel portal and use your points to pay, you get 25% of your points right back. If you make use of this feature a lot, you can get up to 250,000 points back each year. The 25% bonus applies to any class flight with a qualifying airline booked through the travel portal. No preset spending limits Your spending limit with Business Gold is flexible. This means that the amount you have available may change over time as data points revolving around your purchase and payment history, as well as credit score and credit history, are considered. If you pay your bills on time and have a strong credit score, American Express may increase your spending limit by a significant amount. Pay over time Each billing cycle, you can carry a balance of $100 or more on eligible purchases. Any charges under $100 are due in full each billing cycle on the due date. Charges that cannot carry over include express cash, traveler’s cheques, insurance premiums, purchases at casinos, gambling transactions, and any fees charged by American Express. All other charges may be paid for overtime if they are $100 or more. Free access to expense management tools Business Gold members get free access to the American Express Business App and a free year-end summary to help them organize their expenses. To further help with taxes, cardholders can also have their purchases automatically loaded into QuickBooks. Furthermore, cardholders get:
Free employee cardsAccount alertsOnline statementsVendor pay by Bill.com
$100 hotel credit Book your hotel through the travel portal, stay for at least two consecutive nights, and you’ll get a $100 hotel credit at participating vendors. The credit can only be used during the stay booked. Depending on the location, the credit can be spent on anything from dining to spas or other resort activities per booking. You can also get a free room upgrade upon arrival whenever they are available. If you’re primarily interested in travel options, you can go directly to American Express Travel. Through American Express Travel, you can use your points to book:
FlightsHotelsRental CarsCruises
Remember, you get 25% of your points back for airline purchases. The value of your points changes dramatically depending on where and how you spend them. Cardholders typically get the most value for their points by redeeming them through American Express Travel because of the 25% flight bonus.
The Business Platinum® Card from American Express: If you’re looking for even more from a business card, consider the Business Platinum. It has a high annual fee of $695 (see rates and fees). But if you’re able to take full advantage of its impressive benefits package, it could be worth it. The rewards are less flexible than the Business Gold, but it includes an impressive array of annual credits, a higher welcome bonus, and a wider selection of protections. The benefits include the Global Lounge Collection, an annual $200 airline fee credit at one selected airline, a $189 CLEAR® credit, and an annual Dell credit for up to $400, among others.Chase Business Ink Preferred® Credit Card: If you’re looking for a rewarding option that’s less expensive, consider the Business Ink Preferred. It has an annual fee of $95 and earns 3x points per dollar (on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases) for shipping, social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone service, and travel. It features a nice selection of travel protections, plus a 1:1 transfer rate to Chase’s travel partners where you could find more value for your points.Capital One Spark Miles for Business: A simple card for business owners on the go. It’s $95 annual fee is waived for the first year, and it earns 2x miles per dollar for every purchase. It offers free employee cards but has minimal perks compared to the Business Gold card.
Also: Best AMEX business cards: Which is right for you?
