American Express Business Gold Card Requirements
Note the details of cards mentioned here have been gathered independently. Benefits may change and terms apply so be sure to check with card issuers for the latest information.
Interested in the American Express Business Gold credit card? You aren’t alone. With a rewards rate of 4x Membership Rewards points earned on the top two business spending categories (up to the first $150,000 in combined spend annually), and 1x points on other eligible purchases, this card is a popular rewards card pick with small business owners.
In addition, the American Express Business Gold credit card is currently offering a welcome bonus of 70,000 bonus points when you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of card membership, and 25% points back when you pay for part or all of an eligible flight through Amex Travel using Membership Rewards Pay by Point (capped at 250,000 Membership Rewards points back per calendar year.)
But the card will only be helpful if your business qualifies. So what are the requirements to get the American Express Business Gold credit card?
Amex Business Gold Card Requirements Overview
Unfortunately, Amex doesn’t post requirements to qualify for a Business Gold card. However, this is considered a premium credit card with good rewards, it’s not a stretch to predict that American Express is looking for qualified cardholders with excellent credit and good incomes.
Amex Business Gold Card Requirements Details
When filling out the credit card application you’ll need to provide information about your business, including:
Industry type
Business structure (Partnership, Corp or Sole Proprietorship)
Years in business
Business revenue
Number of employees
Estimated Monthly Spend
Federal Tax ID (EIN)
You’ll also have to provide personal information, including:
Social Security number
Total annual income
Non-taxable income
Like most small business credit cards (as compared to corporate cards), a personal credit check will be required. The applicant should have a good credit score or excellent credit score. Amex doesn’t reveal minimum credit score requirements but generally that means you should have FICO scores of at least 680, though 700 or higher is probably preferable. (A higher credit score may help you qualify for a lower interest rate and/or higher credit limit.)
Generally this card is available to applicants with new businesses, as long as they have good– excellent credit and sufficient income from all sources (not just the business).
Like most card issuers, Amex does not reveal minimum income requirements, so it’s possible to be denied due to insufficient income.
Pros and Cons of the Amex Business Gold Card Requirements
The pros and cons of this credit card’s requirements are pretty straightforward.
Pros:
May be available to new businesses without strong business revenues
Available to sole proprietors as well as corporations and partnerships
Cons:
Good to excellent credit is required
Minimum income requirements not available
In addition to the pros and cons of the card qualification requirements, it’s helpful to compare the pros and cons of the card offer itself:
Pros:
4x points in top two spending categories
1x points on other eligible purchases
70,000 bonus points for the welcome offer
25% airline bonus
Purchase protection
Extended warranty
Baggage insurance
No foreign transaction fees
Expense management tools
No preset spending limit
No foreign transaction fees
Cons:
Relatively high annual fee of $295
Must pay in full (except for Pay Over Time option)
Good/excellent credit score required
No preset spending limit
4x points limited to the top 2 bonus categories of US purchases on advertising, gas stations, restaurants, shipping, technology providers of computer software
You will notice that the ‘no preset spending limits’ is in both the pros and cons lists. This is because for some cardholders having an undisclosed credit limit that changes each billing cycle can be a good thing while for others it may not be helpful.
Learn more about the American Express Business Gold card credit limit.
Additionally, the Pay Over Time Option isn’t necessarily bad, bu it may be confusing to some cardholders who think this card is a credit card. It’s really a charge card with an option to pay for some purchases over time.
Alternatives to the Amex Business Gold Card
If you aren’t sure whether you want the Amex Business Gold card,are worried about not qualifying or just don’t think that it is a fit for you, there are plenty of other credit card offers to consider for your business.
Dash.fi
No annual fee.
If your business needs high credit limits, dash.fi can be an excellent option. It offers credit limits of 10–20x industry average. It also offers unlimited virtual cards so you can set spending limits for a specific merchant or ad campaign.
This is a cash back card, and your business can earn 3% unlimited cash back on all eligible purchases (not just in certain categories) for the first 60 days. It offers an unlimited 1.5% cash back after that.
As for requirements, dash.fi looks beyond credit history with multiple paths to qualify.
The Business Platinum Card From American Express
Annual fee: $695
If you’re willing to pay a high annual fee, you may want to go one tier up to The Business Platinum Card From American Express. Also considered a travel rewards card, it currently offers a sign up bonus of up to 150,000 points after you spend $15,000 on eligible business expenses in the first three months of your account opening.
This card has a more enhanced rewards program than the Business Gold card. The standard rewards rate is still 1x Membership Rewards points on purchases, but you can earn 5x points on airfare and hotels booked through American Express Travel. You can earn 1.5x points on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million in total spending in a calendar year).
Additional perks include elite status with Hilton and Marriott, travel perks such as access to thousands of airport lounges and a 35% airline bonus on certain tickets
This card currently offers a 0% intro apr for 12 months from account opening then the interest rate becomes a variable apr between 14.99%-22.99%.
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Credit Card
Annual fee: $95
Business travelers loyal to Hilton may want to consider this card. You can currently earn a sign up bonus of 130,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 on business purchases in the first three months along with up to $130 in statement credit when you make qualifying purchases at Hilton family hotels during the first year.
On an ongoing basis, your rewards rate will be:
12x points on Hilton rewards and points
6x points on U.S. gas stations, shipping, telephones, flights, car rentals, and restaurants
3x points on other eligible purchases
Additional perks include Hilton Gold status, ten Priority Passes for airport lounge access and Hilton Diamond Elite status when you spend $40,000 on the card.
It’s worth noting the use of these points are more limited than with other travel rewards cards.
Points can be used for stays at Hilton properties, as well as redemption options with partners including Amazon, Lyft, rental car agencies and Ticketmaster.
Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
Annual fee: $95
This business credit card is currently offering a sign up bonus of 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points when you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months.
In addition to the welcome offer, you will earn 1x Rapid Rewards points on purchases, with bonus points of 3x points for purchases in the categories of travel, social media/search engine advertising, internet, cable, shipping, and phone services for the first $150,000 of spend each year.
Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be used for lots of different travel options, gift cards, and even to pay for certain previous purchases.
This card also carries a variety of other perks, including trip cancellation and purchase protection, car rental coverage, cell phone protection and free employee cards.
Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card
No annual fee.
If you don’t have good credit, but need a business credit card, check out the Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit card. It offers:
1.5% cashback on qualifying purchases or
1x points on qualifying purchases along with 1,000 bonus points every billing cycle when you spend at least $1,000 on eligible purchases
Ten additional free cards
No foreign transaction fees
You will have to pay a security deposit of at least $500, but you can get a credit line of up to $25,000. Plus, if you use the card wisely you may even be able to upgrade to an unsecured credit card later on.
