American Express is consistently ranked as one of the top credit card issuers for customer satisfaction. This is one of the reasons why the card is frequently at the top of the essentials list for business owners. If you’ve been hoping for an American Express business card for a while, you may be considering two cards: the American® Business Gold Card and the American Express Business Platinum card.
Although there is no preset spending limit on either card, it is an amount that can be adjusted based on factors such as purchases, payments, and credit history. While you are expected to pay in full monthly on both of these AMEX cards, both cards allow you to pay eligible fees over time through Amex Pay Option Option Option Option (conditions and restrictions apply).
Amex Business Gold and Business Platinum both feature excellent rewards and welcome offers, not to mention an impressive set of perks (some of which overlap). So, how do you decide on the two? This is a complete head-to-head guide to some of the most important details on both of these cards.
Main details
| American Express Business Gold Card | American Express Business Platinum Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome bonus |
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| Remuneration rate |
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| Annual fees | $375 | $695 |
Amex Business Platinum vs. Amex Business Gold Highlights
Which cards make the most money?
Which card you use to earn points for every dollar you spend. However, the best Amex business cards for you will depend on which cards are better suited to your spending habits. For example, if you’re a small business spending more on a specific business category than on travel, you’ll earn more money from Amex Business Gold than from Amex Business Platinum.
Examples of spending
Imagine traveling a lot for business every month, spending $2,000 on airfares, $1,000 on hotels and $500 on car rentals.
With Amex Business Gold, you can earn 3x points on airfares and hotels if you book all your plans through American Express Travel. You can also earn 1x points with your car rental. For Amex Business Platinum, you can earn 5x points on flights booked with American Express Travel and prepaid hotels, and double points on prepaid car rentals.
Here’s how these categories are broken down:
| Rewards $2,000 airfares | Rewards a $1,000 hotel | Reward for a $500 car rental | Total monthly remuneration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Business Gold | 6,000 points | 3,000 points | 500 points | 9,500 points |
| Amex Business Platinum | 10,000 points | 5,000 points | 1,000 points | 16,000 points |
This example of spending leaves a gap of 6,500 points per month when using Amex Business Gold on the Amex Business Platinum. Membership reward points, as already mentioned, are worth about 2.0 cents each when transferred to a high-value partner for redemption of a premium trip.
However, it is important to remember that these numbers focus on travel rewards. If you can travel frequently for work or plan to spend more on niche business categories like monthly wireless phone services and US-based advertising, your revenue may seem different.
Let’s take a look at an example of spending $1,000 on some US advertising services, $1,000 on software and cloud system providers, and $5,000 on large purchases. This is what you earn with each card:
| Rewards $1,000 with US advertising services | Rewards $1,000 with software and cloud system providers | Rewards a massive $5,000 purchase | Total monthly remuneration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Business Gold | 4,000 points | 4,000 points | 5,000 points | 13,000 points |
| Amex Business Platinum | 1,000 points | 1,500 points | 7,500 points | 10,000 points |
With Amex Business Gold, you earn 8,000 membership reward points with a 4x point reward rate and 5,000 points with a 1x reward rate of 13,000 points total. With Amex Business Platinum, you earn 1,000 points at 1x the card’s rate and 9,000 points at 1.5x the card’s point rate, totaling 10,000 points.
In contrast to travel, in this example, spending much in a niche category, Amex Business Gold has another 3,000 points.
Why do I need to get Amex Business Gold?
Amex Business Gold is perfect for business owners who spend a lot on the bonus category and want to maximize their rewards throughout the year. This card also works for businesses that spend a significant amount of airfares, as they can earn triple points even when made through the Amex Travel Portal.
When choosing these cards, the following factors are worth keeping in mind:
Why do I need to get the Amex Business Platinum?
The Amex Business Platinum could be a better option for business owners who travel frequently and want to make the most of those purchases, or for those who make many bulk purchases (over $5,000) throughout the year. This card is also perfect for travelers who want luxurious perks that will help them travel the world in style.
Conclusion
Both the American Express Business Gold Card and the American Express Business Platinum Card offer kind and money-saving perks just as your ability to bill what you need for your business. However, if most card activities cover daily business expenses instead of flights or hotels, Amex Business Gold may make more sense. You earn points immediately and you will not pay any more for services you do not use.
If you’re not sure which cards are right for your business yet, check out the best business credit card options today. You can compare these cards with other cards that may be more suited to spending habits and business needs.
