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American Express Business Gold Rewards Card Review 2024

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The American Express Business Gold Rewards Card is one of the best small business credit cards in Canada. It includes a range of business and travel benefits along with a high Amex Rewards points earn rate. 

If you’re looking for a business travel rewards card, this one is worth checking out. 

This American Express Business Gold Rewards Card review covers the benefits, how to apply, a few alternatives, and more. 

American Express Business Gold Rewards Card – At a Glance

  • $199 annual fee 
  • $50 annual fee for supplementary cards
  • No pre-set spending limit
  • Payment flexibility 
  • Get up to 55 interest-free days
  • Due in Full interest rate of 30%
  • Flexible Payment Option interest rate of 20.99% to 28.99%
  • Earn 10,000 points each quarter when you spend at least $20,000
  • Earn 1x the points for every $1 spent in card purchases 

American Express Business Gold Rewards Card

Rewards: Earn 1x the points on all purchases.

Welcome offer: Get up to 110,000 bonus points in the first year.

Penalty rates: 20.99% to 28.99% (Flexible Payment Option).

Annual fee: $199

American Express Business Gold Rewards Card Benefits 

American Express offers new cardholders a generous welcome bonus. You can earn up to 110,000 points after:

  • Spending $5,000 within the first 3 months; earn 70,000 points.
  • Spend $20,000 each calendar quarter; earn a bonus of 10,000 points, up to 40,000 points each year. 

Other benefits of the American Express Business Gold Rewards Card include:

Earn and Redeem Membership Rewards Points 

The earning structure for the American Express Business Gold Rewards Card is very straightforward. For every $1 spent, you earn 1 Membership Rewards point. 

Plus, you could earn 10,000 bonus points when you spend $20,000 in purchases every 4 months. That could add up to 40,000 extra points within a year! 

Download the American Express App to see how far along you are in your goal of earning those bonus points. 

Cash Flow Management

With this card, there are no pre-set spending limits on purchases. Your purchasing power adjusts with how much you use the card and can grow over time. Just be sure to make your payments on time and have a good credit history. 

You also get up to 55 interest-free days. You can pay your balance with the Flexible Payment Option, either paying it in full, the minimum amount, or anything in between. 

Business Coverage and Solutions

The American Express Business Gold Rewards Card gives you access to expense management reports delivered annually and quarterly, as well as online business servicing. 

Travel Insurance

The 7 types of travel insurance included with this card are:

Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance – get automatic coverage for damage or theft of your rental car, up to $85,000. 

Hotel Burglary Insurance – get up to $500 in coverage against the loss of personal items if your hotel room is broken into. 

Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance – get up to $500 in coverage against the loss or damage to checked or carry-on bags while in transit. 

Baggage Delay Insurance – get up to $500 in coverage if your baggage is delayed for 6 hours or more. 

Flight Delay Insurance – get up to $500 in coverage if your flight is delayed for 4 hours or more. 

$100,000 Travel Accident Insurance – get up to $100,000 in Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance when travelling on a common carrier. 

Travel Emergency Assistance – get out-of-town emergency legal and medical referrals by phone, 24/7. 

Purchase Coverage 

The three types of purchase coverage included are the following: 

Purchase Protection Plan – automatically insures eligible purchases against accidental physical damage or theft, up to a limit of $1,000. 

Mobile Device Insurance – get up to $1,000 in coverage if your mobile device stops working or gets lost or stolen. 

Buyer’s Assurance Protection Plan – the manufacturer’s original warranty is automatically doubled for up to one year. 

Other Benefits 

The American Express Business Gold Rewards Card makes business trips more enjoyable with the Hotel Collection from American Express, where you get up to a $100 USD hotel credit and a one-category room upgrade at check-in. 

Also included is the Hertz Car Rental Benefit, where you get discounts, upgrades, and more at select Hertz locations. 

American Express Experiences are included as well, including Front of the Line advance access, reserved tickets, and more. 

Downsides of the American Express Business Gold Rewards Card

The American Express Business Gold Rewards Card has a high interest rate of 30% if you do not pay off your balance in full each month. So, ensure you can pay your balance, otherwise, you’ll be hit with a hefty interest rate. 

Another drawback is the $199 annual fee. However, the travel benefits, earn rate, and generous welcome bonus more than pay for this annual fee. 

How To Apply for the American Express Business Gold Rewards Card 

To apply for the AMEX Business Gold Rewards Card, click here

American Express Business Gold Rewards Card requirements:

You must be a Canadian resident with a Canadian credit file and have reached the age of majority in your province or territory. 

There is no minimum income requirement needed. 

How To Redeem AMEX Membership Rewards Points

To redeem your AMEX Membership Rewards points, just charge any eligible purchase to your card, then log in to redeem your points for a statement credit. 

Or, you can redeem your points on the following:

  • Book flights within Canada or anywhere in the world
  • Pay for Amazon.ca purchases
  • A wide range of merchandise and gift cards
  • Transfer points to frequent flyer and hotel programs 
  • Flight purchases on AirCanada.com 
  • Flights, car rentals, and hotels with American Express Travel 

Alternatives to the American Express Business Gold Rewards Card 

If you’re looking for an alternative to the American Express Business Gold Rewards Card Canada, here are a few similar AMEX credit cards.  

Loop Corporate Credit Card

Loop Corporate Card

Rewards: Earn cash back on purchases, can hold multiple currencies (GBP, CAD, EUR, and USD), variable credit limit of up to $1 million, 55 days to make a payment; applying won’t affect your credit score.

Welcome offer: N/A

Cards: Free account gets up to 20 virtual cards and 2 physical cards; extra physical cards for $5 each.

Annual fee: $0 (Free plan). For additional premium features, you can get the Loop Plus for $49 CAD/month or $199 CAD/month for Loop Power.

American Express Business Gold Rewards Card vs American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card

The American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card is another top small business credit card in Canada. 

It has a $599 annual fee, with each additional card costing $199. It has a 19.99% purchase interest rate and a 21.99% funds advances interest rate. 

You earn Aeroplan points on every purchase, as per the following:

  • 3x the points on Air Canada purchases
  • 2x the points on hotel and car rental purchases for 6 months
  • 1.25x the points on everything else 

A full suite of business solutions, insurance benefits, and travel coverage is included with this card. 

Learn more about the American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card.

American Express Business Gold Rewards Card vs The Business Platinum Card from American Express

The Business Platinum Card from American Express is very similar to the Gold Rewards Card. It has no pre-set spending limits; you can get up to 55 interest-free days and have the option for flexible payments. 

The annual fee is $799, with each supplementary card costing $250 annually. 

You’ll earn 1.25x the points on everything for every $1 spent. 

On top of all the business solutions, travel insurance, and purchase protection, this card includes many travel benefits, like airport lounge programs, hotel programs, car services, and more. 

Learn more in this review.

Business Platinum Card from American Express

Rewards: Earn 1.25x pts per $1 spent on all purchases.

Welcome offer: NA

Interest rates: N/A. Check card details for penalty APRs.

Annual fee: $799

American Express Business Gold Rewards Card vs Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card has a $150 annual fee, with each supplementary card costing $50. 

The interest rate is 20.99% on purchases, and 21.99% on funds advances. 

The earning structure is as follows:

  • 3 points for every $1 spent on dining, gas, and travel purchases
  • 5 points for every $1 spent on Marriott Bonvoy hotel purchases
  • 2 points for every $1 spent on everything else

This AMEX credit card features benefits like an annual Free Night Award, 15 annual Elite Night Credits, business solutions, and travel coverage. 

Learn more about this business credit card here.

Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card

Rewards: Earn 5 pts/$1 spent at Marriott Bonvoy; 3 pts/$1 on travel, gas, & dining; 2 pts/$1 everywhere else; 1 free night each year; Elite Night credits.

Welcome offer: NA

Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances.

Annual fee: $150

Is the American Express Business Gold Rewards Card For You?

If you’re looking for a premium business travel rewards card with a high earn rate and flexible spending, this credit card is a top choice. 

With this card, you have no pre-set spending limit and can get up to 55 interest-free days. It includes a host of business, travel, and purchase coverage at a decent annual fee of only $199. 

However, you need to ensure that you can pay off your monthly balance, as you will face a high 30% interest rate on all outstanding balances if not.

American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

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Author

Gravatar for Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)
Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)

Enoch Omololu, personal finance expert, author, and founder of Savvy New Canadians, has written about money matters for over 10 years. Enoch has an MSc (Econ) degree in Finance and Investment Management from the University of Aberdeen Business School and has completed the Canadian Securities Course. His expertise has been highlighted in major publications like Forbes, Globe and Mail, Business Insider, CBC News, Toronto Star, Financial Post, CTV News, TD Direct Investing, Canadian Securities Exchange, and many others. Enoch is passionate about helping others win with their finances and recently created a practical investing course for beginners. You can read his full author bio.

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