Updated April 2026
Amex Business Gold vs Business Platinum:
The 2026 Comparison for Business Owners
The business versions of Gold and Platinum have distinct earn structures designed for business spending. Here is how they compare to each other and to the personal cards.
AMERICAN EXPRESS BUSINESS
Business Gold
AMERICAN EXPRESS BUSINESS
Business Platinum
Business Gold vs Business Platinum: Full Comparison
| Feature | Business Gold | Business Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $375 | $695 |
| Dining Earn | 4x (if top category) | 1x |
| Tech/Advertising Earn | 4x (if top category) | 1x |
| Flight Earn | 3x direct | 5x via Amex Travel |
| Hotel Earn | 1x | 5x via Amex Travel |
| Software Credits | $240/yr (Adobe, Indeed etc.) | None |
| Dell Technologies Credit | None | $200/6mo = $400/yr |
| Indeed Credits | None (part of software credits) | $360/yr |
| Airline Incidental | None | $200/yr |
| Lounge Access | None | Centurion + Priority Pass + Delta |
| Hotel Status | None | Marriott Gold + Hilton Gold |
| Pay with Points rebate | None | 35% back on first/business class |
| Global Entry | None | $100 every 4 years |
| Employee Cards | $0/card | $0/card |
Business Gold Is For...
- +Freelancers and small business owners with high tech or advertising spend
- +Businesses with variable top spending categories (the card automatically earns 4x on your 2 highest)
- +Those who want a lower annual fee ($375) on their business card
- +Businesses that use Adobe, Indeed, or qualifying software partners ($240 credit)
Business Platinum Is For...
- +Business owners who travel frequently (flights and hotels via Amex Travel)
- +Those who value Centurion Lounge access for business travel
- +High-spend businesses who book significant airfare through Amex Travel (5x + 35% rebate)
- +Businesses with Dell Technologies spend (significant $400/yr credit)
Personal vs Business: Key Differences
The business cards are separate products from the personal Gold and Platinum. You can hold both. Key differences:
- +Business Platinum is $200 cheaper than personal Platinum ($695 vs $895 in 2026)
- +Business Gold earns 4x on flexible categories vs personal Gold's fixed dining/grocery
- +Both business cards include employee cards at no additional fee
- !Business cards do not include personal lifestyle credits (Dunkin, Grubhub, Resy dining credits)
- !Business Platinum does not have the $895 personal Platinum fee hike -- it remains at $695
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Amex Gold and Amex Business Gold?
The personal Amex Gold earns 4x on dining and US supermarkets. The Amex Business Gold earns 4x on the 2 categories where you spend the most each billing cycle (from: US advertising, tech and software, US shipping, US dining, US gas stations, and transit). Business Gold costs $375/year versus personal Gold at $325. Business Gold also offers different credits including a $240/year business software credit (Adobe, Indeed, and others) rather than dining credits.
Does the Amex Business Platinum have lounge access?
Yes. The Amex Business Platinum includes the same lounge access as the personal Platinum: Centurion Lounges (30+), Priority Pass Select (1,300+), and Delta Sky Club (when flying same-day Delta). Business Platinum also includes the same hotel status (Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite and Hilton Honors Gold). The main differences are in the statement credits, which are tailored for business expenses rather than personal lifestyle.
Can I have both a personal and business Amex card?
Yes. You can hold both personal and business Amex Membership Rewards cards simultaneously. The points pool together in the same Membership Rewards account. Many business owners hold the Business Gold or Business Platinum for business spending and a personal Gold for dining and grocery spend, maximising earn across all categories.
What is the 35% Pay With Points rebate on Business Platinum?
When you use Pay With Points to book first class or business class flights through Amex Travel, the Business Platinum gives you 35% of those points back. For example, if you use 100,000 points to book a business class ticket, you receive 35,000 points back. This effectively increases the value of your points for premium cabin bookings to approximately 1.54 cents per point versus the standard 1 cent when redeeming through Amex Travel.