American Express Revamps Business Gold Card ($80 AF Increase, $240 Business Credit & More)

American Express has made major changes to the business gold card. Changes are as follows:

  • Annual fee increasing to $375 from $295 ($80 increase will go into effect on 2/1/24)
  • New $240 flexible business credit. Up to $20 in statement credits each month after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores
  • $12.95 monthly Walmart+ credit. This is enough to cover the cost of Walmart+
  • Two new 4x categories (you earn 4x points on your top two categories each billing cycle, on up to $150,000 in combined spending):
    • Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
    • Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S
  • Two 4x categories have been removed:
    • Airfare purchased directly from airlines
    • U.S. purchases for shipping
  • Card will now earn 3x points on AmEx Travel.

Our Verdict

Sign of the times with this card having an annual fee of what the Platinum almost used to be. Overall the $20 monthly credit looks easy to use, but at the same time annoying to remember to have to use. Walmart+ credit doesn’t add much value and the new earning categories aren’t anything special either. I don’t think this was a keeper card before and I still don’t think it is either.

View Comments (146)

  • Just got approved yesterday on 130k referral link. Is there any way to set up the $20 credit to auto ship something so I don't need to remember every month?

    • Calendar month. When it says in T&C "each month" should mean calendar month. Otherwise it would say "statement". All their other credits also go by calendar month/year/half year.

  • Staples has $25 Netflix egift card, but not $20. Office Depot can do any amount (including $20), but the URL is "giftcardmall.officedepot.com" and it says "Note this is a partner site, separate from your Office Depot Business or Rewards account"...has anyone tried Office Depot (online) to get the $20 monthly credit?

    • Amex offers you the card #, expiration date, and temporary CVV immediately on approval, no charge.

  • Don't remember Office Depot sharing L3 with Amex.. bought $25 (20-200 variable) Chipotle gift card.. amex transaction details clearly shows gift card :( terms for gold $20 credit doesn't exclude gift cards so hoping that credit posts and stocks!!

    Anyone else got credit for OD gift atd purchase ??

        • I was incorrect. Terms exclude buying giftcards at third party retailers for use at participating partners. Interpretation: you can't buy a gift card for a participating partner at a non participating location and expect the credit to trigger.

          DP: Made Staples.com account today and tried $25 store branded GC - Order cancelled within 30 minutes. I called support on the phone as the cancellation email instructed and went over my information with a support rep. He confirmed all my details and told me he could not process the transaction at this time. He instructed me to go make the purchase in store. He would not answer any of my questions. "I have no further information at this time." were his words.

          FWIW, I have never had a Staples account before or even bought anything or had anything shipped to my address from them.

  • Staples.com keeps cancelling my orders. It seems to be manually checked due to sporadic timeframe..
    At first it was my $25 ebay gift card orders getting cancelled. I switched to snacks and was able to get a couple orders through, but now it's 100% cancellations. When I called them, they told me to just buy it in-store.
    Anyone have any tips? Over a decade ago, I remember Staples quickly combined newly created accounts (with same billing address).
    Maybe Officedepot.com or something? Ugh. Tough to kiss goodbye to $240 x 6.

    • update: made new staples account, changed billing/shipping name, changed to VPN IP. snack orders are going through. may attempt an ebay gift card order this month.

      it seems like one of my CC numbers is flagged, but this is not that big of a deal because i've made a free AU on the biz gold (and already received credit on an order).

  • Super Bummer losing the 4X on shipping. Really helped out with our small business.

    Besides Chase, any other recommendations for a replacement shipping card? Can't get in with chase right now :(

    RIP Gold Card!

  • Normal in-store Office Depot purchase posted quickly for office supply store credit.