To create this list, Forbes Advisor analyzed over 100 business credit cards. Characteristics taken into consideration while judging each category were accessibility, dollar value of cash back or point rewards, APR, fees and additional benefits or protections offered by the card.
For businesses looking for the best rewards program to join, American Express® Business Gold Card is an excellent option. American Express is among the highest in membership point valuation, with one point equaling as much as two cents depending on how it’s redeemed. The Gold business card offers generous point redemption towards gift cards, prepaid hotels, flights, Amazon shopping and more.
Rewards: 4X points on two select categories where you spend most each month (automatically determined by AMEX), and get back 25% of the points you use when you book eligible flights with Amex Travel, up to 250,000 points back per calendar year.
Annual Fee: $295 (see rates and fees)
Bonus Offer: Earn 35,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership
Other Benefits or Drawbacks: The American Express Business Gold also offers up to one year free of G Suite Basic for three users and ZipRecruiter Standard in the first 12 months of membership; according to the card website, that’s a combined value of up to $3,200 when taking advantage of both offers.
Additionally, American Express has one of the most robust benefits programs out there. Cardholders have the ability to pay balances over time with interest, and there are no pre-set spending limits on the Business Gold card.
American Express also grants users travel and transportation protections, such as baggage insurance, emergency assistance, no foreign transaction fees and statement credits for booking at partner hotels.
The annual fee on the Business Gold card can seem daunting at first. A business that makes this its primary card, however, can quickly earn back the $295 fee in the form of membership rewards.