Amex Business Gold Card’s Annual Fee History: 2008 to 2026

The American Express^® Business Gold Card has evolved significantly since its launch — especially when it comes to its annual fee. Over time, American Express has raised the card’s annual fee while layering in new bonus categories, flexible earning options, and statement credits.

So, how much more does it cost to carry the card today compared to when it first launched? Let’s take a closer look at its history.

As of 2026

The Amex Business Gold card currently carries a $375 annual fee (rates & fees), following a major increase implemented in February 2024 as part of a broader refresh by American Express (Source: American Express).

This pricing places it firmly in the midtier premium category for business cards, below ultrapremium products like The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, which carries a higher annual fee.

In exchange, cardholders receive benefits such as 4x Membership Rewards points in the 2 categories where their business spends the most (on up to $150,000 annually), along with statement credits to offset business expenses (enrollment may be required).

Amex Business Gold Card’s Annual Fee Changes

As mentioned, the Amex Business Gold card underwent a major refresh in February 2024 with several tweaks and flashy new perks. With those updates came a higher price tag. Here’s a closer look at how the annual fee has changed:

The Amex Business Gold card has changed quite a bit over time, and the annual fee tells that story pretty clearly.

Back when it was the Business Gold Rewards Card, it carried a $175 annual fee and focused on earning Membership Rewards points in fixed business categories such as gas, shipping, and advertising.

The biggest shift came in 2018, when American Express raised the annual fee to $295 and introduced a more flexible earning structure. Instead of fixed categories, the card began awarding 4x points in the 2 categories where a business spends the most each billing cycle (up to an annual cap), making it much more practical for different types of businesses.

Then, as part of a refresh effective February 1, 2024, the annual fee increased again to $375, with new statement credits added to help offset the higher cost.

Put it all together, and the card has clearly moved upmarket. What used to be a simpler, lower-cost rewards card is now positioned as a more flexible, midtier premium card with higher earning potential — and a higher price tag to match.

Amex Business Gold Card Authorized User Fee Changes

Adding employee cards to the Amex Business Gold card is one of the easiest ways to scale spending — and earn more Membership Rewards points — across your business. But just as the annual fee has gone up over time, so has the cost to add those cards.

Here’s how that pricing has changed:

For years, adding employee cards to the Amex Business Gold card was essentially a no-brainer — most additional cards were no additional cost, making it easy to scale spending across a team.

That changed in 2018, when American Express introduced a $50 fee for the first additional Amex Business Gold card. It was still relatively low-cost, since additional cards beyond that were at no additional cost, but it marked the end of a no-fee setup.

The biggest shift came with the February 1, 2024, refresh. American Express moved to a more structured model — $95 for up to 5 cards, then $95 per card after that — turning what used to be a near-free perk into a more meaningful cost.

As the card has moved upmarket, so has the price to add users. It can still make sense if you’re earning 4x points across multiple employees, but the days of handing out extra cards without thinking about the cost are clearly over (Source: American Express).

Is the Amex Business Gold Card Worth It?

Now that the annual fee sits at $375, the real question is whether the Amex Business Gold card still makes sense.

This card really comes down to how your business spends. It earns 4x Membership Rewards points in the 2 categories where you spend the most each billing cycle (on up to $150,000 per year, then 1x). That includes common expenses like advertising (Google and Facebook Ads), gas, restaurants, transit, wireless bills, and even software and cloud services.

If your business regularly spends in a few of those categories, the points can add up quickly without much effort. There’s also a mix of statement credits tied to business purchases that can help offset the annual fee — though, as with most Amex credits, you need to stay on top of them to get full value, and enrollment may be required.

One of the most attractive features for new applicants is the welcome offer:

• As High As 200,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $15,000 in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Business Gold Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

American Express^® Business Gold Card

Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).

Welcome Offer

As High As 200,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $15,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As High As 200,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $4,400

Annual Fee

$375

APR

17.74% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Business Gold Card is excellent at racking up rewards for your business spend.

The card earns a whopping 4x points per $1 in the 2 categories (from a list of 6) that your business spends the most money on each month. With no need to opt-in or preselect your categories, so you can focus on what matters most — running your business.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per dollar spent on your 2 highest purchase categories each month up to $150,000 each calendar year in purchases; categories include:
  • Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
  • U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
  • Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
  • U.S. purchases at gas stations
  • U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
  • Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, plus TV and radio)
• 3x points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card
• Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection

Cons

• $375 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access or elite status

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Card Highlights

• As High As 200,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $15,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.
• Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx (through 10/01/2026), Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
• Enroll and get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business* on the Business Gold Card. *Subject to auto-renewal.
• Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits per calendar year for U.S. purchases with Squarespace. Subscription purchases subject to auto-renewal.
• Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
• The Business Gold Card comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and White Gold. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
• Terms Apply

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 17.74% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Because of the high-value Amex transfer partners, we value Membership Rewards points at around 2.2 cents apiece — more than any other credit card program. If you qualify for the maximum bonus offer, it can be worth around up to $4,400 (or more) for travel.

Bottom line: If your spending aligns with the bonus categories and you can take advantage of a strong welcome offer, the card can easily justify its annual fee. If not, the $375 price tag becomes harder to make work.

Final Thoughts

The Amex Business Gold card has evolved quite a bit over the past decade or so. In that time, we’ve seen multiple annual fee increases from $175 to $375, along with meaningful changes to how the card earns rewards and delivers value.

While the cost has gone up, so has the flexibility, especially with the shift to 4x earnings in your top spending categories and the addition of statement credits.

For businesses that can take advantage of those features, the card can still offer solid value — and we’ll continue to keep an eye on how American Express updates the card moving forward.