Amex Business Gold Card Narrows 4x Rewards for Advertising and Wireless Spending in 2027

American Express is changing up some of the most valuable bonus-earning categories on the American Express^® Business Gold Card. The recently announced changes will take effect in February 2027 and could affect businesses that use the card to pay for digital marketing campaigns.

While the card will retain its broader rewards structure, the changes may significantly affect some cardholders more than others.

Here’s what we know so far.

Amex Business Gold Card Introducing New Restrictions

Earlier this month, American Express made changes to the Amex Business Gold card‘s monthly statement credits for FedEx, Grubhub, and office supply stores, replacing FedEx with UPS.com. Now, additional changes have been announced.

Beginning on February 17, 2027, eligible purchases in the 4x spending category of online, television, and radio advertising made from media providers located in the U.S. will be limited to purchases made directly with Amazon, GoDaddy, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Yelp.

Additionally, eligible purchases in the 4x spending category for monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider located in the U.S. will be limited to purchases made directly with select providers, including AT&T, Charter, Comcast, Frontier, Mint Mobile, Optimum, Spectrum Mobile, T-Mobile, Ultra Mobile, UScellular, and Verizon.

Fortunately, the changes do not affect the card’s other bonus categories. The Amex Business Gold card currently earns 4x Membership Rewards points on the top 2 categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle, up to $150,000 per calendar year.

The 6 qualifying categories include U.S. advertising, U.S. electronic goods retailers and software and cloud system providers, U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, transit purchases, and eligible monthly U.S. wireless service charges.

What This Means for Amex Business Gold Cardholders

These restrictions significantly narrow the number of merchants that can qualify for bonus earnings. For some Amex Business Gold cardholders, the changes could have a meaningful impact, especially for those who rely on the card to earn substantial Membership Rewards points on everyday expenses.

Advertising and wireless bills can represent high recurring costs for businesses. If expenses that previously earned 4x points no longer qualify, some cardholders would likely see a noticeable reduction in their rewards earnings.

Of course, it’s important to remember that the card awards 4x points only on the 2 eligible spending categories in which a business spends the most each billing cycle. Even if advertising or wireless purchases remain eligible, they may not receive the higher rate if other qualifying categories account for more spending.

Final Thoughts

American Express is making changes to the Amex Business Gold card. Effective February 17, 2027, the Amex Business Gold card’s advertising and wireless rewards bonus earnings will be more dependent on specific merchants that businesses use.

Although the card will continue offering 4x points across its broader set of eligible spending categories, some cardholders may earn fewer points if their existing expenses no longer qualify.