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Small business
If you're looking for your next business credit card, the
Let's examine the key differences in welcome offers, earning rates, transfer partners, and annual fees.
$375Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
- U.S. purchases for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio)
- U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
- U.S. purchases at gas stations
- U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
- 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.
$95Rates & Fees
- 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year
- 1X point per $1 on all other purchases
Amex Business Gold vs. Chase Welcome Offer
Both of these cards offer generous welcome bonuses after meeting minimum spending requirements. Here are their current offers:
- Amex Business Gold: 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.
- Ink Preferred: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
The Amex Business Gold welcome offer could be as high as double the Ink Preferred. But it depends on what offer you get and requires significantly more spending to earn. If you want a lower minimum spending requirement, opt for the Ink Preferred.
But for businesses that can comfortably meet the higher requirement through normal expenses, the Amex Business Gold offers the stronger upfront earning opportunity.
Winner: Amex Business Gold
Amex Business Gold vs. Chase Annual Fees
The annual fee is an important consideration when choosing a card for your small business. And these cards have significantly different annual fees:
- Ink Preferred: $95 (Rates & Fees)
- Amex Business Gold: $375 (Rates & Fees)
There’s also a difference in the cost of adding employee cards.
- Amex Business Gold: $95 total for the first five Employee Business Gold Cards, then $95 for each additional Gold Card. You can have up to 99 users.
- Ink Preferred: No fee for authorized users.
While both cards charge an annual fee, the Ink Preferred is the clear winner thanks to its lower annual fee.
Winner: Ink Preferred
When To Use Amex Business Gold vs Ink Preferred
While welcome bonuses are enticing, they're a one-time event. The earning rates are what really make cards useful and worth keeping year after year.
Amex Business Gold
The Amex Business Gold earns:
- Get 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 eligible categories where your business spent the most each billing cycle from the list below:
- U.S. purchases for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio)
- U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
- U.S. purchases at gas stations
- U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
- 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.
- 3X points per dollar on flights and hotels booked via Amex Travel
- 1X point per dollar on all other purchases
Ink Preferred
The Ink Preferred earns:
- 5X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on Lyft rides (through September 2027)
For businesses with spending spread across several predictable categories, the Ink Preferred has an advantage. It earns 3X points in all four of its bonus categories on up to $150,000 in combined spending each account anniversary year.
The Amex Business Gold, on the other hand, earns 4X points in the two eligible categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle, on up to $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year, then 1X. That can be more rewarding if a large portion of your spending falls into its eligible categories. Plus, the automatic adjustment each billing cycle can be useful if your expenses change throughout the year.
There is some overlap between the cards' bonus categories. Businesses with advertising spending will probably come out ahead with the Amex Business Gold‘s higher 4X rate, while those with substantial travel expenses may prefer the Ink Preferred. Chase defines travel broadly, so purchases such as airfare, hotels, parking, and tolls can qualify for 3X without requiring you to book through a travel portal.
The Ink Preferred also has an edge for international travel because it's a
Winner: Ink Preferred
Related: Why the Ink Preferred Is My Primary Travel Card
Amex Business Gold vs. Ink Preferred Card Benefits
The Ink Preferred benefits are minimal, with no statement credits to note. However, it does have some notable benefits which come in the form of travel and purchase protections — more on this below.
On the other hand, the Amex Business Gold has more benefits. The card offers four business-centered statement credits:
- $300 ChatGPT Business: Up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business
- $240 Flexible Business Credit: Up to $20 in statement credits monthly on eligible U.S. purchases on Grubhub, office supply stores, and shipments at UPS.com.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: A statement credit for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your card
- $150 Squarespace: Up to $150 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases with Squarespace
Enrollment is required for these benefits.
Winner: Amex Business Gold
Related: What Are the Best Flexible Rewards Points for Free Travel?
Travel and Purchase Protections
Insurance benefits and travel and purchase protections aren't the flashiest perks, but they can be invaluable if your travel plans go awry. Here's how they stack up against each other.
Amex Business Gold
- Trip Delay Insurance: $300 per trip (12+ hour delays)
- Lost/Damaged Luggage Insurance: Up to $1,250 for carry-ons and $500 for checked bags
- Secondary Rental Car Insurance: Up to $50,000 per claim
- Purchase Protection: Covers damage or theft for up to 90 days, with a maximum of $1,000 per purchase and $50,000 per year
- Extended Warranty: Adds one year to warranties of 5 years or less
- Cell Phone Protection: Covers damage or theft for up to $800 per claim (twice per year), with a $50 deductible per claim. Monthly cell phone bills must be paid with the card to qualify.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees (Rates & Fees)
Ink Preferred
- Trip Delay Insurance: $500 per trip (12+ hour delays)
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Up to $5,000 per person and $10,000 per trip
- Lost/Damaged Luggage Insurance: Up to $3,000 per person (higher limits for valuables)
- Luggage Delay Insurance: $100 per day (up to five days)
- Primary Rental Car Insurance: Provides primary coverage when renting for business purposes, with reimbursement for eligible theft and collision damage.
- Purchase Protection: Covers damage or theft for up to 120 days, with a maximum of $10,000 per purchase and $50,000 per year
- Extended Warranty: Adds one year to warranties of 3 years or less, up to $10,000 per item
- Cell Phone Protection: Covers damage or theft for up to $1,000 per claim (three times per year), with a $100 deductible per claim. Monthly cell phone bills must be paid with the card to qualify.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
The Ink Preferred‘s protections are better in just about every category. Plus, the card offers primary rental car insurance, which can mean real savings when you're on the road and run into an unfortunate situation.
Winner: Ink Preferred
Redeeming Points
Based on recent redemptions, AwardWallet users have averaged the following redemption rates:
- Amex Membership Rewards: 2.03¢
- Chase Ultimate Rewards: 2.07¢
However, there are a few key differences between these programs that could encourage you to pick one card over the other.
Amex Business Gold: Membership Rewards
Amex Membership Rewards points shine brightest when transferred to one (or more) of its 20 transfer partners. Some of my favorite Amex transfer partners include Air Canada Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles, and ANA Mileage Club.
Amex’s four hotel transfer partners generally offer less value than airline partners. However, I am excited by the recent addition of The Leading Hotels of the World Leaders Club and the ability to book luxury properties at good redemption rates.
Ink Preferred: Chase Ultimate Rewards
The Chase Ultimate Rewards program offers 14 transfer partners. Popular options include Southwest
Personally, I still find
Overall, both programs offer valuable transfer opportunities, with some overlap and important exclusives. Amex has partners such as
Winner: Tie. This depends on which loyalty partners you prefer.
Related: Back to Basics: An Introduction to the Types of Reward Points
Amex Business Gold vs Ink Preferred Travel Portal
In addition to transfers, the Amex Business Gold and Ink Preferred let you redeem points through their respective travel portals.
With the Chase Travel℠ portal, you can redeem points at a rate of up to 1.5 cents per point when using Points Boost, depending on the specific redemption. While this is a fair rate, it's still less than the 2.07¢ rate AwardWallet users average when redeeming Chase points by leveraging transfer partners.
With the American Express® Business Gold Card, you can also redeem Membership Rewards points through Amex Travel for flights, prepaid hotels, prepaid rental cars, cruises, and vacation packages. Flights generally offer the best value through the portal, while other types of travel typically provide a lower redemption value.
You can also redeem points from either program for non-travel options such as cash back, statement credits, or gift cards, although these redemptions generally provide less value than transferring points to travel partners.
The Ink Preferred has an edge here because Chase offers more flexibility through its travel portal, including the potential to get up to 1.5 cents per point on select Points Boost bookings. It also gives you the option to redeem points for cash back at 1 cent each if you need the flexibility.
Winner: Ink Preferred
Combining Rewards Amex Business Gold vs Ink Preferred
With either card, you can combine rewards with other Ultimate Rewards or Membership Rewards earning cards.
With Chase, you can combine or convert your cash-back rewards earned on a card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® to Ultimate Rewards points earned with the Ink Preferred. Furthermore, you can combine Ultimate Rewards with another person in your household or transfer points to an eligible loyalty account belonging to you or an owner of the company who is also an authorized user on your Ink Preferred.
With the Amex Business Gold, Membership Rewards points earned across eligible Amex cards are automatically pooled into one account. However, points can't be transferred to other cardmembers.
Winner: Ink Preferred
What’s the Best Card for Your Business?
For most business owners, the Ink Preferred will be the better fit. Its lower annual fee, broad bonus categories, strong travel protections, and flexible redemption options make it easier to justify year after year.
The Amex Business Gold can be more rewarding for businesses whose spending consistently aligns with its 4X categories. Its statement credits can also help offset the higher annual fee if they match expenses you would already have.
Ultimately, the best card depends on your business spending, the benefits you’ll actually use, and which rewards program works best for your travel goals.
- Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Go further when you book with Chase Travel℠. Enjoy competitive rates, seamless booking and premium benefits.
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Receive complimentary access to DashPass by DoorDash.
- Member FDIC
- 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year
- 1X point per $1 on all other purchases
Page Contents
- Amex Business Gold vs. Chase Welcome Offer
- Amex Business Gold vs. Chase Annual Fees
- When To Use Amex Business Gold vs Ink Preferred
- Amex Business Gold vs. Ink Preferred Card Benefits
- Travel and Purchase Protections
- Redeeming Points
- Amex Business Gold vs Ink Preferred Travel Portal
- Combining Rewards Amex Business Gold vs Ink Preferred
- What’s the Best Card for Your Business?
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (Rates & Fees), and American Express® Business Gold Card (Rates & Fees)
