{"id":282572,"date":"2026-10-21T18:00:16","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T18:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=282572\/"},"modified":"2026-10-21T16:25:18","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T16:25:18","slug":"amex-business-gold-is-narrowing-two-4x-bonus-categories-heres-whats-changing-and-when","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/amex-membership-rewards\/amex-business-gold-bonus-category-changes\/","title":{"rendered":"Amex Business Gold Is Narrowing Two 4X Bonus Categories \u2014 Here&#8217;s What&#8217;s Changing and When"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <a data-ccid=\"4028093\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/amex-membership-rewards\/amex-business-gold\/\">Amex Business Gold<\/a> can be a very valuable card for small business owners thanks to its lucrative earning categories. The card earns 4X Membership Rewards points on the 2 eligible categories where your business spent the most each month, 1X on other purchases. 4X points apply to the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these 2 categories each calendar year.<\/p>\n<p>As first caught by <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.doctorofcredit.com\/american-express-business-gold-4x-ads-wireless-categories-to-be-narrowed\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Doctor of Credit<\/a>, American Express will be limiting the vendors eligible for bonus points in two of those categories in early 2027. Let's dive into the specifics.<\/p>\n<div class=\"qs-card\" data-id=\"4028093\">\n            <div class=\"qs-data\">\n                <div class=\"qs-view\">\n                    <div class=\"qs-cardname\">American Express<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Business Gold Card<\/div>\n                    <div class=\"qs-image\"><img data-aspectratio=\"150\/97\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/CardArt-AmericanExpressBusinessGoldCard.png\" width=150 alt=\"American Express\u00ae Business Gold Card\" \/ class=\"lazyload\"><\/div>\n                    <div class=\"qs-apply\"><a class=\"btn-use qs-how-apply\" title='American Express\u00ae Business Gold Card' data-ccid=\"4028093\" href=\"\/blog\/link\/TheBusinessGoldRewardsCardfromAmericanExpressOPEN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow sponsored\">How to Apply<\/a><\/div>\n                    <div class=\"qs-rates\"><span class=\"qs-terms\"><a data-ccid=\"4028093\" href=\"https:\/\/www.americanexpress.com\/us\/credit-cards\/card-application\/apply\/prospect\/terms\/businessgold-card\/42732-9-0?key=tncBody&rwdFlag=rwd&oneXpVariant=elevatedOffer_variant#offer-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rates & Fees<\/a><br>(Terms apply)<\/span><\/div>\n                    <div class=\"qs-offer\"><strong>Find Out Your Offer<\/strong>\r\nYou may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> 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. Find out your offer.<\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"qs-info\">\n                    <strong class=\"qs-cardname\">American Express<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Business Gold Card<\/strong>\n                    <div class=\"qs-offer\"><strong>Find Out Your Offer<\/strong>\r\nYou may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> 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. Find out your offer.<\/div>\n                    <div class=\"qs-fee\"><strong>Annual Fee:<\/strong><b>$375<\/b><\/div>\n                    <div class=\"qs-tabs\"><a class=\"qs-more\" href=\"#more\">Show more<\/a><a href=\"\" data-tab=\"wwl\">Why We Like It<\/a><a href=\"\" data-tab=\"hl\">Highlights<\/a><a href=\"\" data-tab=\"er\">Earning Rates<\/a><div class=\"qs-tab-wwl\">The American Express<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Business Gold Card offers 4X points on the top 2 spending eligible categories per billing cycle, 3X points on flights and pre-paid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App\u2122, and 1X points on other eligible purchases. Cardholders can earn up to $240 back annually for eligible purchases at Grubhub, U.S. Office Supply Stores, and shipments at UPS.com, and up to $155 annually for Walmart+ membership costs, enhancing the card's appeal for varied business spending. Enrollment required for select American Express benefits.<\/div><div class=\"qs-tab-hl\"><?xml version=\"1.0\" standalone=\"yes\"?>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ??>\n<html><body><ul><li>As High As 200,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards&#xAE; 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.<\/li><li>Earn 4X Membership Rewards&#xAE; 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.<\/li><li>Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at Grubhub, Office Supply Stores, and shipments at UPS.com. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.<\/li><li>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.<\/li><li>Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits per calendar year for U.S. purchases with Squarespace on the Business Gold card. Subscription purchases subject to auto-renewal.<\/li><li>Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.<\/li><li>Earn 3X Membership Rewards&#xAE; points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App&#x2122;.<\/li><li>The Business Gold Card comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and White Gold. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.<\/li><li>Terms Apply<\/li><\/ul><\/body><\/html>\n<\/div><div class=\"qs-tab-er\">Get 4X Membership Rewards<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> points on the 2 eligible categories where your business spent the most each billing cycle from the list below:\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>U.S. purchases for advertising in select media  (online, TV, radio)<\/li>\r\n<li>U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers<\/li>\r\n<li> U.S. purchases at gas stations<\/li>\r\n<li> U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery<\/li>\r\n<li>Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways<\/li>\r\n<li>Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n*4X points applies to the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these 2 categories each calendar year; then earn 1 point per dollar.<\/div><\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <a class=\"qs-share\" href=\"\/find-a-card\/BizGold\/\" title=\"copy\"><svg width=\"12\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><use href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/awardwallet\/public\/builds\/icon\/icon-sprite.svg?v2026-10-21ca1db401#share-square\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/use><\/svg><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"Amex_Business_Gold_Upcoming_Changes\">Amex Business Gold Upcoming Changes<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Beginning <strong>February 17, 2027<\/strong>, the broad spending categories for 4X rewards will become more specific. Namely:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Eligible purchases of online, television, and radio advertising will be limited to purchases made directly with\u00a0<strong>Meta, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, GoDaddy, and Yelp.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Eligible purchases for monthly wireless telephone service charges will be limited to purchases made directly with <strong>Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Frontier, Comcast, Charter, Spectrum Mobile, UScellular, Optimum, Ultra Mobile, and Mint Mobile.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Luckily, only those two categories are affected.<\/p>\n<p>You can still earn 4X Membership Rewards on your top two eligible categories where your business spent the most each billing cycle, up to $150,000 in combined purchases each year. American Express offers six different categories to choose from:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>U.S. purchases for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio)<\/li>\n<li>U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers<\/li>\n<li>U.S. purchases at gas stations<\/li>\n<li>U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery<\/li>\n<li>Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways<\/li>\n<li>Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_84928\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"600\/480\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"Featured-Amex-Gold-in-POS-Terminal\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-84928  lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Featured-Amex-Gold-in-POS-Terminal.png\"  width=\"600\" height=\"480\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Featured-Amex-Gold-in-POS-Terminal.png 1000w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Featured-Amex-Gold-in-POS-Terminal-300x240.png 300w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Featured-Amex-Gold-in-POS-Terminal-325x260.png 325w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><center><em>Credit: American Express<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Related: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/best-credit-cards-to-pay-for-advertising\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Best Cards for Advertising & Shipping<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"The_Impact_on_Cardholders\">The Impact on Cardholders<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In the grand scheme of things, this negative impact is only going to affect a few business owners. Despite the new limitations on the advertising and wireless categories, many major providers are still eligible. However, if you were allocating major spend to vendors that are now excluded, losing 4X earning capability is a huge deal.<\/p>\n<p>Even so, with four other untouched 4X categories, this card can still be a powerhouse earner for business owners. Be sure to note the changes in February 2027 and confirm your preferred providers still fall into the same categories.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_282582\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"597\/398\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-282582 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/sticker-mule-3IkH9VN3QT8-unsplash-1-900x600.jpg\" alt=\"Packing up a box\" width=\"597\" height=\"398\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/sticker-mule-3IkH9VN3QT8-unsplash-1-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/sticker-mule-3IkH9VN3QT8-unsplash-1-750x500.jpg 750w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/sticker-mule-3IkH9VN3QT8-unsplash-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/sticker-mule-3IkH9VN3QT8-unsplash-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/sticker-mule-3IkH9VN3QT8-unsplash-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 597px) 100vw, 597px\" \/><center><em>Credit: stickermule\/Unsplash<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<h2><span id=\"Bottom_Line\">Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>American Express is limiting two of the 4X earning categories on the <a data-ccid=\"4028093\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/amex-membership-rewards\/amex-business-gold\/\">Amex Business Gold<\/a>. Business owners will need to ensure their advertising and wireless telephone purchases still earn bonus points, starting <strong>February 17, 2027<\/strong>. If your provider becomes excluded, it may be time to move your spend to other eligible categories or consider another business card altogether.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ftoc\"><div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"toc_light_blue no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Page Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#Amex_Business_Gold_Upcoming_Changes\">Amex Business Gold Upcoming Changes<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#The_Impact_on_Cardholders\">The Impact on Cardholders<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Bottom_Line\">Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>American Express is limiting two of the 4X earning categories on the American Express\u00ae Business Gold Card. Starting February 17, 2027, business owners must verify eligible merchants before earning points on advertising and wireless telephone purchases. Here&#8217;s what to know.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":94,"featured_media":107245,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":false,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"","_twitter_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type":"","_pinterest_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"","_medium_share_type":"","_threads_share_type":"","_google_business_share_type":"","_bluesky_share_type":"","_mastodon_share_type":"","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"","timeOption":"","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":""},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[12069],"tags":[12710,12520],"coauthors":[36490],"class_list":["post-282572","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-amex-membership-rewards","tag-card-benefits"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/282572","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/94"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=282572"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/282572\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":282726,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/282572\/revisions\/282726"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/107245"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=282572"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=282572"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=282572"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=282572"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}