SME Offer: Up to 70,000 points with the American Express Business Gold Rewards Card
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American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card
Get up to 70,000 Membership Rewards points* with the American Express Business Gold Rewards Card®:
- 50,000 Membership Rewards points after $7,500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- 20,000 additional points after charging $30,000 to your Card in your first 12 months of Cardmembership.
Plus, get 10,000 additional Membership Rewards points for each quarter in which you spend at least $20,000.
With this Card, you earn 1 Membership Rewards point per dollar on your purchases.
You can then use your points in many ways:
- Statement credit for travel purchases
- Statement credit for any purchase
- Transfer to partner programs (Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Delta Skymiles, Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, etc.)
- Booking flights through American Express Travel at a preferred rate
For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you could choose to get up to:
- 70,000 Aeroplan points
- 70,000 Avios points
- 70,000 Flying Blue Miles
- 84,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
Alternatively, 70,000 Membership Rewards points can also be worth $700 toward travel or any purchase charged to the Card.
As a Cardmember, you also enjoy many benefits, such as up to 55 interest-free days to maximize your cash flow.
Finally, you get extensive travel and purchase insurance coverage.
As with all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
- Annual fee
- $199
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,190Total$1,190Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,190
- Welcome offerAfter $30,000 in 12 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Our review of this welcome offer
With the American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card®, you earn a quarterly bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards points. To do so, you’ll need to charge $20,000 in purchases to your American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card® during the calendar quarter.
These points are added to the ones you typically receive for your purchases. So if you charge $20,000 in purchases to your American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card® each quarter, here’s what you’ll get each year:
| Quarter | Purchases | Points for purchases | Bonus points | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $20,000 | 20 000 | 10 000 | 30 000 |
| 2 | $20,000 | 20 000 | 10 000 | 30 000 |
| 3 | $20,000 | 20 000 | 10 000 | 30 000 |
| 4 | $20,000 | 20 000 | 10 000 | 30 000 |
| Total | $80,000 | 80 000 | 40 000 | 120 000 |
120,000 Membership Rewards points for $80,000 in purchases, that’s 1.5 Membership Rewards points per dollar of purchase, more than you could get with the Business Platinum Card® from American Express (which awards 1.25 Membership Rewards points per dollar and has a $600 higher annual fee)!
Thus, small businesses with this quarterly spending level would benefit greatly from opting for the American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card®. Furthermore, this quarterly bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards points is valid not only for the first year, but also for subsequent years!
Truth be told, you’d have to spend $160,000 a year for the Business Platinum Card® from American Express to become more attractive than the American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card®.
However, don’t forget that the Business Platinum Card® from American Express comes with other benefits (such as a $200 annual travel credit or unlimited access to airport lounges).
With the American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card®, you receive a welcome bonus of 70,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $7,500 within the first three months.
Let’s see what happens when we add this to the quarterly bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards points:
| Quarter | Purchases | Points for purchases | Bonus points | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $20,000 | 20 000 | 70 000 | 90 000 |
| 2 | $20,000 | 20 000 | 10 000 | 30 000 |
| 3 | $20,000 | 20 000 | 10 000 | 30 000 |
| 4 | $20,000 | 20 000 | 10 000 | 30 000 |
| Total | $80,000 | 80 000 | 100 000 | 180 000 |
180,000 Membership Rewards points for $80,000 in purchases represents 2.25 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent! No other business card will offer you a similar return in the first year!
- Annual fee
- $199
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,190Total$1,190Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,190
- Welcome offerAfter $30,000 in 12 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Value of Membership Rewards Points
70,000 Membership Rewards points are worth $700 when used against any purchase charged to your card, which is a value of 1 cent per point.
However, in our opinion, the value can be much greater by transferring your points to partner loyalty programs such as Aeroplan, The British Airways Club, Flying Blue or Marriott Bonvoy!
Personally, I use my Membership Rewards points by transferring them to Aeroplan to book flights:
- in business class: here, the return I get is at least 4 cents per point (thus a value of $2,800 for 70,000 points).
- for multi-destination flights in North America: here, it is common for me to get at least 2 to 3 cents per point (thus a value of $1,400 to $2,100 for 70,000 points).
Or I use my Membership Rewards points via the American Express Fixed Points Travel Program for certain North American destinations: the return is 2 cents per point (thus a value of $1,400 for 70,000 points).
How to Apply for an American Express Business Card
Here are the only two criteria required by American Express to apply for the American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card®:
- You are a Canadian resident with a credit file in Canada
- You have reached the age of majority in your province or territory of residence
There are no income requirements (American Express Cards do not require a minimum income), and you don’t have to provide proof of your company’s incorporation. This can come in handy for entrepreneurs or start-ups.
Check out these articles to help you:
Everyday Life Benefits
A Single Earning Rate for All Purchases
With the American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card®, you earn 1 Membership Rewards point per dollar on all purchases.
Membership Rewards points can be transferred to:
- Airline programs such as Aeroplan, British Airways Club, Delta Skymiles or Flying Blue
- Hotel programs such as Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors and ALL Accor.
Purchase and Travel Insurance
Purchase and travel insurance on the American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card® are attractive, with high levels of reimbursement, whether for flight delays, baggage delays, assistance abroad, high-end car rentals and more.
Here is a summary of insurance coverages (this information is informational. Refer to the brochure supplied with your American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card®).
| Insurance | Coverage |
| Flight Delay Insurance | Charge the full cost of your airline tickets to your American Express Business Gold Rewards Card and receive up to $500 (maximum when combined with the Misrouted Baggage Insurance) for all necessary and reasonable expenses incurred within 48 hours at a hotel, motel, or restaurant, or for essential items, if your flight is delayed or you are denied boarding for four hours or more without alternative transportation being provided. |
| Baggage Delay Insurance | Book a flight with your American Express Business Gold Rewards Card and receive up to $500 (maximum when combined with the Flight Delay Insurance) for any necessary and reasonable everyday purchases of clothing and essential items made within four days, if your baggage is not returned to you within six hours of arriving at the destination of your outbound flight. |
| Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance | When you charge the full cost of your airline tickets to your American Express Business Gold Rewards Card, you are insured against the loss of or damage to your personal effects, carry-on baggage, or checked baggage while travelling, up to $500 per trip for all insured persons combined. |
| Car Rental Theft and Damage | Save money when travelling with complimentary Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance. Where permitted by law, you will automatically be insured against damage or theft of your rental car with a maximum Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $85,000. To take advantage of this protection, simply decline the loss/damage coverage or similar option offered by the rental company and charge the entire rental to the American Express Business Gold Rewards Card. There’s no additional charge for this coverage, and you save yourself the daily insurance fee (usually $16 to $23 per day) charged by the car rental company. |
| Hotel/motel burglary | Automatic coverage of up to $500 for the loss of most personal belongings, excluding cash, if your hotel room is burglarized. Coverage is in effect as long as you have fully booked and paid for your accommodations with your American Express Business Gold Rewards Card. |
| Travel accident of $100,000 | You’re covered for up to $100,000 in the event of accidental death or dismemberment for you, your spouse and dependent children under age 23 when you travel on public transportation (plane, train, boat or bus) and charge the full cost of your tickets to your À la carte Gold Business Rewards Card. Supplementary Cardholders, their spouses and dependent children under 23 are also covered. |
| Buyer’s Assurance Protection Plan | This protection automatically covers, without registration, eligible purchases against accidental physical damage and theft up to $1,000 per event (and not per item purchased), for a period of 90 days from the date of purchase if you pay for your entire purchase with your Business Gold Rewards Card. You may be reimbursed for eligible events not covered by other insurance. |
| Purchase Protection Plan | This plan automatically doubles the duration of the original manufacturer’s warranty, up to a maximum of one additional year, if you pay in full with your American Express Business Gold Rewards Card. This applies to items paid for with the Card anywhere in the world, provided the manufacturer’s warranty is valid in Canada and the U.S. and does not exceed five years. Jewelry, motorized vehicles, and their parts are excluded from this coverage. You must obtain authorization before having an item repaired. Replacement and repair costs for each eligible item cannot exceed $10,000, up to $25,000 per cardholder, per policy year, for all claims. |
| Mobile Device Insurance | When you pay for or finance the full purchase price of an eligible mobile device using your Card, you can receive coverage of up to $1,000 per insured person in the event of theft, loss, or accidental damage, anywhere in the world. |
A Membership Rewards Card
Redeeming Points to Book Flights With American Express
American Express has two charts:
- Flexible points: here you use your points at a value of 1,000 Membership Rewards points = $10
- Fixed Points: the fare will depend on the destination
And this is how we will be able to get the most value out of our Membership Rewards points!
Up to 1,000 Membership Rewards points = $20. That is 70,000 points = $700!
Using Points Towards Any Expense
Another way to use Membership Rewards points: by applying them to your purchases. The rate is 1,000 Membership Rewards points = $10.
That is 70,000 Membership Rewards points = $700!
Membership Rewards Transfer Partners
Here are all the transfer partners for American Express Membership Rewards program:
| Partners | Conversion Rate |
 | 70,000 Membership Rewards points = 70,000 Aeroplan points |
 | 70,000 Membership Rewards points = 70,000 Flying Blue Miles |
 | 70,000 Membership Rewards points = 52,500 Asia Miles |
 | 70,000 Membership Rewards points = 70,000 Avios |
 | 70,000 Membership Rewards points = 52,500 miles |
 | 70,000 Membership Rewards points = 52,500 miles |
 | 70,000 Membership Rewards points = 70,000 Hilton Honors points |
 | 70,000 Membership Rewards points = 84,000 Marriott Bonvoy points |
Bottom Line
Sign up for the American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card® to benefit from this welcome bonus.
- Annual fee
- $199
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,190Total$1,190Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,190
- Welcome offerAfter $30,000 in 12 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Frequently Asked Questions about the American Express Business Gold Rewards CardMM
Here are frequently asked questions in the milesopedia community about this card.
How do you get the 70,000 Membership Rewards points welcome bonus?
The welcome bonus of up to 70,000 Membership Rewards points on the American Express Business Gold Rewards CardMM is split into two stages: 50,000 points after $7,500 in spending in the first 3 months, then an additional 20,000 points after $30,000 in cumulative spending over 12 months. Points are credited automatically after each threshold is reached. For SMEs that regularly spend on digital advertising, SaaS software, suppliers, or business expenses, these thresholds are generally met easily within the allotted time.
How does the 10,000-point quarterly bonus work?
The American Express Business Gold Card offers an additional quarterly bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards points if you spend at least $20,000 per quarter, for up to 40,000 extra points per year. Combined with the base earn rate of 1 point per dollar, an SME that spends $80,000 per year would therefore earn 80,000 + 40,000 = 120,000 points, worth about $2,760 in travel value with transfers to Aeroplan. Very advantageous for optimizing corporate spending.
What is the payment period for the American Express Business Gold Card?
The American Express Business Gold Rewards CardMM offers up to 55 interest-free days on purchases, which is a major advantage for an SME’s cash flow. In practical terms, you can collect from your clients before having to pay your suppliers, spreading expenses over the grace period. Since it is a charge card (not a credit card), the balance must be paid in full each month – which requires disciplined cash-flow management, but completely eliminates the risk of interest charges.
Is there a minimum income required for the American Express Business Gold Card?
No. The American Express Business Gold Rewards CardMM does not set any minimum personal income, unlike Visa Infinite and Mastercard World Elite Business cards. Instead, American Express assesses the overall health of the business, the owner’s credit history, and declared cash flow. Self-employed workers, freelancers, consultants, and start-ups can therefore qualify easily, even with a modest annual revenue of $50,000 to $100,000. Legal status (sole proprietorship, general partnership, Inc.) does not matter.
For your next Hilton stay, see the Hilton Honors American Express® Card available in Canada and the terms of its current offer.