Editorial take: American Express Business Gold
The 4x on your top two categories each month is uniquely flexible, if your business spend varies, this auto-adapts. The credits need active use to offset the fee.
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Side-by-side
American Express Business Gold vs American Express Schwab Investor Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The American Express Business Gold comes from American Express at $375/yr; the American Express Schwab Investor Card from American Express at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the American Express Business Gold is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,690 more in estimated value) than the American Express Schwab Investor Card's. Get the American Express Business Gold first; revisit the American Express Schwab Investor Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | American Express Business Gold | American Express Schwab Investor Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $375 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 100,000 Membership Rewards points | 10,000 Membership Rewards points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,800 | $110 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $15,000 in 3 mo | $1,000 in 6 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | American Express |
| Card category | business | travel |
| Best earning category (Top_two_categories) | 4x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | amex-mr | amex-mr |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
American Express Business Gold
$375/yr · 100,000 Membership Rewards points
Read the full review
American Express Schwab Investor Card
$0/yr · 10,000 Membership Rewards points
Editorial take: American Express Schwab Investor Card
The hidden gem of the Amex MR lineup for Schwab brokerage customers. Flat 1.5X MR with $0 annual fee, full transfer-partner access, AND a 1.0 cents-per-point cash-into-brokerage redemption guarantees you can always extract real cash. The catch: you need a Schwab brokerage account to apply.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, American Express Business Gold or American Express Schwab Investor Card?
- The American Express Business Gold has the bigger bonus, 100,000 Membership Rewards points, worth roughly $1,800, versus 10,000 Membership Rewards points (~$110) on the American Express Schwab Investor Card.
- Is the American Express Business Gold's $375 annual fee worth it compared to the American Express Schwab Investor Card?
- At $375/yr, the American Express Business Gold is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the American Express Schwab Investor Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the American Express Business Gold and American Express Schwab Investor Card?
- Yes, though both are issued by American Express so the same issuer-specific application rules apply (Chase 5/24 if applicable, Amex once-per-lifetime bonus, etc.). Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the American Express Business Gold or the American Express Schwab Investor Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Business Gold: $15,000 spend in 3 months. American Express Schwab Investor Card: $1,000 in 6 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.