Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, American Express Business Gold or Chase Ink Business Preferred?

The Chase Ink Business Preferred has the bigger bonus, 100,000 points, worth roughly $2,000, versus 100,000 Membership Rewards points (~$1,800) on the American Express Business Gold.

Is the American Express Business Gold's $375 annual fee worth it compared to the Chase Ink Business Preferred?

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 Chase Ink Business Preferred's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.

Can I have both the American Express Business Gold and Chase Ink Business Preferred?

Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Chase) the application rules don't conflict. 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 Chase Ink Business Preferred first?

Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Business Gold: $15,000 spend in 3 months. Chase Ink Business Preferred: $8,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

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Side-by-side

American Express Business Gold vs Chase Ink Business Preferred

Both are business travel cards. The American Express Business Gold comes from American Express at $375/yr; the Chase Ink Business Preferred from Chase at $95/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

If you're not sure you'll use premium perks, start with the Chase Ink Business Preferred, its annual fee is significantly lower and the bonus values are similar. Upgrade later if you find yourself using the higher-tier benefits.

Feature	American Express Business Gold	Chase Ink Business Preferred
Annual fee	$375	$95
Sign-up bonus	100,000 Membership Rewards points	100,000 points
Bonus value (est.)	$1,800	$2,000
Min spend to unlock bonus	$15,000 in 3 mo	$8,000 in 3 mo
Issuer	American Express	Chase
Card category	business	business
Best earning category (Top_two_categories)	4x	1x
Transfer partners	amex-mr	chase-ur
Headline benefits	4x top categories $240 business credit 100k MR bonus Flexible categories	100,000 point sign-up bonus 3x on travel, shipping, ads, internet ($150k cap) Cell phone protection Transfer to UR partners

Read the full review

American Express Business Gold

$375/yr · 100,000 Membership Rewards points

Read the full review

Chase Ink Business Preferred

$95/yr · 100,000 points

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.

Editorial take: Chase Ink Business Preferred

The business version of Sapphire Preferred with one of the highest sign-up bonuses around. 3x on travel, shipping, internet/phone, and advertising (capped $150k/yr combined) plus full UR transfer access. Chase has added once-per-lifetime language; treat the bonus as a one-time opportunity.

The real-world take

TL;DR. Two business cards with similar earn structures. Ink Preferred ($95) earns 3x on travel, shipping, internet/phone, and advertising (combined $150k cap). Business Gold ($375) earns 4x on your top two categories each month from a list of six (advertising, gas, restaurants, electronics retailers, shipping, transit-equivalent). Business Gold's auto-adapt is more flexible; Ink Preferred is cheaper and includes full UR transfer access immediately.

The three dimensions that actually decide it. First, fee. $280 difference. Ink Preferred wins on net cost. Second, category flexibility. Business Gold auto-picks your top two from a list of six each month; Ink Preferred has fixed categories. Third, transfer partners. Both transfer to flexible programs but Chase has Hyatt and United while Amex has more international airlines.

Real customer scenario for each. If you spend $5k a month on Facebook ads and $1k a month on gas, Business Gold earns 4x on the top two categories, which is 24,000 MR a month or 288,000 a year, worth roughly $5,750 in transferable currency. If instead you spend $3k a month on travel and $500 on shipping, Ink Preferred earns 3x at $95 fee, a better fee-adjusted return.

The trap to avoid. Choosing Business Gold because "the 4x sounds higher" without checking whether your top two categories are eligible. The Business Gold list of six is specific (advertising in U.S. media, gas at U.S. stations, restaurants worldwide, electronics retailers in the U.S., shipping in the U.S., transit-equivalent). If your spend is elsewhere, the 4x does not apply.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, American Express Business Gold or Chase Ink Business Preferred?: The Chase Ink Business Preferred has the bigger bonus, 100,000 points, worth roughly $2,000, versus 100,000 Membership Rewards points (~$1,800) on the American Express Business Gold.
Is the American Express Business Gold's $375 annual fee worth it compared to the Chase Ink Business Preferred?: 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 Chase Ink Business Preferred's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the American Express Business Gold and Chase Ink Business Preferred?: Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Chase) the application rules don't conflict. 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 Chase Ink Business Preferred first?: Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Business Gold: $15,000 spend in 3 months. Chase Ink Business Preferred: $8,000 in 3 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.