Amex Business Gold vs Amex Plum: Which Is Better In 2026?

The Plum Card® from American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down why we like The Plum Card® from American Express (See Rates & Fees).

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• It offers unique payment flexibility that can help business owners manage their cash flow.
• The card features no preset spending limit, which is great for businesses with large or fluctuating expenses.
• Responsible use of the card can help build your business's credit history over time.

Terms Apply.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Pros

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• You can choose to pay early for a discount or take extra time to pay your balance, which is a great tool for managing cash flow.
• Your purchasing power adjusts with your business since there is no preset spending limit.
• Includes business-friendly features like employee cards and access to American Express's business management tools.

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Cons

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• It comes with an annual fee.
• The card doesn't offer a traditional rewards program, such as points or miles.
• American Express may not be as widely accepted as other card networks.

The Plum Card® from American Express vs American Express® Business Gold Card

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Amex Business Gold or Amex Plum, comes down to your business's primary needs. One card focuses on maximizing rewards from spending, while the other prioritizes flexible payment options to manage cash flow.

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• American Express® Business Gold Card: This card is best for business owners with variable expenses who want to automatically maximize rewards on their top spending categories. It suits companies that value flexible rewards earning and travel for work.
• The Plum Card® from American Express: This card is ideal for established businesses that require financial flexibility to manage irregular cash flow. It is designed for owners who can benefit from adjusting their payment schedules.

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Redemption

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American Express® Business Gold Card: This card earns flexible rewards points that can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, and statement credits. The program is designed to give businesses multiple options for using their earned rewards.

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The Plum Card® from American Express: Redemption with this card comes in the form of a statement credit when you pay your bill early. It's a direct cash back benefit designed to improve cash flow rather than accumulate points for other uses.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the right choice, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards based on your unique spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: Simulate your potential earnings with any card using your real spending data before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
• Personalized recommendations: Get matched with the best cards for your financial habits, including cards from issuers that don't pay commissions.
• Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Member incentives: Unlock rewards for joining, such as a welcome offer guarantee and the chance to earn a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward.
• Track everything in one place: Monitor your spending, transactions, credit score, and card perks to stay on top of your finances.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Business Gold Card?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card is tailored for business owners with significant and variable expenses, particularly those spending over $50,000 annually. It’s an ideal fit for companies whose costs shift across categories like U.S. advertising, shipping, and technology, as it automatically maximizes rewards on the top two spending areas each billing cycle. This card best serves entrepreneurs who value flexible rewards and premium benefits and can easily earn enough to offset the annual fee. Terms Apply.

Who Should Choose the The Plum Card® from American Express?

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The Plum Card® from American Express is designed for established business owners who need more control over their cash flow. It's particularly valuable for companies with irregular revenue streams or seasonal fluctuations, as it offers the flexibility to take up to 60 days to pay without interest. Businesses that make substantial monthly purchases can also benefit from the 1.5% discount for paying their bill early. Terms apply.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Amex Business Gold vs Amex Plum comparison has you convinced that neither card is the right fit for your business, don't worry. There are several other excellent business credit cards to consider that might better suit your spending habits and payment needs.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Review your credit - Most business cards require good to excellent personal and business credit history.
• Assess your cash flow - Choose a card with payment structures and benefits that match your business's spending patterns.
• Define your goals - Decide if you need travel points, cash back discounts, or payment flexibility to narrow your options.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application - Align your application with large planned purchases to help meet any minimum spending requirements for a Welcome Offer.
• Leverage issuer previews - Some issuers, like American Express, may allow you to see your personalized offer before impacting your credit score.
• Match benefits to your needs - Select a card that offers rewards for your top spending categories or provides cash flow flexibility for your business.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What credit score is needed for the Amex Business Gold or Plum card?

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While American Express doesn't publish a minimum score, both cards generally require a good to excellent credit score for approval, which is typically a FICO score of 670 or higher.

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Can I have both the American Express® Business Gold Card and The Plum Card®?

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Yes, it is possible to hold both cards at the same time as they are separate products catering to different business needs. This can be a strategic way to manage your company's expenses and cash flow.

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Which card is better for earning rewards?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card is designed for earning rewards, offering bonus points in categories where your business spends the most. In contrast, The Plum Card® focuses on payment flexibility rather than a traditional rewards program. Terms apply.

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