Amex Business Gold vs Bank of America Premium Rewards: Which Is Better In 2026?

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a breakdown of why we like the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card.

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• New cardholders can earn a substantial welcome bonus to kickstart their rewards.
• You'll earn accelerated rewards on popular spending categories like travel and dining, with a great flat rate on everything else.
• The card includes valuable annual credits and perks that can easily offset its annual fee.

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Pros

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• Straightforward redemption options for cash back, travel, or statement credits.
• Existing Bank of America customers can earn even more rewards through the Preferred Rewards program.
• Includes valuable travel protections and has no foreign transaction fees.

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Cons

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• Points cannot be transferred to airline or hotel loyalty programs, which may limit redemption value compared to other travel cards.
• The card lacks some premium travel perks, such as airport lounge access.
• Its highest earning potential is primarily for existing Bank of America customers who qualify for the Preferred Rewards program.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® vs American Express® Business Gold Card

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Amex Business Gold or Bank of America Premium Rewards, starts with understanding who each card is designed for. Each card targets a distinct type of user with a different set of priorities.

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• American Express® Business Gold Card - This card is built for business owners. It's a versatile tool designed for companies with variable expenses across different business-focused categories.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card - This card is best suited for frequent travelers. It offers strong value for those who spend regularly on travel and dining, especially for existing Bank of America customers.

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Redemption

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American Express® Business Gold Card: Points can be redeemed for a variety of flexible options, including booking travel through their portal, transferring to airline and hotel partners, or covering eligible business purchases as a statement credit.

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Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card: Rewards can be redeemed for cash back, statement credits, gift cards, or for travel purchases made through the Bank of America Travel Center.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: You can test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see personalized reward projections before you apply, without impacting your credit score.
• Approval odds analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of getting a card through Kudos, the platform will match it.
• $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward: Users can unlock $100 in Kickstart+ Rewards by adding select approved cards to their Kudos Wallet.
• Comprehensive card explorer: Access a tool with nearly 3,000 credit cards to find a match for your spending patterns.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Business Gold Card?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card is best suited for established businesses with significant and variable expenses, particularly those spending over $50,000 annually. Its rewards structure automatically adapts to your company's spending, making it ideal for entrepreneurs whose top expense categories change from month to month. Ultimately, this card is for businesses that can consistently maximize the 4X Membership Rewards® points on their top two spending categories (on up to $150,000 in combined purchases annually), which helps to justify its annual fee. Terms apply.

Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Premium Rewards®?

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The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is an excellent choice for moderate travelers and everyday spenders who want strong rewards without a hefty annual fee. It's particularly valuable for those who already bank or invest with Bank of America, as they can leverage the Preferred Rewards program to earn up to 75% more points on every purchase. This card is best suited for individuals who value simplicity and flexible, cash-back-like redemptions over the complexities of transferring points to airline and hotel partners.

Alternatives to Consider

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If neither card in our Amex Business Gold vs Bank of America Premium Rewards comparison feels like the perfect match, here are a few other excellent options to consider.

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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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• Check your credit score: Most premium cards require a good to excellent credit profile for approval.
• Plan your spending: Make sure you can comfortably meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer without overspending.
• Know your rewards strategy: Understand how you will use the points, whether through transfer partners or as cash back, to maximize their value.

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Application Strategy

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• Leverage existing relationships: An established history with the card issuer can sometimes improve your approval odds.
• Be strategic with your timing: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet any spending requirements naturally.
• Review the card's ecosystem: Ensure the card's bonus categories and redemption options align with your spending habits.

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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Which card has a higher annual fee?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card has a significantly higher annual fee than the Bank of America® Premium Rewards credit card. Card fees are subject to change, so be sure to review the current rates and fees from each issuer. Terms apply.

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Can I use the Bank of America® Premium Rewards credit card for business expenses?

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While you can technically use a personal card for business spending, it is generally not advisable as it can complicate accounting and may go against the cardmember agreement. The American Express® Business Gold Card is specifically designed to meet business needs.

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Are the rewards programs similar for both cards?

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Both cards offer valuable rewards, but their programs differ significantly. The Amex Business Gold card earns Membership Rewards points, which are ideal for transferring to travel partners, while the Bank of America® Premium Rewards card earns points best used for cash back or travel booked through Bank of America's portal. Terms apply.

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