Head-to-head · 🇺🇸 United States
Amex Business Gold vs Chase United Explorer
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
US
American Express
Amex Business Gold
AMERICAN
EXPRESS
EXPRESS
Wins 2 of 10
US
Chase
Chase United Explorer
VISA
Wins 2 of 10
Verdict
It's a true tie — neither dominates. Pick the one whose boost categories match where you actually spend.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Amex Business Gold | Chase United Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $375 | $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 4% (shopping) | · 2% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 70,000 Membership Rewards points after $10,000 spend in 3 months | = 60,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | · 720 | 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 4.2/5 |
Benefits compared
Amex Business Gold
- 4x on top 2 categories ($150K cap): airfare, gas, advertising, tech, restaurants, US shipping
- $20 monthly FedEx + Grubhub credit
- $240 Amex Business Line of Credit access
- No foreign transaction fees
Chase United Explorer
- 2x miles on United + dining + hotel stays
- 1x on everything else
- Free first checked bag (saves ~$70/round trip)
- 2 United Club one-time passes annually
- Priority Boarding
FAQ
›Amex Business Gold vs Chase United Explorer: which is better?
It's a true tie — pick the one whose boost categories match your spend. Amex Business Gold wins on 2 criteria, Chase United Explorer on 2.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Amex Business Gold for its best categories, Chase United Explorer for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Amex Business Gold: 70,000 Membership Rewards points after $10,000 spend in 3 months. Chase United Explorer: 60,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months.