American Express Gold vs Chase Ink Business Preferred
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Chase Ink Business Preferred wins 2-1. US-incorporated startups — best welcome bonus in the business-card space. American Express Gold is still the right call if heavy restaurant + grocery spenders ($1k+/mo on food).
Side-by-side
| Criterion | American Express Gold | Chase Ink Business Preferred |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $325 | $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 4% (dining) | · 3% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 60,000 Membership Rewards points after $6,000 in 6 months | = 90,000 points after $8,000 spend in first 3 months (~$1,125 in travel) |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | = 700 | = 700 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.6/5 | 4.7/5 |
Benefits compared
American Express Gold
- 4x points at restaurants worldwide (incl. Uber Eats)
- 4x at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25K/year)
- 3x on flights booked direct or via amextravel.com
- $120 annual dining credit ($10/mo at select partners)
- $120 annual Uber Cash
- No foreign transaction fees
Chase Ink Business Preferred
- 3x points on travel + shipping + advertising + telecom (first $150K/year)
- 1x on everything else
- No foreign transaction fees
- Cell phone protection up to $1,000/claim
- Transferable to airline + hotel partners 1:1
- Employee cards at no cost
FAQ
›American Express Gold vs Chase Ink Business Preferred: which is better?
Chase Ink Business Preferred wins on more dimensions (2 vs 1). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use American Express Gold for its best categories, Chase Ink Business Preferred for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
American Express Gold: 60,000 Membership Rewards points after $6,000 in 6 months. Chase Ink Business Preferred: 90,000 points after $8,000 spend in first 3 months (~$1,125 in travel).