American Express® Business Gold vs Bilt Obsidian

American Express® Business Gold
VS
Bilt Obsidian
The short answer: The American Express® Business Gold delivers a bit more value for most spenders.

Side-by-side comparison

American Express® Business GoldBilt Obsidian
Annual fee$375$95
Welcome offerUp to 200,000 Membership Rewards® Points$200 in Bilt Cash on account opening
Advertising4%1%
Shipping4%1%
Office supplies1%1%
Phone & internet1%1%
Travel4%2%
Everything else1%1%
Est. yearly rewards*$1,116$546
Points typeTransfers to airlines & hotelsTransfers to airlines & hotels
NetworkAmexMastercard

*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.

The verdict

On a typical year of business spending, the American Express® Business Gold earns about $1,116 a year in rewards and the Bilt Obsidian about $546, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The American Express® Business Gold charges $375, but carries about $240 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. The Bilt Obsidian charges $95, but carries about $300 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the American Express® Business Gold delivers more total value, about $260 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on advertising and shipping. Both earn transferable points rather than flat cash, so the deciding factor is whose transfer partners reach the airlines and hotels you would actually book. On the sign-up bonus, the American Express® Business Gold currently has the larger welcome offer. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.

Pick the American Express® Business Gold if your spending leans toward advertising, shipping, travel.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the American Express® Business Gold or the Bilt Obsidian better?
On typical business spending, the American Express® Business Gold comes out ahead after its annual fee, by roughly $260 a year with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. But the Bilt Obsidian can be the better fit if your spending lines up with its stronger categories. Run both through the Cardocrat calculator to see your own numbers.
Can I have both the American Express® Business Gold and the Bilt Obsidian?
In most cases yes, as long as you meet each issuer's approval rules (for example Chase's 5/24 rule). Many people hold complementary cards to cover more bonus categories, then pool or redeem the rewards together where the program allows.
Which has the better welcome bonus, the American Express® Business Gold or the Bilt Obsidian?
As of June 2026, the American Express® Business Gold offers up to 200,000 membership rewards® points and the Bilt Obsidian offers $200 in Bilt Cash on account opening. Welcome offers change often, so confirm the current offer on each card's page before applying.