American Express® Business Gold vs United℠ Explorer
Side-by-side comparison
| American Express® Business Gold | United℠ Explorer | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $375 | $150 |
| Welcome offer | Up to 200,000 Membership Rewards® Points | Up to 60,000 bonus miles |
| Advertising | 4% | 1% |
| Shipping | 4% | 1% |
| Office supplies | 1% | 1% |
| Phone & internet | 1% | 1% |
| Travel | 4% | 1% |
| Everything else | 1% | 1% |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $1,116 | $474 |
| Points type | Transfers to airlines & hotels | Locked to United MileagePlus |
| Network | Amex | Visa |
*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 United℠ Explorer about $474, 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 United℠ Explorer charges $150, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the American Express® Business Gold delivers more total value, about $537 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on advertising and travel. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the American Express® Business Gold earns points you can move to travel partners for outsized value, while the United℠ Explorer stays locked to a single airline or hotel program. Favor the American Express® Business Gold if you will use travel transfers, the United℠ Explorer if you want simplicity. 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.