American Express® Gold vs Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card
Side-by-side comparison
| American Express® Gold | Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $325 | $295 |
| Welcome offer | $1,500 cash back | |
| Advertising | 1% | 2% |
| Shipping | 1% | 2% |
| Office supplies | 1% | 2% |
| Phone & internet | 1% | 2% |
| Travel | 3% | 2% |
| Everything else | 1% | 2% |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $618 | $900 |
| Points type | Transfers to airlines & hotels | Cash back only |
| Network | Amex | Amex |
*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® Gold earns about $618 a year in rewards and the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card about $900, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The American Express® Gold charges $325, but carries about $424 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. The Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card charges $295, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card delivers more total value, about $100 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on everything else and advertising. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the American Express® Gold earns points you can move to travel partners for outsized value, while the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card pays plain cash back. Favor the American Express® Gold if you will use travel transfers, the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card if you want simplicity. On the sign-up bonus, the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card currently has the larger welcome offer. Note that American Express® Gold is running a limited-time offer above the usual amount, so that edge may not last. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.
Pick the American Express® Gold if your spending leans toward travel. Pick the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card if your spending leans toward advertising, shipping, office supplies.