American Express® Gold vs Ink Business Cash®
Side-by-side comparison
| American Express® Gold | Ink Business Cash® | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $325 | No annual fee |
| Welcome offer | 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points | |
| Advertising | 1% | 1% |
| Shipping | 1% | 1% |
| Office supplies | 1% | 5% |
| Phone & internet | 1% | 5% |
| Travel | 3% | 1% |
| Everything else | 1% | 1% |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $618 | $684 |
| Points type | Transfers to airlines & hotels | Pools with Chase → transferable |
| 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® Gold earns about $618 a year in rewards and the Ink Business Cash® about $684, 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 Ink Business Cash® has no annual fee, so its rewards are all profit. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Ink Business Cash® delivers more total value, about $179 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on office supplies and phone & internet. 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 two are currently comparable in size. Note that Ink Business Cash® 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 Ink Business Cash® if your spending leans toward office supplies, phone & internet.