[Expired] Big Business Gold changes reported: how to stack the current deal

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Update: The card has changed as rumored, and those who got in yesterday should be pleased. New post coming…

Doctor of Credit is reporting some very significant changes are coming tomorrow to the Business Gold card from American Express. Assuming the new launch he’s reporting is correct and it follows a similar pattern to the personal Gold card, those interested should consider applying today to lock in the current offer and stack that with the new benefits.

a close up of a credit card

The CURRENT offer and card details

Update: Now expired

REPORTED CHANGES according to Doctor of Credit

DoC reports a re-launch tomorrow with the following details:

  • $295 annual fee, which will not be waived first year
  • The BGR will reportedly earn 4x points on the two categories in which your business spends the most each billing cycle, from the following list (up to $150K in combined purchases each calendar year):
    • Airfare purchased directly from airlines
    • U.S. purchases for advertising in select media
    • U.S. purchases at gas stations
    • U.S. purchases for shipping
    • U.S. computer hardware, software, and cloud computing purchases made directly from select providers
  • Get 25% points back after you book a flight with pay with points (unclear if this is any flight or just with your selected carrier)

Why you should apply now if you want the card

If you’re interested in this card, I think now is the time to apply. There are a few reasons for that:

  1. The current offer as of 11:50am on 11/7/18 waives the fee the first year (now expired) – DoC is reporting that the new $295 fee will start tomorrow and not be waived.
  2. I wouldn’t bet on a stronger opening offer for the new card.
  3. You’ll likely still get the same suite of benefits slated to apply to the new card.
  4. 1+ 2 + 3 = today is potentially the last day to stack no fee for the first year with the current offer and the new benefits

To be clear, I’m trusting that DoC has the details right on this one. Still, I think you could do as well or better today than you will tomorrow. I definitely regret waiting on the personal Gold card as I could have saved $250 if I had applied the night before the new card and benefits launched (and the new offer wasn’t any better than the old).

You currently have 3 options for a pretty good offer on the Business Gold Rewards card – and the annual fee should be waived in all 3 scenarios if you apply today, which should save you $295 over applying after today:

  1. The current public offer. That’s 50K Membership Rewards points after $5K in purchases in the first 3 months (terms apply).
  2. The current targeted phone offer. Many people have reported getting a targeted offer for 75K Membership Rewards points after $10K in purchases in the first 3 months (terms apply) simply by calling and asking for it. You would have to call 1-800-971-6736 and choose the option to apply for a card over the phone. When connected to a representative, you would simply say ask if you can get the 75K offer. YMMV as it seems that not everyone is eligible, but many are.
  3. Refer in-house for best bang-for-your-buck. If you currently have a card that offers 15K points per referral, you could refer yourself or have your spouse or family member refer you. That would give you the current public offer of 50K after $5K in purchases. With the 15K referral bonus, that’s a total of 65K points after just $5K spend — not quite as many bonus points as the phone offer, but half the spending requirement of that offer. [Expired]

Which of the above appeals to you the most may vary, but I’d say that those who currently have an Amex that can generate referrals might prefer option #3 unless your regular expenses make it easy to meet the spending requirement on the phone offer.

It’ll be interesting to see how the 25% points rebate plays out on this card as well. I would assume that the rebate would only apply to flights with your selected (domestic) airline, but it would be interesting if it turned out to work more broadly…especially in terms of what that might mean down the road for changes to the Business Platinum card.

Bottom line

If you’re in the market for the Business Gold card, now might be the time. While I’d bet that there will eventually be an offer once again with the annual fee waived the first year, it sounds like the new card will cost $295 off the bat at launch. It’s doubtful that it will launch with a better welcome offer than you can get today via options #2 and #3 above even without considering a nearly three hundred dollar difference.

H/T: Doctor of Credit

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