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American Express Business Gold Card vs U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and more.
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Feature Comparison
| Feature | American Express Business Gold CardAmerican Express | U.S. Bank Smartly Visa SignatureU.S. Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Annual Fee | $375 | $0 |
| APR | 19.49% - 28.49% | 17.49% - 27.49% |
| Signup Bonus | 100,000 points after spending $15,000 in 3 months | None publicly listed |
| Rewards Rate | 4X on the 2 categories where your business spends the most each month (up to $150K/yr combined), 1X on everything else | 2% cash back on every purchase, up to 4% with qualifying U.S. Bank Smartly Savings balance |
| Credit Score | good | good |
| Pros | 4X on your top 2 business spend categories automatically each month 100,000 MR point bonus transfers to airlines and hotels at 2cpp+ 25% airline bonus when you book through Amex Travel | 2% unlimited cash back with no annual fee — matches Citi Double Cash Up to 4% back with qualifying U.S. Bank Smartly Savings balance 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers |
| Cons | $375 annual fee with no offsetting credits $15,000 spend in 3 months is a high bar for the bonus $150,000 annual cap on 4X categories | Best rates (3-4%) require U.S. Bank banking relationship with large balances No signup bonus publicly listed Limited to U.S. Bank ecosystem for maximum value |
| View Details → | View Details → |
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Verdict
Our Pick: American Express Business Gold Card
With a 4.4/5 rating, the American Express Business Gold Card edges out the U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature (4.2/5). At $375/yr, the value proposition is strong. The Amex Business Gold automatically 4X's your top 2 spending categories each billing cycle — no tracking, no activating. For businesses spending heavily on travel, advertising, or shipping, it's the most flexible Membership Rewards earner.