Amex Business Gold vs Chase Freedom Unlimited: Which Is Better In 2026?

Chase Freedom Unlimited® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down the key reasons why we're fans of the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.

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• It provides a straightforward way to earn rewards on every purchase, plus bonuses in popular spending categories.
• You can maximize the value of your rewards by pairing it with a premium Chase travel card.
• The card includes useful benefits like purchase protection and travel coverage.

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Pros

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• Offers a straightforward rewards structure with bonus earnings on common purchases.
• Comes with a suite of purchase and travel protections.
• Points can be pooled with premium Chase cards to unlock more valuable redemption options.

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Cons

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• Incurs foreign transaction fees, making it less ideal for purchases abroad.
• Requires a good to excellent credit score for approval.
• The highest reward value is only unlocked when paired with a premium Chase card.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs American Express® Business Gold Card

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Amex Business Gold or Chase Freedom Unlimited, depends on your specific needs. One is a premium tool for business expenses, while the other is a straightforward card for personal spending.

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• American Express® Business Gold Card: This card is designed for business owners, offering a versatile tool for growing companies that have flexible spending needs across various categories.
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: As a fantastic cash back card, this is ideal for individuals who are looking to maximize rewards on their everyday spending.

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Redemption

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American Express® Business Gold Card: This card offers flexible redemption options, allowing you to transfer points to various airline and hotel partners or use them to cover eligible business purchases.

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®: You can redeem your rewards for straightforward cash back, or for those with other eligible Chase cards, convert them into valuable travel points.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To eliminate the guesswork from choosing a new card, Kudos is a financial platform that lets you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for your unique spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: The Test Drive feature lets you simulate potential earnings with a new card using your real spending data—no application or credit check required.
• $100 Kudos Kickstart+: You can unlock $100 in Kickstart+ Rewards just by adding certain approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, the platform will match it.
• Detailed approval odds: Get a comprehensive analysis based on your credit report to better understand your chances of being approved for a card.
• Personalized matching: Discover new cards and receive recommendations that will maximize your earnings based on your spending history.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Business Gold Card?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card is tailor-made for business owners with dynamic spending habits and significant annual expenses across several categories. Its main draw is the flexible rewards structure, which automatically awards 4X Membership Rewards® points on up to $150,000 in combined purchases annually in your top two eligible spending categories each billing cycle, then 1X points. Terms apply. This structure makes it a powerhouse for companies that can consistently maximize those bonus categories to easily offset the $375 annual fee.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for everyday spenders who value a straightforward rewards structure without the hassle of tracking rotating bonus categories. It's particularly well-suited for those new to credit card rewards or anyone seeking valuable purchase protections and travel benefits without paying an annual fee. Additionally, existing Chase customers can pair it with a premium card, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, to maximize their Ultimate Rewards® points.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the Amex Business Gold vs Chase Freedom Unlimited comparison has you looking for other options, you're in luck. Several other cards offer compelling rewards and benefits that might be a better match for your needs.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: Most premium rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending: Make sure you can comfortably meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer without overspending.
• Know your strategy: Research the card’s rewards ecosystem and transfer partners to maximize your points value.

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Application Strategy

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• Be aware of issuer rules: Some card issuers have specific application guidelines that can affect your approval odds.
• Know the card type: Ensure you meet the requirements for a personal or business card, like the American Express® Business Gold Card.
• Consider card pairing: Some cards, such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, provide more value when combined with others from the same issuer.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I use the Chase Freedom Unlimited® for business expenses?

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While you can use the Chase Freedom Unlimited® for business spending, it is a personal credit card, meaning your business and personal expenses will not be separated. A dedicated business card, like the American Express® Business Gold Card, is designed specifically to keep these finances distinct.

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What are the annual fees for these cards?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has no annual fee. The American Express® Business Gold Card has an annual fee that supports its suite of business-focused benefits; terms apply.

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Which card offers more flexible rewards?

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Both cards earn valuable, flexible points, but they belong to two different loyalty programs: Chase Ultimate Rewards® and American Express Membership Rewards®. The better program for you will depend on which airline and hotel transfer partners best match your travel habits.

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