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Amex Business Gold vs Surge Platinum Mastercard: Which Is Better In 2026?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
The American Express® Business Gold Card is ideal for businesses looking to maximize rewards on variable expenses like travel, advertising, gas, dining, shipping, and technology purchases. Terms Apply.
The Surge® Platinum Mastercard® is designed for individuals with poor or no credit history who need an unsecured card to build or rebuild their credit profile.
American Express® Business Gold Card Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we recommend the American Express® Business Gold Card (See Rates & Fees).
- It automatically optimizes rewards based on your business's top spending categories, so you don't have to track them manually.
- The card offers flexible purchasing power that can adjust with your business expenses, which is great for growing companies.
- It includes a suite of travel and purchase protections that add a layer of security to your business transactions. Terms Apply.
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.
Pros
- Earns rewards automatically in the two categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle. Terms Apply.
- Offers flexible purchasing power that adjusts based on your business's needs, rather than a fixed credit limit.
- Provides valuable travel perks, including access to The Hotel Collection and the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners. Terms Apply.
Cons
- Carries a high annual fee, and there are additional costs for employee cards.
- Requires significant spending in specific bonus categories to make the annual fee worthwhile.
- Airport lounge access is more limited than what some competing premium cards offer.
Surge® Platinum Mastercard® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of what makes the Surge® Platinum Mastercard® a noteworthy option for rebuilding credit.
- It’s an unsecured card, so you can apply with poor or no credit history without needing to provide a security deposit.
- The card reports to all three major credit bureaus, helping you build a positive payment history with responsible use.
- You may be eligible for an automatic credit limit increase after making your first six monthly payments on time.
Pros
- Check your approval odds without a hard inquiry on your credit report.
- Build credit without needing to provide a security deposit upfront.
- Accepted worldwide wherever Mastercard is taken.
Cons
- There is no option to upgrade to a better card from the same issuer as your credit improves.
- It lacks common cardholder perks, such as purchase protection or travel benefits.
- The card’s structure can make it challenging to maintain a low credit utilization ratio.
Surge® Platinum Mastercard® vs American Express® Business Gold Card
Categories
When deciding which is better Amex Business Gold or Surge Platinum Mastercard, it's crucial to understand that these cards serve entirely different financial needs.
- Surge® Platinum Mastercard® is best categorized as a credit-builder tool. It is designed for individuals who are looking to build or rebuild their credit history, especially those with poor or no credit.
- American Express® Business Gold Card is a versatile tool intended for business owners. The card is designed for growing companies that need flexibility for their business expenses.
Redemption
Surge® Platinum Mastercard®: As a credit-building card, it does not offer a rewards program, so there are no points or cashback to redeem.
American Express® Business Gold Card: This card allows you to earn points on business-related purchases, which can be redeemed for flights, statement credits, gift cards, and more.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make the best choice, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.
- Test drive a credit card: Simulate potential earnings from a new card based on your actual spending history—before you apply and without affecting your credit score.
- Personalized matching: Discover which of the nearly 3,000 available cards will maximize your rewards based on your unique spending patterns.
- Approval odds: Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
- Financial overview: Keep track of your transactions, spending habits, and credit score to stay on top of your finances.
- Member benefits: Unlock exclusive incentives like the $100 Kudos Kickstart+, a welcome offer guarantee, and extra rewards through Kudos Boost.
Who Should Choose the American Express® Business Gold Card?
The American Express® Business Gold Card is best suited for growing companies with variable expenses, particularly those with business spending of $50,000 or more per year. Its primary appeal is the flexible rewards structure that automatically earns 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two spending categories each billing cycle, such as U.S. advertising, U.S. shipping, and airfare. This makes the card ideal for entrepreneurs who can maximize these bonus categories to easily offset the annual fee. Terms Apply.
Who Should Choose the Surge® Platinum Mastercard®?
The Surge® Platinum Mastercard® is designed for individuals with poor or no credit history who are seeking a straightforward way to build or rebuild their credit profile. It's best suited for those with a credit score below 600 who may have been rejected by other card issuers and need to establish a positive payment history. Since it is an unsecured card, it's also a viable option for applicants who cannot afford the security deposit required for a secured credit card.
Alternatives to Consider
The American Express® Business Gold Card vs. Surge® Platinum Mastercard® comparison showcases two very different cards, and it's possible neither one is right for you. If that's the case, let's look at a few other alternatives that might be a better fit for your financial goals.
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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.
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score to ensure it aligns with the card’s target applicant profile.
- Review your budget to confirm you can meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer.
- Understand the benefits so you have a clear plan to maximize the card’s value from day one.
Application Strategy
- Look for pre-qualification offers to check your approval odds without impacting your credit score.
- Time your application to align with large planned purchases to help meet spending requirements.
- Choose a card that fits your spending to ensure you’re maximizing rewards on everyday purchases.
Our Methodology
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.
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
What is the main difference between a charge card and a credit card?
The primary difference is that a charge card requires you to pay your balance in full each month, while a credit card allows you to carry a balance over time by making at least a minimum payment.
Who is a business charge card best for?
A business charge card is best for established business owners who can comfortably pay their balance in full each month and want to maximize rewards on their business expenses.
How can a credit card help build credit?
By making consistent, on-time payments and keeping your utilization low, a credit card reports positive activity to the credit bureaus, which can help build or improve your credit score over time.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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