Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
Amex Business Gold vs Wells Fargo Autograph: Which Is Better In 2026?
July 1, 2025

Editor's Picks
The American Express® Business Gold Card is ideal for businesses with significant and fluctuating spending across categories like advertising, shipping, and travel, as it automatically rewards your top two spending areas. Terms Apply.
With no annual fee, the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card is great for everyday spending, offering high rewards on common purchases like dining, gas, travel, and streaming services.
American Express® Business Gold Card Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "111", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Business Owners", "headerHint" : "Versatile Business Tool" } ]]
Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the American Express® Business Gold Card (See Rates & Fees).
- It offers a flexible rewards structure that automatically adapts to your business's top spending categories each billing cycle.
- The card provides spending flexibility that can adjust to your business needs, which is ideal for growing companies.
- Cardholders get access to valuable travel perks and purchase protections.
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
- Automatically earn bonus rewards on your top two spending categories each billing cycle without needing to enroll or track them.
- A flexible spending limit that adjusts to your business's needs, based on factors like your payment history and card usage.
- Includes purchase protection, extended warranty, and return protection on eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
Cons
- The annual fee is on the higher side.
- Airport lounge access is more limited than what you'd find with other premium business cards.
- You have to spend a significant amount in the bonus categories to make the annual fee worth it.
Wells Fargo Autograph Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3023", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Everyday Spenders", "headerHint": "No Annual Fee"} ]]
Why We Like It
This section highlights the key reasons we're fans of the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card.
- It offers generous rewards across a wide range of popular spending categories without charging an annual fee.
- The card is a solid travel companion, thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees and the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners.
- Cardholders receive valuable cell phone protection against damage or theft, a rare perk for a card at this level.
Pros
- No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
- Earns bonus points across a wide range of popular spending categories.
- Offers flexible redemption options, including point transfers to travel partners.
Cons
- Lacks premium travel perks like airport lounge access or annual statement credits.
- The list of travel transfer partners is more limited than some competing rewards cards.
- Requires a good to excellent credit score for approval.
Wells Fargo Autograph vs American Express® Business Gold Card
Categories
When deciding which is better Amex Business Gold or Wells Fargo Autograph, it's crucial to understand the primary purpose each card serves.
- American Express® Business Gold Card: This card is best for business owners, serving as a versatile tool for growing companies that need flexibility in their spending categories.
- Wells Fargo Autograph® Card: Positioned as a travel credit card, this card is also a strong choice for everyday rewards, appealing to those who want a straightforward card without a yearly commitment.
Redemption
American Express® Business Gold Card: Points offer flexibility for businesses, with options to book travel or transfer them to various airline and hotel loyalty programs. Terms apply.
Wells Fargo Autograph® Card: This card provides straightforward redemption choices, allowing you to easily turn your points into cash rewards, statement credits, or use them for travel.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
With Kudos, you can compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the perfect match for your spending habits.
- Test drive credit cards: Use your real spending data to see personalized calculations of your potential earnings before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
- Approval odds: Get a detailed analysis of your likelihood of being approved for various cards based on your credit report.
- Autofill at checkout: Let Kudos automatically fill in the best card for your purchase to ensure you always maximize your rewards.
- Stacked rewards: Earn Kudos Boost rewards when you shop at your favorite stores, which stack on top of your credit card’s rewards.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
Who Should Choose the American Express® Business Gold Card?
The American Express® Business Gold Card is tailored for businesses with significant and variable expenses that can take advantage of flexible rewards. It’s particularly valuable for companies that can maximize the 4X Membership Rewards® points on their top two spending categories each billing cycle, on up to $150,000 in combined purchases annually, then 1X. This card best serves businesses whose high spending in eligible categories like U.S. advertising, U.S. shipping, or airfare can easily justify the $375 annual fee. Terms Apply.
Who Should Choose the Wells Fargo Autograph?
The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card is an excellent choice for consumers seeking to earn high, uncapped rewards on everyday spending categories like restaurants, travel, and gas without paying an annual fee. It's particularly well-suited as a primary "front-of-wallet" card for big spenders who can maximize the unlimited 3x points on bonus categories. This card appeals to those who prioritize practical perks, such as the cell phone protection benefit of up to $600 per claim, over luxury travel benefits like airport lounge access.
Alternatives to Consider
After comparing the Amex Business Gold vs Wells Fargo Autograph, you might find that neither card quite fits your needs. Fortunately, the credit card market is vast, and we've highlighted a few other top contenders to consider.
[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "Generous Travel Rewards"]} ]]
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 - Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
- Review your spending habits - Ensure your top spending categories align with the card’s bonus rewards structure.
- Understand the benefits - Some perks require enrollment or specific actions to activate.
Application Strategy
- Time your application to coincide with large purchases to help meet spending requirements for a welcome offer.
- Plan to use unique benefits, such as flexible spending limits or cell phone protection, from day one.
- Research redemption options and transfer partners before applying to maximize the value of your rewards.
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
Can I use a personal credit card for business expenses?
While it's technically possible to use a personal card for business spending, it's generally not recommended. Mixing personal and business finances can create accounting headaches and may even violate your cardholder agreement.
What are the benefits of using a dedicated business credit card?
Business credit cards often come with higher credit limits and rewards tailored to common business spending categories like shipping or advertising. They also help build your business's credit history, which is separate from your personal credit score.
How do I choose between a card with an annual fee and one without?
To decide, calculate whether the value you get from a card's benefits and rewards will outweigh its annual fee. If you'll use the perks enough to offset the cost, a card with a fee can be a worthwhile investment.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
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.













.webp)
.webp)



.webp)



