Dropping $500 or more every year on travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or The Platinum Card® from American Express doesn’t always make sense. Unless you’re hitting the road often and making the most of every perk and credit, those steep fees just aren’t worth it.
But don’t worry, there’s good news. Both Chase and Amex have excellent options that offer premium benefits without the luxury price tag: the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the American Express® Gold Card.
Now, while these two cards come from the same family as their high-end siblings, they’re not identical. Each one has unique features that might catch your eye. So, let’s take a closer look together to figure out which one fits your needs—or if both belong in your wallet.
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold: Key Features Breakdown
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the standout benefits for both cards. Don’t forget—some perks require enrollment to activate.
| Feature | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | American Express® Gold Card |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome Bonus | Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months. | Earn 60,000 points when you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months. |
| Annual Fee | $95 | $325 |
| Earning Rates | – 5 points per dollar on travel booked through the Chase Travel℠ portal | – 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 annually, then 1 point per dollar) |
| – 5 points per dollar on Lyft rides (through March 2025) | – 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 annually, then 1 point per dollar) | |
| – 3 points per dollar on dining | – 3 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with airlines or at amextravel.com | |
| – 3 points per dollar on select streaming services | – 2 points per dollar on prepaid hotels and other purchases made through amextravel.com | |
| – 3 points per dollar on online groceries (excludes Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs) | – 1 point per dollar on everything else | |
| – 2 points per dollar on other travel purchases | ||
| – 1 point per dollar on all other purchases | ||
| Point Value | 2.05 cents per point (based on August 2024 valuations by TPG) | 2 cents per point (based on August 2024 valuations by TPG) |
| Perks | – $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through Chase Travel | – Up to $120 Uber Cash per year (U.S. services, $10/month)* |
| – 10% bonus points back each year (calculated on total purchases) | – Up to $120 annual dining credit ($10/month) for select merchants* | |
| – Up to $100 credit per year at U.S. Resy-affiliated restaurants ($50 twice a year)* | ||
| – Up to $84 annual credit at Dunkin’ Donuts ($7/month)* | ||
| Travel Protections | – Trip cancellation and interruption insurance | – Baggage insurance** |
| – Primary car rental insurance | – Trip delay reimbursement*** | |
| – Baggage insurance | – Rental car insurance^ | |
| – Trip delay reimbursement | ||
| – Travel and emergency assistance |
Which Welcome Bonus is Better?
Let’s take a closer look at how the welcome offers stack up. The Chase Sapphire Preferred gives you 60,000 points if you spend $4,000 in the first three months. With Chase Ultimate Rewards points valued at 2.05 cents each, that bonus translates to $1,230 in value.
The Amex Gold Card offers a similar 60,000 points, but you’ll need to spend $6,000 over six months to earn it. Those points are valued at 2 cents each, so the bonus comes out to $1,200 in total.
Amex sometimes runs targeted offers through referral links or the CardMatch tool, where you might qualify for significantly more—potentially up to 150,000 points.
If you’re not sure whether you qualify for an exclusive deal, tools like CardMatch can help you check for higher offers, and the best part? It doesn’t impact your credit score.
Although the Sapphire Preferred provides a bit more value initially, the Amex Gold allows you double the time to accumulate the bonus. The Amex Gold stands out as the top choice.
Comparing the Benefits
Let’s start with the Chase Sapphire Preferred. For a $95 annual fee, you get a handful of useful perks that really shine when you’re traveling. For example, there’s a $50 credit for hotels booked through Chase Travel℠ and an annual bonus of 10% of the points you’ve earned over the past year.
You’re also covered with solid travel protections, like car rental insurance, reimbursement for trip cancellations or delays, and baggage insurance if your luggage is lost or delayed.
While these features provide valuable peace of mind during trips, they don’t significantly enhance your daily life.
Now, the Amex Gold takes a different approach. The $325 annual fee might feel steep at first, but let’s break down the credits and benefits to see if it’s worth it. First, there’s $120 in Uber Cash—that’s $10 per month you can use for Uber rides or Uber Eats. You just need to add your Amex Gold to your Uber account to activate it.
Then there’s the $120 dining credit, which gives you $10 back every month when you spend at places like Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Five Guys, and even Goldbelly. You also get $100 in annual Resy dining credits, split into two $50 chunks, for dining at Resy-affiliated restaurants in the U.S. Finally, if you’re a Dunkin’ fan, you’ll appreciate the $84 in annual credits—that’s $7 each month toward your coffee or breakfast.
And let’s not forget the travel and purchase protections, which are a given at this level of card.
When you add up all the credits—totaling $424—you’re already covering the card’s higher fee and coming out ahead. So, we’d choose Amex Gold.
How Do We Earn Points With These Cards?
With the Sapphire Preferred, you’re rewarded for spending across a wide range of everyday and travel-related categories. You’ll earn 3 points per dollar on dining, which isn’t limited to restaurants—it also covers bars, breweries, food trucks, and even meal delivery apps. For those of us who love to binge-watch or stream music, it also gives you 3 points on streaming platforms like Disney+, Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube TV.
If online grocery shopping is more your thing, you’ll get 3 points per dollar there too, though purchases at stores like Walmart, Target, or wholesale clubs don’t count.
When it comes to travel, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on purchases like hotels, flights, rental cars, and even Uber rides or parking fees. But here’s the kicker: booking travel through Chase Travel bumps that up to 5 points per dollar, though hotel bookings using the $50 credit are excluded. And if you use Lyft often, you’ll rack up 5 points per dollar there through March 2025.
The Amex Gold, however, takes a more focused approach with higher earning rates in a few powerhouse categories. You’ll earn 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide—yes, worldwide—up to $50,000 a year. Grocery shoppers, this one’s for you: you’ll also get 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, capped at $25,000 annually. After that, it’s 1 point per dollar.
For frequent flyers, the Amex Gold rewards you with 3 points per dollar when you book flights directly with airlines or through Amex Travel. And for prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar. Other eligible purchases outside these categories earn 1 point per dollar.
While both cards are strong in their own right, the Amex Gold stands out if most of your spending goes to dining and groceries. With a return equivalent to 8% on those purchases (based on point valuations), it’s hard to beat for everyday essentials.
Amex Gold’s higher earning rates in key categories like food and travel give it the upper hand for many of us.
How Do We Redeem Points on These Cards?
When it comes to redeeming points, both the Sapphire Preferred and Amex Gold give you plenty of options, but the best value comes down to how you plan to use them.
With the Sapphire Preferred, your points are part of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. One great option is redeeming them for travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal, where you’ll enjoy a 25% bonus in value. In simple terms, 10,000 points can be worth $125 if you’re booking flights, hotels, or rental cars directly through Chase’s platform.
Beyond travel, your points can also be used for gift cards, statement credits, or other purchases. But if you want to squeeze out the highest value, transferring your points to one of Chase’s 14 airline and hotel partners is the way to go. Partners like United Airlines, Southwest, Hyatt, and British Airways give you the chance to unlock incredible redemptions if you plan strategically.
Now, let’s talk about the Amex Gold. This card earns Membership Rewards points, which are equally versatile and highly valued. You can redeem them through AmexTravel.com for flights, hotels, and more. Like Chase, Amex also lets you use points for gift cards or as statement credits, but again, the best value comes from transferring points to travel partners.
It has 21 transfer partners, offering a broader selection than Chase. Some overlap, like British Airways and Air Canada Aeroplan, but Amex also partners with programs like Delta SkyMiles, ANA Mileage Club, and Avianca LifeMiles. These exclusive partners open up even more opportunities for high-value redemptions.
Honestly, this one’s too close to call. Both cards offer impressive flexibility and great value through point transfers. Your decision here really depends on which airline or hotel partners align better with your travel goals.
Which Card’s Points Are Better for Transfers?
Both cards let you transfer points to some fantastic travel programs, but the right choice really depends on how you travel.
With the Sapphire Preferred, you’re earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which are valued at 2.05 cents each. The Amex Gold, on the other hand, earns Membership Rewards points, worth 2 cents per point. While those numbers give you a general idea of their value, the real difference comes down to the transfer partners each card offers.
For example, if you often fly out of a Delta hub, you might lean toward the Amex Gold. It allows you to transfer points to Delta SkyMiles, which could make those flights much more affordable. Meanwhile, if you’re a fan of Southwest Airlines—especially if you’ve got a Southwest Companion Pass—the Sapphire Preferred could be a better fit. You can transfer Ultimate Rewards points directly to Southwest Rapid Rewards, making it easy to book flights for you and your travel buddy.
We’ve also seen some clever strategies with these points. One of our go-to moves with the Sapphire Preferred is transferring points to British Airways Executive Club. It’s an excellent way to book short-haul flights on American Airlines, often at an unbeatable value.
This is a matter of personal preference. Both cards provide exceptional flexibility and offer access to valuable travel partners. The best choice for you depends entirely on where you travel and which loyalty programs you’re already using.
Should You Go with the Sapphire Preferred or the Amex Gold?
Choosing between these two cards really comes down to how you spend and what kind of rewards you’re looking for.
If most of your spending revolves around food—whether it’s dining out or stocking up on groceries—the Amex Gold could be the better match for you. With its generous earning rates in these categories and monthly credits that add real value.
On the other hand, if you’re someone who values versatility and wants a card that covers a broader range of travel expenses, the Sapphire Preferred is a solid choice. Its Ultimate Rewards points are flexible, easy to redeem, and especially rewarding if you transfer them to Chase’s travel partners.
Though you don’t have to limit yourself to just one card. Why not have both? Pairing these cards gives you the best of both worlds—maximizing rewards on food, travel, and everything in between.
