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Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card vs. American Express? Gold Card: Gold Takes the Gold

Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card American Express? Gold Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card
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4.8
Annual Fee?
$95
Welcome Offer?
60,000 points + $300 travel credit
Regular APR?
21.49% to 28.49% variable
Recommended Credit?
Good/Excellent (690 - 850)
EARNING REWARDS
Earn 5X points on Chase Travel? purchases, 3X points on dining, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services, and 1X points on other purchases.
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American Express? Gold Card
LEARN MORE
4.5
Annual Fee?
$325
Welcome Offer?
LTO: 60,000 points + 20% bonus
Regular APR?
See Pay Over Time APR
Recommended Credit?
Good/Excellent (690 - 850)
EARNING REWARDS
Earn 4X Membership Rewards? points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X. Earn 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point per dollar), 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases
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Summary

The Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card and the American Express? Gold Card are both great credit cards, but they serve different purposes. The Sapphire Preferred is the better bet for travelers while the Amex Gold is better for rewards on dining purchases.

It’s hard to pick a winner, but the Amex Gold card comes out ahead in this comparison because of the number of statement credits it offers. Even still, neither the Sapphire Preferred nor the Amex Gold is better, per se, since they appeal to different individuals.

Debating which one would be best for you? Let our experts help you out in this detailed comparison of the Amex Gold vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Note: 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.

HIGHLIGHTS

Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card

  • Offers benefits like a $50 annual hotel credit, a 10% annual points bonus, and various partner benefits.
  • Has a $95 annual fee.
  • Earns the most points on Chase Travel? purchases (5X points) and Lyft rides (5X points).

American Express? Gold Card

  • Offers benefits like over $200 in dining credits annually and up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (to receive the Uber Cash benefit you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Gold Card must be a method of payment on your Uber account. The Amex Benefit may only be used in the United States).
  • Has a $325 annual fee (see rates and fees).
  • Earns the most points on purchases at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. (4X points) and at U.S. supermarkets (4X points on up to $25,000 per year, then 1X).

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold: An overview

Why you might want to get the Sapphire Preferred

The most obvious advantage the Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card has over the Amex Gold is its annual fee — over $150 less. This card is better for people looking to earn and redeem travel-specific rewards. The Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits are primarily travel-related, its highest reward category is travel, and its points are worth the most when redeemed for travel. It’s not our top choice for super frequent travelers, but for the average, casual traveler, the Sapphire Preferred is one of our favorite choices.

Bottom line: The Chase Sapphire Preferred is best for casual to semi-frequent travelers who want to earn and redeem points primarily on travel.

?? Learn more:?Chase Sapphire Preferred review

Why you might want to get the Amex Gold instead

The American Express? Gold Card is a top-tier option for people who enjoy dining out. It has travel-related benefits, but the bulk of its value comes from its statement credits— over $200 in statement credits for eligible dining purchases and up to $120 in Uber Cash per year. Additionally, the Amex Gold card’s highest reward category is restaurants, earning 4X Membership Rewards points on up to $50,000 in these purchases per year, then 1X.

Note: To receive the Uber Cash benefit you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Gold Card must be a method of payment on your Uber account. The Amex Benefit may only be used in the United States.

Bottom line: The Gold Card from American Express is primarily for people who spend a lot of money at restaurants (and takeout or delivery in the U.S.).

?? Learn more:?Amex Gold card review and Amex Gold card benefits guide

Should you get both the Sapphire Preferred and the Amex Gold?

It could make sense to get both cards if you like to travel and dine out.

The Amex Gold can do most of the heavy lifting of earning points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, and you can take advantage of its valuable statement credits and partner benefits. If utilized, these credits can easily offset the annual fee.

Concurrently, you can use the Chase Sapphire Preferred to earn and redeem points on travel purchases and take advantage of its very different statement credits and partner benefits.

We wouldn’t necessarily recommend applying for both at the same time, however, as that would reduce your chances of spending enough on each to earn their respective welcome bonuses.

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold: Welcome bonus

Winner in this category: American Express? Gold Card

Sapphire Preferred: The Chase Sapphire Preferred comes with a welcome bonus of 60,000 points if you spend $4,000 within your first three months of card membership. This equates to $750 in value if you choose to redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel. PLus, you can get up to $300 in statement credits for Chase Travel purchases made within the first year, boosting this offer’s potential Chase Travel value to $1,050.

Amex Gold: 60,000 Membership Rewards Points when you spend $6,000 in the first 6 months (worth up to approx. $1,200) Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants within the first 6 months, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.

Amex Gold has a slight edge here since you have to spend an average of $1,000 per month to earn the bonus. Since Chase only gives you three months to qualify, you’d have to spend a little over $1,333 per month to reach the spending threshold.

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold: Rewards

Winner in this category: American Express? Gold Card

When comparing the Amex Gold Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred, the Gold Card comes out ahead in terms of earning and redeeming rewards.

However, the best fit for your needs depends on how much you spend in each category. In some circumstances, the Chase Sapphire Preferred outperforms the Gold Card from American Express.

Which is better for earning rewards?

Winner: It depends

In terms of earning rewards, the right card for you depends on how you spend your money.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred gives you:

In contrast, the Amex Gold gives you:

For travel, if you don’t mind booking through Chase Travel? , the Sapphire Preferred is the better bet.

The Amex Gold is slightly better if you’re more interested in earning points on grocery and dining purchases.

Which is better for redeeming rewards?

Winner: American Express? Gold Card

Both rewards credit cards give you multiple redemption options, but the Amex Gold gives you more flexibility, making it the winner in this category.

Chase Sapphire Preferred: If you get the Sapphire Preferred, the best way to redeem your points is to use Chase Travel? to pay for travel purchases. You can also purchase gift cards, redeem your points at participating partner websites or transfer your points to an airline or hotel loyalty program through Chase Ultimate Rewards?. Chase has 11 partner airlines and three partner hotel brands.

The Amex Gold gives you the following redemption options:

American Express has 13 partner airlines and three partner hotel brands.

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold: Benefits

Winner in this category: American Express? Gold Card

If you’re comparing Amex Gold vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred in terms of non-travel benefits, the Amex Gold wins again.

Dining credits

Winner: American Express? Gold Card

In terms of dining credits, Amex Gold offers much more than the Sapphire Preferred.

Amex Gold comes with the following benefits:

Sapphire: Chase Sapphire Preferred comes with a 1-year DashPass subscription when activated by Dec. 31, 2027, which entitles you to reduced service fees and $0 delivery fees on eligible DoorDash orders. However, it doesn’t offer any statement credits based on your dining purchases.

Travel insurance

Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card

The Amex Gold and Chase Sapphire Preferred both offer comprehensive travel insurance.

The Sapphire Preferred card comes with the following Chase Sapphire travel insurance benefits:

Amex Gold: Gold gives you access to baggage insurance, car rental loss and damage insurance, trip cancellation/interruption coverage, trip delay insurance and travel assistance benefits.*

Therefore, these are two of the best credit cards available if you’re looking for extra travel protection.

*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.

Special offers

Winner: American Express? Gold Card

Both Chase and American Express give cardholders access to special offers, but Amex has a much bigger list of partners.

Sapphire: With the Sapphire Preferred, you get 5X points on eligible Peloton purchases, a six-month subscription to Instacart+, up to $15 in Instacart statement credits per quarter until July 2024 and 5X total points on Lyft rides completed through March 2025.

Gold: If you get the Amex Gold, American Express will display current offers in your online account. These offers change regularly, so pay close attention to the expiration dates. If you add an offer to your card and redeem it before it expires, you’ll earn cash back or extra rewards. Amex has offers available from Hello Fresh, Office Depot, Bose, Stitch Fix and more.

Hotel credits

Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card, since its credit is more flexible

Gold: With the Amex Gold Card, you can get a $100 experience credit when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel (2-night minimum stay required, Experience credit varies by property).

Sapphire: The Chase Sapphire Preferred allows you to earn up to $50 in statement credits per year for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel?.

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold: Fees

Winner in this category: Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card comes out ahead in this category due to its significantly lower annual fee ($95, vs. Amex Gold’s $325). Additionally, the Sapphire Preferred allows for balance transfers while the Amex Gold doesn’t. Neither card has foreign transaction fees.

(see Amex Gold rates and fees)

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold: Eligibility

Winner in this category: It’s a tie!

Chase and American Express have similar eligibility requirements for these cards. You need to have a credit score in the good or excellent range. A good FICO? score ranges from 670 to 739, so you should have at least a 670 before you apply for either card.

Note that your credit score isn’t the only factor used to determine if you qualify. For example, you may have a FICO score of 810, but you’re not likely to be approved if you don’t have a steady source of income.

Chase also has an unofficial policy known as the 5/24 rule. If you’ve opened five or more personal credit cards in 24 months, Chase may deny your Sapphire Preferred application even if you have perfect credit and plenty of income.?Therefore, the Amex Gold may be a better fit if you’ve opened several credit cards within the past 2 years.

Bottom line: Should I get the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Amex Gold?

The bottom line is that the right card for you depends on your spending habits. If you want to maximize your travel benefits without paying a high fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card is probably your best bet. The American Express? Gold Card is a better fit if you spend a lot on dining and want to maximize your partner benefits and statement credits.

If you’re willing to book travel through Chase Travel?, then the Sapphire Preferred has a slight edge over the Amex Gold. You’ll earn 5X back on eligible travel purchases instead of 3X on flights.

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.

If you’ve decided neither of these cards feels right for you, consider these other?travel card?options:

To compare these same cards (The Amex Gold and Chase Sapphire Preferred) to other cards, check out these articles:

? ? ? ? ?

For rates and fees of the American Express? Gold Card, please visit this page.

FAQs: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold

Which card is better: Chase Sapphire Preferred or Amex Gold?

Which card is better depends on your circumstances. In general, the Amex Gold comes with more benefits, but it also has an annual fee that’s more than double the fee for the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

If you’re looking to maximize your benefits, Amex Gold is probably the better choice. Chase Sapphire Preferred is ideal if you’re looking for a low-fee card with plenty of benefits.

Does Chase Sapphire Preferred or Amex Gold have better rewards?

Amex Gold has slightly better rewards, as you get 4 points per dollar on your first $50,000 per year spent on eligible dining purchases and 4 points per dollar spent on your first $25,000 in eligible U.S. supermarket purchases each year.

However, Chase gives you more bang for your buck on eligible travel purchases, as long as you don’t mind booking through Chase Travel?.

Does Chase or American Express have better travel coverage?

Both Chase and American Express* offer comprehensive travel insurance benefits. However, Chase offers one benefit that Amex doesn’t: accidental death and dismemberment coverage worth up to $500,000.

*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.

Is Chase Sapphire Preferred or Amex Gold harder to get?

The Sapphire Preferred is slightly harder to get due to the Chase 5/24 rule. Even if you meet the other eligibility requirements, Chase is likely to deny your application if you’ve opened five or more personal credit cards within the past 24 months.

About the Author

Leigh Morgan
Leigh Morgan Personal Finance

Leigh Morgan is a seasoned personal finance contributor with over 15 years of experience writing on a diverse range of professional legal and financial topics. She specializes in subjects like navigating the complexities of insurance, savings, zero-based budgeting and emergency fund development.

In the last five years, she’s authored over 300 articles for credit unions, digital banks, and financial professionals. Morgan is also the author of “77 Tips for Preventing Elder Financial Abuse,” a book focused on helping caregivers protect the elderly from financial scams.

In addition to her writing skills, she brings real-world financial acumen thanks to her previous experience managing rental properties as part of a $34 million real estate portfolio.

* Opinions expressed here are those of the LA Times Compare Cards Team and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser or entities included within this content. See our editorial policy for more details.

All products or services are presented in this content without warranty. The information, including card details such as rates and fees, is accurate at the time of publish. Please visit each bank's website directly for the most current information.

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