For many, the $500-plus annual fees that come with ultra-premium travel cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express aren't justifiable. If you aren't traveling regularly and utilizing the full lineup of perks and credits, it may not be worth adding those cards to your wallet.
However, both Chase and Amex have excellent travel cards that fall under their premium versions — the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the American Express® Gold Card.
While both of these cards act as sister cards to their luxury counterparts, there are many differences between them. Today, we're walking through a side-by-side comparison of these cards to help you determine which is right for you — or whether both deserve spots in your wallet.
Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold comparison
Here's a quick overview that compares the key perks on the two cards (note that enrollment is required for select benefits):
| Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred Card | American Express Gold Card |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. | Earn 60,000 points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership, plus 20% back on restaurant purchases in the first cardmember year (up to $100 back). |
| Annual fee | $95 | $325 (see rates and fees) |
| Earning rates |
|
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| Point valuation (based on TPG's August 2024 valuations) | 2.05 cents | 2 cents |
| Perks |
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| Travel protections |
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*Enrollment is required for these benefits.
**Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
***Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
^Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold welcome offer
The Sapphire Preferred offers a compelling welcome bonus. New applicants can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Based on TPG's August 2024 valuations, Ultimate Rewards points are worth 2.05 cents each, making this bonus worth $1,230.
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The Amex Gold Card currently has a welcome offer of 60,000 points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership, plus 20% back on restaurants in the first cardmember year (up to $100 back). Based on TPG's August 2024 valuations, this offer is worth up $1,300.
Plus, you could be targeted for a higher welcome offer on the Amex Gold through the CardMatch tool or through a referral link (offers subject to change at any time).
Winner: Amex Gold. The current welcome offer is valued higher and you have three more months to earn it than the Sapphire Preferred.
Related: The best time to apply for these popular travel cards based on offer history
Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold benefits
In exchange for a $95 annual fee, the Sapphire Preferred offers many travel perks, including a $50 annual hotel credit for bookings through Chase Travel℠ and a 10% points bonus on your cardmember anniversary.
Other benefits include protections like rental car insurance, trip delay and cancellation insurance and baggage loss and delay insurance. These are a great safety net while you travel, but they don't do much to enhance your day-to-day life when everything goes according to plan.
For more than double the Sapphire Preferred's annual fee ($325 vs. $95), the Amex Gold offers several excellent perks (enrollment is required for select benefits):
- Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash per calendar year: Receive up to $10 in Uber Cash each month once you add your card to your Uber app, valid on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S.*
- Up to $120 in annual dining credits each calendar year: Receive up to $10 a month in statement credits for purchases with the Amex Gold at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com and Five Guys.*
- Up to $100 in annual credits for purchases made at Resy restaurants per calendar year: Receive up to $50 in statement credits biannually for eligible Resy purchases and dining at U.S. Resy restaurants; just pay with your card to receive the credit.*
- Up to $84 in annual credits for Dunkin' Donuts purchases: Receive up to $7 per month in statement credits for purchases made at Dunkin' Donuts.*
Amex Gold cardmembers also receive travel and purchase protections.
Winner: Amex Gold. The Amex Gold statement credits are valued at $424, effectively canceling the card's higher fee.
Related: Why you'll want to pay the Chase Sapphire Preferred's $95 annual fee
Earning points on the Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold
The Sapphire Preferred offers useful bonus categories, but the real highlight isn't just the categories themselves but how broadly they're defined. With it, you'll earn 3 points per dollar on a few notable categories:
- Dining, including not just restaurants but many bars, breweries, food trucks and even meal delivery services
- Select streaming services, including Apple+, Disney+, Max, Netflix, SiriusXM, Spotify, and YouTube TV
- Online grocery stores, which include Instacart and many meal delivery services but exclude Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs
You'll also receive 2 points per dollar on purchases Chase categorizes as travel, which includes hotels, airfare and rental cars, as well as things like Uber, parking meters and limousine rentals. This jumps to 5 points per dollar for travel when you book through Chase Travel (excluding hotel reservations that qualify for the $50 credit).
Additionally, the Sapphire Preferred earns 5 points per dollar on Lyft (through March 2025).
These are solid rates on a wide range of purchases.
Still, the Amex Gold may shine brighter when it comes to its earning structure:
- 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
- 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar)
- 3 points per dollar on airfare purchased directly from the airline or through amextravel.com
- 2 points per dollar on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked through amextravel.com
- 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases
Despite the spending cap, earning 4 points per dollar at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets is an 8% return on both purchases, according to our valuations, making it one of the best cards for dining at restaurants and grocery shopping.
Winner: Amex Gold. Its higher earning rates on dining and at U.S. supermarkets, as well as on flights booked directly with an airline, give it the upper hand.
Related: Why the Amex Gold is the perfect 'in-between' credit card
Redeeming points on the Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold
Both of these cards are similar in that they earn some of the most valuable transferable points currencies around.
The Sapphire Preferred earns Ultimate Rewards points that you can redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠ or for other items such as gift cards and even as a statement credit. You'll get a 25% bonus when redeeming points for travel through the Chase travel portal. But you'll get the most value by transferring your points to one of Chase's 14 valuable hotel and airline transfer partners, including United, Southwest, Hyatt and British Airways.
The Amex Gold earns similarly valuable Membership Rewards points, which you can redeem for travel directly through AmexTravel.com or for gift cards and statement credits. Again, you'll get the best value from your points by transferring them to one of 21 hotel and airline partners. This includes some that overlap with Chase — like Air Canada Aeroplan and British Airways. However, some are different, including Delta SkyMiles, Avianca LifeMiles and ANA Mileage Club.
Winner: Tie. Both cards earn transferable rewards and give you a wide range of valuable redemption options.
Transferring points on the Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold
TPG's August 2024 valuations peg Chase Ultimate Rewards at 2.05 cents and Amex Membership points at 2 cents, but your travel habits might make one currency better than the other for you.
For example, if you live in a Delta hub, you might get more value out of transferring your Membership Rewards points to Delta SkyMiles, while those who have a coveted Southwest Companion Pass can get some incredible value by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest Rapid Rewards.
Managing editor Matt Moffitt utilizes his Sapphire Preferred often by transferring points to British Airways Executive Club to take advantage of sweet spots on American Airlines flights.
Winner: Tie. Both cards transfer to various partners, all with their respective redemption options and sweet spots.
Related: Why transferable points are worth more than other rewards
Should I get the Sapphire Preferred or Amex Gold?
If you spend most of your budget on groceries or dining and can utilize its monthly credits, the Amex Gold is likely your winner. However, the Sapphire Preferred is a better fit if you prefer Ultimate Rewards points and want to earn bonus points on general travel expenses. Still, remember that it doesn't have to be a "this or that" decision; there's room for both of these cards in a well-developed points strategy.
Bottom line
The Sapphire Preferred and Amex Gold are two of the most valuable mid-tier cards on the market. Both can provide excellent value, and the question of one card versus another largely depends on how you derive value from your credit cards. However, they're one of our top card pairings, so it might be worth having both in your wallet.
To learn more, read our full reviews of the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Amex Gold.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Apply here: American Express Gold
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
