Whether you’re a rewards card beginner or an established points and miles expert, there could be room in your setup for two fantastic cards: the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) and the American Express® Gold Card.
But, if you can only pick just one, it can be hard to decide.
The Sapphire Preferred is well-positioned as a great way to collect valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points for a modest annual fee, while the Amex Gold is a favorite for foodies, earning bonus rewards on food-related purchases and providing valuable statement credits along the way.
Which is best for your wallet? There are multiple differences between these two popular options, so let’s compare them to see which is right for you — or whether both deserve your attention.
Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold comparison
CardChase Sapphire Preferred Amex Gold
Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in your first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
$95
- Earn 5 points per dollar spent on travel booked through Chase Travel℠
- Earn 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft (through Sept. 2027)
- Earn 5 points per dollar spent on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more (through Dec. 2027, with a limit of 25,000 bonus points)
- Earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining, select streaming services and online groceries (excludes Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
- Earn 2 points per dollar spent on all other travel
- Earn 1 point per dollar spent on everything else
- Earn 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent)
- Earn 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent)
- Earn 3 points per dollar spent on airfare purchased directly from the airline or through amextravel.com
- Earn 2 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked through amextravel.com
- Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Point valuation (based on TPG’s December 2025 valuations)
2.05 cents
2 cents
- $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through Chase Travel
- Cardmember anniversary bonus — earn bonus points equal to 10% of your spending the previous year
- Complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership (activate by Dec. 31, 2027)
- Up to $120 per calendar year in Uber Cash (up to $10 each month, for U.S. services; Uber Cash will only be deposited into one Uber account when you add the Amex Gold as a payment method and redeem with any Amex card.)*
- Up to $120 each calendar year in dining statement credits for purchases at select merchants (up to $10 credit per month)*
- Up to $100 statement credit per calendar year for purchases at U.S. Resy-affiliated restaurants (up to $50 semiannually)*
- Up to $84 statement credit each calendar year for purchases at U.S. Dunkin’ Donuts (up to $7 per month)*
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
- Primary car rental insurance
- Baggage delay insurance
- Trip delay reimbursement
- Travel and emergency assistance services
- Baggage insurance**
- Trip delay coverage***
- Rental car insurance^
*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.
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Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold welcome offer
The Sapphire Preferred offers a compelling welcome bonus. New applicants can earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Based on TPG’s valuations, Ultimate Rewards points are worth 2.05 cents each, making this bonus worth $1,538.
THE POINTS GUY
With the Amex Gold, you can find out if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in your first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
This offer is worth up to $2,000, based on TPG’s valuations.
Winner: Amex Gold. There’s more potential value in its offer.
Related: The best credit card welcome bonuses
Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold benefits
The Sapphire Preferred offers solid perks for its $95 annual fee. These include a $50 annual hotel credit for bookings through Chase Travel, 10% points bonus on your cardholder anniversary and a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership (activate by Dec. 31, 2027).
Other benefits include protections like rental car insurance, trip delay and cancellation insurance and baggage 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.
THOMAS BARWICK/GETTY IMAGES
For more than triple 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 Uber Cash per calendar year: Receive up to $10 in Uber Cash each month, valid on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S. Your Amex Gold must be added as a payment method, and you can redeem with any Amex card.
- Up to $120 in dining credits each calendar year: Receive up to $10 a month in statement credits for purchases with your Amex Gold at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com and Five Guys.
- Up to $100 in statement credits for purchases made at Resy restaurants per calendar year: Receive up to $50 in statement credits semiannually for eligible Resy purchases and dining at U.S. Resy restaurants; just pay with your card to receive the credit. No reservation is required.
- Up to $84 in statement credits for Dunkin’ Donuts purchases: Receive up to $7 per month in statement credits for purchases made at U.S. Dunkin’ Donuts.
Amex Gold cardmembers also receive various travel and purchase protections.
Winner: Amex Gold. It’s easier to get positive value out of the Amex Gold’s annual fee with its statement credits.
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 that are broadly defined. These include:
- 5 points per dollar spent on travel booked through Chase Travel (excluding hotel reservations that qualify for the $50 credit)
- 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft (through Sept. 2027)
- 5 points per dollar spent on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more (through Dec. 2027, with a limit of 25,000 bonus points)
- 3 points per dollar spent on dining, select streaming services and online grocery stores (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
- 2 points per dollar spent on other travel
- 1 point per dollar spent on everything else
If you’re into maximizing bonus categories, these give you plenty to work with.
THOMAS BARWICK/GETTY IMAGES
However, the Amex Gold may shine brighter when it comes to its earning structure. It earns:
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent)
- 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent)
- 3 points per dollar spent on airfare purchased directly from the airline or through amextravel.com
- 2 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked through amextravel.com
- 1 point per dollar spent on other eligible purchases
Prior to hitting the spending caps, earning 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets is an 8% return on both purchases, according to TPG’s valuations. That makes it one of the best cards for dining at restaurants worldwide and grocery shopping within the U.S.
Winner: Amex Gold. Its higher earning rates on dining worldwide 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 statement credits.
You’ll get up to 1.75 cents per point for some travel booked through Chase Travel (depending on the specific redemption) with the Points Boost feature. But you’ll get the most value by transferring your points to one of Chase’s hotel and airline transfer partners.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
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. However, all at lackluster rates, with some even being less than 1 cent per point.
Again, you’ll get the best value from your points by transferring them to one of Amex’s 20 hotel and airline partners.
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 valuations peg Chase Ultimate Rewards at 2.05 cents each and Amex Membership points at 2 cents each, but your travel habits might make one currency better than the other for you.
DANYAL AHMED/THE POINTS GUY
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.
TPG credit cards writer Augusta Stone often transfers the points she earns on the Sapphire Preferred to World of Hyatt, one of the most valuable hotel rewards programs out there.
Meanwhile, TPG credit cards editor Olivia Mittak has transferred the Membership Rewards points she earns on her Amex Gold to partners like Air Canada Aeroplan and Delta SkyMiles.
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’re interested in a dining-focused card with statement credits that earns bonus points on groceries in the U.S. and restaurants, the Amex Gold is likely a better fit for you.
However, if you’re seeking out a solid entry-level travel rewards card that earns on general travel expenses, the Sapphire Preferred is a better fit.
Both cards fit into a balanced strategy, so the decision comes down to what you want right now.
Related: How to choose the best credit card for you
Bottom line
There are multiple ways to make the most of holding either the Sapphire Preferred or the Amex Gold. Both earn valuable rewards points in popular categories and provide solid benefits to maximize.
While these two differ in many ways, they do work well together in some card strategies. After all, this is one of our top card pairings, so it might be worth carrying both.
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 Card
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.
