American Express Gold vs Capital One Savor Rewards
A side-by-side breakdown of fees, welcome offers, earning rates and travel perks — so you can see which card is worth it for how you actually spend.
| Annual fee | $325 | $95 |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | Up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months | $300 cash bonus after spending $3,000 in first 3 months |
| Rewards rate | 4X at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000/year); 4X at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/year); 5X on prepaid hotels via Amex Travel; 3X on flights booked directly or via Amex Travel; 2X on prepaid car rentals and cruises via Amex Travel; 1X on all other purchases | 4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 3% at grocery stores, 1% on all other purchases |
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| Key benefits |
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| Card network | American Express | — |
| Foreign transaction fee | None | None |
| Recommended credit | Good to Excellent (670–850) | Good to Excellent (670–850) |
American Express Gold
- Unmatched 4x on restaurants worldwide — the highest flat dining rate of any non-rotating card
- 4x at U.S. supermarkets covers one of households' largest spending categories
- New 5x on Amex Travel hotel bookings adds meaningful premium value in 2026
- Up to $424 in annual statement credits can reduce effective cost below $100/year
- 20+ Membership Rewards transfer partners unlock premium redemption value of 2–4¢/point
- No airport lounge access — forces frequent flyers to pair with a separate lounge card
- Credits require enrollment and specific merchant/behavior compliance ("coupon book" style)
- 4x grocery cap at $25,000/year may limit value for large families
- Charge card nature: full balance payoff required monthly (unless using Pay Over Time)
Capital One Savor Rewards
Common questions
Is the American Express Gold or Capital One Savor Rewards better?
American Express Gold suits dining, while Capital One Savor Rewards is stronger for dining. The American Express Gold carries a $325 annual fee versus $95 for the Capital One Savor Rewards, so the right pick depends on how much of each card's credits you'll actually use.
What is the annual fee on each card?
The American Express Gold has a $325 annual fee. The Capital One Savor Rewards has a $95 annual fee. Weigh that against each card's annual credits — a higher fee often nets out lower once you use the travel and dining credits.