American Express Gold vs Chase Sapphire Preferred
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 | 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the 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 | 5X on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries; 2X on all other travel purchases; 1X on all other purchases. Plus, 5X on Peloton equipment/accessories (over $150, up to 25,000 pts) through Dec 2027 and 5X on Lyft through Sep 2027. |
| Best for |
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| Key benefits |
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| Card network | American Express | Visa Signature |
| 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)
Chase Sapphire Preferred
- Same 13 Chase transfer partners as the $795 Sapphire Reserve at a fraction of the cost
- Primary rental car collision damage waiver — the best travel protection at this price tier
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance up to $10,000 per person
- 3x on dining, online groceries, and streaming covers daily household spend
- $50 annual hotel credit partially offsets the already-low $95 fee
- No airport lounge access — a gap that competing premium cards fill
- 10% anniversary points bonus ending October 1, 2026
- Chase Travel portal required for 5x on flights (not direct airline bookings)
- Limited statement credits beyond the $50 hotel credit
Common questions
Is the American Express Gold or Chase Sapphire Preferred better?
American Express Gold suits dining, while Chase Sapphire Preferred is stronger for flexibility. The American Express Gold carries a $325 annual fee versus $95 for the Chase Sapphire Preferred, 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 Chase Sapphire Preferred 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.