Amex Gold vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred: Which Card Wins?
Choosing the right rewards credit card can feel overwhelming. With so many options, it’s tough to know where to start. Today, we’re diving deep into a head-to-head battle: the American Express Gold Card versus the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
Both cards offer compelling benefits and rewards programs, but they cater to different spending habits and lifestyles. The Amex Gold is known for its incredible rewards on dining and groceries, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred shines with its travel perks and flexible redemption options.
This comparison will break down everything you need to know to make an informed decision. We’ll explore the key features, benefits, and drawbacks of both cards. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which card aligns best with your financial goals and spending patterns, allowing you to maximize your rewards and benefits.
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Amex Gold | CSP |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $250 | $95 |
| Rewards on Groceries | 4x | 1x |
| Rewards on Dining | 4x | 3x |
| Rewards on Flights | 3x | 5x |
| Travel Credit | $120 Dining Credit + $120 Uber Cash | $50 Hotel Credit |
| Transfer Partners | Yes | Yes |
| Foreign Transaction Fees | None | None |
| Welcome Bonus | Varies | Varies |
| Purchase Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Extended Warranty | Yes | Yes |
| Card Design | Metal | Plastic |
| APR | Varies | Varies |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Annual Fee
- Amex Gold: $250 annual fee. Offers high rewards on spending categories, but the fee can offset the benefits if you don’t utilize the perks. Consider whether the rewards outweigh the cost for your spending habits.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred: $95 annual fee. A more affordable option, offering solid rewards and travel benefits, making it an attractive choice for those who travel but want to keep costs down. The lower fee is a definite plus.
- Winner: chase sapphire preferred
Rewards on Dining & Groceries
- Amex Gold: Earns 4x points on dining at restaurants worldwide and at US supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1x). This is a strong advantage for those who spend heavily on these categories. However, the cap on supermarket spending exists.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred: Earns 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, and 3x on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Offers a good return on these spending categories, though less than Amex Gold for groceries.
- Winner: amex gold
Rewards on Travel
- Amex Gold: Earns 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through amextravel.com. Offers good value for airline spending, but the redemption options may be less flexible than other cards.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred: Earns 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 2x on all other travel. Offers broader travel redemption options and potentially higher value through the Chase portal.
- Winner: chase sapphire preferred
Welcome Bonus
- Amex Gold: Offers a welcome bonus, often tied to spending a certain amount within the first few months. The bonus can be substantial, providing a quick boost to your rewards balance.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred: Typically offers a welcome bonus, also based on spending. The bonus is a key benefit, providing a significant initial value.
- Winner: It varies, compare current offers
Travel Benefits
- Amex Gold: Offers limited travel benefits compared to the Sapphire Preferred. Does offer some protections, but not as extensive.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred: Includes travel protections like trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, and auto rental collision damage waiver. These benefits provide valuable peace of mind.
- Winner: chase sapphire preferred
Redemption Options
- Amex Gold: Points can be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, and travel through Amex Travel. Options are available but may not always offer the best value.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred: Points can be redeemed for cash back, travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards (potentially at a higher value), or transferred to airline and hotel partners. Offers greater flexibility and potential for higher value.
- Winner: chase sapphire preferred
Foreign Transaction Fees
- Amex Gold: Charges no foreign transaction fees. Making it suitable for international travel.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred: Charges no foreign transaction fees. Making it suitable for international travel.
- Winner: Tie
Additional Perks
- Amex Gold: Offers credits for Uber Cash and dining (e.g., Grubhub, Seamless), potentially offsetting the annual fee. Provides benefits for frequent users of these services.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred: Offers a credit for DoorDash and other benefits. Provides some value but potentially less specific than the Amex Gold.
- Winner: amex gold (depending on user behavior)
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Rewards on Groceries | Amex Gold |
| Rewards on Dining | Amex Gold |
| Rewards on Flights | Chase Sapphire Preferred |
| Annual Fee | Chase Sapphire Preferred |
| Travel Benefits (Overall) | Chase Sapphire Preferred |
| Transfer Partners | Tie |
| Welcome Bonus | Tie |
| Card Design | Amex Gold |
What They Have in Common
- Rewards Programs: Both cards offer rewards programs that allow cardholders to earn points on purchases. These points can be redeemed for various rewards, such as travel, cash back, and gift cards.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Both the Amex Gold and Chase Sapphire Preferred cards do not charge foreign transaction fees, making them suitable for international travel.
- Travel Benefits: Both cards provide travel-related benefits such as purchase protection and extended warranty.
- Transfer Partners: Both cards allow points to be transferred to various airline and hotel loyalty programs, increasing the value of earned rewards.
- Purchase Protection: Both cards offer purchase protection, which covers eligible purchases against damage or theft for a certain period.
- Extended Warranty: Both cards include extended warranty protection, which adds an extra year to the manufacturer’s warranty on eligible purchases.
Amex Gold Vs Chase Sapphire Preferred Buying Guide
Earning Rewards
The Amex Gold Card excels in rewards for spending on groceries and dining, offering 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1x) and restaurants worldwide. It also earns 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through amextravel.com. The Chase Sapphire Preferred, on the other hand, provides 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries, and 1x point on all other purchases. Consider your spending habits; if you spend heavily on groceries and dining, the Amex Gold may be better, but the Sapphire Preferred offers broader rewards categories.
Annual Fees & Benefits
The Amex Gold Card has a higher annual fee than the Chase Sapphire Preferred. The Gold Card’s fee is offset by credits, like up to $120 annual dining credit (terms apply), and up to $120 in annual Uber Cash (terms apply). The Sapphire Preferred has a lower annual fee, offering a $50 annual hotel credit. Both offer valuable travel and purchase protections. Choosing between them depends on whether the credits and benefits align with your lifestyle and spending habits.
Travel Perks
The Chase Sapphire Preferred includes a variety of travel benefits, such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, and no foreign transaction fees. The Amex Gold Card also offers travel protections but may not be as comprehensive as the Sapphire Preferred. Both cards provide access to transfer partners, allowing you to redeem points for travel with various airlines and hotels. Evaluate which card’s travel benefits are most valuable for your travel style.
Redemption Options
Both cards offer flexible redemption options. The Amex Gold allows you to redeem points for statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise, but the best value comes from transferring points to airline and hotel partners. The Chase Sapphire Preferred also offers these options, with a higher value when redeeming points through Chase Ultimate Rewards. This portal can provide a higher value for travel bookings compared to the Amex portal. Consider which redemption options align with your preferences.
Cardholder Eligibility
Both cards have specific requirements for eligibility, including credit score requirements and other factors. The Amex Gold often requires a higher credit score than the Chase Sapphire Preferred. American Express may have stricter approval criteria. Chase has their own restrictions, like the “5/24 rule,” which can impact your approval odds. Checking your credit score and understanding the eligibility requirements is crucial before applying for either card.
Additional Considerations
Consider the broader ecosystem of each card. Amex offers a wider range of cards, including higher-tier cards with additional benefits. Chase has a robust ecosystem, too, allowing you to combine points with other Chase cards. Think about whether you prefer the perks and rewards system of the Amex ecosystem or the Chase ecosystem. Also, consider the acceptance of each card. Amex is widely accepted, but Chase is also gaining wider acceptance.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy Amex Gold If…
- You spend a significant amount on groceries and dining.
- You value the dining and Uber credits.
- You prefer a metal card.
- You want access to Amex transfer partners.
Buy Chase Sapphire Preferred If…
- You want a lower annual fee.
- You spend more on travel than dining.
- You want a broader range of travel benefits.
- You prefer the flexibility of Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the annual fee for the Amex Gold and Chase Sapphire Preferred?
The Amex Gold Card has a higher annual fee than the Chase Sapphire Preferred. The specific amounts can vary, so it’s essential to check the current terms and conditions on the respective card issuer’s websites. The Amex Gold’s fee is offset by credits, while the Sapphire Preferred fee is lower.
What are the primary rewards categories for each card?
The Amex Gold Card excels in rewards for groceries and dining, offering 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1x) and restaurants worldwide. The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries.
Which card offers better travel insurance?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred generally offers more comprehensive travel insurance. It includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, and no foreign transaction fees. The Amex Gold also offers travel protections, but the Sapphire Preferred often provides superior coverage in many situations. Always review the specific policy details.
How do I redeem points with each card?
Both cards offer flexible redemption options. Amex Gold allows for statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise, but the best value often comes from transferring points to airline and hotel partners. The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers similar options, with higher value when redeeming through Chase Ultimate Rewards, especially for travel.
Which card is easier to get approved for?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is often considered easier to get approved for, though both cards have specific requirements. Amex may have stricter approval criteria. Chase has its own restrictions, like the “5/24 rule,” which can affect your approval chances. Credit score and other factors play a role.
Can I transfer points to airline and hotel partners?
Yes, both cards allow you to transfer points to various airline and hotel partners. This is often the most valuable way to redeem your points for travel. Each card has a different list of transfer partners, so evaluate which partners align with your travel preferences and which offer the best redemption rates.
Which card is better for everyday spending?
This depends on your spending habits. The Amex Gold is better for groceries and dining, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers broader rewards categories, including travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, dining, select streaming services, and online groceries. Consider where you spend the most to determine which card maximizes your rewards.
Final Verdict
Both the Amex Gold and Chase Sapphire Preferred are excellent rewards cards. The Amex Gold card shines with its high rewards on groceries and dining, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers strong rewards on travel and a broader range of spending categories. The choice depends on your spending habits and priorities. If you spend heavily on groceries and dining, the Amex Gold is a good choice. If you want more travel benefits, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a better option.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred