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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the American Express® Gold Card stand out as top contenders in the credit card arena, each offering a rich selection of benefits and lucrative bonuses. As a proud owner of both, I can vouch for their exceptional features. These cards are tailored for those who yearn for a blend of flexibility and premium benefits without breaking the bank. In our head-to-head comparison of the Chase Sapphire Preferred versus the Amex Gold, we’ll determine which card takes the crown in the rewards department.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: 3x Points on Dining
The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns unlimited 3x points per $1 on all dining purchases. This bonus applies to any U.S. or foreign restaurant. Eligible takeout and delivery purchases also earn 3x rewards.
But, your annual fee is only $95 and there are no foreign transaction fees. This is one of the best credit cards for international travel. Also, here’s how much income you need to get the Chase Sapphire Preferred, and our post on if there’s a better card option than the Sapphire Preferred.
Other Chase Sapphire Preferred Perks
Also, enjoy Chase Sapphire benefits. Cardholders earn:
- 5x points on travel purchases made through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3x points on dining, takeout, and qualifying food delivery services
- 3x points on select streaming services
- Also 3x points for online grocery purchases (excludes Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs)
All remaining travel purchases continue to earn 2x Ultimate Rewards if you book directly from the carrier or a non-Chase travel booking site. Non-bonus purchases earn 1x points.
Additionally, cardholders can enjoy a $50 annual credit on hotel stay purchases booked through Ultimate Rewards plus a 10% anniversary point bonus (receive 10% of the points you earn each year at your next card anniversary). This can be one of the best hotel credit cards.
American Express Gold Card: 4x Points, $120 Annual Credit
The American Express® Gold Card is one of the best American Express cards.
The American Express® Gold Card earns:
- 4x Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1x points for the rest of the year)
- 4x Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1x points for the rest of the year)
- 3x Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com
- 2x Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com
- 1x Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
Earn Up To 4x Points on Dining Purchases
For dining purchases, you earn double the points of the Sapphire Preferred. Unless you spend vastly more than $25,000 annually at U.S. supermarkets, the American Express® Gold Card helps you earn more points than the Sapphire Preferred.
The annual fee is $325, and there are no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees).
$120 Dining Credit
Another perk is the ability to earn up to $10 in statement credits on a monthly basis when you use your Gold Card to pay at the following dining establishments (enrollment is required):
- Grubhub
- The Cheesecake Factory
- Goldbelly
- Wine.com
- Five Guys
This perk can save you up to $120 annually.
If you can use one of these dining partners each month, the American Express® Gold Card can be a good deal.
Signup/Welcome Bonuses for Amex Gold & Sapphire Preferred
New Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.
New American Express® Gold Card cardholders can earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
Plus, get the American Express® Gold Card in either the Gold, Rose Gold, or Limited-Edition White Gold metal design. White Gold design is only available while supplies last.
Here’s the credit score needed for the Amex Gold.
Redeeming Bonus Points: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold
Being able to earn 4 points or 3 points per $1 is one decision. But you must also decide how you’re going to redeem your points. After all, you must look at the “whole picture” when picking a rewards card.
With both cards, award travel is always the most valuable option. You can either transfer your points on a 1:1 basis to an airline or hotel partner. Alternatively, you can redeem them on the credit card travel portal. In most cases, the 1:1 transfer values your points at a higher rate. But, the transfer partners are only valuable if you travel with them.
American Express Gold Travel Partners
The American Express Gold Card earns Membership Rewards points. They are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for air travel on AmexTravel.com and select gift cards. Otherwise, they are worth less than 1 cent for other redemption options. But transferring your points can easily make them worth more than 1 cent each.
These are the current American Express Credit Cards Membership Rewards travel partners:
- Aer Lingus
- Aeromexico
- Aeroplan
- Air France
- Ali Italia
- ANA
- Asia Miles
- British Airways
- Delta Air Lines
- El Al Israel Airlines
- Emirates
- Etihad
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Iberia
- JetBlue
- Singapore Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Choice Privileges
- Hilton Honors
- Marriott Bonvoy
Chase Sapphire Preferred Transfer Partners
Chase doesn’t have as many transfer partners, but they are just as valuable in their own right.
- Aer Linus
- Aeroplan
- Emirates
- Iberia
- British Airways
- Air France
- JetBlue
- Singapore Airlines
- United Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Southwest
- IHG Rewards Club
- Marriott Bonvoy
- World of Hyatt
In general, your Sapphire Preferred points are worth more than American Express Membership Rewards. This is because they are worth 1 cent each for non-travel rewards. This is also why it is one of the best credit cards for travel miles.
When you redeem them on the Chase travel portal, they’re worth 1.25 cents each. This 25% bonus is for any award travel including hotels, rental cars, airfare, cruises, and guided tours. With the Amex Gold, your points only have a maximum value of 1 cent each for award flights.
Like American Express, your points can be worth more when you transfer them to one of the above Chase Ultimate Rewards travel partners. Specifically, transfer your miles to one of the airline partners. It’s not uncommon for them to be worth at least 2 cents each when you book an award flight.
Who Has Better Dining Credit: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold
Now that we’ve seen how you can earn and redeem your bonus, it’s time to decide which credit card maximizes your restaurant and takeout purchases. While both are some of the best cards for dining purchases, one probably works better for you than the other.
Overall, the American Express® Gold Card has better dining credit because of the up to $120 dining statement credit and 4x bonus points. But that doesn’t mean it’s the best option for you.
American Express Gold
Yes, the 4x Membership Rewards® points on dining and U.S. supermarkets are a start. And maximizing the up to $120 annual credit help.
But, if you can’t use the bonus categories, it’s hard to justify the overall card. The American Express® Gold Card does a brilliant job of letting you earn bonus points on large, common purchases like supermarkets and dining. But, unless you redeem your points for award flights, it might not be the better option.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
If you don’t benefit greatly from the 1:1 travel partners with either card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is better. Your points are worth 25% for any award travel redemption. Plus, your points are always worth 1 cent each for cash or gift card awards. It is one of the best Chase credit cards.
Summary of the Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold
In conclusion, we hope that this Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold review can help you decide if one of these cards is right for you. You have more earning potential with the American Express® Gold Card. If the Gold card isn’t for you but you still want to earn rewards for dining, go with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card instead.
Flexible travel card: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Great for foodies: American Express® Gold Card
Related Articles:
- American Express Business Gold Review
- Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. American Express Platinum
- Amex Gold vs. Amex Platinum Review (Best Amex Luxury Card?)
For rates and fees of The American Express® Gold Card, please click here.
