The American Express Gold Card and Chase Sapphire Preferred card are solid options for consumers looking for valuable rewards for travel and dining purchases. MoneyGeek compared the offerings of these two cards to help you make an informed decision about which credit card is best suited to your lifestyle and spending habits.
American Express Gold Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred: Which Is Best for You?


The Chase Sapphire Preferred and the American Express Gold Card are two popular travel reward credit cards with similar benefits. Both of these cards offer generous sign-up bonuses, with each card providing 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in your first three months and six months respectively from account opening. In addition, they both have no foreign transaction fee and you earn points redeemable for airline tickets and hotel stays. But there are important differences to consider before picking one over another.
Comparison Overview: American Express Gold Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred
- American Express Gold CardChase Sapphire Preferred
- Has Annual Fee
- Has Balance Transfer Offer
- Has APR Offer
- Cash Back Rewards
- Travel Rewards
American Express Gold Card At a Glance
The American Express Gold Card has a $250 annual fee and requires good to excellent credit score to be approved. It comes with a variety of perks, including $10 in Uber Cash and dining credit respectively each month, for a total of up to $240 in credits per year.
- American Express Gold Card
Best rewards card for frequent fliers and diners
- Good-ExcellentCredit Needed
- $250Annual Fee
- 1–4 Points per $1Rewards Rate
- 4xRewards Rate on Groceries
- 3xRewards Rate on Air Travel
Chase Sapphire Preferred At a Glance
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is one of the best rewards credit cards on the market today. With a bonus of 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points (worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards), it also earns 3x points per dollar on dining at restaurants, 5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points per dollar on online grocery purchases and streaming services. However, to get approved for the Sapphire Preferred, you’ll need to have excellent credit; otherwise, you may not be approved.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred
A very good rewards card with no foreign transaction fees and comprehensive travel cover
- ExcellentCredit Needed
- $95Annual Fee
- 1–2 Points per $1Rewards Rate
- 2xRewards Rate on Air Travel
- 2xRewards Rate on Dining
Comparison Summary
MoneyGeek compares both travel reward credit cards. This comparison highlights how these two travel reward credit cards compare in many categories to help you figure out which card is best for your specific needs.
- Card DetailComparison Summary
Travel Coverage and Purchase Protection
When you travel more than 100 miles from home, Amex gives 24/7 emergency support and secures every transaction with SafeKey technology, Purchase Protection and Return Protection, and cardholders also get 24/7 fraud monitoring.
Chase provides real-time security monitoring with instant fraud notifications through text, email, or phone. The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card also features chip protection to further secure your identity.
Winner: American Express Gold Card
Welcome Bonus
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers 60,000 extra points after spending $4,000 in the first three months, while the American Express Gold Card offers 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first six months.
Winner: Tie
Rewards
You earn 5x points on Chase Ultimate Rewards travel, 3x points on dining and 2x points on all other travel purchases. All Lyft trips will earn you 5X points from now until March 2022.
The American Express Gold Card offers 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, 3x points when booking flights directly with the airline or through amextravel.com and 1x points on all other eligible purchases through the American Express Membership Rewards Program.
Winner: American Express Gold Card
Annual Fee
The annual cost for the Chase Sapphire Preferred is $95 per year. The annual fee for the American Express Gold Card is $250.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred card
Redemption
There are 13 transfer partners to select from with Chase Ultimate Rewards, and American Express Membership Rewards has its own set of valued partners as well. By redeeming points via the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal, Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders earn a 25% bonus.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred card
Which Card Should You Get?
Both cards provide value that fulfill the needs of different consumers. Your travel reward credit card should be chosen based on your spending habits and requirements.
Who Should Consider the American Express Gold Card?
The American Express Gold Card is ideal for frequent travelers and those who dine out regularly.
The Amex Gold Card offers 4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets on the first $25,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each year, followed by 1X points afterward.
Travelers earn 3X points when booking flights through either amextravel.com or directly with the airline, and 1X points on all other eligible purchases.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
Who Should Consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is suitable for regular travelers who wish to take advantage of excellent travel benefits and earn rewards that can be transferred to airline and hotel partners.
Frequent travelers who want to save money can benefit from the modest $95 annual fee.
If you dine out regularly, this card can also be beneficial as it earns 3x points per dollar on dining.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
The Amex Gold card is a favorite card of mine for dining out. However, the Chase Sapphire Preferred delivers much more value for the annual fee you pay. The Amex Gold Card is still a solid option, but some may find it difficult to use the $10 monthly Uber and dining credit. So if you want a card with great benefits for dining and travel with a low annual fee, you can’t go wrong with the Sapphire Preferred.
Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs
Choosing a travel credit card isn't always a simple decision. MoneyGeek has answered some frequently asked questions about the American Express Gold Card vs. the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options
Anyone that enjoys traveling and wants to earn rewards should think about getting the American Express Gold Card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred. If a travel card isn’t a great fit, cash-back reward credit cards are a good option if you want to get money back on purchases.
Capital One Quicksilver Rewards
American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business Card
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American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold Card
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Chase United Club Infinite
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U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa Business Card
Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
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World of Hyatt Business Credit Card
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Chase Slate Edge
Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa Credit Card
Bank of America Cash Rewards for Students
Citi American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Mastercard
Navy Federal More Rewards American Express
Mastercard Gold Card
Citi CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard
American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card
Discover it Student Cash Back Credit Card
Capital One Journey Student Rewards
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Navy Federal Credit Union Visa Signature Flagship Rewards
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
Citi Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card
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Merrick Bank Double Your Line Secured Visa
Capital One SavorOne Rewards
Merrick Bank Secured Visa
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Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
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Capital One SavorOne Rewards for Students
Chase Freedom Student
Citi Premier Card
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Citi Secured Mastercard
American Express Blue Business Plus Credit Card
Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
Chase IHG Rewards Club Traveler
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United Quest Card
PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature
Capital One Venture X
American Express Blue Cash Everyday Card
American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card
Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard
American Express Business Gold Card
American Express Blue Business® Cash Card
Destiny Unsecured Mastercard
American Express Business Platinum Card
American Express Gold Card
Capital One Spark Miles Select
U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature
American Express Cash Magnet Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase United Gateway
U.S. Bank Visa Platinum
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
Chase Iberia Visa Signature
American Express Delta SkyMiles Blue Card
Chase IHG Rewards Club Premier
Chase Aer Lingus Visa Signature
Simmons Rewards Visa Signature
American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Card
First Access VISA Solid Black Credit Card
USAA Rewards American Express Card
Milestone Unsecured Mastercard
USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card
USAA Rewards Visa Signature Card
Citi Costco Anywhere Visa Card
Alliant Credit Union Visa Platinum Card
Bank of America BankAmericard Secured Card
Citi Custom Cash Card
USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card
Citi Diamond Preferred Card
Bank of America Platinum Plus Mastercard Business Card
Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
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Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Secured Card
Amazon Business Card
Learn more about credit cards in general
sources
- Chase Bank. "Chase Sapphire Preferred." Accessed January 5, 2022.
- Chase Bank. "Security and Protection." Accessed January 5, 2022.
- American Express. "American Express Fraud Protection." Accessed January 5, 2022.
- American Express. "American Express Gold Card." Accessed January 5, 2022.
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