Is the American Express® Gold Card better than the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card?

The American Express® Gold Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card both provide solid value to their customers. However, the card that is best for you is determined by your needs and where you spend your money. If you regularly spend on dining out or grocery shopping, the Amex Gold Card is for you. However, if you travel frequently, the Chase Sapphire card is a better choice for you.

Can you get the American Express® Gold Card if you have Chase Sapphire Reserve Card?

Yes, even if you already have the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, you may apply for the Amex Gold card.

Can you transfer points from the American Express® Gold Card to the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card?

No. However, both issuers have some crossover of transfer partners.

Can you switch from the American Express® Gold Card to the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card?

Yes, you can. However, to be approved for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, you must be under the 5/24 rule, which means you have been approved for five or more credit cards in the last 24 months.

What’s harder to get, the American Express® Gold Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card?

Both cards require good to excellent credit.

How much do you have to spend for the American Express® Gold Card vs the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card to get the welcome bonus?

For the American Express Gold card, you must spend $4,000 in your first six months to earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points. While for Chase, you need to spend $4,000 in three months to receive 50,000 bonus points worth up to $750 when redeemed through Chase’s portal for travel.

American Express® Gold Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card: Which Is Best for You?

The American Express® Gold Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card are both excellent rewards credit cards, each with their own distinct advantages. The American Express® Gold Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve Card both offer welcome bonuses, generous rewards, and travel perks that make them worthy candidates for your wallet.

So how do you choose between these two cards in terms of which is best? MoneyGeek compares them side-by-side to help you decide which card would be better suited to your needs.

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The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.

Both the American Express® Gold Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card offer similar benefits such as no foreign transaction fees, valuable travel rewards programs, and large welcome offers.

The primary difference between the two travel rewards credit cards is their annual fee: the American Express® Gold Card has a $250 annual fee, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card has a $550 annual fee. So before determining which card is best for you, consider what is affordable for you.

OUR COMPARISON AT A GLANCE

Comparison Overview
American Express® Gold Card at a Glance
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card at a Glance
Comparison Summary
Which Card Should You Get?

Comparison Overview: American Express® Gold Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card

American Express® Gold Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card
Has Annual Fee
Has Balance Transfer Offer
Has APR Offer
Cash Back Rewards
Travel Rewards
Hotel Benefits
Airline Benefits
Has Rewarding Welcome Offer
Has Foreign Transaction Fee
Recommended Credit
Good–Excellent
Excellent

American Express® Gold Card At a Glance

If you spend more money on dining out and grocery shopping than anything else, then a card that earns rewards points for these categories would likely be a good fit. The American Express® Gold Card offers 4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 in purchases per year and 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

When you add your Gold Card to your Uber account, you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month, for a total of up to $120 every year and up to $120 in annual dining credit to cover restaurant charges ($10 per month) at Seamless, Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory and other participating restaurants.

American Express® Gold Card
Best rewards card for frequent fliers and diners
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
- $250Annual Fee
- 1–4 Points per $1Rewards Rate
- 4xRewards Rate on Groceries
- 3xRewards Rate on Air Travel
Pros
Potential for very high rewards points earning rate in particular categories
Can transfer points to partners or other programs
Can hold up to five authorized users
Receive free annual dining credit
No foreign transaction fees

Cons
American Express isn’t as widely accepted as other card brands
High APR overall due to “Pay Over Time” format
High “Pay Over Time” penalties
Annual fee of $250
Earn 60,000 membership rewards points after spending $4,000 on all eligible purchases within the first six months of your account
4X membership rewards points on certain worldwide restaurants and specific U.S. supermarkets
Annual $120 dining credit and $120 Uber Cash
3X membership rewards points for flights booked directly through American Express
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply
Compare this credit card with other top-rated rewards cards.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card At a Glance

If you spend a lot of money on travel and want a credit card rewards program that gets you the most value for your money, the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card is a solid choice. If you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months, you will get 50,000 bonus points (worth $750 toward travel when redeemed via Chase Ultimate Rewards).

Each account anniversary year, you will automatically get up to $300 in travel credits.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card
An outstanding travel card with flexible redemption points
- ExcellentRecommended Credit
- $550Annual Fee
- 1–3 Points per $1Rewards Rate
- 3xRewards Rate at Hotels
- 3xRewards Rate on Dining
Pros
No foreign transaction fees
Exceptional point rewards for dining and travel
Substantial sign-up bonus
Exclusive luxury perks for travelers
Travel and purchase protection
$300 annual travel credit

Cons
Significantly high annual fee
High variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Only individuals with a strong credit score are eligible
Must spend $4,000 in the first three months of card ownership to receive the welcome bonus
Must pay a hefty annual fee of $550, and authorized users are also subject to a $75 annual fee
Earn a $300 annual travel credit
Earn 10X points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards (after first $300)
Earn 5X points on flights purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards (after first $300)
Earn 3X points on all other travel purchases (after first $300)
Earn 10X points on Chase Dining purchases
Earn 3X points on all other dining purchases
Earn 1X points on all other purchases
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply
Compare this credit card with other top-rated cards from our partners.

Comparison Summary

If you’re looking to choose between these two popular credit cards, take a look at our comparison summary below.

Card Detail
Comparison Summary
Membership Rewards Points vs. Ultimate Rewards Points
Every dollar spent on either of the highlighted cards is rewarded with points, and each offers a bonus earning category that awards extra points per dollar.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card earns Ultimate Rewards, while the Amex Gold Card earns Membership Rewards.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card offers 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and Chase dining booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 5x points on airfare booked through Chase's travel portal, 3x points on travel worldwide after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually, 3x points at restaurants including delivery and takeout and 1x points on all other eligible purchases.
The Amex Gold offers 4x points per dollar spent at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets with a limit of $25,000 in purchases calendar year at supermarkets, 3x points on airfare purchased directly from the airline or on AmexTravel.com and 1x points on all other eligible purchases.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
Welcome Bonus
The American Express® Gold Card welcome offer is 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in six months.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card welcome offer is 50,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in your first three months; those points are worth $750 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Winner: American Express® Gold Card
Annual Fee
The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card has a $550 annual fee, while the American Express® Gold Card has a $250 annual fee.
Winner: American Express® Gold Card
Points Redemption
The rewards on both cards can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, and shopping. In addition, each issuer has specific hotel and airline partners that you can transfer your earned rewards to. Also, each issuer has their own travel booking platform.
Winner: Tie

Which Card Should You Get?

Before you choose between the American Express® Gold Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, make sure to consider what’s important to you as a credit card user, including rewards and benefits.

Who Should Consider the American Express® Gold Card?

The American Express® Gold Card is ideal for individuals who spend regularly on dining or grocery shopping.

If you spend regularly on dining out and grocery shopping, the American Express® Gold Card earns 4X points per dollar spent on those two categories—and 1X point per dollar on all other purchases.
When you use the Gold Card to pay at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Boxed, and certain Shake Shack locations, you may earn up to $10 in monthly statement credits. This might result in an annual savings of up to $120.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review

Who Should Consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card is best for anyone who wants extra points in travel rewards, or who values an annual travel credit and luxurious perks like airport lounge access.

Each account anniversary year, you will automatically get up to $300 in travel credits.
You can take advantage of the card's added value of 50% for points redeemed for travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review

EXPERT OPINION

These cards are quite different, but if you travel a few times per year, the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card definitely makes sense as you can make the $550 annual fee essentially $250 with the $300 travel credit. However, if you’re more of a ‘foodie’ than a traveler, the American Express® Gold Card is a solid choice for its rewards at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.

Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs

It's not always easy to decide on a travel credit card. To help you better grasp the differences between the American Express® Gold Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, MoneyGeek has answered some frequently asked questions.

Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options

Individuals who are travel-savvy, value rewards, and want to earn points on their spending might consider the American Express® Gold Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card. However, if you want to receive cash back, consider getting a cash back reward credit card.

View All Credit Cards

Learn more about credit cards in general

sources

Chase Bank. "Chase Sapphire Reserve Card." Accessed January 5, 2022.
American Express. "American Express® Gold Card." Accessed January 5, 2022.

*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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