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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.
Comparison Overview: American Express® Gold Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card
- American Express® Gold CardChase Sapphire Reserve® Card
- Has Annual Fee
- Has Balance Transfer Offer
- Has APR Offer
- Cash Back Rewards
- Travel Rewards
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
- 1–4 Points per $1Rewards Rate
- See Pay Over Time APR*APR
- $250Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
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
Best for premium travel with flexible redemption points
- 1–10 Points per $1Rewards Rate
- 22.24% – 29.24% VariableAPR
- $550Annual Fee
- ExcellentRecommended Credit
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
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.
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.
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