American Express Gold Card vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
Head-to-head comparison of every feature, fee, and perk
At a Glance
Annual Fee
$250
vs
$550
Base Rewards
1x
vs
1x
Sign-Up Bonus
$600
vs
$900
Editor Score
9/10
vs
9/10
Detailed Comparison
| Category wins | 5/6 | 1/6 |
| Fees & APR | ||
| Annual Fee | $250★ Lowest | $550✗ Highest |
| Purchase APR | 29.49% | 22.49% – 29.49% |
| Intro APR (Purchases) | ||
| Intro APR (Balance Transfer) | ||
| Foreign Txn Fee | None★ Lowest | None |
| Balance Transfer Fee | None | 5% |
| Rewards | ||
| Rewards Type | Points | Points |
| Base Rewards Rate | 1x★ Highest | 1x |
| Bonus Categories | 4x Restaurants · 4x Groceries · 3x Flights | 10x Hotels (Chase) · 5x Flights (Chase) · 3x Dining |
| Sign-Up Bonus | $600 value✗ Lowest | $900 value★ Highest |
| Eligibility | ||
| Credit Score | Excellent (750+) | Excellent (750+) |
| Network | American Express | Visa |
| At a Glance | ||
| Best For | Foodies and grocery shoppers | Frequent luxury travelers |
| Ratings | ||
| User Rating | 4.6 / 5★ Highest | 4.5 / 5✗ Lowest |
| Editor Score | 9 / 10★ Highest | 9 / 10 |
| Apply Now | Apply | Apply |
| Full Review | View details → | View details → |
| Pros & Cons | ||
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Our Verdict
Dining dominance vs. travel luxury. The Gold's 4x on dining and groceries is the best in class for food spending, with $240 in annual credits. The Reserve offers lounge access, 10x on Chase dining, and the most powerful Chase Ultimate Rewards redemptions. The Gold wins for pure reward earning; the Reserve wins for the premium travel experience. Your decision hinges on whether you value points earned or perks received.
It depends on your priorities — both are excellent choices
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Common Questions
Which is better: American Express Gold Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve?
It depends on your spending habits. The American Express Gold Card has a $250 annual fee and earns 1x base rewards. The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a $550 annual fee and earns 1x base rewards. Compare their bonus categories above to see which aligns better with your spending.
What is the annual fee difference between American Express Gold Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve?
The American Express Gold Card has a $250 annual fee while the Chase Sapphire Reserve has a $550 annual fee. The Chase Sapphire Reserve costs $300 more per year, so it needs to deliver that much extra value in rewards and perks to justify the difference.
Can I have both the American Express Gold Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve?
Yes, since these cards are from different issuers (American Express and Chase), you can hold both. Many people pair cards from different banks to maximize bonus category coverage across all their spending.