Chase Sapphire Preferred vs American Express Gold Card
Head-to-head comparison of every feature, fee, and perk
At a Glance
Annual Fee
$95
vs
$250
Base Rewards
1x
vs
1x
Sign-Up Bonus
$750
vs
$600
Editor Score
9/10
vs
9/10
Detailed Comparison
| Category wins | 6/6 | 0/6 |
| Fees & APR | ||
| Annual Fee | $95★ Lowest | $250✗ Highest |
| Purchase APR | 21.49% – 28.49% | 29.49% |
| Intro APR (Purchases) | ||
| Intro APR (Balance Transfer) | ||
| Foreign Txn Fee | None★ Lowest | None |
| Balance Transfer Fee | 5% | None |
| Rewards | ||
| Rewards Type | Points | Points |
| Base Rewards Rate | 1x★ Highest | 1x |
| Bonus Categories | 5x Travel (Chase) · 3x Dining · 3x Online Groceries | 4x Restaurants · 4x Groceries · 3x Flights |
| Sign-Up Bonus | $750 value★ Highest | $600 value✗ Lowest |
| Eligibility | ||
| Credit Score | Excellent (750+) | Excellent (750+) |
| Network | Visa | American Express |
| At a Glance | ||
| Best For | Frequent travelers who dine out often | Foodies and grocery shoppers |
| Ratings | ||
| User Rating | 4.7 / 5★ Highest | 4.6 / 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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| Cons |
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Our Verdict
This is the classic head-to-head for rewards enthusiasts. The Sapphire Preferred offers stronger travel multipliers (5x on Chase travel, 3x dining) and a lower $95 annual fee, while the Amex Gold dominates with 4x on both restaurants and groceries. If dining and groceries are your biggest spend categories, the Gold wins on raw earning power. But for travelers who value flexibility and lower fees, the Sapphire Preferred edges ahead with its broader travel ecosystem and Chase transfer partners.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Better overall value with lower fee and stronger travel rewards
In-Depth Analysis
Rewards Earning: Where Each Card Shines
The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x on dining, streaming, and online groceries, 2x on all other travel, and 1x on everything else. The Amex Gold counters with 4x at restaurants worldwide and 4x at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/year, then 1x), plus 3x on flights booked directly with airlines or through amextravel.com. For pure dining spend, the Gold's 4x narrowly beats the Preferred's 3x. But the Preferred's 5x through Chase Travel and broader 3x categories (streaming, online groceries) give it more versatility for everyday spending.
Annual Fee & Credits Breakdown
At face value, the Sapphire Preferred's $95 annual fee is dramatically lower than the Gold's $250. However, the Gold includes $120 in dining credits ($10/month at select restaurants) and $120 in Uber Cash ($10/month). If you use these credits fully, the Gold's effective fee drops to just $10/year — making it arguably cheaper than the Preferred. The Preferred does offer a $50 annual Chase hotel credit, reducing its effective fee to $45. Bottom line: if you'll use the Gold's monthly credits, it's actually the better deal on a net-fee basis.
Transfer Partners Compared
Both cards offer 1:1 transfers to airline and hotel partners, but the partner lists differ significantly. Chase has 14 partners including Hyatt (arguably the most valuable hotel transfer), United, Southwest, and British Airways. Amex has 21+ partners including ANA (incredible for business class to Japan), Singapore Airlines, Delta, and Hilton (at a 1:2 ratio). The best transfer depends on your travel goals — Chase wins for domestic hotel redemptions via Hyatt, while Amex's ANA and Singapore partnerships offer better international business class value.
Who Should Get Which Card?
Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred if: you want a low annual fee with strong category earning, you value Chase's Hyatt partnership, you spend heavily on travel and dining, or you're under 5/24 and want to start building a Chase ecosystem. Get the Amex Gold if: restaurants and groceries are your top spending categories, you'll use the monthly dining and Uber credits, you want access to Amex's larger transfer partner network, or you already have a no-annual-fee MR card to keep your points alive.
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Common Questions
Which is better: Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Gold Card?
It depends on your spending habits. The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a $95 annual fee and earns 1x base rewards. The American Express Gold Card has a $250 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 Chase Sapphire Preferred and American Express Gold Card?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a $95 annual fee while the American Express Gold Card has a $250 annual fee. The American Express Gold Card costs $155 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 Chase Sapphire Preferred and American Express Gold Card?
Yes, since these cards are from different issuers (Chase and American Express), you can hold both. Many people pair cards from different banks to maximize bonus category coverage across all their spending.