Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Preferred
This comparison breaks down the Amex Gold Card and Chase Sapphire Preferred to help you decide which card aligns better with your travel and dining preferences. Explore their rewards, benefits, and annual fees to make an informed choice.
The American Express Gold Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred are two popular travel rewards credit cards, each with its own set of benefits and features. Here's a comparison of the two cards to help you decide which one may be a better fit for your needs:
American Express Gold Card:
Rewards Program:
- The Amex Gold Card is part of the American Express Membership Rewards program, which offers flexible point redemption options.
Earning Points:
- The card earns 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year), 4x points at restaurants worldwide, 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or via Amex Travel, and 1x point on all other purchases.
Welcome Bonus:
- The Gold Card typically offers a generous welcome bonus to new cardmembers.
Annual Fee:
- The card comes with an annual fee, and there may be additional fees for certain benefits like the $120 dining credit and airline fee credit.
Travel Benefits:
- The card offers a $120 dining credit, $100 airline fee credit, and access to The Hotel Collection.
Transfer Partners:
- Membership Rewards points can be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel partners, potentially offering great value for travel redemptions.
Chase Sapphire Preferred:
Rewards Program:
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred is part of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, known for its flexibility and valuable transfer partners.
Earning Points:
- The card earns 2x points on travel and dining worldwide, and 1x point on all other purchases.
Welcome Bonus:
- The Sapphire Preferred typically offers a sizable welcome bonus to new cardmembers.
Annual Fee:
- The card comes with an annual fee, and there are no additional fees for specific benefits.
Travel Benefits:
- The Sapphire Preferred offers benefits like primary rental car insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, and no foreign transaction fees.
Transfer Partners:
- Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to various airline and hotel partners, making them valuable for travel redemptions.
Key Considerations:
- If you spend a significant amount on dining and groceries, the Amex Gold Card may be more rewarding due to its higher earning rates in these categories.
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred may be a better choice if you want solid travel benefits, such as primary rental car insurance, and a straightforward earning structure for travel and dining expenses.
- Both cards offer competitive welcome bonuses, but the specific offers can vary, so check the current promotions.
- Consider your travel and redemption preferences. Membership Rewards points and Ultimate Rewards points can be valuable when used with their respective transfer partners, so the choice may depend on which partners align better with your travel plans.
Ultimately, the choice between these two cards should depend on your spending habits, travel goals, and the specific benefits that matter most to you. It's a good idea to assess which card aligns best with your lifestyle and financial preferences to maximize your rewards and benefits.
Which is the better travel and dining rewards card: the Amex Gold Card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred?.
The Amex Gold Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred are two of the best travel and dining rewards cards on the market. Both cards offer generous rewards rates and flexible redemption options, but there are some key differences between the two.
Rewards Rates
- Amex Gold Card: 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point per dollar), 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: 2 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 2 points per dollar on dining and takeout at restaurants worldwide, and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Both cards also offer a welcome bonus of 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Redemption Options
Both the Amex Gold Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offer a variety of redemption options, including:
- Travel: You can redeem your points for travel through the American Express Travel portal or Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal, respectively. You can also transfer your points to a variety of travel partners, such as airlines and hotels.
- Statement credits: You can redeem your points for statement credits to offset the cost of travel purchases or other eligible charges.
- Gift cards: You can redeem your points for gift cards to a variety of retailers and restaurants.
- Merchandise: You can redeem your points for merchandise from the American Express Rewards Center or Chase Ultimate Rewards rewards catalog.
Annual Fee
The Amex Gold Card has an annual fee of $250, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has an annual fee of $95.
Other Benefits
Both the Amex Gold Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offer a variety of other benefits, such as:
- Purchase protection: Both cards offer purchase protection benefits, such as extended warranties and return protection.
- Travel insurance: Both cards offer travel insurance benefits, such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance and rental car damage waiver.
- Global acceptance: Both cards are widely accepted worldwide.
Overall, both the Amex Gold Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card are excellent travel and dining rewards cards. The best card for you will depend on your individual spending habits and redemption preferences.
If you spend a lot of money on dining and groceries, the Amex Gold Card may be the better choice for you, as it offers a higher rewards rate for these purchases. If you value flexibility, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card may be the better choice for you, as it offers more redemption options and a lower annual fee.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which card is right for you is to compare the two cards side-by-side and consider your individual needs and preferences.