The American Express Gold Card is advertised as a dining and travel card. At the same time, the Sapphire one is touted only as a travel card. Another main difference between the two cards is that AMEX has a higher annual fee of $250, while Sapphire Preferred’s annual fee is $95.
If you’re a frequent traveler who loves dining in trendy restaurants, you would love credit cards that earn transferable points. AMEX Gold cards and Chase Sapphire Preferred are the two best cards with solid rewards games.
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AmEx Gold vs Chase Sapphire Preferred
| AMEX Gold | vs | Chase Sapphire Preferred |
| 60,000 reward points when new cardholders spend $4000 within six months of getting the card | Welcome Offer | 60,000 reward points when new cardholders spend $4000 within three months of getting the card |
| $250 | Annual Fee | $95 |
| N/A | Foreign Transaction Fee | N/A |
| American Express Gold Card Review | Review | Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Review |
What is the American Express Gold (AMEX Gold) Card?
People have used the AMEX Gold card since 1966 for everyday purchases at U.S supermarkets and traveling. This reward credit card comes in two colors: gold and rose gold metal.
The card does not have a set spending limit. The amount you spend changes with your purchase, payment, and history.
Another plus point of AMEX Gold is that you can transfer the membership reward points to your travel partners. Up to five users can use these reward point bonuses without paying extra fees.
To maintain your AMEX card, you need at least a 670 FICO score, which indicates your excellent credit history.
The annual fee of the AMEX card is $250, which is relatively high. But considering the high earning rates, the fee seems worth it.
Benefits of the AMEX Gold
- You get three points per dollar on airfare when you book from the AMEX travel site or directly with the airline.
- New members may get up to 60,000 reward points once they spend $4000 on the first six months of getting the gold card.
- Members get four points per dollar spent on American grocery stores (both online and offline) and in restaurants.
- If members use gold cards at Grubhub, Seamless, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Boxed, and The Cheesecake Factory, they get a $10 dining credit each month.
- Members who add the Gold card to their Uber account get a $10 Uber cash credit every month while booking Uber rides and ordering food from Uber eats. And you can get a total annual $120 Uber cash.
- 1x points on other purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees, and there are lots more benefits.
What is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?
You can apply for a Chase Sapphire Preferred card based on your credit score, annual income, employment status, etc.
If you have a credit score of 640, you’ll most likely get the Chase Sapphire card.
Chase Sapphire’s annual fee is also relatively low compared to the AMEX gold, which is just 95 dollars. Another great benefit is cardholders can transfer the credit points to chase buddies at a one-for-one ratio.
Benefits of Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
- New members may get up to 60,000 Chase ultimate rewards points once they spend $4000 in the first three months of Chase Sapphire account opening. This is worth $750 through Chase’s ultimate rewards.
- Card membership can get you 5x points per dollar on travel when booked through the Chase ultimate rewards.
- Members get 3x membership reward points on dining, including takeout and food delivery, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases in Target and Walmart, but wholesale clubs are not included.
- $50 Chase ultimate rewards on hotel credit annually.
AMEX Gold vs Chase Sapphire Preferred
Statement credits
- Up to 10 dollars in dining credits per month and up to 120 dollars credits per year
- Up to 120 dollars, Uber cash annually when cardholders use AMEX gold for Uber rides and Uber eats.
- 10 dollars per month in GoPuff delivery credit
- Up to 50 dollars statement credits in hotel stays booked using the chase card.
- Complimentary 12 months DoorDash DashPass membership, which members can activate by 2024
Bonus Points
- 4x membership reward points at restaurants
- 3x points per dollar spent on flights booked directly through amextravel.com and the airline website
- 1x point per dollar spent on other expenses
- 4x points per dollar spent on American supermarkets ( up to $25,000 per calendar year
- 3x points per dollar spent on restaurants, including takeaway and delivery services, online grocery buys, selected streaming services
- 5X points per dollar on travel booked through Chase cards
- 1x points per dollar on everything else
- 2x points per dollar spent on travel not booked with Chase
- 5x points per dollar on LYFT by March 2025
Other Card Benefits
- Baggage insurance
- Secondary car rental insurance
- Trip delay insurance
- Extended warranty
- Purchase protection
- Global assist warranty
- Bonus and discounts through AMEX offers
- Primary car rental insurance
- Trip cancellation and interruption
- 10% anniversary point
- Baggage delay insurance
- Trip delay insurance
- Purchase protection
- Lost baggage reimbursement
- Extended warranty
- No foreign transaction fees
Which Card is Right for You?
The AmEx Gold and Chase Sapphire Preferred are the best credit cards with many redemption options for card members.
Chase Sapphire will be a suitable card for you if you want to pay fewer annual fees. Still, the AmEx won’t disappoint you if you don’t mind spending extra bucks on the annual fee.
If you found this post useful, check out our post comparing AmEx and Chase points.