For many, the $500-plus annual fees that come with ultra-premium travel cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) and The Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates and fees) aren’t justifiable. If you aren’t traveling regularly and utilizing the full lineup of perks and credits, it may not be worth adding those cards to your wallet.
However, both Chase and Amex have excellent mid-tier cards: the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) and the American Express® Gold Card.
While both of these cards act as sister cards to their luxury counterparts, there are many differences between them. In this showdown, we’re walking through a side-by-side comparison of these cards to help you determine which is right for you — or whether both deserve spots in your wallet.
Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold comparison
Here’s a quick overview that compares the key perks on these two cards:
| Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred Card | American Express Gold Card |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of cardmembership. You may be targeted for a higher offer through the CardMatch tool (not everyone will be targeted for the same offers, and offers may change at any time) |
| Annual fee | $95 | $325 (see rates and fees) |
| Earning rates |
|
|
| Point valuation (based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations) | 2.05 cents | 2 cents |
| Perks |
|
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| Travel protections |
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*Enrollment is required for these benefits.
**Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
***Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
^Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold welcome offer
The Sapphire Preferred offers a compelling limited-time welcome bonus. New applicants can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
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Based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations, Ultimate Rewards points are worth 2.05 cents each, making this bonus worth $2,050. This is the highest-ever welcome offer we have seen on this card.
New Amex Gold cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of cardmembership. Based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations, this offer is worth $1,200.
Plus, you could be targeted for a higher welcome offer on the Amex Gold through the CardMatch tool (offers are subject to change at any time and not everyone will receive the same offer).
Winner: Sapphire Preferred. The current welcome offer is worth more than the Amex Gold’s.
Related: The best credit card welcome bonuses
Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold benefits
In exchange for a $95 annual fee, the Sapphire Preferred offers some solid perks, including a $50 annual hotel credit for bookings through Chase Travel, a 10% points bonus on your cardholder anniversary and a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership (activate by Dec. 31, 2027).
Other benefits include protections like rental car insurance, trip delay and cancellation insurance and baggage delay insurance. These are a great safety net while you travel, but they don’t do much to enhance your day-to-day life when everything goes according to plan.
For more than double the Sapphire Preferred’s annual fee ($325 vs. $95), the Amex Gold offers several excellent perks (enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply):
- Up to $120 in Uber Cash per calendar year: Receive up to $10 in Uber Cash each month, valid on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S. Your Amex Gold must be added as a payment method, and you can redeem with any Amex card
- Up to $120 in dining credits each calendar year: Receive up to $10 a month in statement credits for purchases with your Amex Gold at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com and Five Guys.
- Up to $100 in statement credits for purchases made at Resy restaurants per calendar year: Receive up to $50 in statement credits biannually for eligible Resy purchases and dining at U.S. Resy restaurants; just pay with your card to receive the credit. No reservation is required.
- Up to $84 in statement credits for Dunkin’ Donuts purchases: Receive up to $7 per month in statement credits for purchases made at U.S. Dunkin’ Donuts.
- Enrollment is required; terms apply.
Amex Gold cardmembers also receive travel and purchase protections. Terms apply.
Winner: Amex Gold. The Amex Gold’s statement credits are valued at $424, more than the card’s annual fee. That’s a lot more value than you’ll get from the Sapphire Preferred each year.
Related: Why you’ll want to pay the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s $95 annual fee
Earning points on the Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold
The Sapphire Preferred offers useful bonus categories. The real highlight isn’t just the categories themselves but how broadly they’re defined. With this card, you’ll earn at the following rates:
- 5 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Travel (excluding hotel reservations that qualify for the $50 credit)
5 points per dollar on Lyft (through Sept. 2027)
5 points per dollar on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more (through Dec. 2027, with a limit of 25,000 bonus points) - 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery stores (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs)
- 2 points per dollar on other travel, including hotels, airfare, rental cars, taxis and parking meters
- 1 point per dollar on everything else
These are solid rates on a wide range of purchases.
Still, the Amex Gold may shine brighter when it comes to its earning structure:
- 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
- 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar)
- 3 points per dollar on airfare purchased directly from the airline or through amextravel.com
- 2 points per dollar on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked through amextravel.com
- 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases
Despite the spending cap, earning 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets is an 8% return on both purchases, according to TPG’s April 2025 valuations. That makes it one of the best cards for dining at restaurants and U.S. grocery shopping.
Winner: Amex Gold. Its higher earning rates on dining worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets, as well as on flights booked directly with an airline, give it the upper hand.
Related: Why the Amex Gold is the perfect ‘in-between’ credit card
Redeeming points on the Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold
Both of these cards are similar in that they earn some of the most valuable transferable points currencies around.
The Sapphire Preferred earns Ultimate Rewards points that you can redeem for travel through Chase Travel or for other items such as gift cards and statement credits.
You’ll get a 25% bonus when redeeming points for travel through Chase Travel. But you’ll get the most value by transferring your points to one of Chase’s 14 valuable hotel and airline transfer partners.
The Amex Gold earns similarly valuable Membership Rewards points, which you can redeem for travel directly through AmexTravel.com or for gift cards and statement credits.
Again, you’ll get the best value from your points by transferring them to one of Amex’s 21 hotel and airline partners.
Winner: Tie. Both cards earn transferable rewards and give you a wide range of valuable redemption options.
Transferring points on the Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold
TPG’s April 2025 valuations peg Chase Ultimate Rewards at 2.05 cents each and Amex Membership points at 2 cents each, but your travel habits might make one currency better than the other for you.
For example, if you live in a Delta hub, you might get more value out of transferring your Membership Rewards points to Delta SkyMiles, while those who have a coveted Southwest Companion Pass can get some incredible value by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest Rapid Rewards.
TPG contributing editor Matt Moffitt uses his Sapphire Preferred often to transfer points to British Airways Executive Club to take advantage of sweet spots on American Airlines flights.
Meanwhile, TPG credit cards editor Olivia Mittak transfers the Membership Rewards points she earns on her Amex Gold to Air Canada Aeroplan and Delta SkyMiles.
Winner: Tie. Both cards transfer to various partners, all with their respective redemption options and sweet spots.
Related: Why transferable points are worth more than other rewards
Should I get the Sapphire Preferred or Amex Gold?
If you spend most of your budget on groceries in the U.S. or dining and can utilize its monthly credits, the Amex Gold is likely your winner. However, the Sapphire Preferred is a better fit if you prefer Ultimate Rewards points and want to earn bonus points on general travel expenses. Still, remember that it doesn’t have to be a “this or that” decision; there’s room for both of these cards in a well-developed points strategy.
Bottom line
The Sapphire Preferred and Amex Gold are two of the most valuable mid-tier cards on the market. Both can provide excellent value in the right hands, and the question of one card versus another largely depends on how you derive value from your credit cards.
However, they’re one of our top card pairings, so it might be worth having both in your wallet.
To learn more, read our full reviews of the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Amex Gold.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Apply here: American Express Gold
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.
