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Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Preferred

Quick answer

Both are powerhouse travel cards, but Amex Gold is a dining/grocery rewards machine while Chase Sapphire Preferred wins on flexible travel perks and lower annual fee headache.

Amex Gold
The foodie's travel card — eat well, earn big
3.9★
VS
Our pick
Chase Sapphire Preferred
The classic all-rounder that rarely disappoints
4.1★
Annual Fee
$250/yr
$95/yr
Welcome Bonus
~60,000 pts (varies)
~60,000 pts (varies)
Dining Earn Rate
4x points
3x points
Grocery Earn Rate
4x (up to $25k/yr, US supermarkets)
3x (on Chase Travel portal only)
Travel Earn Rate
3x on flights booked direct
5x on Chase Travel, 2x elsewhere
Airline Transfer Partners
20+ partners (Delta, BA, ANA, etc.)
14 partners (United, Hyatt, SW, etc.)
Annual Credits
$120 dining + $120 Uber Cash
$50 hotel credit via Chase Travel
Point Redemption Boost
No portal bonus
1.25x via Chase Travel portal
Primary Rental Car Insurance
No (secondary only)
Yes
Trip Delay Coverage
Up to $300 after 12 hrs
Up to $500 after 12 hrs
Baggage Insurance
Yes
Yes
Foreign Transaction Fee
None
None

Amex Gold

Ease of Use★★★★☆
Travel Rewards★★★½☆
Perks & Credits★★★★☆
Annual Fee Value★★★½☆
Transfer Partners★★★★½
Travel Protections★★★☆☆
Dining & Grocery Rewards★★★★★

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Ease of Use★★★★½
Travel Rewards★★★★½
Perks & Credits★★★½☆
Annual Fee Value★★★★½
Transfer Partners★★★★½
Travel Protections★★★★½
Dining & Grocery Rewards★★★½☆

Worth knowing

The Amex Gold card is literally made of metal and weighs about 0.4 oz — heavier than a AAA battery — so you can feel rich just opening your wallet.

If you want

You spend heavily on restaurants and groceries

4x on both dining and US supermarkets is nearly impossible to beat at this fee tier.

→ Pick Amex Gold
If you want

You want the best all-around travel card under $100/yr

Lower fee, better travel protections, primary rental insurance, and a portal boost make it the smarter everyday companion.

→ Pick Chase Sapphire Preferred
If you want

You want primary rental car coverage and solid trip protections

Chase Sapphire Preferred's travel insurance suite is meaningfully stronger than Amex Gold's.

→ Pick Chase Sapphire Preferred
If you want

You're a points transfer power user with many airline loyalties

Amex's 20+ Membership Rewards partners give you more options to squeeze maximum value out of every point.

→ Pick Amex Gold
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