Last updated: August 2026
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The Amex Gold and the Chase Sapphire Preferred are two of the most popular mid-to-upper-range travel cards on the market — but they target very different spending profiles. The Amex Gold, at $325 per year, is built for people who spend heavily at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. The Chase Sapphire Preferred, at $95 per year, is built for travelers who want a versatile card that covers dining, gas, streaming, and travel in a single low-fee package.
Both cards got meaningful updates in 2026. The Amex Gold received an April 2026 refresh that added 5x on prepaid hotels through Amex Travel and new bonus categories, pushing the card’s total annual credit value to over $424 for cardholders who maximize every benefit. The Chase Sapphire Preferred’s June 2026 overhaul added 3x on gas and EV charging, doubled the hotel credit to $100, added a $120 Global Entry credit, and layered in emergency evacuation coverage — all while keeping the annual fee at $95.
The result in 2026: two strong cards at very different price points, with overlapping but distinct strengths. This guide breaks down every key difference to help you decide which one belongs in your wallet — or whether carrying both makes sense.
Amex Gold vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred — At a Glance
| Feature | American Express® Gold Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred® |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $325 | $95 |
| Welcome offer (Aug 2026) | Up to 100,000 pts after $8,000 spend / 6 mo | 75,000 pts after $5,000 spend / 3 mo |
| Dining earn rate | 4x worldwide restaurants | 3x worldwide restaurants |
| Grocery earn rate | 4x U.S. supermarkets (up to $25K/yr) | 3x online groceries (excl. Walmart, Target) |
| Gas earn rate | 1x | 3x gas & EV charging |
| Travel earn rate | 5x prepaid hotels (Amex Travel) · 3x flights | 5x Chase Travel · 2x other travel |
| Annual credits | $120 Uber Cash · $120 dining · $100 Resy · $84 Dunkin’ · $100 Hotel Collection | $100 hotel (Chase Travel) · $120 Global Entry/4 yr · Apple TV 1 yr |
| Total credit value | Up to $424/yr (recurring) + $96 Uber One (limited) | ~$256/yr (hotel + Global Entry amortized) |
| Lounge access | No | No |
| No foreign transaction fee | Yes | Yes |
| Primary rental car coverage | No (secondary only) | Yes |
| Points network | Amex Membership Rewards (20+ partners) | Chase Ultimate Rewards (14+ partners) |
How We Compared These Cards
CardRankr’s editorial team evaluated both cards using data verified against American Express and Chase’s official product pages, NerdWallet, and The Points Guy as of August 2026. No card issuer paid for placement or influenced our conclusions. We assessed annual fee and effective cost, earn rates by spending category, credit portfolio, travel protections, and long-term value. We also modeled realistic outcomes for three common cardholder profiles to give practical guidance beyond the numbers.
Annual Fee: $325 vs. $95
American Express Gold Card — Effective cost after credits
| Annual fee | $325 |
| Welcome offer (Aug 2026) | Up to 100,000 Membership Rewards pts after $8,000 spend in 6 months |
| Recurring annual credits | $120 Uber Cash · $120 dining partners · $100 Resy · $84 Dunkin’ · $100 Hotel Collection |
The Amex Gold’s $325 annual fee is three and a half times the Sapphire Preferred’s $95. But for the right cardholder, the credit portfolio significantly narrows that gap. The card’s recurring annual credits add up to $524 in face value — $120 in Uber Cash ($10/month for Uber rides or Uber Eats), $120 in dining credits ($10/month at Grubhub, Cheesecake Factory, Five Guys, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Wonder), $100 in Resy restaurant credits ($50 semi-annually), $84 in Dunkin’ credits ($7/month), and $100 in Hotel Collection credits per eligible booking through Amex Travel. A limited-time Amex Offer through October 30, 2026 also adds up to $96 toward an Uber One membership.
If you realistically use the Uber Cash, dining credits, and Resy credits every month, the effective annual cost drops well below $325. Cardholders who maximize all recurring credits and activate the Uber One offer in 2026 can reduce the net fee to near zero. However, these credits require consistent enrollment, monthly attention, and spending at specific merchants — they are not passive like the Sapphire Preferred’s hotel credit.
Chase Sapphire Preferred — Effective cost after credits
| Annual fee | $95 |
| Welcome offer (Aug 2026) | 75,000 pts after $5,000 spend in 3 months |
| Key annual credits | $100 hotel (Chase Travel) · $120 Global Entry every 4 yrs · Apple TV 1 yr |
The Sapphire Preferred’s credits are fewer but simpler. The $100 hotel credit applies automatically when you book at least one hotel night through Chase Travel — no monthly tracking required. The $120 Global Entry credit is a one-time application fee reimbursement every four years (worth $30/year on average). The complimentary Apple TV subscription (activate by December 31, 2026) is worth $156. Together, these bring the first-year effective fee close to zero for most travelers. In ongoing years, the hotel credit alone covers the annual fee — making the Preferred one of the easiest cards to justify on pure math.
Earn Rates: Where Each Card Dominates
Dining and groceries — Amex Gold wins clearly
The Amex Gold earns 4x points at worldwide restaurants and 4x at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year), making it the strongest card on the market for food spending. The Sapphire Preferred earns 3x on dining and 3x on online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs). For in-store grocery shopping at a physical supermarket, the Amex Gold’s 4x wins outright. For online grocery orders (Instacart, Amazon Fresh, etc.), the Sapphire Preferred’s 3x applies — while the Amex Gold earns only 1x on online grocery platforms that are not physical U.S. supermarkets.
To put this in dollar terms: a household spending $1,500/month on dining and groceries earns 72,000 Amex points per year on those categories with the Gold versus 54,000 Chase points with the Preferred. At typical valuations (2¢ per Amex point vs. 1.8¢ per Chase point), that’s $1,440 vs. $972 in annual dining/grocery reward value — a $468 advantage for the Gold before accounting for the fee difference.
Gas, streaming, and everyday spending — Sapphire Preferred wins
The Sapphire Preferred earns 3x on gas and EV charging, 3x on vacation home rentals, and 3x on streaming services — categories where the Amex Gold earns just 1x. For a household spending $250/month on gas, that’s 9,000 additional Chase points per year versus 3,000 Amex points — a meaningful gap at scale. The Preferred’s breadth across categories makes it a stronger everyday card for drivers and streamers.
Travel bookings — comparable, slight Preferred edge for portal users
Both cards earn 5x on their respective travel portals (Chase Travel for the Preferred, Amex Travel prepaid hotels for the Gold). The Gold earns 3x on flights booked directly or through Amex Travel — the Preferred earns 5x on Chase Travel and 2x on all other travel. For travelers who book through portals, the comparison is roughly even. For those who book direct, the Preferred’s 2x versus the Gold’s 3x on flights gives the Gold a slight edge on airfare specifically.
Credit Portfolio: Depth vs. Simplicity
The Amex Gold has more credits — but they require more work. Every monthly credit (Uber Cash, dining, Dunkin’) resets on the first of the month and expires if unused. The Resy credit resets semi-annually. Missing a month means losing that value permanently. For organized cardholders who set calendar reminders and regularly use the eligible merchants, the Gold’s credit portfolio is exceptional. For less attentive cardholders, unused credits mean paying a high annual fee for rewards that evaporate.
The Sapphire Preferred’s credits are fewer but passive. The $100 hotel credit applies the moment you book a qualifying hotel through Chase Travel — no enrollment, no monthly tracking, no expiring windows. For cardholders who prefer simplicity, the Preferred is significantly easier to get full value from.
Points Networks: Amex Membership Rewards vs. Chase Ultimate Rewards
Both cards access top-tier points ecosystems with strong transfer partner networks.
Amex Membership Rewards transfers to 20+ partners including Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, ANA, British Airways, Delta SkyMiles, and Marriott Bonvoy. TPG values Amex points at approximately 2.0 cents each as of August 2026, based on high-value transfer partner redemptions. The Gold’s 4x on dining effectively becomes 8¢ per dollar when you transfer to the right partner — among the best effective rates available.
Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers to 14+ partners including United MileagePlus, World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards, British Airways, and Air France/KLM. Note that as of June 15, 2026, the Sapphire Preferred transfers to Hyatt at a 4:3 ratio (new applicants), not 1:1. Chase points are valued at approximately 1.8–2.0 cents each at peak transfers. For a full breakdown of the Chase ecosystem, see our comparison Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Reserve (2026): Which Card Should You Get?
Both networks are excellent. The choice largely depends on which airline or hotel partners you actually use. If you fly Delta or have Air France/KLM points, Amex has a clear edge. If you’re a Hyatt loyalist or United flier, Chase is stronger.
Travel Protections: Sapphire Preferred Has the Edge
This is one of the clearest differences between the two cards. The Chase Sapphire Preferred includes primary rental car collision damage waiver coverage — meaning Chase pays first if your rental car is damaged or stolen, without involving your personal auto insurance. The Amex Gold offers only secondary rental car coverage, meaning you must file with your personal insurance first and only then claim the balance with Amex.
For frequent car renters, primary coverage is a meaningful benefit. Many travelers pay $15–$30 per day for rental company insurance precisely because their credit card only offers secondary coverage. With the Sapphire Preferred, you can confidently decline rental company CDW and save that cost.
The Sapphire Preferred also added emergency evacuation and transportation coverage (up to $100,000) in June 2026, trip cancellation insurance, and comprehensive baggage delay coverage. The Amex Gold offers trip delay and baggage insurance but trails the Preferred on the overall protection suite. For travelers who rent cars or prioritize comprehensive travel insurance, the Preferred is meaningfully better.
Full Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Amex Gold | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $325 | $95 | Preferred |
| Dining earn rate | 4x | 3x | Amex Gold |
| In-store groceries | 4x U.S. supermarkets | 1x (in-store) | Amex Gold |
| Online groceries | 1x (not a supermarket) | 3x | Preferred |
| Gas / EV | 1x | 3x | Preferred |
| Streaming | 1x | 3x | Preferred |
| Credit portfolio | $424+/yr (requires management) | ~$256/yr (mostly passive) | Amex Gold (for active users) |
| Credit simplicity | Monthly tracking needed | Mostly auto-applies | Preferred |
| Rental car coverage | Secondary | Primary | Preferred |
| Trip protections | Good | Excellent (updated Jun 2026) | Preferred |
| Transfer partners | 20+ (Amex MR) | 14+ (Chase UR) | Amex Gold (more partners) |
| Welcome offer value | ~$2,000 (TPG Aug 2026) | ~$937 at 1.25¢/pt | Amex Gold |
| Welcome offer spend req. | $8,000 / 6 months | $5,000 / 3 months | Preferred (lower barrier) |
How to Choose: Three Spending Profiles
Profile A — The heavy diner and grocery shopper
Get the Amex Gold. If you spend $800 or more per month combined at restaurants and supermarkets, the Gold’s 4x on both categories generates enough points to overcome the fee difference versus the Preferred. Add the dining credits, Uber Cash, and Resy credits — even partially used — and the Gold’s effective annual cost drops below $100. For urban households that eat out frequently and shop at physical supermarkets, this card can earn $1,000+ in annual point value on food spending alone.
Profile B — The all-around spender who drives, streams, and travels
Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred. If your spending is spread across dining, gas, streaming, groceries, and travel — rather than concentrated in dining — the Preferred’s breadth wins. It covers more categories at bonus rates (3x on dining, gas, streaming, vacation rentals, and online groceries) than the Gold, costs $230 less per year, and offers better travel protections. The $100 hotel credit and Global Entry credit make the effective fee near zero. You don’t need to track monthly credits — the card just works.
Profile C — The dual-card optimizer
Get both. Many experienced travelers carry the Amex Gold for dining and supermarkets (4x on both) and the Sapphire Preferred for gas, streaming, travel bookings, and as a primary rental car coverage card. The two cards cover different bonus categories, access different transfer partner networks, and together give you more flexibility to earn and redeem points optimally. The combined annual fee of $420 is only justified if you’re maximizing both — but for engaged rewards earners, the combination is one of the strongest in the market. If you’re considering upgrading the Gold, see our comparison Amex Gold vs. Amex Platinum (2026): Which Amex Card Should You Get?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Amex Gold or Chase Sapphire Preferred in 2026?
It depends on your spending habits. The Amex Gold wins for heavy diners and grocery shoppers who can maximize its $424+ in annual credits and 4x on restaurants and supermarkets. The Chase Sapphire Preferred wins for all-around spenders who want a low-fee card covering dining, gas, streaming, and travel with strong protections. The Preferred’s $95 annual fee also makes it far easier to justify on math alone — the Gold requires consistent credit management to earn its keep.
Can you use Amex Gold and Chase Sapphire Preferred together?
Yes — and many cardholders do exactly this. The Amex Gold earns 4x at restaurants and supermarkets while the Chase Sapphire Preferred covers gas, streaming, online groceries, and serves as the primary rental car coverage card. The two cards access different transfer partner networks (Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards), giving you more flexibility when redeeming points for flights and hotels. The combined $420 annual fee is only worth it if you’re actively maximizing both cards’ bonus categories.
What credit score do I need for the Amex Gold?
The Amex Gold generally requires a good to excellent credit score — most approved applicants have a FICO score of 700 or above, with stronger odds for applicants at 720+. American Express also considers overall financial profile beyond just your credit score, including income and existing Amex account history. One important note: if you currently hold an Amex Gold or have received an Amex Gold welcome bonus within the past few years, you are likely ineligible for the welcome offer on a new application. Check Amex’s card eligibility terms before applying.
Which card is better for groceries?
It depends on how you shop. The Amex Gold earns 4x at U.S. supermarkets (physical grocery stores), making it the clear winner for in-store grocery shopping. The Sapphire Preferred earns 3x on online groceries through platforms like Amazon Fresh and Instacart — but earns only 1x at physical supermarkets when used for in-store purchases. If you primarily shop in-store, the Gold wins. If you primarily order online, the Preferred wins. If you do both, consider carrying both cards and using each one where it earns more.
Does the Amex Gold have travel insurance?
Yes, but it is more limited than the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s coverage. The Amex Gold includes trip delay insurance (up to $300 per trip for delays over 12 hours), baggage insurance, and secondary rental car coverage. It does not include the primary rental car collision damage waiver that the Sapphire Preferred offers, and its emergency evacuation coverage is more limited. For travelers who rent cars frequently or want comprehensive travel insurance as a primary benefit, the Sapphire Preferred is the stronger card.
Are there no-annual-fee options similar to the Amex Gold or Sapphire Preferred?
There is no direct no-annual-fee equivalent to the Amex Gold’s 4x dining and grocery earn rates. The Blue Cash Everyday from Amex earns 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. online retail with no annual fee, but earns cash back rather than transferable points. For a Chase alternative without the annual fee, the Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5% on all purchases plus 5x on Chase Travel and 3x on dining and drugstores — solid but lower on grocery and dining rates. For a full guide, see our roundup Best Credit Cards with No Annual Fee (2026): Top 6 Picks.
Is the Amex Gold welcome offer worth the $8,000 spending requirement?
The Amex Gold welcome offer (up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 spend in 6 months) is worth approximately $2,000 at TPG’s August 2026 valuations. Reaching $8,000 in 6 months requires average monthly spending of around $1,333 — achievable for most households when combining dining, groceries, and recurring expenses. If you plan to use this card heavily for dining and supermarkets, meeting the spend requirement should happen naturally. If $8,000 in 6 months feels like a stretch, the Sapphire Preferred’s $5,000 in 3 months requirement offers more flexibility with a strong 75,000-point bonus worth around $937.
Our Editorial Approach
CardRankr is an independent credit card comparison website. We are not affiliated with American Express, Chase, or any other card issuer, and no issuer paid for placement in this comparison. All fee, bonus, and reward data was verified against American Express and Chase official product pages and published credit card review sources as of August 2026. Card terms change frequently — always confirm current offers on the issuer’s official website before applying.
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