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Card comparisons

American Express® Gold Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

A side-by-side look at annual fee bands, rewards style, credit range, foreign transaction fees, pros, cons and gotchas, using only the card facts we've checked on each issuer's site. We don't list welcome offers or APRs because they change often.

Card details last reviewed October 2, 2026. Confirm everything on the issuer site. Our editorial policy.

Advertising disclosure: We may earn a commission from some links on this site, but the card links here currently go straight to issuer sites (no affiliate links). We aim to recommend products based on fit for common spending patterns and responsible use—not solely on payout size. Affiliate disclosure.

Side by side

American Express® Gold CardChase Sapphire Preferred® Card
IssuerAmexChase
NetworkAmexVisa
Card typeTravel: transferable pointsTravel: transferable points
Card forPersonalPersonal
Annual fee band$250+$1–$99
Welcome offerCheck issuerCheck issuer
APR and any intro APRCheck issuerCheck issuer
Credit typically targetedGood, ExcellentGood, Excellent
Rewards typeTransferable points / milesTransferable points / miles
How it earnsHigh Membership Rewards earn on restaurants and US supermarkets (caps apply), plus flights booked directly with airlines or via Amex Travel.Bonus points on Chase Travel, dining, gas, streaming and online groceries; Ultimate Rewards transfer to airline and hotel partners.
Foreign transaction feeNoneNone
Bonus category capsYesNo
FeaturesDining, Groceries, Travel, Transferable pointsTravel, Dining, Streaming, Groceries, Transferable points
Pros
  • Very strong dining and grocery earn for a travel card
  • Transferable points
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Beginner-friendly entry to transferable points
  • Moderate annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee
Cons
  • High annual fee
  • Credits take effort to use
  • Grocery cap
  • Annual fee
  • Best value takes some redemption learning
Watch out for
  • High fee; credits require enrollment and specific merchants.
  • US supermarket bonus has a cap.
  • Amex is not accepted everywhere.
  • Chase's unofficial 5/24 rule can limit approvals if you opened many cards recently.
  • Portal and transfer values differ, so learn redemptions before you count on a value.
Last reviewedOctober 2, 2026October 2, 2026
LinksDetails
View on issuer site		Details
View on issuer site

Who should pick which

By the Credit Cards for Rewards editorial team · How we evaluate cards

Both earn transferable points with no foreign transaction fee. The Gold aims high on restaurants and US supermarkets for a $250+ fee, while the Sapphire Preferred has a fee in the $1–$99 band and spreads bonus points across Chase Travel, dining, gas, streaming and online groceries.

Pick the Amex Gold if…

  • Your food spending is large enough to justify a higher fee.
  • You'll use credits that require enrollment and specific merchants.
  • You carry a backup card for places that don't take Amex.

Pick the Chase Sapphire Preferred if…

  • You want a beginner-friendly start with transferable points.
  • You'd prefer a moderate annual fee.
  • Gas and streaming matter to you as much as eating out.

Bottom line

A heavy dining and grocery budget is where the Gold earns its keep; for most other households, the Preferred is the gentler entry. Note that Chase's unofficial 5/24 rule can limit approval if you've opened many cards recently.

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