Chase Sapphire Preferred vs American Express Gold Card
Two of the most popular mid-tier travel cards. Amex Gold has a much larger welcome bonus ($1,850 conservative value vs $1,000 for Sapphire Preferred) but a $325 annual fee vs $95 — and a higher minimum spend ($8,000 in 6 months vs $5,000 in 3).
Last updated:Side-by-side comparison
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | American Express Gold Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Chase | American Express |
| Welcome bonus | 75,000 pts (~$1,000) | 100,000 pts (~$1,850) |
| Minimum spend | $5,000 / 3 mo | $8,000 / 6 mo |
| Annual fee (Yr 1) | $95 | $325 |
| Annual fee (Yr 2+) | $95 | $325 |
| Effective return | 18.1% | 19.1% |
| Application restriction | Chase 5/24 — denied if you've opened 5+ personal credit cards in past 24 months | Amex 'once per lifetime' rule — you may have already received a welcome bonus on this card in the past (pop-up message at application) |
| Last verified | 2026-05-23 | 2026-05-23 |
Who wins for...
Winner: Amex Gold
100,000 Amex MR points at conservative $0.0185/pt = $1,850. Subtract $325 first-year fee (Gold has no waiver) and subtract another $240 if you don't fully use Gold's dining/Uber credits — net $1,285. Chase Sapphire Preferred nets ~$905 ($1,000 - $95). Gold wins by ~$380 in absolute value.
Winner: It depends on your spend
Amex Gold requires $8,000 in 6 months ($1,330/month). Sapphire Preferred requires $5,000 in 3 months ($1,650/month). Gold is easier to clear if you have low monthly spend; Preferred is easier if you have a few big purchases (rent on PlasticIQ, tax payment, etc.) coming up.
Winner: Amex Gold (if you spend at supermarkets)
Gold's 4x on US supermarkets (capped at $50k/yr combined dining + groceries) is the strongest ongoing category bonus among mid-tier cards. Sapphire Preferred's 3x dining is good but doesn't touch grocery. If you spend $500+/month on groceries, Gold pays for its $325 fee just on grocery cashback.
Winner: Amex Gold (broader, deeper)
Amex Membership Rewards has more transfer partners than Chase Ultimate Rewards (notably ANA, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific in addition to many that overlap with Chase). Sweet-spot redemptions on ANA round-the-world fares are an Amex-MR exclusive.
The bottom line
Chase Sapphire Preferred full details → American Express Gold Card full details →
Frequently asked
Should I get Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Gold Card?
Pick Amex Gold if you spend $500+/month at US supermarkets and travel internationally enough to use the transfer partner ecosystem — total value clears $2,000+ for active users. Pick Chase Sapphire Preferred if you have less than $200/month grocery spend, are 5/24-sensitive (Preferred is Chase, Gold is Amex), or prefer the lower $95 ongoing fee.
Can I get both Chase Sapphire Preferred and American Express Gold Card?
Generally yes — there's no rule against holding multiple credit cards from different issuers, and even multiple cards from the same issuer is usually allowed. The constraint is application velocity (Chase 5/24, Amex velocity rules) and the time spent meeting each card's minimum spend without manufactured spending. Plan to space applications at least 90 days apart.
Which has the better welcome bonus?
Depends on redemption strategy. Conservative cash-equivalent values are similar across mid-tier travel cards. The difference shows up in transfer-partner redemption — see the comparison table above for the conservative numbers and the "who wins" sections above for situational analysis.