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Chase Sapphire Preferred Card vs. Amex Gold Card [2024 Detailed Comparison]

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Christine Krzyszton
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Christine Krzyszton

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Selecting a travel rewards card that matches your spending patterns and travel priorities is a challenge. It’s also a personal and time-consuming decision. When all the research is said and done, you may find that it takes a combination of cards to meet all your needs.

That’s precisely why we regularly select some of the most popular travel rewards cards and see how they stack up against each other. It’s important to look into the fine print to find the strongest benefits of each card, and also uncover any shortcomings.

No single travel rewards card is a one-size-fits-all solution, but some will be a much better fit for your lifestyle than others.

Today, 2 popular cards go head-to-head: the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the American Express® Gold Card. We’ll compare their earning potential, redemption options, and some of the benefits that make these cards unique.

Overview

Before diving into each card’s attributes, let’s start with a high-level overview comparison of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and the Amex Gold card.

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Feature/Benefit

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Amex Gold Card

Welcome Offer

  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Earn 60,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months.

Earning Potential

  • 5x points on travel via Chase Travel and Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
  • 3x points on dining, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
  • 2x points on all other travel
  • 1x points on all other purchases
  • 10% points bonus at each card renewal
  • 4x points spent on global dining (up to $50,000 per calendar year) and at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in a calendar year)
  • 3x points on flights purchased directly from the airlines
  • 1x points on all other purchases

 

Redemption Options

  • Chase Travel portal bookings
  • Transfer points to travel partners
  • Redeem for cash-back/statement credits, gift cards, shopping
  • AmexTravel.com bookings
  • Transfer points to travel partners
  • Statement credits, gift cards, shopping

Hotel Program Benefits

  • Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection
  • The Hotel Collection

Statement Credits

  • Up to $50 annual hotel purchase statement credit
  • Up to $10 per month, up to $120 per year for purchases at select restaurants and food delivery services
  • Up to $10 in Uber Cash, up to $120 each calendar year (see details below)

Top Travel Benefits 

  • Primary car rental coverage
  • Visa Concierge
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Amex Personal Travel Assistance
  • No foreign transaction fees

Top Shopping Benefits and Protections

  • Chase Offers
  • Purchase protection, extended warranty
  • Amex Offers

Annual Fees and Authorized Users

  • $95; no additional fee for authorized users
  • $325; add up to 5 authorized users for no additional fee, each authorized user after 5 is $35 per user, per year (rates & fees)

Bottom Line: Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and Amex Gold card are packed with earning potential, flexible redemption options, statement credits, and travel/shopping benefits and protections. 

Welcome Offer Comparison

Welcome bonus offers vary greatly but are a key consideration when selecting a travel rewards card. Since these bonuses are earned after completing a minimum spending requirement in the initial months after card approval, you’ll want to make sure you can meet this requirement in the specified time period, which can range from 3 to 6 months depending on the current offer.

Securing this upfront bonus can jump-start the earnings process with hundreds of dollars worth of reward travel. For example, you may be able to get a 80k-100k welcome bonus offer with the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Here’s a look at the current welcome offers:

BEST BEGINNER CARD
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)
A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 bonus points
$1,200
$95
20.74% - 27.74% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
  • 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
  • 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
Cons
  • $95 annual fee
  • No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
Card Highlights
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
  • Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 20.74% - 27.74% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

BEST FOR DINING
American Express® Gold CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
60,000 points
$1,200
$325
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Why We Like This Card

The American Express® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
  • 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
  • 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com
Cons
Card Highlights
  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
  • Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 90k points with the Amex Gold card. The current public offer is 60,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Ultimate vs. Membership Rewards Points

Luxury resort view at Sheraton Bougainvillea Resort Puerto Vallarta
Every purchase you make earns reward points that can be redeemed for free travel. Sheraton Bougainvillea Resort Puerto Vallarta. Image Credit: Christine Krzyszton

Comparing Chase Ultimate Rewards points with Membership Rewards points is like comparing Androids and iPhones. Each one provides great value to the right individual and there are passionate arguments on both sides as to why one is better than the other.

Here’s a look at the earning potential and redemption options for both rewards programs showing how they might match up to your spending patterns and travel priorities.

Earning Potential

Every purchase you make on either card is going to earn at least 1 reward point per dollar spent with bonus category spending earning much more.

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Bonus Earning Category

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card – Ultimate Rewards Points

Amex Gold Card – Membership Rewards Points

Flights Purchased Directly From Airlines

2x points per dollar spent

3x points per dollar spent

Flights Purchased From the Card’s Proprietary Travel Portal

5x points per dollar spent

3x points per dollar spent

Other Travel Purchases

2x points per dollar spent

1 point per dollar spent

U.S. Supermarket Purchases

1 point per dollar spent

4x points per dollar spent on the first $25,000 per calendar year

Online Grocery Purchases and Select Streaming Services

3x points per dollar spent

1 point per dollar spent

Dining

3x points per dollar spent

4x points per dollar spent up to $50,000 per calendar year

Additional Earnings

5x points per dollar spent on Lyft rides

Not applicable

While the Amex Gold card may appear to have an edge when it comes to earning rewards, your individual spending mix and how you redeem your points play a key role in the bottom-line value each cardholder receives.

Redemption Options

Both types of reward points offer several flexible options for redeeming your points.

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Redemption Option

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card – Ultimate Rewards Points

Amex Gold Card – Membership Rewards Points

Transfer to Airline and Hotel Partners

Yes

Redeem for Travel via Card’s Travel Portal

Yes, at a value of 1.25 cents per point

Yes, at a value of 1 cent per point

Redeem for Cash

Yes

No

Statement Credits

Yes, with Pay Yourself Back, on select rotating categories at 1 to 1.25 cents per point

Redeem for general statement credits at 1 cent per point

Redeem for general statement credits at the rate of 0.6 cents per point

Gift Cards

Yes

Shopping at Specific Retailers

Yes

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a solid travel rewards card with strong earning potential on travel and dining purchases. When it comes to redeeming points, you’ll find both the flexibility to transfer to the Chase travel partners and good value for travel redemptions via the Chase Travel portal.

The Amex Gold card strikes a balance between an everyday earning card and a travel rewards card. Its elevated earnings on worldwide dining, U.S. supermarket purchases, and flight purchases build rewards quickly, which can be redeemed directly for travel via AmexTravel.com or transferred to the long list of Amex transfer partners.

Bottom Line: While both Membership Rewards and Ultimate Rewards can be transferred to airline and hotel partners, Membership Rewards has the edge with a greater number of transfer partners. Ultimate Rewards can be redeemed for travel at 1.25 cents per point while Membership Rewards can be redeemed for 1 cent per point. Finally, in a pinch, Ultimate Rewards can be redeemed for cash while Membership Rewards cannot. 

Statement Credits

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

  • $50 Annual Hotel Credit: Receive an annual statement credit of $50 towards hotel stays booked through the Chase Travel portal.

Amex Gold Card

The Amex Gold card comes with statement credits that are triggered when you make specific purchases with your card.

  • Up to $120 Annually in Restaurant Statement Credits: Receive up to $120 in restaurant statement credits each calendar year, up to $10 each month for purchases at select restaurants and food delivery services including Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Up to $10 in Monthly Uber Cash: Receive up to $10 in Uber Cash each month, up to $120 each calendar year when you add your Amex Gold card to your Uber account. Uber Cash can be used for U.S. Uber rides, or Uber Eats. The credit does not accumulate and must be used each month or it will expire at the end of each month.
  • New $100 Resy Credit: $100 annual statement credit ($50 semi-annually), redeemable at any U.S. Resy restaurant and other eligible Resy purchases. Enrollment required through your Amex account.
  • New Dunkin’ Credit: $84 annual statement credit ($7/month), redeemable at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.

Hotel Program Perks

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa
Elite-style benefits can make your stay more comfortable. Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa Image Credit: Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection

You won’t receive complimentary hotel elite status with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or Amex Gold card, but each card has its own associated luxury hotel program offering a few elite-style perks when staying at affiliated properties.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders have access to special benefits at over 900 properties in the Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection. Reservations must be made through the program and paid for with your Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

Benefits include:

  • Daily breakfast for 2 people
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Upgraded room if available
  • Local amenity
  • Early check-in and late checkout if available

Amex Gold Card

Amex Gold cardmembers enjoy access to American Express’ The Hotel Collection and receive special benefits. Book your stay of a minimum of 2 nights through AmexTravel.com and pay for the stay with your Amex Gold card or Membership Rewards points.

Benefits include:

  • $100 to spend on dining, spa services, or on-site activities
  • Upgraded room if available

Bottom Line: Hotel benefits with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and Amex Gold card are limited to associated luxury hotel programs. If you don’t have hotel elite status but prefer high-end properties, you may find value in the hotel perks that come with booking these unique hotel stays. 

Travel Assistance

Emergency Travel Assistance

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Your dedicated Travel and Emergency Assistance line will provide help when you need it. Receive assistance with emergency transportation, legal and medical referrals, and other travel emergency assistance.

Amex Gold Card

Help is just one call away with the 24/7 Global Assist Hotline. Service is available when traveling more than 100 miles from home and provides help with medical and legal referrals, visa or passport help, emergency cash, help with lost luggage, and more.

Bottom Line: Emergency travel assistance is provided complimentary on both cards; however, cardholders are responsible for actual services provided.

Concierge and Travel Assistance

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Your personal Visa Concierge can work with you to find a hotel, book tickets to a special event, help find a unique gift, or secure that elusive dinner reservation.

Amex Gold Card

Receive 24/7 assistance with Amex Personal Travel Assistance. Get help with travel arrangements, transportation, hotel reservations, and more.

Travel Protection Comparison

Amex Premium Car Rental Protection
Knowing the type of car rental coverage you have on your credit card can save you money when it comes time to rent a vehicle. Image Credit: American Express

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance

A valuable benefit that comes with many credit cards is complimentary coverage for damage and theft to your rental car. While both the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and Amex Gold card offer this coverage, the specific benefit that comes with each card is quite different.

Both cards do require that you reserve and pay for your rental car with your card and decline the rental agency’s collision damage waiver coverage (CDW or LDW) to be covered.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has one of the best car rental insurance benefits of any rewards card. This complimentary benefit covers you and other drivers listed on the rental agreement in nearly every country worldwide.

The coverage is primary rental insurance, which means you do not have to file a claim with your own insurance company first. Coverage is extended for the entire rental period not to exceed 31 days. Damage, theft, and loss of use of the rental car are covered. Certain vehicle types are excluded.

Amex Gold Card

Rental car insurance on the Amex Gold card provides coverage for up to $50,000 if the rental car is damaged or stolen. Loss of use of the rental car due to a covered incident is also covered. This coverage is secondary, not primary, which means you must file a claim with your auto insurance before this coverage kicks in.

Fortunately, American Express does offer an option to purchase premium car rental coverage and it can be a good deal if you’re renting a vehicle for several days. Depending on your state of residence and the level of coverage you select, premium car rental insurance costs just $12.95 to $24.95 for the entire rental period up to 42 days.

Hot Tip: While the Chase Sapphire Preferred card provides complimentary primary car rental coverage, upgrading your Amex Gold card coverage to premium primary car rental insurance is not expensive and worth the peace of mind. 

Trip Interruption, Cancellation, or Delay Insurance

flight delay board
Trip delays can be frustrating, time-consuming, and add expenses to your journey. Image Credit: Ciurea via Shutterstock

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

When you pay for your trip either partially or in full with your Chase Sapphire Preferred card or Ultimate Rewards points, you’ll receive trip interruption, trip cancellation, and trip delay benefits.

Receive up to $10,000 per claim, a maximum of $20,000 per trip, for prepaid expenses lost due to interruptions or cancellations to your trip caused by illness, weather, or other covered incident. Immediate family members are also covered even if you are not traveling with them.

There is a maximum of $40,000 per 12-month period.

If your trip is delayed you may need to purchase incidentals. Chase’s trip delay coverage provides up to $500 per person, per trip, if a covered delay is more than 12 hours.

Amex Gold Card

Unfortunately, the Amex Gold card does not provide any trip interruption or cancellation insurance, but it does come with trip delay insurance. If your trip is delayed more than 12 hours, you could receive up to $300 per covered trip. There is a maximum of 2 claims per consecutive 12-month period.

Bottom Line: If supplemental trip insurance is important to you, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a good choice. The card provides trip cancellation, trip interruption, and trip delay insurance when you pay for your trip partially or in full with your card, Chase Ultimate Rewards points, or a combination of those.

Lost and Delayed Baggage Coverage

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

When your baggage is delayed, you’ll probably need to replace some essential items. If the bags are delayed more than 6 hours, you’ll receive up to $100 a day for 5 days as reimbursement.

If your baggage is lost, there is an additional benefit that provides up to $3,000 per covered person, per trip, for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage.

Amex Gold Card

The baggage insurance plan that comes with the Amex Gold card provides coverage for carry-on bags up to $1,250 per person, per trip, if bags become lost, stolen, or damaged. Checked bags have coverage of up to $500 per person, per trip.

The entire ticket must be paid for with the Amex Gold card or Membership Rewards points.

Roadside Assistance Service

Flat tire roadside assistance
Complimentary roadside assistance benefits can vary. Does the coverage on your card require you to pay for the service call? Image Credit: Francesco83 via Shutterstock

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card provides complimentary Roadside Dispatch service that includes a dedicated hotline to call in case of roadside emergencies. For a flat fee per service call, the following services are included:

  • Towing up to 5 miles
  • Changing a flat tire with an inflated spare
  • Jump start
  • Lockout service
  • Fuel delivery of up to 5 gallons of fuel (the cardholder is responsible for the cost of fuel)
  • Standard winching

Amex Gold Card

The Amex Gold card does not offer a roadside assistance benefit.

Travel Accident Insurance

If the unfortunate occurs during a covered trip and there is severe injury or even death, travel accident insurance will pay a stated benefit. Covered people include the cardholder, immediate family members, and domestic partners.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers 2 travel accident benefits including:

  • A common carrier benefit to cover you while you’re traveling on a common carrier
  • A 24-hour benefit that covers you between your departure and arrival back home

If a severe injury or death occurs, the benefit on the common carrier insurance pays up to $500,000. The 24-hour benefit pays up to $100,000. You must pay for at least a portion of the trip with your card or rewards points.

Amex Gold Card

American Express does not offer travel accident insurance benefits on the Amex Gold card.

Shopping Benefits Comparison

Amex Offers 2022
Check either of our featured cards for special shopping offers that can save you money or help you earn more rewards. Image Credit: American Express

Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and the Amex Gold card offer the opportunity to earn additional rewards for specific shopping purchases. Here’s how you can earn more with either card.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Earn bonus Ultimate Rewards of up to 20x points per dollar spent by using the Shop through Chase. Additionally, you’ll have access to Chase Offers that make it possible to receive cash-back on specific purchases. Chase Offers can be accessed by logging in to your online card account, reviewing the list of available offers, and adding the offers of interest to your card.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card also comes with a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership for a maximum of 12 months when you activate the offer by December 31, 2027. The DashPass offers lower service fees and free delivery for orders of $12 or more.

Amex Gold Card

Earn bonus Membership Rewards points or statement credits when you add Amex Offers to your card and make a purchase with your card at the featured retailer or service provider. It’s as simple as logging into your online account and adding the selected Amex Offers you plan to use to your card. Once you’ve made the required purchase, your bonus will show up as a statement credit or as bonus Membership Rewards points.

Comparing Shopping Protection

Eligible purchases made with your card may qualify for additional protections for covered losses. Here are the additional protections you’ll find on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and the Amex Gold card.

Purchase Protection

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Purchase an item with your card or rewards points and receive coverage against damage, theft, or “involuntary and accidental parting.” Coverage is provided for up to 120 days from the date of purchase up to a maximum of $500 per claim, $50,000 per account.

Amex Gold Card

Pay for an eligible item with your card or rewards points and receive protection for loss, theft, or damage for 90 days from the date of purchase. Receive the cost to repair, replace, or reimburse for the item up to $10,000 per incident to a maximum of $50,000 per calendar year.

Extended Warranty

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Eligible items purchased with your Chase Sapphire Preferred card that have manufacturer’s warranties of 3 years or less will receive an additional year added on to that warranty.

Coverage is afforded up to $10,000 per claim and a maximum of $50,000 per account.

Amex Gold Card

Receive up to 1 extra year of protection on manufacturer’s warranties less than 5 years in length. Eligible items must be purchased with your card.

Coverage is provided for up to $10,000 per item, with a maximum of $50,000 per calendar year.

Annual Fees and Adding Additional Users

Annual Fees

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card charges an annual fee of $95 while the Amex Gold card has an annual fee of $325 (see rates & fees).

Adding Additional Users

There is no cost to add authorized users to your Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

The Amex Gold card allows up to 5 additional cards at no extra charge. Each authorized user after 5 is $35 per person, per year (see rates & fees).

Hot Tip: While the Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a lower annual fee than the Amex Gold card, if you spend a lot at U.S. supermarkets and worldwide dining, the higher earnings on the Amex Gold card in these categories could potentially more than offset the annual fee difference. Maximizing the calendar year bonus spending at U.S. supermarkets alone, for example, results in earning 100,000 Membership Rewards points. 

Final Thoughts

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card and the Amex Gold card are quite different in the way the cards earn rewards, the value of rewards when redeemed, and the level of benefits offered by each card.

With that said, either card would be a good choice for your first rewards card as you can’t go wrong earning either Membership Rewards points or Ultimate Rewards points. Both have terrific value when redeemed for travel.

If you spend a lot on travel, can make use of the Chase Travel portal, and want excellent travel insurance benefits, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card may have the edge. If your spending mix is heavy on everyday purchases at U.S. supermarkets and on dining worldwide, you’ll earn more on the Amex Gold card, receive earnings on flights, and have the option of redeeming your rewards for travel.

While this article has highlighted some of the key features and benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and the Amex Gold card, this is not an all-inclusive list of all the benefits that come with these travel rewards cards. Also, the descriptions of benefits are abbreviated. You’ll need to review the actual terms and conditions in each card’s guide to benefits for complete information.

When it comes to benefits, you’ll find both strengths and downsides to each card. You’ll need to determine which benefits are the most important to you personally and which card provides the earning and redemption options that are a match for your lifestyle.

For the rental car insurance benefit of the American Express® Gold Card, car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the commercial car rental company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

For the trip delay insurance benefit of the American Express® Gold Card, up to $300 per covered trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours; and 2 claims per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the baggage insurance benefit of the American Express® Gold Card, baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for eligible persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a common carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the Global Assist Hotline benefit of the American Express® Gold Card, you can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

For the purchase protection benefit of the American Express® Gold Card, purchase protection is an embedded benefit of your card membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage limits apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the extended warranty benefit of the American Express® Gold Card, when an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an eligible Ccrd, Extended Warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which card is better, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or the Amex Gold card?

Each card has its earning, redemption, and benefit strengths. The better card will depend on how these strengths match up to your spending habits, redemption priorities, and which benefits you will actually use.

If you spend a lot on airline tickets, either card will work for you because they each have elevated earnings on airfare. The same is true if you spend a lot on dining. If you’re spending a lot at grocery stores, the Amex Gold Card offers an edge in that bonus category.

When it comes to redeeming your points, you can fare well with the option to transfer your points to a long list of airline partners with the Amex Gold Card or to a shorter list of transfer partners with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. If you purchase a lot of economy flights, you may find better value redeeming Ultimate Rewards via the Chase Travel portal.

When it comes to benefits, it’s also a matter of which benefits you’ll actually use and receive subsequent value.

Which card has the best car rental insurance?

If you rent a vehicle once or twice a year, either card will work for you.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has primary rental car coverage and it covers you nearly worldwide for rental periods up to 31 days. The Amex Gold Card has secondary car rental coverage which requires that you file a claim with your own auto insurance first before it kicks in.

However, for $13 to $25 extra, you can purchase premium rental car insurance from Amex and it covers you for the entire rental period up to 42 days. This turns out to be a maximum of $50 if you rent a vehicle twice a year and want premium coverage.

Can I transfer points to any airline?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card and the Amex Gold card each has a list of airline transfer partners from which to select. You can transfer your Ultimate Rewards or Membership Rewards to any of the affiliated airline transfer partners and purchase award tickets.

However, you can use your points from either rewards program to purchase flights on any airlines via the associated rewards program travel portal. For Membership Rewards you would use AmexTravel.com and for Ultimate Rewards you would use the Chase Travel portal.

Can I redeem points for cash?

You can redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for cash at the rate of 1 cent per point.

You cannot redeem Membership Rewards points for cash.

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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