Amex Gold vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred: Which Card Earned Me More Points in 30 Days?

The American Express^® Gold Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card are among the most popular rewards cards on the market — and for good reason. Both have strong welcome offers, elevated earnings in key categories, valuable travel rewards, and useful perks.

But as I’ve worked to reduce the number of cards in my wallet (currently more than 20), I decided to evaluate which of these 2 cards best fits my spending habits and which I could potentially cancel.

Here’s how the Amex Gold card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred card stack up for my lifestyle, and which one came out ahead.

Amex Gold Card Overview

The Amex Gold card is one of the strongest earning cards in my wallet, largely because of its bonus categories.

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American Express^® Gold Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs 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!

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Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

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

American Express^® Gold Card

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!

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As High As 100,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $2,200

Annual Fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

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 card application.

Good to Excellent

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

• $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No lounge access

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Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• 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 get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
• $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. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
• $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.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

It earns:

• 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x)
• 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x)
• 3x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com
• 2x Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com

Dining and groceries are my largest monthly expenses, so that 4x earning structure is particularly compelling.

The Amex Gold card has a substantial $325 annual fee (rates & fees). However, it also offers benefits and statement credits that help offset the annual fee, including:

• Up to $100 annual Resy credit
• Up to $120 annual dining credit
• Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash

Enrollment may be required for certain benefits.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Overview

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is arguably the most popular travel rewards card on the market today — and it’s easy to see why.

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Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs 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)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

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

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,500

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.24% - 27.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

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 card application.

Good to Excellent

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
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

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Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 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
• Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
• 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.24% - 27.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

It earns:

• 5x Chase Ultimate Rewards points on all travel booked through Chase Travel
• 3x Chase Ultimate Rewards points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x Chase Ultimate Rewards points on all other travel worldwide
• A 10% anniversary bonus on total annual spend 

It also offers several benefits, including up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year (for hotel stays through Chase Travel), a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership (activated by December 31, 2027), and primary auto rental coverage.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a considerably lower annual fee of $95.

How I Tested Each Card

I’ve always approached rewards with a ‘maximize every dollar’ mindset. Over time, that evolved from strategy into something close to obsession.

However, that becomes complicated when multiple cards offer the same or similar earning rates. Recently, I’ve wanted to simplify. Instead of juggling multiple cards, I wanted just one that truly feels worth carrying, not two competing for my everyday spend.

So I tracked my spending for a month and compared the results.

Dining

Dining was my largest expense for the month at just over $1,700.

With the Amex Gold card earning 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1x), that translated to just about 6,800 Amex Membership Rewards points.

Meanwhile, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card earns 3x Ultimate Rewards points on dining purchases. While solid, that 1-point difference per dollar adds up quickly. Over the course of a year, I would earn roughly 20,400 more points with the Amex Gold card.

Winner: Amex Gold card

Hot Tip:

Check out our in-depth guide on the best credit cards for restaurants, dining, and takeout.

Flights and Hotels Booked Directly

I spent $1,400 on flights and hotels booked directly with airlines and properties.

The Amex Gold card earns 3x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card earns 5x points on all travel booked through Chase Travel and 2x points on other travel.

I tend to book directly with airlines and hotels through travel portals for added peace of mind. That said, the Amex Gold card once again comes out ahead thanks to its higher earning rate.

Over the course of a year, I would earn 18,000 more points with the Amex Gold card than with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

Winner: Amex Gold card

Groceries

We budget about $300 a month per month for groceries, and that’s fairly consistent.

The Amex Gold card earns 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x). The Chase Sapphire Preferred card earns 3x Chase Ultimate Rewards points on online grocery purchases, but only 1x at in-store grocery purchases.

Since I rarely shop for groceries online, this elevated earning rate is almost entirely useless to me. Over a year, I would earn roughly 10,800 more points with the Amex Gold card than with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

Winner: Amex Gold card

Miscellaneous Spending

For fuel, entertainment, and other miscellaneous purchases, I don’t use either card. I have other cards in my wallet that offer higher earning rates in those categories.

Winner: Neither

Total Annual Point Difference

For my spending habits, the Amex Gold card seems like the clear winner over the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. It has slightly higher earnings from dining and from flights and hotels booked directly, and significantly higher earnings from my in-person grocery spending.

If my spending remained consistent throughout the year, I would earn roughly 49,000 additional points with the Amex Gold card.

At Upgraded Points, we value Amex Membership Rewards points at 2.2 cents each, making this difference worth about $1,082.

Even factoring in the Amex Gold card’s annual fee (which is $230 higher than the Chase Sapphire Preferred card), the earning difference alone outweighs that gap. And that doesn’t even account for the Amex Gold card’s statement credits, many of which I take at face value.

Why I’m Not Cancelling the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Despite the clear earning advantage, there’s an important strategic factor to consider.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card allows me to transfer Ultimate Rewards points to Chase’s extensive list of airline and hotel transfer partners, including World of Hyatt — a partner I highly value.

If I cancel the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and don’t hold another premium Ultimate Rewards-earning card, I would lose that ability. I would have only 30 days to redeem or combine my Ultimate Rewards balance before risking losing that flexibility.

For that reason, I’m not ready to cancel the Chase Sapphire Preferred card just yet. Instead, I’ll evaluate other cards in my wallet that may offer less incremental value.

Hot Tip:

Chase Ultimate Rewards points don’t expire as long as you keep at least 1 Ultimate Rewards-earning card open.

Final Thoughts

Both the Amex Gold card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred card are solid rewards-earning cards. But for my spending — particularly dining out, groceries, and direct flight bookings — the Amex Gold card comes out way ahead.

That said, there are always additional factors worth considering. Transfer flexibility, ecosystem strength, and long-term planning also matter. For now, the Amex Gold card wins for my day-to-day spending. But the Chase Sapphire Preferred card still plays an important role in my overall card setup.