Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold: Which 100K Bonus Offer Should You Get Right Now?

Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card and the American Express^® Gold Card are excellent travel rewards cards, and both are offering welcome offer bonuses as high as 100,000 points at the moment. So, which welcome offer should you take up?

Read on for tips on deciding which card and welcome offer is right for your wallet.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and Amex Gold Card Welcome Offers

Currently, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card has an elevated welcome offer of: Earn 75,000 100,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

Meanwhile, the Amex Gold card has a welcome offer of: Apply and find out if you're eligible for as high as 100,000 points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Which Welcome Offer Should You Apply For?

We value Amex Membership Rewards points at 2.2 cents per point, and Chase Ultimate Rewards at 2 cents per point, making the welcome offer bonus for the Amex Gold card slightly more valuable than the welcome bonus offer for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, at a value of up to $2,200 and $2,000, respectively.

That said, an important distinction between the two is that the welcome offer for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a set 100,000 points, while the welcome offer for the Amex Gold card is as high as 100,000 points based on your eligibility.

In which case, if you’re not targeted for the full 100,000-point offer on the Amex Gold card, then the math becomes much easier, with the 100,000-point Chase Sapphire Preferred card offer being far more lucrative.

Additionally, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card’s welcome offer was recently just 75,000 points, giving you 33.3% more points by applying for the 100,000-point welcome offer. It also makes it the more timely opportunity to take advantage of a limited-time bonus offer.

What Are 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points Worth?

The exact value of the 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points you receive from the welcome offer of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card comes down to how you redeem them.

At a minimum, your Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed at 1 cent per point as a statement credit or as a deposit into an eligible bank account, making your 100,000 points worth $1,000.

Alternatively, when you book travel through Chase Travel using your Ultimate Rewards points, you have access to Points Boost offers with your Chase Sapphire Preferred card. These Points Boosts can amount to a 50% bonus on some hotels and flights with certain airlines, and for premium cabin tickets on some airlines (e.g., business and first class), you can receive up to a 75% bonus. This means Points Boost can offer you 1.5 cents to 1.75 cents in value per point, making 100,000 points worth $1,500 to $1,750.

Lastly, we value Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2 cents per point because of the value you can receive when transferring to Chase transfer partners to book business class flights and luxury hotel stays for a fraction of the usual cost, making 100,000 points worth $2,000 based on the Upgraded Points valuation.

For example, you can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards to the Air France-KLM Flying Blue program at a 1:1 rate, booking a one-way business class flight from many U.S. cities to Paris (CDG) or Amsterdam (AMS) for as low as 60,000 points. That same ticket would easily cost $3,000 (or more) if you were to pay cash, resulting in a redemption value of 5 cents per point.

What Are 100,000 Amex Membership Rewards Points Worth?

As with Chase Ultimate Rewards points, the value of 100,000 Amex Membership Rewards points depends largely on how you decide to redeem them.

If you were to decide to redeem your Amex points as a statement credit, you’d receive just 0.6 cents per point in value, making 100,000 points worth $600. This is not a redemption method we would recommend unless you really need the cash.

You can get much better value on travel by redeeming your points through AmexTravel.com for flights at a rate of 1 cent per point, where your 100,000 points would be worth $1,000 in flight purchases. Other travel purchases, don’t quite measure up, though, as hotels and rental cars booked through Amex Travel offer just 0.7 cents per point.

Since Amex Membership Rewards is another transferable rewards program, you won’t be surprised to hear that this is our recommended redemption method to maximize your point value, and this is why we value Amex points at 2.2 cents per point, making 100,000 points worth $2,200 by the Upgraded Points valuation.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card vs. Amex Gold Card

Beyond the welcome bonus offers, here is how each travel reawrds card compares to the others to help you determine which is a better fit for you personally. Please note that some of the benefits below require prior enrollment.

Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and the Amex Gold card are excellent cards, and they both come with great welcome offers, so how should you choose which is the better fit for you?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers more opportunities to earn bonus points by providing more bonus categories, many of which allow you to earn rewards on a variety of travel and everyday expenses. Plus, it offers far more comprehensive travel and purchase protections for a lower annual fee and an annual $100 hotel credit that easily offsets that fee.

LIMITED-TIME OFFER

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 75,000 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

75,000 100,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$2,000

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, gas, EV charging, vacation homes, 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 and emergency evacuation. 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 (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), gas, EV charging, vacation homes (such as Airbnb and Vrbo), 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 100,000 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, 3x on vacation homes, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
• Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $156.
• 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.
• Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck^® or NEXUS application.
• Transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

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

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Amex Gold card, on the other hand, charges a much larger annual fee but comes with a few more statement credits to help offset that cost.

it doesn’t offer as many bonus categories as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, but its ability to earn 4x points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per year, then 1x) and at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1x) is a huge pro for many, since these are two of the largest expenses for many households.

Additionally, if you’re more invested in the American Express ecosystem via other cards like the Platinum Card^® from American Express, then pairing it with the Amex Gold card can make a lot of sense.

BEST FOR DINING

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

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!

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.

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 you spend $8,000 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.

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

• 5x points per dollar on prepaid hotels via AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App
• 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

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 $8,000 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.
• New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• Pay It^® lets you tap in the American Express^® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It^® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
• Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express^® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
• New! As an American Express^® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star^® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
• Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
• Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express^® service and support. Only for American Express^® Card Members.
• Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
• 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

Final Thoughts

Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and the Amex Gold card have quite a lot to offer cardholders, and both come with excellent welcome offers of as high as 100,000 bonus points.

Though you can’t really go wrong either way, our recommendation would be that, if you aren’t targeted for the 100,000-point bonus offer on the Amex Gold card, you should take up the 100,000-point welcome offer on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card while it’s still around. But the best best is always to go with whichever card is the overall better fit for you and your spending habits.