Amex Gold vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred: Which Mid-Tier Luxury Card Wins in 2025?
Choosing between the American Express Gold Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is like deciding between a Michelin-star meal and first-class airfare—both are elite in their own way, but your lifestyle determines which shines brighter.
Both cards carry annual fees, but with generous rewards, credits, and travel perks, savvy cardholders can easily out-earn what they spend. Whether you're dining out, booking flights, or loading up on groceries, these two mid-tier powerhouses offer impressive returns.
Let’s break it down to see which card aligns best with your spending habits and travel goals.
Dining: Amex Gold Takes the Gourmet Crown
If food is your love language, the Amex Gold speaks it fluently. It earns:
4x Membership Rewards at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery
4x at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000/year, then 1x)
Monthly dining credits: Up to $120/year at participating restaurants and food delivery services
Uber credits: Up to $120/year in Uber Cash for rides or Uber Eats in the U.S.
Compare that to the Chase Sapphire Preferred:
3x points on dining, delivery, and takeout
No dining credits
While Sapphire is no slouch in the food category, Amex Gold delivers tastier returns—especially for foodies and home cooks alike.
Travel Perks: Sapphire Preferred Edges Ahead
When it comes to travel, Chase Sapphire Preferred brings more punch:
5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards (excluding hotels)
2x points on all other travel purchases
$50 annual hotel credit for bookings via Ultimate Rewards
Robust travel protections, including:
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance (up to $10,000/person)
Trip delay reimbursement (up to $500/person for delays over 12 hours)
Baggage delay insurance
Auto rental collision damage waiver
Emergency travel assistance
Amex Gold isn’t far behind:
3x Membership Rewards on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel
No foreign transaction fees
$100 experience credit on stays of 2+ nights at The Hotel Collection properties booked through Amex Travel
Global Assist Hotline: 24/7 emergency support while traveling more than 100 miles from home
Baggage insurance: Up to $1,250 for carry-ons, $500 for checked bags
So who wins? Chase squeaks ahead for frequent travelers, thanks to stronger travel protections and more generous point multipliers on non-flight travel.
Annual Fee & APR: Sapphire is the Budget Champ
When you stack up costs, Chase clearly comes out cheaper:
| Card | Annual Fee | APR Range (Variable) |
|---|---|---|
| Amex Gold | $250 | 18.24% – 25.24% |
| Sapphire Preferred | $95 | 17.49% – 24.49% |
While both cards offer outsized value, the Sapphire Preferred is easier on the wallet up front—and long-term, if you’re a moderate spender.
Signup Bonuses: Gold Gives You More—For Now
As of 2025, Amex Gold is offering 90,000 Membership Rewards after meeting the spending requirement, while Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 60,000 Ultimate Rewards.
That 30,000-point gap is no small potatoes—but keep in mind that point values and transfer partners vary. Amex points generally offer more transfer flexibility for food and shopping; Chase Ultimate Rewards are highly valuable for travel when booked through the portal.
Redemption Value & Point Flexibility
Both cards earn transferable points, but their ecosystems are different:
Amex Membership Rewards:
Transfer to 20+ airline and hotel partners (including Delta, Air Canada, ANA)
Use for gift cards, shopping, or travel via Amex Travel
Chase Ultimate Rewards:
Transfer to 14+ travel partners (including Hyatt, United, Southwest)
Redeem via Chase Travel Portal at 1.25 cents/point with Sapphire Preferred
Points can be pooled with Chase’s no-annual-fee cards (Freedom Flex, Unlimited) for more value
Which Card Should You Choose?
Here’s the no-BS breakdown:
Choose Amex Gold if:
You spend heavily on dining and groceries
You want premium perks like Uber Cash and hotel credits
You value Membership Rewards for flights and shopping
Choose Chase Sapphire Preferred if:
You want a lower annual fee
You travel often and want rock-solid trip protection
You prioritize value when redeeming points through Chase Ultimate Rewards
Final Verdict
The Amex Gold and Chase Sapphire Preferred both deliver excellent value for travelers, foodies, and frequent spenders. The right choice depends on whether you want more premium perks (Amex) or a more travel-centric, budget-conscious card (Chase).
If possible? Carry both. Stack Amex for everyday spending and Chase for trip bookings—and you’ll turn every dollar into a double dip of rewards.
