In the world of travel rewards, there is no bigger debate than this one. It’s the ultimate showdown for anyone who loves food and travel: the iconic Chase Sapphire Preferred® versus the stylish American Express® Gold Card.
On the surface, they seem similar.
Both are powerhouse rewards cards with annual fees, aimed at people with a taste for dining out and seeing the world. But when you look under the hood, you’ll find two very different philosophies, two distinct rewards ecosystems, and two unique value propositions.
Choosing between them can feel daunting. You’re ready to invest in a premium card, and you want to be sure you’re picking the absolute best one for your wallet.
This guide will break down the matchup, round by round. I’ll compare the points, the perks, and the fine print to help you confidently choose your champion.
Tale of the Tape: At a Glance
Here’s a quick look at how our two contenders stack up.
| Feature | Chase Sapphire Preferred® | American Express® Gold Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $95 | $250 |
| Earning on Dining | ✅ 3x points | ✅ 4x points |
| Earning on Groceries | ✅ 3x points(Online only) | ✅ 4x points (U.S. Supermarkets) |
| Earning on Travel | ✅ 2x-5x points | ✅ 3x points |
| Key Perk | Robust Travel Insurance | Monthly Statement Credits |
| Points Ecosystem | Chase Ultimate Rewards® | Amex Membership Rewards® |
(Offers are current as of September 2025. Please visit the issuer’s website for the most up-to-date terms and conditions.)
Round 1: Earning Points (The Daily Grind)
American Express® Gold Card: This card is the undisputed champion of food spending. It is built from the ground up to reward you for eating, whether at home or out on the town.
- 4x points at restaurants worldwide.
- 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per year, then 1x).
- 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card is more of a flexible lifestyle earner. While strong on dining, its earning structure is broader.
- 3x points on dining, online grocery stores, and select streaming services.
- 2x points on all other travel purchases.
- 5x points on travel purchased through the Chase Travel℠ portal.
The Verdict: The Amex Gold wins if your biggest budget items are restaurants and regular in-person grocery shopping. The 4x earning rate in these categories is simply unmatched. The Chase Sapphire Preferred wins if your spending is more varied—if you order groceries online, have several streaming subscriptions, and want a solid return on a wider definition of “travel” purchases.
Round 2: Redeeming Points (The Payoff)
Earning points is only half the battle. How you use them is what truly matters.
Chase Sapphire Preferred®: The power of Ultimate Rewards is simplicity and a high-value floor, with one superstar transfer partner.
- The Portal Bonus: Points are worth a fixed 1.25 cents eachwhen booking travel through the Chase portal. It’s simple and reliable.
- Transfer Partners: Chase has excellent domestic airline partners like Southwest and United, and the single best hotel transfer partner in the game: World of Hyatt, where you can get incredible value for luxury hotel stays.
American Express® Gold Card: The power of Membership Rewards is a massive network of airline partners and a sky-high value ceiling for experts.
- The Portal: Redemptions through the Amex portal are generally not the best value.
- Transfer Partners: Amex has the largest list of airline transfer partners, including international heavyweights like Air France/KLM Flying Blue and Delta Air Lines. This is the key to unlocking aspirational business and first-class international flights.
The Verdict: The Chase Sapphire Preferred wins for beginners and travelers who love simplicity or want to redeem for Hyatt hotels. The travel portal provides a great, easy-to-use option. The Amex Gold wins for more advanced users who are willing to do the research to find amazing deals through international airline partners.
Anya’s Insight: People always ask me which card is “better,” but that’s the wrong question. I ask them: “Do you value the simplicity and amazing value of Hyatt hotels, or are you willing to do the research to book a business class flight on Singapore Airlines?” Your answer to that question tells you everything you need to know. The Sapphire is your reliable, high-value sedan; the Gold is your high-performance sports car—it takes a bit more effort to get the most out of it.
Round 3: Credits & Benefits (Making Back the Fee)
American Express® Gold Card: This card’s higher annual fee is offset by up to $240 in annual statement credits, but they come in monthly installments.
- Up to $120 in Uber Cash: You get $10 in Uber Cash each month for U.S. rides or Uber Eats orders.
- Up to $120 in Dining Credits: You get a $10 statement credit each month when you spend at specific partners like Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, and select Shake Shack locations.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card’s benefits are more straightforward and focused on travel protections.
- $50 Annual Hotel Credit: A simple statement credit for a hotel stay booked through the Chase portal.
- Primary Car Rental Insurance: An incredibly valuable and rare perk that can save you a lot of money and hassle.
- Robust Travel Protections: Excellent coverage for trip delays, cancellations, and lost luggage.
The Verdict: The Amex Gold wins for “optimizers”—people whose daily lives already include services like Uber Eats and Grubhub, making it easy to use the monthly credits. The Chase Sapphire Preferred wins for travelers who value simplicity and peace of mind, as its insurance benefits work automatically in the background when you need them.
The Final Decision: Which Champion Will You Choose?
There is no single winner. The best card is the one that fits your life like a key in a lock.
Choose the American Express® Gold Card if…
- Your biggest expenses are food—both at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.
- You will naturally use the monthly Uber and dining credits without changing your habits.
- You are an aspiring travel hacker excited to learn about international airline partners.
Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred® if…
- Your spending is a flexible mix of dining, travel, and online groceries.
- You value straightforward benefits and powerful travel insurance.
- You want a simple path to high-value redemptions through the Chase portal or with partners like Hyatt and Southwest.
WalletAware shares education, not individualized financial advice. Always confirm current terms on the issuer’s site before applying.