The Chase Sapphire Preferred and American Express Gold are the two most popular mid-tier travel and dining rewards cards — and the most common “which should I get?” question in credit cards. They target similar spenders but differ in how they earn and redeem points, where they’re accepted, and what perks they include. This is the complete side-by-side comparison.
Quick verdict: The Amex Gold earns more rewards on dining and groceries. The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers better travel flexibility and wider acceptance. If you eat out and cook at home frequently, the Amex Gold likely wins. If you travel frequently and want a card accepted everywhere, the CSP is the safer choice.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Amex Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $250 |
| Effective annual fee | $45 (with $50 hotel credit) | ~$10 ($120 Uber + $120 dining credits) |
| Sign-up bonus | 60,000-75,000 points | 60,000-80,000 points |
| Bonus spend requirement | $4,000 in 3 months | $6,000 in 6 months |
| Dining rewards | 3x | 4x |
| Grocery rewards | 1x | 4x (up to $25,000/year) |
| Travel rewards | 5x on Chase Travel, 2x other travel | 3x flights booked directly |
| Everything else | 1x | 1x |
| Point value (travel portal) | 1.25 cents each | 1 cent each |
| Transfer partners | 14 airlines + hotels | 21 airlines + hotels |
| Foreign transaction fee | None | None |
| Acceptance | Visa (accepted everywhere) | Amex (some merchants don’t accept) |
| Purchase protection | 120 days | 90 days |
| Travel insurance | Trip cancellation + delay | Trip cancellation + delay |
| Global Entry/TSA credit | $100 every 4 years | None (Gold card) |
| Card material | Plastic | Metal |
Rewards Earning Comparison
Annual Rewards by Spending Pattern
Average American household spending:
| Category | Monthly Spend | CSP Earnings | Amex Gold Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dining/restaurants | $350 | 1,050 pts (3x) | 1,400 pts (4x) |
| Groceries | $500 | 500 pts (1x) | 2,000 pts (4x) |
| Travel (flights, hotels) | $250 | 625 pts (2.5x avg) | 750 pts (3x flights) |
| Gas | $200 | 200 pts (1x) | 200 pts (1x) |
| Everything else | $1,200 | 1,200 pts (1x) | 1,200 pts (1x) |
| Monthly total | $2,500 | 3,575 pts | 5,550 pts |
| Annual total | $30,000 | 42,900 pts | 66,600 pts |
| Points value (1.5¢) | — | $644 | $999 |
| Minus annual fee | — | -$95 | -$250 |
| Minus credits used | — | -$50 hotel credit | -$240 (Uber + dining) |
| Net annual value | — | $599 | $989 |
The Amex Gold earns significantly more points thanks to the 4x grocery category — a huge advantage for households that spend $400-$600/month on groceries.
Spending Breakeven Analysis
| If You Spend Mostly On… | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dining + groceries | Amex Gold | 4x on both vs 3x/1x |
| Travel (flights + hotels) | Chase Sapphire Preferred | 5x on Chase Travel, 2x other travel |
| Mixed spending (a bit of everything) | Amex Gold | Grocery 4x advantage is enormous |
| International travel | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Visa accepted globally vs Amex gaps |
| Online shopping | Tie | Both earn 1x |
Travel Benefits Comparison
| Benefit | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Amex Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Trip cancellation insurance | ✓ (up to $10,000/person) | ✓ (up to $10,000/trip) |
| Trip delay reimbursement | ✓ ($100/day, 6+ hours) | ✓ (12+ hours) |
| Baggage delay insurance | ✓ ($100/day, 5 days) | ✓ |
| Rental car insurance | ✓ (primary) | ✓ (secondary) |
| Global Entry/TSA PreCheck | $100 credit every 4 years | ✗ |
| Airport lounge access | ✗ | ✗ |
| Hotel credit | $50 annual hotel credit | ✗ |
| Uber credits | ✗ | $10/month ($120/year) |
| Dining credits | ✗ | $10/month ($120/year) |
The CSP’s primary rental car insurance is a standout — it covers damage to the rental car without needing to file through your personal auto insurance first. The Amex Gold only offers secondary coverage. For frequent renters, this alone could justify the CSP.
Transfer Partner Comparison
Both cards let you transfer points to airline and hotel loyalty programs at 1:1 ratios. This is where points become most valuable — often 1.5-2.5 cents per point.
Shared Partners (Available on Both)
| Partner | Type | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Air France/KLM Flying Blue | Airline | Europe flights |
| British Airways Avios | Airline | Short-haul flights |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | Airline | Premium cabin flights |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | Airline | Delta partner redemptions |
Chase-Exclusive Partners
| Partner | Type | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| United MileagePlus | Airline | Domestic + international flights |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards | Airline | Domestic flights, companion pass |
| Hyatt World of Hyatt | Hotel | Best hotel transfer value |
| IHG One Rewards | Hotel | Budget hotel stays |
Amex-Exclusive Partners
| Partner | Type | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Delta SkyMiles | Airline | Domestic flights (if Delta hub) |
| Hilton Honors | Hotel | 1:2 ratio (20,000 MR = 40,000 Hilton) |
| Marriott Bonvoy | Hotel | Large hotel network |
| ANA Mileage Club | Airline | Japan/Asia premium cabin |
| Emirates Skywards | Airline | Middle East + Europe |
Key insight: Chase’s Hyatt partnership is the single most valuable hotel transfer in the industry — Hyatt points are worth 2-2.5 cents each, meaning your Chase points transfer at exceptional value. If you stay at Hyatt hotels, this alone makes the CSP worth it.
Annual Fee Analysis
Chase Sapphire Preferred ($95/year)
| Credit/Benefit | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | -$95 |
| $50 annual hotel credit (new) | +$50 |
| Global Entry/TSA credit (amortized) | +$25/year |
| Effective annual cost | $20 |
Amex Gold ($250/year)
| Credit/Benefit | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | -$250 |
| $120 Uber Cash ($10/month) | +$120 |
| $120 dining credits ($10/month at select restaurants) | +$120 |
| Effective annual cost | $10 |
If you use both Amex Gold credits fully, the effective fee is only $10/year — cheaper than the CSP. But the credits have restrictions: Uber Cash must be used monthly (use-it-or-lose-it), and dining credits are limited to specific restaurant partners (Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar, and select others). If you’d naturally spend at these places, the credits are essentially free money. If not, their value to you is lower.
Which Card Wins by Spending Category: A Complete Breakdown
The decision between CSP and Amex Gold ultimately comes down to where your money goes each month. Here’s a detailed breakdown across all major spending categories:
| Category | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Amex Gold | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dining (restaurants) | 3x | 4x | Amex Gold |
| U.S. supermarkets (up to $25K/yr) | 1x | 4x | Amex Gold |
| Dining abroad | 3x | 4x | Amex Gold |
| Travel via Chase portal | 5x | 1x | CSP |
| Flights via Amex Travel | 1x | 3x | Amex Gold |
| Hotels via Chase portal | 5x | 1x | CSP |
| Other travel (taxis, parking, transit) | 2x | 1x | CSP |
| All other purchases | 1x | 1x | Tie |
| Streaming services | 3x | 1x | CSP |
| Online grocery (Instacart, etc.) | 1x | 4x (incl. delivery) | Amex Gold |
The clear split: Amex Gold wins at restaurants and groceries. CSP wins at hotels, streaming, and all-other-travel.
A household spending $800/month at restaurants and groceries generates:
- Amex Gold: 3,200 Membership Rewards points/month (worth ~$64 at 2 cents/point)
- CSP: 800–2,400 points/month depending on restaurant vs. grocery split (worth ~$16–$48)
That’s a $16–$48/month difference on food spend alone — roughly $192–$576/year in favor of Amex Gold before accounting for credits.
Maximizing the Credits: Real-World Value
Both cards come with annual credits, but usability varies:
Chase Sapphire Preferred credits:
- $50 annual hotel credit (Chase portal bookings — easy to use if you stay in hotels at all)
- DashPass membership (free delivery on DoorDash — worth ~$96/year if you order delivery)
- Lyft Pink membership benefits
Amex Gold credits:
- $120 dining credit ($10/month at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar — requires monthly activation)
- $120 Uber Cash ($10/month automatically applied to Uber/Uber Eats orders)
- $100 hotel credit (The Hotel Collection, 2-night minimum — harder to use than CSP’s)
Credit usability reality: The Amex Gold credits require more effort to capture. The $120 dining credit only applies at specific partners, and the $10/month structure means you forfeit unused monthly credits. Cardholders who don’t use Grubhub or the listed partners capture $0 of this credit. The CSP’s DashPass and hotel credit are more universally applicable.
Net annual fee after credits:
- CSP: $95 fee − $50 hotel − $96 DashPass = effectively −$51 (net positive if you use DoorDash)
- Amex Gold: $250 fee − $120 dining − $120 Uber = $10 (if you max both credits monthly)
Who Should Get Each Card
Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred If You…
| Scenario | Why CSP Wins |
|---|---|
| Travel internationally | Visa accepted everywhere; Amex has gaps |
| Stay at Hyatt hotels | Best hotel transfer value in the industry |
| Fly United or Southwest | Chase-exclusive transfer partners |
| Want simplicity | $95 fee, no monthly credits to track |
| Rent cars frequently | Primary rental car insurance |
| Have a low grocery budget | Amex Gold’s 4x grocery advantage matters less |
Get the Amex Gold If You…
| Scenario | Why Amex Gold Wins |
|---|---|
| Spend $400+/month on groceries | 4x on groceries = 19,200+ extra points/year |
| Eat out 3+ times per week | 4x dining beats CSP’s 3x |
| Use Uber regularly | $120/year in Uber Cash |
| Fly Delta | Amex-exclusive transfer partner |
| Want a premium card feel | Metal card, prestige factor |
| Will use the monthly credits | Effective fee drops to $10/year |
Get Both If You…
| Scenario | How to Use Together |
|---|---|
| Maximize rewards | Amex Gold for dining + groceries, CSP for travel + everything else |
| Want flexibility | Access both Chase and Amex transfer partners |
| Travel and eat out frequently | $345 combined fee, but $350+ in credits |
Switching Guide
Moving from CSP to Amex Gold
- Apply for Amex Gold (no need to cancel CSP first)
- Earn the Amex Gold sign-up bonus
- Keep the CSP open at least 1 year (avoid Chase’s eye)
- Optionally downgrade CSP to Chase Freedom Flex (no annual fee, keeps UR points)
- Use Amex Gold for dining/groceries, Freedom Flex for 5% categories
Moving from Amex Gold to CSP
- Apply for CSP (check Chase’s 5/24 rule — denied if 5+ new cards in 24 months)
- Earn the CSP sign-up bonus
- Optionally downgrade Amex Gold to Amex Green ($150/year) or cancel
- If canceling, transfer MR points to an airline partner first (points expire when you close your only MR card)
Important: If the Amex Gold is your only Amex Membership Rewards card, closing it forfeits your points. Downgrade to a no-fee Amex card (like EveryDay) to keep your points, or transfer them to an airline/hotel partner before closing.
Point Value Comparison
| Redemption Method | Chase UR Value | Amex MR Value |
|---|---|---|
| Statement credit | 1.0¢ | 0.6¢ |
| Chase/Amex travel portal | 1.25¢ | 1.0¢ |
| Transfer to airline partners | 1.5-2.5¢ | 1.5-2.5¢ |
| Transfer to hotel partners | 1.5-2.5¢ (Hyatt) | 0.5-1.0¢ (Hilton at 1:2) |
| Pay with points at Amazon | 0.8¢ | 0.7¢ |
Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth more across most redemption methods — especially through the travel portal (1.25¢ vs 1.0¢) and hotel transfers (Hyatt is elite). Amex MR points are competitive only when transferred to airline partners.
The Bottom Line
The Amex Gold is the better card for most people who eat out regularly and buy groceries — the 4x rewards in both categories and $240 in annual credits make it a powerhouse despite the $250 sticker price. The Chase Sapphire Preferred is better for travelers who need universal acceptance, Hyatt hotel transfers, and primary rental car insurance. For maximum rewards, carry both and put dining/groceries on the Amex Gold and everything else on the CSP.
| Factor | Winner |
|---|---|
| Annual fee (sticker) | CSP ($95) |
| Annual fee (effective) | Amex Gold (~$10) |
| Dining rewards | Amex Gold (4x) |
| Grocery rewards | Amex Gold (4x) |
| Travel rewards | CSP (5x/2x) |
| Transfer partners | Amex Gold (21 vs 14) |
| Hotel transfers | CSP (Hyatt) |
| Card acceptance | CSP (Visa) |
| Rental car insurance | CSP (primary) |
| Monthly credits | Amex Gold ($240/year) |
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