When it comes to travel rewards cards, you usually get what you pay for in terms of bonus categories and perks. This is why we usually compare cards within a single category to try to find the best premium rewards card or the best no-annual-fee cards.
The problem is that the American Express® Gold Card doesn’t fit cleanly into any category. It straddles the line between mid-level and premium, offering high-value foodie bonus categories at a manageable annual fee.
Today, we’re comparing it to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® — one of the best cards for travel and dining overall — to help you decide which card is a better fit for your needs.
Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold comparison
Let’s start with a quick overview of each card’s highlights:
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | American Express Gold Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $550 | $325 (see rates and fees) |
| Welcome offer | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first six months of card membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on restaurant purchases in the first six months of card membership (up to $100 back). (Note: You could be targeted for a higher offer through CardMatch; this offer is subject to change at any time and not everyone is targeted for the same offers.) Offer ends Nov. 6. |
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*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
**Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold welcome offer
Both cards offer valuable welcome offers that can help fund your next big trip.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers new applicants 60,000 bonus points after they spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months after opening an account.
Meanwhile, the Amex Gold offers 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. Plus, new cardmembers can receive 20% back on restaurant purchases as statement credits in the first six months of card membership (up to $100 back). This offer ends on Nov. 6.
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As of September 2024, TPG values Membership Rewards points at 2 cents a piece, making the Amex Gold’s offer worth up to $1,300 if you maximize the cash back on restaurant purchases. Meanwhile, we value Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents each, making the Sapphire Reserve bonus worth $1,230.
However, you could potentially be targeted for a higher welcome offer for the Amex Gold through CardMatch (offers are subject to change at any time, and not everyone will be targeted for the same offers).
Of course, the bonus value is only one piece of the equation. You also need to make sure you’re eligible to apply for either of these cards, as Chase and Amex have different restrictions on welcome bonus eligibility.
Winner: Amex Gold. Its public welcome offer provides more value.
Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold benefits
This is where we start to see the biggest differences arise, as the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a premium, luxury travel card with the perks to match.
Let’s start with the most important benefit that can help offset the card’s $550 annual fee: a $300 annual travel credit. This credit is automatically applied to a wide range of travel purchases, including airfare and hotels.
The Sapphire Reserve also comes with a full-fledged Priority Pass Select membership and access to Chase Sapphire Lounges for cardholders and up to two guests. With the Reserve, you’ll also get access to a premium concierge service, a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee credit and several useful travel and baggage insurance policies.
Cardholders also enjoy an included minimum of one year of free food delivery with DoorDash DashPass and $5 in monthly DoorDash statement credits (when activated by Dec. 31, 2027). Finally, cardholders can receive a two-year complimentary Lyft Pink All-Access membership (when activated by Dec. 31).
The Amex Gold rewards foodies with an up to $10 monthly dining credit valid at the following merchants: Five Guys, Grubhub, the Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly and Wine.com (up to $120 per calendar year). Cardmembers also receive up to $120 in annual Uber Cash each calendar year, issued in $10 monthly increments, which is valid on Uber rides or Uber Eats purchases. You must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Gold Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account.
In addition, cardmembers can get up to $100 in statement credits every calendar year for purchases made at Resy-affiliated restaurants (up to $50 semi-annually). As a final foodie benefit, the Amex Gold provides up to $7 in monthly statement credits for Dunkin’ Donuts purchases (up to $84 each calendar year).
If you maximize these available benefits, you’ll wind up with $424 in annual value, easily justifying the card’s $325 annual fee and leaving you in the green. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve. It offers more perks in just about every category than the cheaper Amex Gold. Ultimately, you’ll need to see which card’s benefits you’ll be able to use more easily.
Earning points on the Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold
Here’s how the two cards stack up when it comes to earning points on your purchases:
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | American Express Gold Card | |
|---|---|---|
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The Amex Gold is clearly designed as a foodie-friendly card, and that’s reflected in the bonus categories. That 4 points per dollar on U.S. supermarkets (an 8% return based on TPG’s September 2024 valuations, on up to $25,000 per calendar year) is one of the best earning rates you’ll find from any card.
The Amex Gold also has an edge when dining at restaurants, as its 4 points per dollar (on up to $50,000 per calendar year) again wins out over 3 points per dollar on the Sapphire Reserve ( an 8% vs. 6.15% return based on our valuations).
For travel, the cards tie in airfare purchases made directly with the airline, but the Sapphire Reserve is stronger for all other travel purchases. Travel purchases — including hotels, group tours, rental cars and even parking meters and tolls — all earn 3 points per dollar on the Sapphire Reserve versus either 2 points or 1 point on the Amex Gold.
Like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the Amex Gold’s airfare bonus is limited and only applies to purchases made directly with the airline or at amextravel.com.
Winner: Amex Gold. These cards target slightly different audiences, but even before adjusting for the lower annual fee, the Amex Gold offers a higher earning potential on common everyday purchases.
Related: Which purchases count as travel with the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
Redeeming points on the Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold
As of September 2024, TPG values Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents each and Amex Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, but the programs each have strengths and weaknesses that could cause you to pick one over the other.
Chase points can be redeemed for travel through Chase Travel, for other items such as gift cards and even as a statement credit. You’ll also get a 50% bonus when redeeming points for travel through Chase Travel via the Sapphire Reserve.
With Amex, you can redeem your points for travel directly through AmexTravel.com or, if you’re like TPG credit cards writer Ryan Wilcox and prefer the simplest options, for gift cards and statement credits.
In both cases, though, you’ll usually be better off transferring your points to one of Chase or Amex’s transfer partners for maximum value.
Winner: Tie. Both travel programs are comparable and extremely valuable.
Transferring points on the Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold
The Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards programs have several high-value transfer partners in common, including Virgin Atlantic, Singapore KrisFlyer, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Emirates Skywards and British Airways Executive Club.
Amex points will probably come out ahead if you’re primarily looking to fly long-haul premium cabin flights, thanks to 1:1 transfer partners such as ANA Mileage Club. Chase has fewer airline transfer partners but is much better for those looking to redeem points for hotel stays, thanks to 1:1 transfers to World of Hyatt.
Transfer partners are the best way to maximize your points, especially if you want to stay at luxury hotels or fly in fancy premium cabins.
Winner: Tie. Factors such as your travel preferences and home airport could easily push you to one program over another.
Related: Why all travelers should earn transferable points
Should I get the Sapphire Reserve or Amex Gold?
If you’re eligible for both of these cards, they make an all-star pairing, and there’s a real case for having both in your wallet. These two cards complement each other very well regarding benefits and earning and redeeming points. But if you must pick between one or the other, you’ll have to decide if you want better earning rates and a lower annual fee (Amex Gold) or luxury travel benefits (Sapphire Reserve).
Related: How to choose the best credit card for you
Bottom line
Despite not technically being a premium card, the Amex Gold gives the Chase Sapphire Reserve a run for its money in several different categories.
These two cards complement each other quite well but also target slightly different audiences. The Amex Gold is a go-to card for all things food-related, while the Sapphire Reserve focuses on luxury travel experiences.
To learn more, check out our full reviews of the Amex Gold and the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Apply here: Amex Gold
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Related: Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold card, click here.
