Amex Gold vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred (2026)
Amex Gold ($325) vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred ($95). Compare 4x dining and supermarkets with $240 credits vs. low fee and Hyatt transfers.
Short answer: American Express® Gold Card vs Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is our pick for most people. Preferred is the far easier card to manage with a low $95 fee and primary travel protection. However, Amex Gold is the undisputed champion for households spending $8,000+ annually on dining and groceries who use Uber/Grubhub.
- Choose American Express® Gold Card if you want: Foodies, families, and high spenders on dining and groceries looking to rack up premium travel points.
- Choose Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card if you want: Anyone looking for a high-value, low-fee primary travel rewards card with 1:1 transfer partners.
Where the math flips: If you already spend $10/month on Uber Eats and $10/month on Grubhub, the effective fee of Amex Gold drops to $85, making its 4x grocery multiplier significantly more rewarding than the Sapphire Preferred.
- American Express® Gold Card
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Annual fee
- $325
- $95
- Base earning rate
- 1x point per dollar on general purchases
- 1x point per dollar on general purchases
- Foreign transaction fee
- None (0%)
- None (0%)
Last edited . Figures are an editorial snapshot and are pending line-by-line verification: confirm current terms on the issuer's page before applying.
Feature & Fee Breakdown
| Feature | American Express® Gold Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $325 | $95 |
| Dining | 4x points worldwide | 3x points worldwide |
| Supermarkets / Groceries | 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25k/yr) | 3x on online groceries only (1x in-store) |
| Recommended Credit Score | Good to Excellent (670-850) | Good to Excellent (690-850) |
| Official Issuer Terms | View American Express Rates & Fees ↗ | View Chase Rates & Fees ↗ |
Customize your estimated monthly spending to see which card delivers higher net rewards over 12 months (after annual fees).
Annual rewards after $325 fee
Annual rewards after $95 fee
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📈 The Mathematical Breakeven Point
If you already spend $10/month on Uber Eats and $10/month on Grubhub, the effective fee of Amex Gold drops to $85, making its 4x grocery multiplier significantly more rewarding than the Sapphire Preferred.
American Express® Gold Card
Foodies, families, and high spenders on dining and groceries looking to rack up premium travel points.
Key Strengths
- ✓ 4x Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.)
- ✓ 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x); 4x at restaurants on up to $50,000 per calendar year
- ✓ 5x on prepaid hotels via Amex Travel and 3x on flights booked directly with airlines or via Amex Travel
- ✓ Up to $120 annual dining credit ($10/month at Grubhub, Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com)
- ✓ Up to $120 annual Uber Cash ($10/month for U.S. rides and Uber Eats orders)
Drawbacks
- ✕ $325 annual fee requires active use of monthly credits to offset
- ✕ Supermarket 4x rate limited to $25,000 annual spend and U.S. locations only
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Anyone looking for a high-value, low-fee primary travel rewards card with 1:1 transfer partners.
Key Strengths
- ✓ 1:1 point transfers to premier airline and hotel partners including World of Hyatt and United
- ✓ Comprehensive primary auto rental collision damage waiver and trip cancellation insurance
- ✓ Up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel
Drawbacks
- ✕ $95 annual fee is not waived the first year
- ✕ Lacks airport lounge access found on premium tier cards
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amex Gold annual fee worth it vs Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Amex Gold is worth the extra $230 annual fee if you spend over $600/month on groceries and dining combined, and use its monthly dining and Uber credits.