The $500+ annual fees associated with ultra-premium credit cards for traveling like the American Express Platinum Card® and Chase Sapphire Reserve are sometimes unjustifiable. It might not be worthwhile to add the aforementioned cards to your pocketbook at this time unless you travel moderately too frequently and take advantage of all the benefits and rewards.
Greeting offer
For first-time applicants, the Sapphire by Chase Preferred offers an alluring sign-up bonus. After you expend $4,000 on purchases during the first three months of creating your account, you will receive 60,000 extra points. If you’re wondering about an Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire preferred benefits comparison, this should answer all of your questions, starting with the offer and annual fees.
Annual cost
Although both cards are classified as “mid-tier,” the Amex Gold has a $250 annual charge, which is much more than the Sapphire Preferred’s $95 price.
The annual fee for the Sapphire Preferred by Chase is only $95. Of course, you will get American Express Gold offers with more benefits and greater earning rates to help make up for the yearly cost. However, if your spending does not justify Amex Gold’s higher annual fee, you could prefer Sapphire from Chase Preferred.
Earning
Although the extra categories offered through Chase Sapphire Preferred Card are helpful, the main selling point is how widely they are defined. With it, you may earn three points for every dollar spent in the following categories:
- Dining includes not only eating establishments but also a large number of pubs, breweries, food trucks, and even delivery services for food.
- A few streaming providers, such as YouTube TV, Apple, Disney+, which is HBO Max, the streaming service Netflix, SiriusXM, and others.
- Online grocery businesses that do not include Target, Walmart, or wholesale clubs, like Instacart and numerous meal delivery services.
- On transactions that Chase classifies as travel-related, such as those that are readily apparent like hotels, airlines, and rental cars, you will also get two points for every dollar spent. Click here to read more on what is understood as a credit card transaction.
But it also applies to transactions involving Uber, meter usage, limousine rentals, and a variety of other services. With the exception of hotel reservations that are eligible for the $50 credit, this increases to five points for every $1 spent on travel when done through the Chase Travel site.
- And last, through March 2025, the Sapphire The preferred also accrues five points for every dollar spent on Lyft.
These are reliable rates for many different types of transactions. Whether it pertains to its compensation plan, American Express Gold may stand out more:
- Across the board, eateries provide four points for every $1.
- Supermarkets in the United States: four points for every $1 spent (up to $25,000 on annual expenditure; after that, one point for every $1).
- On flights booked either via the airline or via Amex Travel, three points are awarded for every $1 spent.
Although the categories are a little more limited, these rates are more generous than the Sapphire Preferred. The supermarket bonus has a $25,000 annual maximum and is only valid in the United States. You will also only receive three points for every dollar spent on flights, compared to Sapphire Preferred’s benefit.
Redeeming
The earning of some of the greatest valuable transferable point currencies available is a similarity between these two cards. Thanks to more than a dozen noteworthy hotel and flight transfer partners, such as United, Southwest, Hyatt, and British Airways, Chase’s Ultimate Rewards credits are a fan favorite.
American Express Membership Rewards, however, includes a variety of useful partners. This includes businesses that overlap with Chase, such as British Airways and Air Canada Aeroplan. However, other programs, such as ANA Mileage Club, Avianca LifeMiles, and Delta SkyMiles, are unique.
For instance, moving your Membership Points miles to Delta SkyMiles may be more advantageous if you reside in a Delta hub while doing the same with Southwest Companion Pass holders might be quite beneficial.
Both cards provide you with the choice to pay with credit when making a reservation through their travel websites if transfers are not your thing. In this instance, though, Sapphire Preferred offers an edge because you will receive a 25% bonus when using your points to book travel. When utilized in this manner, Amex points are only worth one cent each for lodging, and even less.
Rewards and travel safety
Use your yearly Amex Gold dining credit with the Grubhub meal delivery service. A Chase Sapphire Preferred gives various travel benefits in return for a $95 annual fee, including a $50 yearly hotel credit for reservations made via Chase Travels and a 10% points bonus at your cardmember anniversary. The card also gives you access to Chase Offers.
To sum up
The Amex Gold and Chase Sapphire Preferred cards are both outstanding mid-tier cards with great earning rates, great features, and low annual fees. Which card is best for you will depend on your purchasing patterns, but keep in mind that you do not have to choose between these two cards if you have a well-thought-out points plan.
