American Express Gold Card vs Chase Sapphire Preferred

Verified Oct 16, 2026USD

Both cards valued on the same spending, after fees. Year 1 against every year after shows which one keeps its value once the welcome bonus is gone.

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American Express Gold Card

American Express

Gold Card

$325 fee

after fees: After the card's annual or monthly fee, and foreign transaction fees if you set foreign spending. Additional-card fees and memberships some benefits need (such as Amazon Prime) aren't included.
Year 1$416
Year 2+$416
4x
Groc
Groceries
4x
Dine
Dining and takeout
1x
Gas
Gas and EV charging
3x
Air
Flights
1x
Hotel
Hotels and car rentals
1x
Transit
Transit and rideshare
1x
Stream
Streaming
1x
Drug
Drugstores
1x
Online
Online shopping
1x
Bills
Phone, internet and utilities
1x
Other
Everything else
Pays for itself in month 6 · value so far covers fees so far
Year 1Year 2Year 3
Chase Sapphire Preferred

Chase

Sapphire Preferred

$95 fee

after fees: After the card's annual or monthly fee, and foreign transaction fees if you set foreign spending. Additional-card fees and memberships some benefits need (such as Amazon Prime) aren't included.
Year 1$1,343
Year 2+$593
1x
Groc
Groceries
3x
Dine
Dining and takeout
3x
Gas
Gas and EV charging
2x
Air
Flights
2x
Hotel
Hotels and car rentals
2x
Transit
Transit and rideshare
3x
Stream
Streaming
1x
Drug
Drugstores
1x
Online
Online shopping
1x
Bills
Phone, internet and utilities
1x
Other
Everything else
Pays for itself in month 2 · value so far covers fees so far
Year 1Year 2Year 3

On a family's spending: Year 1 goes to Chase Sapphire Preferred, every year after to Chase Sapphire Preferred, and 3 years to Chase Sapphire Preferred. Compare them on your own spending

All values are after each card's annual or monthly fee, and foreign transaction fees when you set foreign spending. Additional-card fees and memberships some benefits need (such as Amazon Prime or Instacart+) aren't included.

Rates, fees and offers are set by the issuer and may change. Check the issuer's terms before you apply. We don't estimate approval odds.

Values for points and miles are estimates based on published redemption valuations; actual value depends on how you redeem.

3-year value on each preset

after fees, points at their cash value. "~" marks estimates.

SpendingAmerican Express Gold CardChase Sapphire PreferredAhead
Student$168$530Chase Sapphire Preferred
Couple$893$2,103Chase Sapphire Preferred
Family$1,249$2,528Chase Sapphire Preferred
Frequent traveller$1,493$3,097Chase Sapphire Preferred
Big spender$3,108$5,066Chase Sapphire Preferred

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, American Express Gold Card or Chase Sapphire Preferred?

Over 3 years, American Express Gold Card comes out ahead on 0 of 5 spending presets and Chase Sapphire Preferred on 5. On a family's spending ($3,350 a month), Year 1 goes to Chase Sapphire Preferred and every year after to Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Why can the winner change after year 1?

Year 1 includes welcome bonuses and first-year fee waivers. From year 2 only rewards on spending, ongoing credits and the full annual fee count, so a card with a bigger bonus can fall behind.

Sources

Estimates for information only; not financial advice. See how cards are ranked.