When it comes to selecting a rewards credit card, there are a variety of options available. Two popular choices are the American Express Gold Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. However, deciding between these two cards can be challenging since they both offer some compelling benefits. In this article, we will compare these two cards to help you determine which card is better suited for your needs.

1. Signup Bonus

The American Express Gold Card offers a signup bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first six months. On the other hand, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers a higher signup bonus of 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 within the first three months.

Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

2. Earning Potential

The American Express Gold Card earns 4x points on dining and groceries (up to $25,000 per year), 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, and 1x points on all other purchases. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining (including eligible delivery services), 3x points on select streaming services, 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs), and 2x points on all other travel.

Winner: American Express Gold Card

3. Annual Fee

The American Express Gold Card has an annual fee of $250, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has a lower annual fee of $95.

Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

4. Travel Benefits

American Express Gold Card Holders have access to valuable travel perks such as $120 in dining credits and $100 in airline fee credits each year. However, these credits come with certain restrictions and must be used at specific merchants and airlines. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers travel insurance benefits such as trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, and baggage delay insurance.

Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

5. Points Redemption

Membership Rewards points can be used for travel, gift cards, merchandise, and more through American Express’ rewards platform. The value of the points can vary significantly depending on how they are redeemed. Chase Ultimate Rewards points, however, have a consistent value of 1.25 cents per point when redeemed for travel through the Chase Travel Portal or by transferring the points to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners.

Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Final Verdict:

While both cards have their unique benefits, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card comes out ahead in this comparison. With a lower annual fee, higher signup bonus, valuable travel benefits, and consistent point value when redeeming your rewards, it provides more well-rounded offerings. However, if earning potential is more important to you – especially for dining and grocery purchases – then the American Express Gold Card may be the better choice. Ultimately, it’s important to weigh your spending habits and personal preferences when deciding which card will offer you the most value.