Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Preferred
American Express Gold Card earns more on groceries, dining and airfare; Chase Sapphire Preferred earns more on gas, streaming, travel and 2 more categories.
- Updated October 16, 2026
- 12 categories compared
- No sponsored picks
Which one suits you
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Pick it if
Most of your spending is on groceries, dining and airfare.
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Pick it if
Most of your spending is on gas, streaming, travel and 2 more categories.
American Express Gold Card costs $230 more a year. On groceries it earns $4.50 more per $100, so it makes up the difference after about $5,100 a year of groceries.
Rates change, so verify them with the issuer before you apply.
Category by category
What each card earns on a $100 purchase, with points at typical values and every bonus cap unused.
| Category | American Express Gold Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Earns more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dining | $6.00 6% | $4.50 4.5% | American Express Gold Card (+$1.50) |
| Groceries | $6.00 6% | $1.50 1.5% | American Express Gold Card (+$4.50) |
| Gas | $1.50 1.5% | $4.50 4.5% | Chase Sapphire Preferred (+$3.00) |
| Travel | $1.50 1.5% | $3.00 3% | Chase Sapphire Preferred (+$1.50) |
| Airfare | $4.50 4.5% | $3.00 3% | American Express Gold Card (+$1.50) |
| Hotels | $1.50 1.5% | $3.00 3% | Chase Sapphire Preferred (+$1.50) |
| Transit | $1.50 1.5% | $3.00 3% | Chase Sapphire Preferred (+$1.50) |
| Streaming | $1.50 1.5% | $4.50 4.5% | Chase Sapphire Preferred (+$3.00) |
| Drugstores | $1.50 1.5% | $1.50 1.5% | Tie |
| Online shopping | $1.50 1.5% | $1.50 1.5% | Tie |
| Wholesale clubs | $1.50 1.5% | $1.50 1.5% | Tie |
| Everything else | $1.50 1.5% | $1.50 1.5% | Tie |
| Annual fee | $325 | $95 |