On the subject of journey rewards playing cards, you often get what you pay for by way of bonus classes and perks. Because of this we often examine playing cards inside a single class to attempt to discover the most effective premium rewards card or the most effective no-annual-fee playing cards.
The issue is that the American Categorical® Gold Card would not match neatly into any class. It straddles the road between midlevel and premium, providing high-value bonus classes for the foodie at a $325 annual price (see charges and costs). Then there’s the premium Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and costs) that only recently obtained a significant overhaul.
Should you’re a foodie and traveler attempting to determine between the Amex Gold and the Chase Sapphire Reserve — among the best playing cards for journey and eating total — this is what to think about that will help you determine which card is a greater match in your wants.
Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold comparability
Let’s begin with a fast overview of every card’s highlights:
Earn 10 factors per greenback spent on Peloton tools and accent purchases of $150 or extra (via Dec. 31, 2027), with a most of fifty,000 factors.
Earn 8 factors per greenback spent on purchases made via Chase Journey, together with The Edit.
Earn 5 factors per greenback spent on Lyft rides (via Sept. 30, 2027).
Earn 4 factors per greenback spent on flights and lodges booked instantly.
Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on eating worldwide.
Earn 1 level per greenback spent on every thing else.
Observe that elevated earnings on journey are obtained after spending your first $300 on journey every calendar 12 months.
Elevated incomes charges on flights and lodges booked instantly and Chase Journey purchases apply solely after exhausting the $300 annual journey credit score and the $500 Chase Journey credit score featured as a part of the welcome bonus. Current Sapphire Reserve cardholders will not get entry to the brand new incomes charges till Oct. 26.
Earn 4 factors per greenback spent on as much as $50,000 per calendar 12 months on eating at eating places worldwide (then 1 level per greenback).
Earn 4 factors per greenback spent on as much as $25,000 in purchases at U.S. supermarkets per calendar 12 months (then 1 level per greenback).
Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on flights booked instantly with the airline or via amextravel.com.
Earn 2 factors per greenback spent on pay as you go lodges and different eligible purchases booked via amextravel.com.
Earn 1 level per greenback spent on all different eligible purchases.
Annual assertion credit
$500 annual credit score (as much as $250 assertion credit score biannually; two-night minimal keep required) to make use of on The Edit through Chase Journey
$300 annual journey credit score
$300 annual StubHub and Viagogo credit score (as much as $150 assertion credit score biannually)(via Dec. 31, 2027)
$300 annual eating credit score (as much as $150 in assertion credit biannually at Sapphire Reserve Unique Tables)
$300 in annual DoorDash credit: Cardholders obtain as much as $25 in month-to-month promos with two $10 nonrestaurant promos and one $5 restaurant promo, and a complimentary DashPass membership for a minimum of one 12 months value $120 (should activate by Dec. 31, 2027)
As much as $250 yearly within the type of complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions (via June 22, 2027; one-time activation per service via chase.com or the Chase Cell app is required)
As much as $120 yearly in Lyft in-app credit: Cardholders obtain as much as $10 every month; the credit score doesn’t apply to Wait & Save, bike or scooter rides (via Sept. 30, 2027)
As much as $120 in Peloton credit score (via Dec. 31, 2027; activation required)
As much as $120 in International Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus utility price assertion credit score (as soon as each 4 years)
As much as $10 in month-to-month eating assertion credit score on the following companions: 5 Guys, Grubhub, the Cheesecake Manufacturing unit, Goldbelly and Wine.com (as much as $120 per calendar 12 months)
As much as $10 in month-to-month Uber credit score within the type of Uber Money that can be utilized on U.S. Uber rides and Uber Eats orders (as much as $120 per calendar 12 months); you have to add the cardboard to your Uber account and may redeem with any Amex card
As much as $100 in assertion credit for purchases at U.S. Resy-affiliated eating places per calendar 12 months (as much as $50 semiannually)
As much as $7 in month-to-month assertion credit score for U.S. Dunkin’ purchases (as much as $84 per calendar 12 months)
Enrollment is required for choose advantages; phrases apply
Different card advantages
Chase and Precedence Go lounge entry for the first cardholder and as much as two friends, plus entry to pick out Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges for you and one visitor when flying on a Star Alliance airline
IHG One Rewards Platinum elite standing
Complimentary standing upgrades and reductions with Avis and Nationwide
Journey cancellation/interruption insurance coverage
Baggage loss and delay insurance coverage
Buy protections
No international transaction charges
Plus, you possibly can unlock these advantages after spending $75,000 or extra in a calendar 12 months:
Southwest Airways A-Checklist standing
IHG One Rewards Diamond elite standing
$500 Southwest credit score
$250 Retailers at Chase credit score
As much as $100 in credit for qualifying resort actions at The Resort Assortment*** properties every calendar 12 months (minimal two-night keep required)
Journey delay reimbursement*
Baggage loss or injury reimbursement**
Enrollment is required for choose advantages; phrases apply
No international transaction charges (see charges and costs)
*Eligibility and profit degree range by card. Phrases, circumstances and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance coverage Firm, an AIG Firm.
**Eligibility and profit degree range by card. Phrases, circumstances and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Firm.
***Eligible expenses range by property.
^It is also vital to notice that present Sapphire Reserve cardholders who utilized earlier than June 23 is not going to have entry to the brand new advantages and earnings fee till Oct. 26.
Associated: Is the Amex Gold definitely worth the annual price?
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Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold welcome supply
Each playing cards supply priceless welcome presents that may assist fund your subsequent huge journey.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve presents new candidates 100,000 bonus factors and a $500 Chase Journey credit score after they spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
It is vital to notice that the phrases for the journey credit score state: “The promotional credit score is legitimate for a one-time use solely, for those who apply the promotional credit score to a transaction lower than $500, you’ll forfeit the remaining steadiness.”
When factoring within the Chase Journey credit score, that is the very best welcome supply we have seen because the card was initially launched again in 2016.
TPG’s July 2025 valuations peg Final Rewards factors at 2.05 cents every, making the Sapphire Reserve bonus value as much as $2,550 if you embrace the $500 Chase Journey credit score.
In the meantime, with the Amex Gold, new candidates can discover out their supply and see if they’re eligible to earn as excessive as 100,000 Membership Rewards factors after spending $6,000 on purchases inside the first six months of card membership. Welcome presents range, and also you might not be eligible for a suggestion.
TPG’s July 2025 valuations peg Membership Rewards factors at 2 cents a bit, making this welcome supply value as much as $2,000.
In fact, the bonus worth is just one piece of the equation. You additionally have to ensure you’re eligible to use for both of those playing cards, as Chase and Amex have totally different restrictions on welcome bonus eligibility.
Chase has applied new guidelines for welcome bonus eligibility on its Sapphire playing cards. Now you can maintain a couple of Sapphire product on the identical time, however for those who’re a present cardholder of the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card (see charges and costs) or beforehand earned a welcome bonus on a Sapphire product — excluding the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Enterprise℠ (see charges and costs) — you nearly positively is not going to be eligible for a second Sapphire card bonus.
With the Amex Gold, you might be topic to Amex’s once-in-a-lifetime rule and household restrictions.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve. Its welcome supply is the upper and extra priceless one.
Associated: Finest welcome presents of the month
Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold advantages
Here is a breakdown of the advantages offered on every card at first look.
$500 annual credit score (as much as $250 biannually; two-night minimal keep required) to make use of on The Edit through Chase Journey
$300 annual journey credit score
$300 annual StubHub and Viagogo credit score (as much as $150 biannually)
$300 annual eating credit score (as much as $150 biannually at Sapphire Reserve Unique Tables)
$300 in annual DoorDash credit score: Cardholders obtain as much as $25 in month-to-month promos with two $10 nonrestaurant promos and one $5 restaurant promo, and a complimentary DashPass membership for a minimum of one 12 months value $120 (should activate by Dec. 31, 2027)
As much as $250 yearly in complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions (via June 22, 2027; one-time activation per service via chase.com or the Chase Cell app is required)
As much as $120 in annual in-app Lyft credit: Cardholders obtain as much as $10 every month; the credit score doesn’t apply to Wait & Save, bike or scooter rides (via Sept. 30, 2027)
$120 Peloton credit score: By Dec. 31, 2027; activation required
$120 International Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus utility price assertion credit score (as soon as each 4 years)
As much as $10 in month-to-month eating assertion credit score on the following companions: 5 Guys, Grubhub, the Cheesecake Manufacturing unit, Goldbelly and Wine.com (as much as $120 each calendar 12 months)
As much as $10 in month-to-month Uber credit score within the type of Uber Money that can be utilized on U.S. Uber rides and Uber Eats orders (as much as $120 per calendar 12 months). It’s essential to add the cardboard to your Uber account and may redeem with any Amex card.
As much as $100 in assertion credit for purchases at U.S. Resy-affiliated eating places per calendar 12 months (as much as $50 semiannually)
As much as $7 in month-to-month assertion credit score for U.S. Dunkin’ purchases (as much as $84 per calendar 12 months)
Enrollment is required for choose advantages; phrases apply.
Different card advantages
Chase and Precedence Go lounge entry for the first cardholder and as much as two friends, plus entry to pick out Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges for you and one visitor when flying on a Star Alliance airline
IHG One Rewards Platinum elite standing
Complimentary standing upgrades and reductions with Avis and Nationwide
Journey cancellation/interruption insurance coverage
Baggage loss and delay insurance coverage
Main automotive rental insurance coverage
Baggage delay insurance coverage
Journey delay insurance coverage
Journey cancellation/interruption insurance coverage
An emergency medical and dental profit
Buy protections
No international transaction charges
Plus, you possibly can unlock these advantages after spending $75,000 or extra in a calendar 12 months:
Southwest A-Checklist standing
IHG One Rewards Diamond elite standing
$500 Southwest credit score
$250 Retailers at Chase credit score
As much as $100 in credit for qualifying resort actions at The Resort Assortment*** properties every calendar 12 months (minimal two-night keep required)
Journey delay reimbursement
Baggage loss or injury reimbursement
No international transaction charges
Enrollment is required for choose advantages; phrases apply.
That is the place we begin to see the largest variations come up, because the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a premium, luxurious journey card with the perks to match.
Let’s begin with crucial profit that may assist offset the cardboard’s $750 annual price: a $300 annual journey credit score. This credit score is robotically utilized to a variety of journey purchases, together with airfare and lodges. Bookings don’t must be made through a journey portal and no activation is required.
The Sapphire Reserve’s different standout profit is lounge entry. You will have entry to Chase Sapphire Lounges and a Precedence Go Choose membership for you and as much as two friends. Plus, you and one visitor will obtain entry to pick out Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges when flying on a Star Alliance airline.
Moreover, Sapphire Reserve cardholders obtain a number of different assertion credit, together with a eating credit score; an leisure credit score with StubHub and Viagogo; complimentary Apple Music and Apple TV+ subscriptions; and a International Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus utility price credit score, and a number of other helpful journey and baggage insurance coverage insurance policies.
Cardholders additionally get pleasure from a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership and $25 in month-to-month DoorDash promos. (Should activate by Dec. 31, 2027.)
The Amex Gold rewards foodies with as much as $10 in month-to-month eating credit score legitimate on the following retailers: 5 Guys, Grubhub, the Cheesecake Manufacturing unit, Goldbelly and Wine.com (as much as $120 per calendar 12 months). Cardmembers additionally obtain as much as $120 in annual Uber Money every calendar 12 months, issued in $10 month-to-month increments, which is legitimate on Uber rides or Uber Eats purchases. Your Amex Gold should be added to your Uber account, and you’ll redeem it with any Amex card.
As well as, cardmembers can stand up to $100 in assertion credit each calendar 12 months for purchases made at U.S. Resy-affiliated eating places (as much as $50 in assertion credit biannually). As a remaining foodie profit, the Amex Gold gives as much as $7 in month-to-month assertion credit for U.S. Dunkin’ purchases (as much as $84 every calendar 12 months).
The Sapphire Reserve presents extra lifestyle- and travel-oriented advantages, whereas the Amex Gold is solely centered on meals and eating. Should you maximize these out there advantages, you may wind up with $424 in annual worth, simply justifying the cardboard’s $325 annual price and leaving you within the inexperienced. Enrollment is required for choose advantages; phrases apply.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve. It presents extra substantial perks, together with lounge entry and industry-leading journey protections. Nonetheless, for those who’re searching for a extra food-focused card, the Amex Gold needs to be your high decide.
Associated: Chase Sapphire Reserve assertion credit: What they’re and use them
Incomes factors on the Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold
Each playing cards earn priceless versatile rewards in a wide range of bonus classes.
With the Chase Sapphire Reserve you may earn:
10 factors per greenback spent on Peloton tools and accent purchases of $150 or extra (via Dec. 31, 2027), with a most of fifty,000 points8 factors per greenback spent on purchases made via Chase Journey, together with The Edit5 factors per greenback spent on Lyft rides (via Sept. 30, 2027)4 factors per greenback spent on flights and lodges booked directly3 factors per greenback spent on eating worldwide1 level per greenback spent on every thing else
Observe that the elevated incomes fee on journey kicks in after spending your first $300 on journey every calendar 12 months with the Sapphire Reserve.
In the meantime, with the Amex Gold you may earn:
4 factors per greenback spent at eating places and U.S. supermarkets (U.S. supermarkets capped at $25,000 per calendar 12 months, then 1 level per greenback; eating places capped at $50,000 per calendar 12 months, then 1 level per greenback)3 factors per greenback spent on flights booked instantly with the airline or via amextravel.com2 factors per greenback spent on pay as you go lodges and different journey purchases made via Amex Travel1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
The Amex Gold is clearly focused as a foodie-friendly card, and that is mirrored within the bonus classes. The 4 factors per greenback spent at U.S. supermarkets (an 8% return primarily based on TPG’s July 2025 valuations, on as much as $25,000 per calendar 12 months) is among the finest incomes charges you may discover from any card.
The Amex Gold additionally has an edge when eating at eating places, as its 4 factors per greenback spent (on as much as $50,000 per calendar 12 months) once more wins out over 3 factors per greenback spent on the Sapphire Reserve, which is not any slouch both (an 8% versus 6.15% return primarily based on our July 2025 valuations).
For journey earnings, the Sapphire Reserve takes the cake because it earns 4 factors per greenback spent on lodges and flights booked instantly, whereas the Amex Gold earns 3 factors per greenback spent on airfare booked instantly or on amextravel.com.
Whereas the Sapphire Reserve is best fitted to journey purchases, when you’ve got greater spending on meals and groceries, you are higher suited with the Amex Gold card.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve, because it has barely extra bonus classes.
Associated: Which purchases rely as journey with the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
Redeeming factors on the Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold
Each playing cards share comparable methods of redeeming factors.
TPG’s July 2025 valuations peg Chase Final Rewards factors at 2.05 cents every and Amex Membership Rewards factors at 2 cents every, however the packages every have strengths and weaknesses that might trigger you to choose one over the opposite.
With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, factors might be redeemed for journey via Chase Journey at a price of as much as 2 cents per level, relying on the precise redemption, with the Factors Increase function. With Factors Increase, you possibly can obtain elevated redemption charges of greater than 1 cent per level on choose Chase Journey redemptions. Choose flight and resort redemptions might be made at a fee between 1.5 and a couple of cents per level.
Moreover, it’s also possible to redeem your factors for reward playing cards, merchandise or assertion credit score.
With the Amex Gold Card, you possibly can redeem your factors for journey via amextravel.com or for reward playing cards or money again as an announcement credit score. It is vital to notice that you simply obtain a redemption fee of 1 cent per level when reserving flights via Amex Journey.
All different redemption choices, together with these via Amex Journey, present a price of below 1 cent per level, effectively beneath TPG’s July 2025 valuation of two cents per level, and aren’t advisable.
With each playing cards, you may typically be higher off transferring your factors to certainly one of Chase’s or Amex’s switch companions for max worth.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve. Its factors are value a minimum of 1 cent per level, whatever the redemption technique, whereas with the Amex Gold, there aren’t any redemption strategies which have a fee of 1 cent per level.
Associated: Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve
Transferring factors on the Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold
Each playing cards have wonderful rosters of switch companions.
With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you may have entry to the Chase roster of 14 airline and resort companions.
With the Amex Gold, you may have entry to Amex’s roster of 20 airline and resort companions, together with Avianca LifeMiles and Qantas Frequent Flyer.
Each playing cards share some switch companions, together with Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Emirates Skywards, British Airways Membership, Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership and Singapore Airways KrisFlyer.
Moreover, every card has two home airways as a switch associate, with Chase having United MileagePlus and Southwest Fast Rewards and Amex having Delta SkyMiles and JetBlue TrueBlue.
Chase has fewer airline switch companions however is a lot better for these trying to redeem factors for resort stays, as World of Hyatt presents the best-value resort redemptions, as Hyatt nonetheless makes use of a set award chart. Each playing cards share Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors as resort switch companions.
TPG Credit score Playing cards Author Chris Nelson likes to switch his Amex factors to Delta SkyMiles to reap the benefits of flash gross sales on award flights. Moreover, he likes to switch his Chase factors to Air Canada Aeroplan to e book long-haul business-class flights on Star Alliance companions.
Switch companions are the easiest way to maximise your factors, particularly if you wish to keep at luxurious lodges or fly in fancy premium cabins.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve. The Sapphire Reserve takes the slight edge regardless of Aemx having extra switch companions, as Chase has World of Hyatt as a switch associate.
Associated: Why all vacationers ought to earn transferable factors
Ought to I get the Sapphire Reserve or Amex Gold?
Should you’re eligible for each of those playing cards, they make an all-star pairing, and there is a actual case for having each in your pockets, as Credit score Playing cards Editor Daisy Hernandez can attest to: “I get a ton of worth from each my Sapphire Reserve and my Amex Gold as journey, eating and groceries are amongst my greatest bills.”
These two playing cards complement one another very effectively by way of advantages and incomes and redeeming factors. However for those who should decide one, you may must determine if you’d like higher incomes charges on meals and eating and a decrease annual price with the Amex Gold or luxurious journey advantages with the Sapphire Reserve.
Should you’re searching for a extra travel-oriented card, the Sapphire Reserve is your best option, however for those who spend so much on meals and eating, the Amex Gold will doubtless be a greater match.
Associated: How to decide on the most effective bank card for you
Backside line
Regardless of not technically being a premium card, the Amex Gold offers the Chase Sapphire Reserve a run for its cash in a number of totally different classes.
These two playing cards complement one another fairly effectively, but additionally goal barely totally different audiences. The Amex Gold is a go-to card for all issues food-related, whereas the Sapphire Reserve focuses on luxurious journey experiences. Both card might make a wonderful addition to your pockets.
To be taught extra, try our full opinions of the Amex Gold and the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Apply right here: Amex GoldApply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Associated: Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve
For charges and costs of the Amex Gold card, click on right here.
