In the case of journey rewards playing cards, you often get what you pay for when it comes to bonus classes and perks. That is why we often examine playing cards inside a single class to attempt to discover the very best premium rewards card or the very best no-annual-fee playing cards.
The issue is that the American Specific® Gold Card does 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 charges). Then there’s the premium Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and charges) that only in the near past acquired a significant overhaul.
For those who’re a foodie and traveler making an attempt to resolve between the Amex Gold and the Chase Sapphire Reserve — probably the greatest playing cards for journey and eating total — this is what to think about that will help you resolve which card is a greater match to 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 gear and accent purchases of $150 or extra (by Dec. 31, 2027), with a most of fifty,000 factors.
Earn 8 factors per greenback spent on purchases made by Chase Journey, together with The Edit.
Earn 5 factors per greenback spent on Lyft rides (by Sept. 30, 2027).
Earn 4 factors per greenback spent on flights and motels booked instantly.
Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on eating worldwide.
Earn 1 level per greenback spent on all the things else.
Notice that elevated earnings on journey are acquired after spending your first $300 on journey every calendar yr.
Elevated incomes charges on flights and motels 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. Present 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 yr 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 yr (then 1 level per greenback).
Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on flights booked instantly with the airline or by amextravel.com.
Earn 2 factors per greenback spent on pay as you go motels and different eligible purchases booked by 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)(by 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 yr value $120 (should activate by Dec. 31, 2027)
As much as $250 yearly within the type of complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions (by June 22, 2027; one-time activation per service by chase.com or the Chase Cellular 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 (by Sept. 30, 2027)
As much as $120 in Peloton credit score (by Dec. 31, 2027; activation required)
As much as $120 in World Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus software 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 facility, Goldbelly and Wine.com (as much as $120 per calendar yr)
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 yr); 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 yr (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 yr)
Enrollment is required for choose advantages; phrases apply
Different card advantages
Chase and Precedence Move lounge entry for the first cardholder and as much as two company, plus entry to pick 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’ll be able to unlock these advantages after spending $75,000 or extra in a calendar yr:
Southwest Airways A-Record 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 yr (minimal two-night keep required)
Journey delay reimbursement*
Baggage loss or harm reimbursement**
Enrollment is required for choose advantages; phrases apply
No international transaction charges (see charges and charges)
*Eligibility and profit degree differ 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 differ by card. Phrases, circumstances and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Firm.
***Eligible expenses differ by property.
^It is also essential to notice that present Sapphire Reserve cardholders who utilized earlier than June 23 won’t have entry to the brand new advantages and earnings price till Oct. 26.
Associated: Is the Amex Gold well worth the annual price?
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Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold welcome provide
Each playing cards provide invaluable welcome affords that may assist fund your subsequent large journey.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve affords 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 essential to notice that the phrases for the journey credit score state: “The promotional credit score is legitimate for a one-time use solely, in case you apply the promotional credit score to a transaction lower than $500, you’ll forfeit the remaining stability.”
When factoring within the Chase Journey credit score, that is the very best welcome provide 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 embody the $500 Chase Journey credit score.
In the meantime, with the Amex Gold, new candidates can discover out their provide and see if they’re eligible to earn as excessive as 100,000 Membership Rewards factors after spending $6,000 on purchases throughout the first six months of card membership. Welcome affords differ, and also you is probably not eligible for a suggestion.
TPG’s July 2025 valuations peg Membership Rewards factors at 2 cents a chunk, making this welcome provide value as much as $2,000.
After all, the bonus worth is just one piece of the equation. You additionally must be sure to’re eligible to use for both of those playing cards, as Chase and Amex have completely 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 similar time, however in case you’re a present cardholder of the Chase Sapphire Most popular® Card (see charges and charges) or beforehand earned a welcome bonus on a Sapphire product — excluding the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Enterprise℠ (see charges and charges) — you nearly positively won’t be eligible for a second Sapphire card bonus.
With the Amex Gold, you’re topic to Amex’s once-in-a-lifetime rule and household restrictions.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve. Its welcome provide is the upper and extra invaluable one.
Associated: Finest welcome affords of the month
Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold advantages
This 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 yr value $120 (should activate by Dec. 31, 2027)
As much as $250 yearly in complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions (by June 22, 2027; one-time activation per service by chase.com or the Chase Cellular 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 (by Sept. 30, 2027)
$120 Peloton credit score: By Dec. 31, 2027; activation required
$120 World Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus software 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 facility, Goldbelly and Wine.com (as much as $120 each calendar yr)
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 yr). You need 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 yr (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 yr)
Enrollment is required for choose advantages; phrases apply.
Different card advantages
Chase and Precedence Move lounge entry for the first cardholder and as much as two company, plus entry to pick 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
Major 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’ll be able to unlock these advantages after spending $75,000 or extra in a calendar yr:
Southwest A-Record 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 yr (minimal two-night keep required)
Journey delay reimbursement
Baggage loss or harm 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 motels. Bookings don’t should 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 Move Choose membership for you and as much as two company. Plus, you and one visitor will obtain entry to pick 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 World Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus software price credit score, and several other helpful journey and baggage insurance coverage insurance policies.
Cardholders additionally take pleasure in 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 facility, Goldbelly and Wine.com (as much as $120 per calendar yr). Cardmembers additionally obtain as much as $120 in annual Uber Money every calendar yr, 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 may redeem it with any Amex card.
As well as, cardmembers can rise up to $100 in assertion credit each calendar yr 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 supplies as much as $7 in month-to-month assertion credit for U.S. Dunkin’ purchases (as much as $84 every calendar yr).
The Sapphire Reserve affords extra lifestyle- and travel-oriented advantages, whereas the Amex Gold is solely centered on meals and eating. For those who 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 affords extra substantial perks, together with lounge entry and industry-leading journey protections. Nevertheless, in case you’re in search of a extra food-focused card, the Amex Gold ought to be your prime decide.
Associated: Chase Sapphire Reserve assertion credit: What they’re and learn how to use them
Incomes factors on the Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold
Each playing cards earn invaluable versatile rewards in quite a lot of bonus classes.
With the Chase Sapphire Reserve you may earn:
10 factors per greenback spent on Peloton gear and accent purchases of $150 or extra (by Dec. 31, 2027), with a most of fifty,000 points8 factors per greenback spent on purchases made by Chase Journey, together with The Edit5 factors per greenback spent on Lyft rides (by Sept. 30, 2027)4 factors per greenback spent on flights and motels booked directly3 factors per greenback spent on eating worldwide1 level per greenback spent on all the things else
Notice that the elevated incomes price on journey kicks in after spending your first $300 on journey every calendar yr 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 yr, then 1 level per greenback; eating places capped at $50,000 per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback)3 factors per greenback spent on flights booked instantly with the airline or by amextravel.com2 factors per greenback spent on pay as you go motels and different journey purchases made by 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 based mostly on TPG’s July 2025 valuations, on as much as $25,000 per calendar yr) 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 yr) once more wins out over 3 factors per greenback spent on the Sapphire Reserve, which isn’t any slouch both (an 8% versus 6.15% return based mostly on our July 2025 valuations).
For journey earnings, the Sapphire Reserve takes the cake because it earns 4 factors per greenback spent on motels 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, in case you have larger 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 related 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 would trigger you to choose one over the opposite.
With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, factors will be redeemed for journey by Chase Journey at a price of as much as 2 cents per level, relying on the particular redemption, with the Factors Enhance function. With Factors Enhance, you’ll be able to obtain elevated redemption charges of greater than 1 cent per level on choose Chase Journey redemptions. Choose flight and resort redemptions will be made at a price between 1.5 and a couple of cents per level.
Moreover, you can even redeem your factors for reward playing cards, merchandise or assertion credit score.
With the Amex Gold Card, you’ll be able to redeem your factors for journey by amextravel.com or for reward playing cards or money again as a press release credit score. It is essential to notice that you just obtain a redemption price of 1 cent per level when reserving flights by Amex Journey.
All different redemption choices, together with these by Amex Journey, present a price of underneath 1 cent per level, nicely under TPG’s July 2025 valuation of two cents per level, and are usually not beneficial.
With each playing cards, you may typically be higher off transferring your factors to one in all Chase’s or Amex’s switch companions for optimum 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 price 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 glorious 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 significantly better for these trying to redeem factors for resort stays, as World of Hyatt affords 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 guide 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 motels 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?
For those who’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 largest bills.”
These two playing cards complement one another very nicely when it comes to advantages and incomes and redeeming factors. However in case you should decide one, you may should resolve if you need higher incomes charges on meals and eating and a decrease annual price with the Amex Gold or luxurious journey advantages with the Sapphire Reserve.
For those who’re in search of a extra travel-oriented card, the Sapphire Reserve is your best option, however in case you spend quite a bit on meals and eating, the Amex Gold will possible be a greater match.
Associated: How to decide on the very best 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 completely different classes.
These two playing cards complement one another fairly nicely, but in addition goal barely completely 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 superb 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 charges of the Amex Gold card, click on right here.
