Amex Gold Card vs Chase Sapphire Preferred
At our sample profile ($31,100/yr spend, only “easy” credits counted), the Amex Gold Card comes to $2,840 in the first year and $990 a year after that; the Chase Sapphire Preferred comes to $2,439 and $939. Annual fees are $325 and $95, against $424 and $250 a year in stated credits. Figures from the issuers’ pages, checked October 23, 2026; your spending will change the result.
| American Express® Gold Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | American Express | Chase |
| Annual fee | $325 | $95 |
| Welcome bonus | As high as 100,000 points≈ $1,850after $8,000 in 6 months | 75,000 points≈ $1,500after $5,000 in 3 months |
| Rewards currency | Amex Membership Rewards | Chase Ultimate Rewards |
| Value per point | ~1.85¢ each, median of 6 published valuations | ~2.0¢ each, median of 7 published valuations |
| Earning |
|
|
| Fee vs stated credits | $325 vs $424stated credits a year (face value) | $95 vs $250stated credits a year (face value) · + $300 one-time (yr 1) |
| Yearly cost after year 1 | $325fee − $0 of “easy” credits (our default) | $65fee − $30 of “easy” credits (our default) |
| Year 2+ value* | $990 each year after the first, after the annual fee | $939 each year after the first, after the annual fee |
| First-year value* | $2,840 | $2,439 |
| Credits & perks |
|
|
| Perks (no $ unless the issuer states one) |
|
|
| Source | Issuer page | Issuer page |
Face value isn’t real value: a credit only saves you money if you’d have spent it anyway. *Year 2+ and first-year values use our sample profile and default credit ticks. Add a third card · How we calculate
Amex Gold Card vs Chase Sapphire Preferred: quick answers
Which has the bigger welcome bonus, Amex Gold Card vs Chase Sapphire Preferred?
The Amex Gold Card has the bigger headline bonus in dollars: As high as 100,000 points (≈$1,850) vs 75,000 points (≈$1,500), at median published point values, checked October 23, 2026.
Which has the lower annual fee?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred: $95 vs $325 a year.
Which costs less after year 1, once credits are counted?
Yearly cost after year 1 (annual fee minus the easy credits we count by default): Amex Gold Card $325, Chase Sapphire Preferred $65. Tick the credits you’d really use on each card page to get your own figure.