Amex Gold Card vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
Each year after the first (after annual fees), the Amex Gold Card is worth more at all three spending levels we model ($2,000, $3,000 and $5,000 a month): at $3,000 a month, $1,198 vs $721 for the Chase Sapphire Reserve. In the first year, with welcome bonuses, the Amex Gold Card is worth more at all three levels: at $3,000 a month, $3,048 vs $2,721 for the Chase Sapphire Reserve. The first-year figure for the Amex Gold Card (100,000 points) assumes the maximum “as high as” welcome offer; American Express says your offer may be lower. Annual fees are $325 (Amex Gold Card) and $795 (Chase Sapphire Reserve); only each card’s “easy” credits are counted, and points are valued at the median of published valuations.
Amex Gold Card vs Chase Sapphire Reserve: who should pick which
Who should pick which: the Amex Gold Card if you care most about the lower annual fee ($325 vs $795) and more value each year after the first at all three spending levels we model; the Chase Sapphire Reserve if you care most about the bigger welcome bonus (≈$2,000 vs ≈$1,850) and more stated credits ($2,414 vs $424 a year at face value).
Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards share 9 of the transfer partners we list (Aer Lingus AerClub, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Iberia Club and 5 more); Aeromexico Rewards, ANA Mileage Club, Avianca LifeMiles and 8 more are only on Amex Membership Rewards’ list, and Southwest Rapid Rewards, United MileagePlus, IHG One Rewards and 2 more only on Chase Ultimate Rewards’.
On lounges and status, the Amex Gold Card lists status perks (Hertz Five Star status (enrollment required)) but no lounge access, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve lists lounge access (Chase Sapphire Lounges + 1,300+ Priority Pass lounges, up to two guests; Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges) and status perks (IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status through 12/31/2027).
From the issuers’ card pages and our transfer partner lists, checked October 29, 2026. Perks with no dollar value are listed, not counted.
Amex Gold Card vs Chase Sapphire Reserve: side by side
| American Express® Gold Card | Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | American Express | Chase |
| Annual fee | $325 | $795 |
| Welcome bonus | As high as 100,000 points≈ $1,850after $8,000 in 6 months | 100,000 points≈ $2,000after $6,000 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 |
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| Fee vs stated credits | $325 vs $424stated credits a year (face value) | $795 vs $2,414stated credits a year (face value) · + $120 one-time (yr 1) |
| Yearly cost after year 1 | $325fee − $0 of “easy” credits (our default) | $465fee − $330 of “easy” credits (our default) |
| Year 2+ value* | $990 each year after the first, after the annual fee | $559 each year after the first, after the annual fee |
| First-year value* | $2,840 | $2,559 |
| Net value at $2,000/month $24,000 a year, sample mix | $2,540 first year · $690 Year 2+ | $2,325 first year · $325 Year 2+ |
| Net value at $3,000/month $36,000 a year, sample mix | $3,048 first year · $1,198 Year 2+ | $2,721 first year · $721 Year 2+ |
| Net value at $5,000/month $60,000 a year, sample mix | $4,063 first year · $2,213 Year 2+ | $3,511 first year · $1,511 Year 2+ |
| Credits & perks |
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| Perks (no $ unless the issuer states one) |
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| 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 ($31,100/yr) and default credit ticks. “Net value at $X/month” uses the same category mix scaled to that budget (see the assumptions), the welcome bonus only if that spending reaches the minimum in time, and only each card’s “easy” credits; both are after the annual fee. Add a third card · How we calculate · Calculator
Every card ranked at the same budgets: $2,000 a month · $3,000 a month · $5,000 a month.
Amex Gold Card vs Chase Sapphire Reserve: quick answers
Which is better, the Amex Gold Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
Each year after the first (after annual fees), the Amex Gold Card is worth more at all three spending levels we model ($2,000, $3,000 and $5,000 a month): at $3,000 a month, $1,198 vs $721 for the Chase Sapphire Reserve. In the first year, with welcome bonuses, the Amex Gold Card is worth more at all three levels: at $3,000 a month, $3,048 vs $2,721 for the Chase Sapphire Reserve. The first-year figure for the Amex Gold Card (100,000 points) assumes the maximum “as high as” welcome offer; American Express says your offer may be lower. Annual fees are $325 (Amex Gold Card) and $795 (Chase Sapphire Reserve); only each card’s “easy” credits are counted, and points are valued at the median of published valuations.
Which is worth more if I spend $2,000 a month?
At $2,000 a month ($24,000 a year, split like our sample profile): Amex Gold Card $2,540 in the first year and $690 a year after that; Chase Sapphire Reserve $2,325 and $325. The first-year figure for the Amex Gold Card (100,000 points) assumes the maximum “as high as” welcome offer; American Express says your offer may be lower. Values are after the annual fee, with only “easy” credits counted.
Which is worth more if I spend $3,000 a month?
At $3,000 a month ($36,000 a year, split like our sample profile): Amex Gold Card $3,048 in the first year and $1,198 a year after that; Chase Sapphire Reserve $2,721 and $721. The first-year figure for the Amex Gold Card (100,000 points) assumes the maximum “as high as” welcome offer; American Express says your offer may be lower. Values are after the annual fee, with only “easy” credits counted.
Which is worth more if I spend $5,000 a month?
At $5,000 a month ($60,000 a year, split like our sample profile): Amex Gold Card $4,063 in the first year and $2,213 a year after that; Chase Sapphire Reserve $3,511 and $1,511. The first-year figure for the Amex Gold Card (100,000 points) assumes the maximum “as high as” welcome offer; American Express says your offer may be lower. Values are after the annual fee, with only “easy” credits counted.
Which has the bigger welcome bonus, Amex Gold Card vs Chase Sapphire Reserve?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve has the bigger headline bonus in dollars: 100,000 points (≈$2,000) vs as high as 100,000 points (≈$1,850) for the Amex Gold Card, at median published point values, checked October 29, 2026. The Amex Gold Card’s figure assumes the maximum “as high as” offer; American Express says your offer may be lower.
Which has the lower annual fee?
The Amex Gold Card: $325 vs $795 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 Reserve $465. Tick the credits you’d really use on each card page to get your own figure.
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 Reserve comes to $2,559 and $559. Annual fees are $325 and $795, against $424 and $2,414 a year in stated credits. Figures from the issuers’ pages, checked October 29, 2026; your spending will change the result.