Amex Gold Card is Claire's recommendation for most people reading this comparison. Score: 9.4/10. Highest annual value card for food spend. Fee is offset by $340+ in credits.
Chase Sapphire Preferred (8.7/10) is the right choice for a specific situation: entry-level premium travel card for $300+/month dining. If that describes you, the full review has the complete math.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Chase Sapphire Preferred or Amex Gold Card?
Amex Gold Card (9.4/10) wins for most people. Highest annual value card for food spend. Fee is offset by $340+ in credits. Chase Sapphire Preferred is the right choice if: entry-level premium travel card for $300+/month dining.
What is Claire's score for Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Claire rates Chase Sapphire Preferred 8.7/10. Verdict: Best first rewards card. 3x dining + $95 fee = correct math for most people.
What is Claire's score for Amex Gold Card?
Claire rates Amex Gold Card 9.4/10. Verdict: Highest annual value card for food spend. Fee is offset by $340+ in credits.
Who should choose Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Entry-level premium travel card for $300+/month dining.
Who should choose Amex Gold Card?
Heavy food spenders — $400+/month dining + groceries.
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Head to head, by the numbers
Chase Sapphire Preferred
American Express Gold Card
Claire's score
8.7/10
9.4/10
Price
—
—
Top strength
3x points on dining
4x at restaurants worldwide
Biggest drawback
$95 annual fee
$325 annual fee (requires using credits)
The case for Chase Sapphire Preferred
3x points on dining
2x on all travel
1x on everything else
60,000 point welcome bonus (worth $750+)
The case for American Express Gold Card
4x at restaurants worldwide
4x at US supermarkets
$120 dining credit
$120 Uber Cash annually
Bottom line
American Express Gold Card takes this one on the numbers (9.4/10 vs 8.7/10). The highest annual value card I've found for anyone who spends heavily on dining and groceries. The math is consistently good.
That said, Chase Sapphire Preferred isn't a loser — it's a different answer. The best entry-level premium travel card. The math works for anyone spending over $300/month on dining.