The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold: A top luxury travel card against a popular card for foodies
Olivia Mittak is a credit cards editor at TPG. She specializes in maximizing earn for points and miles, finding the best welcome bonuses and choosing the right credit cards for your wallet.
June 12, 2026 • 10 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Related stories
Quick summary
This article compares two popular rewards cards, focusing on their travel and lifestyle benefits, statement credits and flexible points currencies.
One card offers premium travel perks such as lounge access and a flexible travel credit, while the other emphasizes easy-to-use statement credits for dining and everyday spending.
Both cards provide strong welcome offers and access to valuable airline and hotel transfer partners, though their partner lineups differ in size and focus.
The choice between these cards depends on your travel frequency and ability to maximize specific perks.
What to consider
Statement credits for dining and rideshare services may be limited to U.S. merchants on some cards, reducing value for international travelers.
Travel-related benefits such as lounge access and hotel credits may require enrollment or minimum stays to activate.
TPG's June 2026 valuations estimate one card's points at 2.05 cents each and the other's at 2 cents each, influencing the comparative value of welcome offers.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed side-by-side breakdown of benefits, redemption options and transfer partner strategies to help you decide which card best fits your travel and spending habits.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see ) is Chase's flagship personal card, with a steep annual fee and valuable travel and lifestyle benefits.
Meanwhile, the American Express® Gold Card is a popular mid-tier card, both in terms of its annual fee (see ) and relatively easy-to-use perks.
If you're considering either of these cards, you may be stuck on the question of whether it's worth shelling out an extra $470 each year for the Sapphire Reserve. Here's a look at both cards side by side to help you decide.
Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold comparison
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Amex Gold
Annual fee
$795
$325 (see )
Welcome offer
Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.)
Key benefits
Chase Sapphire and Priority Pass lounge access
IHG One Rewards Platinum elite status (through Dec. 31, 2027)
Complimentary status upgrades and discounts with Avis and National Car Rental
Baggage loss and delay insurance
Purchase protections
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
No foreign transaction fees
Baggage loss or damage reimbursement*
Car rental damage insurance**
Trip delay reimbursement***
Up to $100 in credits for qualifying hotel activities at The Hotel Collection**** properties each calendar year (minimum two-night stay required)
No foreign transaction fees (see )
(Enrollment is required for select benefits.)
*Eligibility and benefit level vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
**Eligibility and benefit level vary by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
***Eligibility and benefit level vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
TPG's June 2026 valuations peg Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents each, making the Sapphire Reserve bonus worth $2,050.
Meanwhile, with the Amex Gold, new applicants can find out their offer and see if they are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.)
TPG's June 2026 valuations put Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, making this welcome offer worth up to $2,000.
Both of these cards charge annual fees that are hard to ignore. Given that, it's important to carefully consider which card's perks are easier for you to use.
The Sapphire Reserve features a mix of lifestyle and travel benefits, including its beloved $300 travel credit, lounge access and complimentary subscriptions to Apple Music and Apple TV (through June 22, 2027; one-time activation per service through chase.com or the Chase Mobile app required).
Meanwhile, the Amex Gold focuses almost exclusively on statement credits for merchants like Resy† and Uber‡.
†Up to $100 annually (given as up to $50 in biannual statement credits) for purchases at U.S. Resy-affiliated restaurants per calendar year; no reservation required; however, benefit enrollment is required.
‡Up to $10 a month in Uber Cash that can be used on U.S. Uber rides and Uber Eats orders; you must add the Amex Gold to your Uber account and redeem with any Amex card.
SCOTT OLSON/GETTY IMAGES
If you travel just a couple of times each year, you likely won't get much use out of the Sapphire Reserve's lounge access and travel credits. In that scenario, you'd be better off with the Amex Gold, since all of its statement credits are useful both at home and on vacation.
In contrast, if you travel a few times or more in a year, you'll likely get a lot of use out of the Sapphire Reserve's benefits. Even if you don't find a lot of appeal in the Sapphire Reserve's lifestyle credits, you can get positive value out of its $795 annual fee by maximizing its annual travel credit and up to $500 in The Edit credits (up to two $250 statement credits; two-night minimum stay required).
It's also worth noting that while both cards charge no foreign transaction fees, the Amex Gold's Dunkin' Donuts^, Resy and Uber statement credits are restricted to the U.S. If you travel a lot internationally, the Amex Gold may not be very useful.
^Up to $84 per calendar year; up to $7 each month; enrollment required
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve. It offers more substantial perks, including lounge access and a flexible travel credit.
5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com or through the Amex Travel App™
4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent)
4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent)
3 points per dollar spent on airfare purchased directly from the airline, through amextravel.com or through the Amex Travel App
2 points per dollar spent on car rentals booked through amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App
2 points per dollar spent on cruises booked through amextravel.com
1 point per dollar spent on other eligible purchases
GORICA POTURAK/GETTY IMAGES
The Amex Gold is a great pick for those who spend a lot of their monthly budget on food. It's my main card for dining and U.S. supermarkets (when I'm shopping outside Walmart). Despite this being more of a lifestyle card than a travel card, the Amex Gold earns well enough on travel.
That said, the Sapphire Reserve definitely performs better in travel categories. That's to be expected, since it's a premium travel rewards card. Its solid dining category means foodies won't entirely miss out on earning bonus rewards on food.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve. It has stronger and more flexible travel categories.
We don't usually recommend these redemption methods, since they'll almost never net you maximum value for your rewards. Instead, consider transferring your points to one of Amex's or Chase's partners for higher value.
Winner: Tie. Both cards have very similar redemption options.
Transferring points on the Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold
Both Chase and American Express offer a strong lineup of transfer partners, and you’ll find representation across all three major airline alliances (Oneworld, SkyTeam and Star Alliance) as well as access to major hotel programs.
Chase’s partner lineup is smaller but highly curated. One standout partner is World of Hyatt, which many TPG staffers consider one of the most valuable hotel programs thanks to its award chart and outsize redemption potential.
ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
American Express, on the other hand, offers a broader roster of airline partners, which can stretch your Membership Rewards points even further when timed strategically.
Both currencies can net significant value when transfer partners are used.
TPG credit cards writer Stephanie Stevens recently transferred 32,000 Ultimate Rewards points to Air France-KLM Flying Blue for two economy flights from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Dulles International Airport (IAD) in September.
She took advantage of a 20% transfer bonus during this redemption; without that bonus, she would've needed 38,000 Ultimate Rewards points for the same award tickets. The cash price for these tickets was $3,456 total, and all she paid was $540 total in taxes and fees.
Winner: Tie. While Amex has more transfer partners than Chase, the issuer you prefer will come down to which airlines you fly and the hotels you stay with the most.
Both cards are great options, so you can't go wrong either way. That said, if you travel at least a few times each year, it should be easy for you to justify the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
But if you travel only a couple of times a year or expect to put a lot of work into justifying the Sapphire Reserve's annual fee, I recommend the Amex Gold instead.
The Sapphire Reserve and American Express Gold both have strong reputations in the points and miles world. The former is known for its industry-leading travel benefits and premium flair, while the latter is a great way to squeeze more value out of your day-to-day lifestyle.
If you still can't choose between the two, why not both? I believe these two cards can be a powerful pair, especially if you plan to take advantage of both Chase's and Amex's unique transfer partners.
