Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
Last updated July 2026
Amex Gold
The best dining and grocery card in the U.S.
Advantages
- 4x MR points on U.S. supermarkets (up to $25K/yr) and on restaurants worldwide
- 3x MR points on flights booked directly with airlines
- $120 annual dining credit at Grubhub, Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, and more
- $120 annual Uber Cash
- $100 annual Resy credit + $84 annual Dunkin' credit
Drawbacks
- $325 annual fee (raised from $250 in late 2024)
- Credits are fragmented and expire monthly, you'll only capture full value if you use these merchants
- 1x on non-bonus spending; foreign transaction fees are 0% but base rate is weak
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Premium travel card with the strongest transfer partners
Advantages
- $300 annual travel credit auto-applies to any travel purchase (easiest premium credit to use)
- Priority Pass Select + access to newly-opened Chase Sapphire Lounges
- 3x on dining and general travel; 5x on flights and 10x on hotels/cars via Chase Travel
- Points transfer to Chase's 14 partners including United, Hyatt, and Southwest
- Points worth 1.5c each when redeemed through Chase Travel portal
Drawbacks
- $550 annual fee ($795 as of the 2025 refresh), still steep
- No Centurion lounge access
- Priority Pass restaurants no longer included (removed in 2019)
Amex Gold and Chase Sapphire Reserve both play in rewards credit cards, but they're aimed at different buyers. Amex Gold is built for heavy diners and grocery shoppers spending $2K+/mo in those categories. Chase Sapphire Reserve is built for travelers who want the strongest transfer partners for domestic redemptions. Which one fits depends on which of those descriptions sounds more like you.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Amex Gold | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $325 | $795 (2025 refresh) |
| Base Rewards Rate | 1x on most spending | 1x on most spending |
| Bonus Categories | 4x dining and U.S. supermarkets; 3x flights | 3x dining + travel; 5x flights, 10x hotels/cars via Chase Travel |
| Sign-Up Bonus | Typically 60K-100K MR points | Typically 60K-100K UR points |
| Transfer Partners | 20+ airline and hotel partners | 14 partners including United, Hyatt, Southwest |
| Annual Travel Credit | None, credits are dining/Uber-focused | $300 easy annual travel credit + Chase Travel credits |
| Dining/Lifestyle Credits | $120 dining + $120 Uber + $100 Resy + $84 Dunkin' annually | -- |
| Insurance Protections | Trip delay, baggage, purchase protection | Trip cancellation, primary rental car, delay |
| Lounge Access | -- | Priority Pass Select + Chase Sapphire Lounges |
Too Close to Call
Amex Gold and Chase Sapphire Reserve land roughly even overall; the right pick depends on which of their strengths matters more to you.
Amex Gold's standout strength: 4x MR points on U.S. supermarkets (up to $25K/yr) and on restaurants worldwide. Chase Sapphire Reserve's standout strength: $300 annual travel credit auto-applies to any travel purchase (easiest premium credit to use). Neither dominates across the board, and both have well-known weak spots. Amex Gold's biggest drawback: $325 annual fee (raised from $250 in late 2024). Chase Sapphire Reserve's biggest drawback: $550 annual fee ($795 as of the 2025 refresh), still steep. Pick the one whose strengths line up with what you actually need.
Related Comparisons
Amex Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
The two flagship premium travel cards, which one earns its ~$695 annual fee for you?
Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Preferred
The two most popular mid-tier rewards cards, dining points or travel flexibility?
American Express Platinum vs Amex Gold
American Express Platinum's "The premium travel card built on lounges and credits" meets Amex Gold's "The best dining and grocery card in the U.S". Which one fits your situation?