Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Amex Gold: Which Is Better In 2025?

American Express® Gold Card Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here is a breakdown of the features that make the American Express® Gold Card (See Rates & Fees) one of our top-rated cards.

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• You'll earn generous rewards on your spending at restaurants around the world and at U.S. supermarkets.
• The card provides monthly statement credits for dining with select partners and for Uber usage in the U.S.
• It's a great travel companion with no foreign transaction fees and a flexible rewards program that allows you to transfer points to airline and hotel partners.

Terms apply to all benefits.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Pros

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• High rewards earning potential, especially on dining at restaurants and groceries at U.S. supermarkets.
• Offers valuable monthly statement credits for select dining partners and Uber.
• Flexible redemption options, including point transfers to airline and hotel partners, and no foreign transaction fees.

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Cons

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• The card’s statement credits are distributed in monthly increments, which can be inconvenient to use fully.
• Some benefits require you to enroll before they can be activated, adding an extra step for cardholders.
• It has more limited acceptance than Visa or Mastercard, which can be a drawback at some merchants.

American Express® Gold Card vs Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Amex Gold, comes down to understanding your lifestyle and spending habits. Each card caters to a different type of consumer, making one a clear winner depending on your priorities.

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• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This card is tailored for frequent travelers who value premium travel perks, comprehensive protections, and flexible point transfers to airline and hotel partners.
• American Express® Gold Card: This card is ideal for individuals who spend heavily on dining out and at U.S. supermarkets, offering strong rewards in those everyday categories.

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Redemption

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Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Points are most valuable when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal or transferred to airline and hotel partners. Other options like cash back are available but generally provide less value.

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American Express® Gold Card: Membership Rewards points are highly flexible, allowing transfers to numerous travel partners for premium redemptions. Cardholders can also use points for statement credits, gift cards, and other non-travel options.

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Travel Perks

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• Lounge Access: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card includes a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, giving you access to a global network of airport lounges. The American Express® Gold Card does not offer this perk.
• Hotel Benefits: With the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you get access to The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection℠ for elite-like benefits such as room upgrades and property credits. The American Express® Gold Card provides a credit on qualifying stays of two nights or more booked through The Hotel Collection. Terms apply.
• Rental Car Insurance: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides primary auto rental collision damage waiver. The American Express® Gold Card offers secondary car rental loss and damage insurance. Terms apply.
• Travel Portals: Cardholders can book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, where points are worth more on redemptions. The American Express® Gold Card offers booking via AmexTravel.com, which is the gateway to its hotel benefits.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the American Express® Gold Card waive foreign transaction fees, making either a solid choice for purchases abroad.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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If you're still unsure which card is the right fit, a data-driven card explorer like Kudos can help you compare thousands of credit cards to make a confident decision based on your spending.

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• Test drive cards: Simulate how much you could earn with a new card based on your actual spending history—before you apply.
• Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your likelihood of being approved for a card based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If a better welcome offer appears within three months of your approval, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your regular card rewards when you shop at participating stores.
• $100 Kudos Kickstart+: Unlock $100 in rewards by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Reserve®?

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is tailored for the frequent traveler who consistently spends on flights, hotels, and dining. This cardholder is someone who will take full advantage of premium perks like the annual travel credit, Priority Pass™ Select lounge access, and comprehensive travel protections. Ultimately, it's the ideal choice for a points enthusiast who can easily offset the high annual fee by maximizing the card's robust travel and lifestyle benefits.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Gold Card?

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The American Express® Gold Card is tailored for individuals whose spending is heavily concentrated on food, from dining out at restaurants worldwide to stocking up at U.S. supermarkets. Cardholders earn an impressive 4X points in both of these categories—with the U.S. supermarket rewards capped at $25,000 per year, then 1X—plus 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines. This card is most valuable for those who can consistently take advantage of its monthly benefits, such as up to $120 in annual dining credits and up to $120 in Uber Cash, which help justify the card's annual fee (Terms apply).

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs. American Express® Gold Card comparison has you feeling like neither is the right fit, don't worry. There are several other excellent travel rewards cards that might be a better match for your spending habits.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: Most premium cards require good to excellent credit for the best approval odds.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can naturally meet the welcome offer's spending requirement without forcing purchases.
• Review application rules: Be aware of any issuer-specific policies that might affect your eligibility for a welcome offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Find the best offer: Try different channels or browsers if you don't see the highest welcome offer initially.
• Know the issuer rules: Be aware of restrictions on how many cards you can open or how often you can earn a bonus.
• Activate your benefits: Remember to enroll in card perks after approval, as many are not applied automatically.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What are the annual fees for these cards?

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card has a $795 annual fee, while the American Express® Gold Card has a $250 annual fee.

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Can I transfer points from these cards to airline and hotel partners?

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Yes, both cards allow you to transfer points to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs, which can significantly maximize their value.

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How does the Chase Sapphire Reserve® $300 Annual Travel Credit work?

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The first $300 spent on travel purchases annually goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit and is automatically reimbursed. Points are not earned on travel purchases until after this initial $300 is spent.

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