The Chase Sapphire and American Express Gold are two of the leading travel credit cards available today that offer excellent benefits and reward programs for their members. However, there are a few limitations and key factors that need to be taken into consideration, before arriving at a final decision in choosing the best among them. Let’s compare both these travel cards and find out which one can provide you with maximum travel rewards.
American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card
The American Express Gold Card offers some attractive options to its customers with a sign in bonus of 25,000 points by just spending $2000 in 3 months. There are also many great opportunities to earn membership reward points with 3 points on air travel and 2 points by spending on gas, groceries and even restaurants. As a customer, you can get access to $100 annual airline credit which may be used for baggage fees, upgrades, lounge passes etc.
However, they charge an annual fee of $195 which can be a bit expensive, but the first year is free for the members to enjoy all the perks and privileges. They provide multiple options of travel partners to their members with 17 airlines and 4 hotels which is a bonus. There is no foreign exchange fee charged on this card and for customers who do wish to use air travel can exchange their reward points on other things such as entertainment, shopping and gift cards.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card provides more lucrative reward points of 50,000 by spending $4000 in 3 months. They offer bonus categories with double points on dining and travel that the members can earn while they spend at a much less annual fee of $95 as compared to American Express with a fee waiver for the first year. With the Sapphire Preferred card, the members can get Chase Ultimate Reward points which can be transferred to 6 airlines and 4 hotels and also have access to primary rental car insurance. They offer a good mix of travel partners with a fine balance ranging from British Airways, Singapore airlines, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic to name a few.
Chase Sapphire v/s American Express Gold Verdict
Both the cards have advantages over the other and it entirely depends on where exactly the customers spend their maximum money. If you are of the type who tends to spend more on groceries and gas or dining, then the Premier Rewards gold may be a suitable option. The Premier Rewards Gold card have introduced a host of new features from June 1st, 2021 onwards which includes waiver on their foreign transaction fees along with the bonus dining category. On the contrary the annual fee has gone up which makes it less attractive to the customers.
Overall, the Sapphire Preferred card is the winner owing to its low annual fee, good range of travel partners, fantastic value, more bonus earning options as compared to the Premier Rewards Gold card.