American Express vs Chase Sapphire: A Comprehensive Comparison

American Express and Chase Sapphire are two of the most popular credit card brands in the US, but they cater to different needs and offer distinct benefits. American Express is known for its premium rewards and exclusive travel benefits.

Chase Sapphire, on the other hand, offers a more flexible rewards program with a wider range of redemption options. American Express cards often have higher spending requirements to earn rewards, while Chase Sapphire cards tend to have lower or no minimum spending requirements.

Both brands have their loyal customer bases, but American Express tends to appeal more to high-end consumers who value luxury rewards and exclusive experiences.

The American Express vs Chase Sapphire comparison wouldn't be complete without discussing the fees and charges involved. The annual fees for these cards can be significant, but there are some key differences to consider.

The Amex Gold card has an annual fee of $325, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred has a much lower annual fee of $95, saving you at least $230. You can also add as many authorized users as you want to the Chase Sapphire Preferred without incurring additional annual fees.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum card have high annual fees, with the Amex Platinum card coming in at $695 and the Chase Sapphire Reserve at $550. However, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is the winner if you don't plan to use all the benefits, as you have to spend less to make the most of the card's rewards program.

If you take advantage of the Amex Gold card's $120 annual statement credit for dining purchases, you'll effectively reduce the annual fee. However, the Chase Sapphire Preferred still wins when it comes to annual fees, offering total freedom to add authorized users without additional charges.

The balance transfer fee for either card is either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Rewards are a crucial aspect of any credit card, and American Express and Chase Sapphire are no exception. Both cards offer a range of rewards that can help you earn points or cash back on your purchases.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers bonus spending categories that include 5X points on travel purchases made through Chase Travel℠, 2X on other travel purchases, 3X points on dining, and 3X points on online grocery purchases. The Amex Gold offers 4X points on grocery shopping at U.S. supermarkets, 4X points at restaurants worldwide, and 3X points on flights booked through amextravel.com or directly with the airline.

If you spend a lot on grocery shopping and dining, the Amex Gold is likely a better choice. However, if your spending is more evenly spread across categories like online grocery shopping, dining, and streaming services, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a better option.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 5X total points on air travel and 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. This is a significant advantage over the Amex Platinum, which earns 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, but only on up to $500,000 per calendar year.

Here's a comparison of the rewards rates on both cards:

Ultimately, the choice between the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum comes down to your individual spending habits and preferences. Both cards offer a range of rewards that can help you earn points or cash back on your purchases.

The welcome offers and sign-ups for American Express and Chase Sapphire cards are quite generous, but they differ in terms and value.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card typically has a welcome offer between 60,000 and 80,000 points, with a minimum spending requirement of $4,000, while the Amex Gold card usually offers 60,000 points with a minimum spending requirement of $6,000.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred welcome offer is better value for your money, considering the minimum spending requirement is lower. However, the Amex Gold card offers an advantage of time, with a welcome offer period of six months compared to the Sapphire Preferred's three months.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card has a welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months, while the Amex Platinum card offers 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 in the first six months. The Sapphire Reserve's bonus can be worth up to $1,125 toward travel, while the Amex Platinum's bonus is worth around $1,000.

Here's a comparison of the welcome offers for the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum cards:

The winner of this category will be subjective, depending on your existing rewards currencies and travel goals. If you already have Chase Ultimate Rewards cards, the Sapphire Reserve might be the better choice, while the Amex Platinum could be the way to go if you're interested in earning American Express Membership Rewards.

Both American Express and Chase Sapphire offer valuable rewards, but the redemption options and transfer partners differ. Amex has 21 transfer partners compared to Chase's 14.

You can transfer points to airline and hotel partners, such as JetBlue and Marriott, with both cards.

The exact value of your points depends on how you redeem them, but on average, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards points are worth 1.8 cents apiece.

If you redeem points for statement credits or use them toward travel booked through each card's travel website, Chase will value your points at a higher rate than Amex.

Here's a comparison of the transfer partners for both cards:

Keep in mind that while Amex has slightly more transfer partners, the transfer ratios and fees can vary. For example, transferring Amex points to JetBlue TrueBlue comes with a fee of 0.06 cent per point.

The perks and benefits of American Express and Chase Sapphire cards are a major draw for many cardholders. Both cards offer a range of benefits that can help you save money, earn rewards, and enhance your travel experiences.

One of the key benefits of the American Express Gold card is its $120 dining credit, which can be redeemed in $10 monthly statements for purchases at select restaurants. This can be a significant perk for frequent diners. In contrast, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a complimentary DashPass subscription, giving you free deliveries and lower service fees on eligible DoorDash and Caviar orders.

The American Express Platinum card takes perks to the next level with its array of benefits, including up to $200 Uber credit, up to $200 airline fee credit, and up to $100 Saks credit. It also offers a $200 Hotel Credit and a $240 Digital Entertainment Credit. Additionally, cardholders can enjoy complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card also offers a range of travel benefits, including up to $300 annual travel credit, complimentary access to DashPass, and Priority Pass Select lounge access. Cardholders can also earn 10x points on Lyft rides through March 2025.

In terms of earning potential, the Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 5x total points on air travel and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. The Platinum Card from American Express earns 5 points per dollar on flights purchased directly through the airline or through Amex Travel on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.

Here's a comparison of the dining credits and experiences offered by both cards:

Ultimately, the best card for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you're a frequent traveler, the Chase Sapphire Reserve may be a better fit. However, if you value the array of benefits offered by the American Express Platinum card, it may be the better choice.

The American Express Gold Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card are two popular options for travelers. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has a $95 annual fee, while the American Express Gold Card has a $325 annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers a welcome offer of typically between 60,000 and 80,000 points, with a minimum spending requirement of $4,000. The American Express Gold Card offers a welcome offer of typically between 35,000 and 60,000 points, with a minimum spending requirement between $4,000 to $6,000.

Here's a comparison of the two cards' bonus categories:

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers $50 worth of statement credits per account anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, while the American Express Gold Card offers a $100 experience credit when booking a minimum stay of two nights with The Hotel Collection.

The fees associated with these cards can be a major factor in deciding which one to choose. The Chase Sapphire Preferred has an annual fee of $95, while the American Express Gold Card has an annual fee of $325.

If you plan to add authorized users to your account, the American Express Gold Card charges $35 per additional card user after the first five. In contrast, the Chase Sapphire Preferred allows you to add as many authorized users as you want without incurring any additional annual fees.

The Amex Gold Card's $120 annual statement credit for dining purchases at select locations can significantly reduce its annual fee. However, the Chase Sapphire Preferred's no foreign transaction fees and points worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase are valuable perks that may outweigh the Amex Gold Card's benefits.

Here's a comparison of the annual fees for these cards:

The American Express Platinum Card has an even higher annual fee of $695, making it one of the pricier premium cards on the market. The Chase Sapphire Reserve also has a high annual fee of $550, but its rewards program may be more appealing to those who can take advantage of its benefits.

Chase and Amex are fairly equal when it comes to quality of transfer partners.

Amex has 21 transfer partners compared to Chase's 14.

If you're looking for a broader network of transfer options, Amex might be the better choice.

However, the quality of transfer partners is what really matters, and both Chase and Amex have a strong lineup.

Chase's transfer partners include popular airlines like United, American Airlines, and British Airways.

Amex's transfer partners are more extensive, but Chase's are still highly valued by travelers.

The American Express Gold Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card are two popular rewards credit cards that offer a range of benefits and perks. The American Express Gold Card has an annual fee of $325, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has an annual fee of $95.

The American Express Gold Card offers a welcome offer of typically between 35,000 and 60,000 points, with a minimum spending requirement of $4,000 to $6,000. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers a welcome offer of typically between 60,000 and 80,000 points, with a minimum spending requirement of $4,000.

The American Express Gold Card offers 4X points on grocery shopping at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $25,000 per calendar year, and 4X points at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 per calendar year. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers 3X points on dining, including eligible takeout, delivery services and dining out, and 3X points on online grocery purchases.

Here's a comparison of the two cards:

The American Express Gold Card also offers a $120 dining credit, issued in $10 monthly statements, for purchases at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers a $50 worth of statement credits per account anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Overall, both cards offer competitive earning rates and perks, but the American Express Gold Card may be a better choice for those who can take advantage of the $120 dining credit.

The Platinum Card from American Express and Chase Sapphire Reserve are two top-of-the-line cards that can provide value for frequent travelers and foodies.

Both cards have steep annual fees, so the card that's best for you depends on how you spend your money and the type of perks you want.

If you prefer Uber over Lyft, the Amex Platinum card is the better choice, while Lyft riders will fare better with the Sapphire Reserve.

The Sapphire Reserve stands out with 50% more value on travel redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards, making it a great option if you want to get more value for points.

The Platinum card offers a competitive 5X points for frequent flyers who book flights directly with airlines or use Amex Travel.

At the end of the day, both cards offer luxury benefits that can have you traveling with comfort and security.

If you're considering the Amex Platinum, it's worth noting that it's a good fit for those who value high-end travel experiences.

The Amex Platinum offers a high-end travel experience, but it's essential to consider your spending habits and whether the benefits outweigh the costs.

If you frequently use airport lounges, the Amex Platinum's lounge access can be a significant perk, allowing you to relax and recharge before your flight.

You'll need to weigh the $550 annual fee against the benefits you receive, such as the lounge access and other travel-related perks.

For those who travel frequently, the Amex Platinum's travel benefits can be a valuable asset, helping to make your travel experience more enjoyable and stress-free.

Ultimately, whether the Amex Platinum is worth it for you depends on your individual circumstances and spending habits.

Both premium cards carry high annual fees, reflecting their exclusive benefits and services. The Platinum Card from American Express is significantly more expensive, but offers a few benefits the Chase Sapphire Reserve does not.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns significantly more points on dining and travel purchases. This might make it a better choice for frequent travelers who dine out often.

The Platinum Card from American Express offers access to both Priority Pass lounges and Amex Centurion lounges. This is a unique benefit that may be worth the higher annual fee for some cardholders.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers Priority Pass Select membership, a $300 flexible travel credit each year, and superior travel insurance. This comprehensive travel insurance coverage includes generous timeframes for trip cancellation and interruption insurance.

Both cards earn points that can be transferred to the issuer's large network of airline and hotel partners. This flexibility is a major advantage for travelers who want to redeem their points for specific rewards.