What is the net annual fee for the Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Preferred?

The Amex Gold costs $325 but includes $120 in Uber Cash and $120 in dining credits, bringing the net cost to $85. The Chase Sapphire Preferred costs $95 with no credits, so the full $95 is the net cost.

Do more restaurants accept Visa (Chase) or Amex?

Visa is accepted at more restaurants than American Express. About 99% of US restaurants accept Visa, while roughly 95% accept Amex. The gap has narrowed significantly, but some smaller, independent restaurants still do not take Amex.

Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Preferred: Which Dining Card Wins?

These are the two most popular mid-premium dining cards. The Amex Gold earns more per dollar at restaurants. The Sapphire Preferred has broader acceptance and the Hyatt transfer partnership. Here is every metric compared.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Feature	Amex Gold	Chase Sapphire Preferred
Restaurant rate	4x MR Points	3x UR Points
Grocery rate	4x (up to $25K/yr)	1x
Travel rate	3x flights	2x travel (broad)
Annual fee	$325	$95
Credits	$120 Uber + $120 dining	None
Net annual fee	$85	$95
Sign-up bonus	60,000 pts ($4K/6mo)	60,000 pts ($4K/3mo)
Network	American Express	Visa (wider acceptance)
Transfer partners	20+ airlines/hotels	14 airlines/hotels
Best transfer	ANA (2.5-3.5cpp)	Hyatt (2-2.5cpp)
Foreign txn fee	None	None

Annual Earnings Comparison

Monthly Dining	Amex Gold Annual Earnings	Amex Gold Net (after fee)	Sapphire Preferred Annual	Sapphire Net (after fee)
$300/mo	$259	$174	$184	$89
$500/mo	$432	$347	$306	$211
$800/mo	$691	$606	$490	$395
$1,000/mo	$864	$779	$612	$517

Amex Gold: 4x at 1.8cpp, net fee $85. Sapphire Preferred: 3x at 1.7cpp, fee $95.

The Acceptance Gap

About 99% of US restaurants accept Visa, while roughly 95% accept American Express. The gap has narrowed, but certain types of restaurants are more likely to decline Amex:

Small independent restaurants in rural areas may not accept Amex due to higher merchant fees
Cash-only establishments will not take either card
International restaurants outside the US have a larger Amex acceptance gap
Major chains (Starbucks, Chipotle, McDonald's, etc.) accept both equally

If you dine primarily at chains or in major cities, the acceptance gap is negligible. If you frequent small local spots, carry a Visa backup card.

Verdict by Spending Profile

Amex Gold wins if:

You spend $300+/month on dining, eat at restaurants that accept Amex, want 4x grocery rewards, and value the Uber + Grubhub credits. Best for pure dining optimization.

Sapphire Preferred wins if:

You need Visa acceptance everywhere, value the Hyatt transfer partnership (best hotel value in the game), prefer the Chase ecosystem (Freedom cards for stacking), or travel frequently and want broad 2x travel coverage.

FAQ

Is the Amex Gold or Chase Sapphire Preferred better for dining?

For pure dining rewards, the Amex Gold wins with 4x vs 3x and a lower net fee ($85 vs $95). The Sapphire Preferred is better if Visa acceptance, the Hyatt partnership, or the Chase ecosystem matters more to you than the extra 1x per dollar.

Can I have both the Amex Gold and Chase Sapphire Preferred?

Yes. Many advanced cardholders carry both. Use the Amex Gold at restaurants that accept Amex (4x) and the Sapphire Preferred at Visa-only restaurants (3x) and for travel bookings (2x). The combined annual cost is $180 net ($85 + $95), which pays for itself quickly at $500+/month in dining.

Do more restaurants accept Visa or Amex?

Visa has wider acceptance (roughly 99% vs 95% of US restaurants). The gap is mostly at small, independent restaurants in smaller cities. Major chains and most urban restaurants accept both networks equally.

Updated 9 April 2026