I just had a two-night weekend getaway that cost over 100,000 points less than it used to cost.

It also came with, essentially, a complimentary dinner thanks to a $100 credit we used for food, along with some pretty indulgent daily breakfasts for two at no additional cost.

Oh, and the best part? I still earned some Marriott Bonvoy points and elite status credits for the stay, too. And because of my Marriott Platinum Elite status, we even got access to the on-site club lounge.

If you’re waiting for the catch, I totally get it. You probably should be with the way things go these days.

But there’s no catch — there’s just the reality that the relatively new Chase Points Boost feature, which has been added to cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) this year and can make your points worth up to a fixed 2 cents in value each, really shouldn’t be overlooked or underestimated, especially when paired with Chase’s The Edit hotel collection and benefits at eligible hotels such as the JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort.

That’s especially true since Chase’s The Edit hotels are pretty reliably a part of the Points Boost list of booking options that stretch your points and offer elitelike perks.

Over 100,000 points saved

My recent two-night stay at the JW Marriott in Anaheim, California, would have cost 166,000 Marriott Bonvoy points if I had booked with points already in my Marriott account or transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards at a 1:1 ratio.

However, since the hotel was a part of the Points Boost offerings, each Chase Ultimate Rewards point used was worth 2 cents toward the stay, dropping the points rate for the two-night stay to around 59,000 points.

Because the hotel was a Points Boost booking option with Chase, as indicated below, it also meant spending 20,000 fewer Chase points than it otherwise would have cost me using points from my Sapphire Reserve. (While we are on the topic, the Sapphire Reserve arguably has a best-ever offer available right now.)

Related: Why I’m obsessed with the new Points Boost option

Over $200 in benefits enjoyed

This being a new great way to book trips for fewer points would have been enough for me to be thrilled, but since the hotel is part of Chase’s The Edit, it came with valuable perks, too.

In this case, we both got a complimentary full daily breakfast, which consisted of either the full buffet or an entree, a side and a beverage at the hotel’s restaurant.

Special shoutout to both the breakfast burrito and the chilaquiles. On paper, the cost for each of these two breakfasts for the two of us was around $100 per day, though odds are we would have found somewhere to eat for less if it wasn’t going to be covered by this perk, so I’ll value each of those breakfasts for two at $50 here.

Booking via Chase’s The Edit also got us a $100 property credit that we used for a mix of drinks and dinner one night at the bar. I’m not one to turn down a complimentary meal — in this case, a poke bowl and a fried chicken sandwich — so this was a pretty darn excellent perk just for booking via Chase.

We also received a “welcome amenity” in our room thanks to booking through The Edit. It was small but appreciated: a note, sparkling water and a few macarons.

All told, for our two-night stay, we enjoyed over $200 in on-site additional benefits just by booking via Chase’s The Edit program.

Over 3,000 Marriott points and elite night credits earned

Usually, when you book a hotel stay via a third-party site, you aren’t eligible to earn points or even sometimes use your elite status perks.

But when booking via Chase’s The Edit, things can work differently. You will see if the stay is eligible within that hotel loyalty program at booking, as indicated in this case by the “Marriott Bonvoy Eligible” designation below.

I was able to add my Marriott Platinum number at check-in — the hotel even proactively asked for it.

You can also potentially add your number via Chase’s website. This integration resulted in over 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points and two elite night credits earned on the stay.

Transparently, I’m not 100% sure how the system landed at that number, though I’m assuming it’s some of the incidental and on-property charges that qualified rather than the full base rate, whether by my intent or accident. But it was still nice to earn something.

It’s also worth mentioning here that our lounge access benefit, thanks to my Marriott Platinum status, was also honored. This enabled us to grab some sodas, waters, snacks and desserts, and honestly spend very little out-of-pocket cash on food and drinks the entire weekend.

Bottom line

Chase’s Points Boost has changed how I approach using (and earning) points for some trips.

This is especially true for trips when the hotel we want is in a hotel loyalty program that doesn’t have a fixed award chart, like Marriott Bonvoy, and falls pretty high on the points price spectrum using the program’s own points. However, when the cash price for a property falls in a $400 to $600 per night range, which is common for somewhat upscale properties within the Westin or J.W. Marriott brands, at 2 cents per point via PointsBoost, it means it will cost just 20,000-30,000 Chase points per night.

Once you add the $100 property credit and complimentary breakfast, you could be looking at a pretty darn great deal that is better than most other options and is worth checking before booking your next trip.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: Earn 125,000 bonus points after $6,000 in spending in the first three months. You can use those points for up to $2,500 in travel via Points Boost.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders, listen up. Air Canada Aeroplan is offering you a flight credit worth 5,000 Aeroplan points just for holding the card (see rates and fees).

All you have to do is register here. This promotion applies only to the primary cardmember, not any authorized users.

How to get a 5,000-point Aeroplan reward certificate with your Chase Sapphire Reserve

After entering your name, your Aeroplan loyalty number and the last four digits of your Chase Sapphire Reserve, you’ll earn a 5,000-point Aeroplan flight certificate. That means you can save 5,000 points on your next Aeroplan redemption (though you’ll still have to pay taxes and fees).

You have until Aug. 18 to register for this promotion, and your 5,000-point flight credit will be valid for 365 days after the day it’s deposited into your account. It will only be valid for new bookings, not existing ones, and the value may not be split between multiple passengers.

Likewise, you cannot transfer your certificate to another Aeroplan account. However, you can put it toward the cost of a flight reward you book for another traveler using your own Aeroplan points for another traveler.

On the plus side, there do not seem to be any restrictions about using this reward certificate toward flights only on Air Canada, so it should apply to partner awards as well.

If you use this credit toward an award that costs more than 5,000 Aeroplan points, you can redeem additional points from your Aeroplan account to cover the overage. If you change or cancel your award ticket according to the rules under which you booked it, the certificate can be reinstated to your account with its original expiration date.

Topping up your Aeroplan account

The good news is that you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Aeroplan (as well as from many other transfer partners) at a 1:1 ratio and redeem them for award flights.

For example, one of our favorite ways to redeem Aeroplan points is for short-haul economy flights less than 500 miles on United Airlines and Air Canada, which can cost as few as 6,000 points — but with this 5,000-point flight certificate, you’d only need 1,000 additional points from your account.

If you don’t yet have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, it’s not too late to apply for the current welcome offer: earn 100,000 bonus points plus a $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This is the best offer we’ve seen on this perennial favorite travel card.

If you hold the Chase Sapphire Reserve (or add it to your wallet by Aug. 18), be sure to register for this promotion. Then you’ll have a whole year to redeem your 5,000-point Aeroplan flight credit.

Five thousand Aeroplan points are worth $70 by our August 2025 valuations, and are also enough for you to add a stopover to an Aeroplan award ticket, so having this certificate in your back pocket can save you money and help you maximize a future trip.

Related reading:

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) charges a hefty $795 annual fee — so is it worth adding to your wallet? For travelers who value luxury perks, it’s likely worth it.

The Sapphire Reserve delivers exceptional value to those ready to maximize its benefits. However, budget-minded travelers may not appreciate what the card has to offer.

Right now, new applicants can earn a welcome bonus of 100,000 points plus a $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit* after spending $5,000 in the first three months from account opening.

This bonus is worth up to $2,550 per TPG’s July 2025 valuations of Chase points, and is an excellent way to collect a chunk of points upfront.

Here’s who might — and might not — want to add the Chase Sapphire Reserve to their wallet.

*The promotional credit is valid for a one-time use only; if you apply the promotional credit to a transaction less than $500, you will forfeit the remaining balance.

Who should get the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

Let’s explore why you may want to add the Chase Sapphire Reserve to your wallet.

You spend a lot on travel

The Sapphire Reserve offers a $300 annual travel credit. This credit is very flexible and automatically applies to the first $300 spent on travel with the card.

Travel is a broadly defined category on the Sapphire Reserve, so it’s easy for frequent travelers to use.

You value lounge access

The Sapphire Reserve grants access to Chase Sapphire Lounges and more than 1,700 Priority Pass lounges for cardholders and up to two guests at no charge. When traveling with a Star Alliance airline, cardholders also receive access to more than 20 Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges.

If you fly frequently in or out of an airport with a Chase lounge or value Priority Pass membership, this card is the ticket.

You want luxury hotel perks

Sapphire cardholders also receive access to The Edit by Chase Travel, Chase’s luxury hotel collection. This program is only open to those who hold a Sapphire Reserve or J.P. Morgan Reserve® Card.

The information for the J.P. Morgan Reserve Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

If you don’t have elite status with popular programs such as Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors — or you want to stay at boutique properties outside of these programs and still receive perks — The Edit properties provide comparable benefits like complimentary breakfast, early check-in, late checkout and complimentary upgrades (when available). Plus, the Sapphire Reserve offers up to $500 annually in The Edit credits.

If you enjoy staying at IHG properties, this card also provides automatic IHG One Platinum elite status (through Dec. 31, 2027).

You want to maximize redeeming your points

Sapphire Reserve cardholders are eligible to redeem Chase points through the Chase Travel portal with the Points Boost accelerator. With Points Boost, you can redeem your Chase points for select hotel bookings and flights through Chase Travel at a value of up to 2 cents per point. (This depends on the redemption you choose; see your rewards program agreement for full details.)

With Points Boost, we’ve seen hotels near Disneyland for just 17,000 Chase points a night — instead of 57,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

You’re willing to book through a portal to earn double the points

If you’re open to booking with the Sapphire Reserve through the Chase Travel portal, you’ll earn 8 points per dollar on those purchases. This is double the return you’d receive with the card on flight or hotel bookings made directly with the airline or property (4 points per dollar spent).

If you don’t have elite status or loyalty to a particular airline or hotel, booking with the portal could help you earn more on your booking.

You have a Chase card that earns cash back

Pairing the Sapphire Reserve with a Chase cash-back card is a smart way to boost your rewards.

That’s because you’ll be able to transfer your points to one of Chase’s 14 loyalty program partners when you also hold the Sapphire Reserve. Transferring to partners allows you to unlock the value of Chase points at 2.05 cents per point, per TPG’s July 2025 valuations.

If you have a Chase cash-back card — but not one that allows you to transfer Chase points to transfer partners such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees) — adding the Sapphire Reserve could be a good option.

Some cards that pair well with the Sapphire Reserve are:

The information for the Chase Freedom Flex has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

You value strong travel protections

The Sapphire Reserve is an excellent card for travel and shopping protections. The card provides trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.

Related: The ultimate guide to the best credit card combinations

Who shouldn’t get the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a great choice for many travelers, but it isn’t for everyone. Here are some reasons this card may not be ideal for you.

You rarely travel

The Sapphire Reserve is designed for frequent travelers. Its flexible annual travel credit and multiple statement credits toward travel-related purchases are geared toward them. Plus, if you don’t need airport lounge access because you aren’t flying much, the Sapphire Reserve likely isn’t the card for you.

You prefer cash back

The Sapphire Reserve earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points for spending. If you’d prefer cash-back rewards, apply for a card that earns cash back instead.

You won’t maximize most of the statement credits

The Sapphire Reserve comes with a long list of statement credits for multiple types of spending. This includes up to $300 in annual StubHub and Viagogo credits through Dec. 31, 2027 ($150 biannually), up to $300 in annual dining credits with Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables and up to $300 in annual promos with DoorDash through Dec. 31, 2027.

Maximizing these credits is a sure-fire way to get the full value out of the card in exchange for its high $795 annual fee. However, if you aren’t interested in keeping track of statement credits or want a simpler card, the Sapphire Reserve may not be for you.

You currently hold the Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card does not cancel out the Sapphire Reserve by any means, since the cards are quite different. The Sapphire Preferred doesn’t offer lounge access and the Sapphire Reserve no longer has a general travel bonus category, so it may make sense to hold both cards in some circumstances.

The reason you may not want the Sapphire Reserve if you already hold the Sapphire Preferred is the welcome bonus. Due to Chase’s updated welcome bonus eligibility requirements, you’re unlikely to earn the Sapphire Reserve welcome bonus if you currently hold the Sapphire Preferred.

This could mean missing out on a significant part of the Sapphire Reserve’s overall value, so you may want to skip the premium card if you’re happy with your Sapphire Preferred.

If you’re thinking of upgrading to the Sapphire Reserve from the Sapphire Preferred, you’ll gain more from Points Boost redemptions — but you’d lose out on the general travel bonus category. Consider what you’d gain and what you’d lose before making the decision.

You’ve applied for 5 or more cards in the last 24 months

Chase’s famous 5/24 rule restricts those who have opened five or more cards in the last 24 months from being approved for one of its cards.

If you’re over 5/24, you may want to consider another premium card until you’re back under the threshold. The Platinum Card® from American Express or Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card could be good options in its place — or you could wait to submit your Sapphire Reserve application.

As with most premium cards, you may also have trouble qualifying if you’re new to credit entirely.

Bottom line

Despite its high $795 annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve could make an excellent addition to the luxury traveler’s wallet. This is especially true if you’re a frequent traveler who values lounge access, wants to maximize their points redemptions and would book through the Chase Travel portal often.

Occasional travelers, budget-conscious consumers and those who prefer cash-back rewards would be better with another option.

To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

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Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve

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When it comes to travel rewards cards, you usually get what you pay for in terms of bonus categories and perks. This is why we usually compare cards within a single category to try to find the best premium rewards card or the best no-annual-fee cards.

The problem is that the American Express® Gold Card doesn’t fit neatly into any category. It straddles the line between midlevel and premium, offering high-value bonus categories for the foodie at a $325 annual fee (see rates and fees). Then there’s the premium Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) that just recently received a major overhaul.

If you’re a foodie and traveler trying to decide between the Amex Gold and the Chase Sapphire Reserve — one of the best cards for travel and dining overall — here’s what to consider to help you decide which card is a better fit for your needs.

Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold comparison

Let’s start with a quick overview of each card’s highlights:

	Chase Sapphire Reserve^	Amex Gold
Annual fee	$795	$325
Welcome offer	Earn 100,000 points and a $500 Chase Travel℠ credit after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.	Find out your offer and see if you are eligible to earn as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Bonus categories	Earn 10 points per dollar spent on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more (through Dec. 31, 2027), with a maximum of 50,000 points. Earn 8 points per dollar spent on purchases made through Chase Travel, including The Edit. Earn 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027). Earn 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked directly. Earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining worldwide. Earn 1 point per dollar spent on everything else. Note that elevated earnings on travel are received after spending your first $300 on travel each calendar year. Elevated earning rates on flights and hotels booked directly and Chase Travel purchases apply only after exhausting the $300 annual travel credit and the $500 Chase Travel credit featured as part of the welcome bonus. Existing Sapphire Reserve cardholders won’t get access to the new earning rates until Oct. 26.	Earn 4 points per dollar spent on up to $50,000 per calendar year on dining at restaurants worldwide (then 1 point per dollar). Earn 4 points per dollar spent on up to $25,000 in purchases at U.S. supermarkets per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar). Earn 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or through amextravel.com. Earn 2 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked through amextravel.com. Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Annual statement credits	$500 annual credit (up to $250 statement credit biannually; two-night minimum stay required) to use on The Edit via Chase Travel $300 annual travel credit $300 annual StubHub and Viagogo credit (up to $150 statement credit biannually)(through Dec. 31, 2027) $300 annual dining credit (up to $150 in statement credits biannually at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables) $300 in annual DoorDash credits: Cardholders receive up to $25 in monthly promos with two $10 nonrestaurant promos and one $5 restaurant promo, and a complimentary DashPass membership for at least one year worth $120 (must activate by Dec. 31, 2027) Up to $250 annually in the form of complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions (through June 22, 2027; one-time activation per service through chase.com or the Chase Mobile app is required) Up to $120 annually in Lyft in-app credits: Cardholders receive up to $10 each month; the credit does not apply to Wait & Save, bike or scooter rides (through Sept. 30, 2027) Up to $120 in Peloton credit (through Dec. 31, 2027; activation required) Up to $120 in Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee statement credit (once every four years)	Up to $10 in monthly dining statement credit at the following partners: Five Guys, Grubhub, the Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly and Wine.com (up to $120 per calendar year) Up to $10 in monthly Uber credit in the form of Uber Cash that can be used on U.S. Uber rides and Uber Eats orders (up to $120 per calendar year); you must add the card to your Uber account and can redeem with any Amex card Up to $100 in statement credits for purchases at U.S. Resy-affiliated restaurants per calendar year (up to $50 semiannually) Up to $7 in monthly statement credit for U.S. Dunkin’ purchases (up to $84 per calendar year) Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply
Other card benefits	Chase and Priority Pass lounge access for the primary cardholder and up to two guests, plus access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges for you and one guest when flying on a Star Alliance airline IHG One Rewards Platinum elite status Complimentary status upgrades and discounts with Avis and National Trip cancellation/interruption insurance Baggage loss and delay insurance Purchase protections No foreign transaction fees Plus, you can unlock these benefits after spending $75,000 or more in a calendar year: Southwest Airlines A-List status IHG One Rewards Diamond elite status $500 Southwest credit $250 Shops at Chase credit	Up to $100 in credits for qualifying hotel activities at The Hotel Collection*** properties each calendar year (minimum two-night stay required) Trip delay reimbursement* Baggage loss or damage reimbursement** Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)

*Eligibility and benefit level vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

**Eligibility and benefit level vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

***Eligible charges vary by property.

^It’s also important to note that current Sapphire Reserve cardholders who applied before June 23 will not have access to the new benefits and earnings rate until Oct. 26.

Related: Is the Amex Gold worth the annual fee?

Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold welcome offer

Both cards offer valuable welcome offers that can help fund your next big trip.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers new applicants 100,000 bonus points and a $500 Chase Travel credit after they spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

It’s important to note that the terms for the travel credit state: “The promotional credit is valid for a one-time use only, if you apply the promotional credit to a transaction less than $500, you will forfeit the remaining balance.”

When factoring in the Chase Travel credit, this is the highest welcome offer we’ve seen since the card was initially launched back in 2016.

TPG’s July 2025 valuations peg Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents each, making the Sapphire Reserve bonus worth up to $2,550 when you include the $500 Chase Travel credit.

Meanwhile, with the Amex Gold, new applicants can find out their offer and see if they are eligible to earn as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

TPG’s July 2025 valuations peg Membership Rewards points at 2 cents a piece, making this welcome offer worth up to $2,000.

Of course, the bonus value is only one piece of the equation. You also need to make sure you’re eligible to apply for either of these cards, as Chase and Amex have different restrictions on welcome bonus eligibility.

Chase has implemented new rules for welcome bonus eligibility on its Sapphire cards. You can now hold more than one Sapphire product at the same time, but if you’re a current cardholder of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) or previously earned a welcome bonus on a Sapphire product — excluding the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) — you almost definitely will not be eligible for a second Sapphire card bonus.

With the Amex Gold, you are subject to Amex’s once-in-a-lifetime rule and family restrictions.

Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve. Its welcome offer is the higher and more valuable one.

Related: Best welcome offers of the month

Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold benefits

Here’s a breakdown of the benefits provided on each card at first glance.

Statement credits	$500 annual credit (up to $250 biannually; two-night minimum stay required) to use on The Edit via Chase Travel $300 annual travel credit $300 annual StubHub and Viagogo credit (up to $150 biannually) $300 annual dining credit (up to $150 biannually at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables) $300 in annual DoorDash credit: Cardholders receive up to $25 in monthly promos with two $10 nonrestaurant promos and one $5 restaurant promo, and a complimentary DashPass membership for at least one year worth $120 (must activate by Dec. 31, 2027) Up to $250 annually in complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions (through June 22, 2027; one-time activation per service through chase.com or the Chase Mobile app is required) Up to $120 in annual in-app Lyft credits: Cardholders receive up to $10 each month; the credit does not apply to Wait & Save, bike or scooter rides (through Sept. 30, 2027) $120 Peloton credit: Through Dec. 31, 2027; activation required $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee statement credit (once every four years)	Up to $10 in monthly dining statement credit at the following partners: Five Guys, Grubhub, the Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly and Wine.com (up to $120 every calendar year) Up to $10 in monthly Uber credit in the form of Uber Cash that can be used on U.S. Uber rides and Uber Eats orders (up to $120 per calendar year). You must add the card to your Uber account and can redeem with any Amex card. Up to $100 in statement credits for purchases at U.S. Resy-affiliated restaurants per calendar year (up to $50 semiannually) Up to $7 in monthly statement credit for U.S. Dunkin’ purchases (up to $84 per calendar year) Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.
Other card benefits	Chase and Priority Pass lounge access for the primary cardholder and up to two guests, plus access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges for you and one guest when flying on a Star Alliance airline IHG One Rewards Platinum elite status Complimentary status upgrades and discounts with Avis and National Trip cancellation/interruption insurance Baggage loss and delay insurance Primary car rental insurance Baggage delay insurance Trip delay insurance Trip cancellation/interruption insurance An emergency medical and dental benefit Purchase protections No foreign transaction fees Plus, you can unlock these benefits after spending $75,000 or more in a calendar year: Southwest A-List status IHG One Rewards Diamond elite status $500 Southwest credit $250 Shops at Chase credit	Up to $100 in credits for qualifying hotel activities at The Hotel Collection*** properties each calendar year (minimum two-night stay required) Trip delay reimbursement Baggage loss or damage reimbursement No foreign transaction fees Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.

This is where we start to see the biggest differences arise, as the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a premium, luxury travel card with the perks to match.

Let’s start with the most important benefit that can help offset the card’s $750 annual fee: a $300 annual travel credit. This credit is automatically applied to a wide range of travel purchases, including airfare and hotels. Bookings do not need to be made via a travel portal and no activation is required.

The Sapphire Reserve’s other standout benefit is lounge access. You’ll have access to Chase Sapphire Lounges and a Priority Pass Select membership for you and up to two guests. Plus, you and one guest will receive access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges when flying on a Star Alliance airline.

Additionally, Sapphire Reserve cardholders receive multiple other statement credits, including a dining credit; an entertainment credit with StubHub and Viagogo; complimentary Apple Music and Apple TV+ subscriptions; and a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee credit, and several useful travel and baggage insurance policies.

Cardholders also enjoy a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership and $25 in monthly DoorDash promos. (Must activate by Dec. 31, 2027.)

The Amex Gold rewards foodies with up to $10 in monthly dining credit valid at the following merchants: Five Guys, Grubhub, the Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly and Wine.com (up to $120 per calendar year). Cardmembers also receive up to $120 in annual Uber Cash each calendar year, issued in $10 monthly increments, which is valid on Uber rides or Uber Eats purchases. Your Amex Gold must be added to your Uber account, and you can redeem it with any Amex card.

In addition, cardmembers can get up to $100 in statement credits every calendar year for purchases made at U.S. Resy-affiliated restaurants (up to $50 in statement credits biannually). As a final foodie benefit, the Amex Gold provides up to $7 in monthly statement credits for U.S. Dunkin’ purchases (up to $84 each calendar year).

The Sapphire Reserve offers more lifestyle- and travel-oriented benefits, whereas the Amex Gold is solely focused on food and dining. If you maximize these available benefits, you’ll wind up with $424 in annual value, easily justifying the card’s $325 annual fee and leaving you in the green. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.

Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve. It offers more substantial perks, including lounge access and industry-leading travel protections. However, if you’re looking for a more food-focused card, the Amex Gold should be your top pick.

Related: Chase Sapphire Reserve statement credits: What they are and how to use them

Earning points on the Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold

Both cards earn valuable flexible rewards in a variety of bonus categories.

With the Chase Sapphire Reserve you’ll earn:

• 10 points per dollar spent on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more (through Dec. 31, 2027), with a maximum of 50,000 points
• 8 points per dollar spent on purchases made through Chase Travel, including The Edit
• 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027)
• 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked directly
• 3 points per dollar spent on dining worldwide
• 1 point per dollar spent on everything else

Note that the elevated earning rate on travel kicks in after spending your first $300 on travel each calendar year with the Sapphire Reserve.

Meanwhile, with the Amex Gold you’ll earn:

• 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (U.S. supermarkets capped at $25,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar; restaurants capped at $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
• 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or through amextravel.com
• 2 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other travel purchases made through Amex Travel
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

The Amex Gold is clearly targeted as a foodie-friendly card, and that’s reflected in the bonus categories. The 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (an 8% return based on TPG’s July 2025 valuations, on up to $25,000 per calendar year) is one of the best earning rates you’ll find from any card.

The Amex Gold also has an edge when dining at restaurants, as its 4 points per dollar spent (on up to $50,000 per calendar year) again wins out over 3 points per dollar spent on the Sapphire Reserve, which is no slouch either (an 8% versus 6.15% return based on our July 2025 valuations).

For travel earnings, the Sapphire Reserve takes the cake as it earns 4 points per dollar spent on hotels and flights booked directly, whereas the Amex Gold earns 3 points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly or on amextravel.com.

While the Sapphire Reserve is better suited for travel purchases, if you have higher spending on food and groceries, you’re better suited with the Amex Gold card.

Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve, as it has slightly more bonus categories.

Related: Which purchases count as travel with the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

Redeeming points on the Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold

Both cards share similar ways of redeeming points.

TPG’s July 2025 valuations peg Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents each and Amex Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, but the programs each have strengths and weaknesses that could cause you to pick one over the other.

With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, points can be redeemed for travel through Chase Travel at a value of up to 2 cents per point, depending on the specific redemption, with the Points Boost feature. With Points Boost, you can receive elevated redemption rates of more than 1 cent per point on select Chase Travel redemptions. Select flight and hotel redemptions can be made at a rate between 1.5 and 2 cents per point.

Additionally, you can also redeem your points for gift cards, merchandise or statement credit.

With the Amex Gold Card, you can redeem your points for travel through amextravel.com or for gift cards or cash back as a statement credit. It’s important to note that you receive a redemption rate of 1 cent per point when booking flights through Amex Travel.

All other redemption options, including those through Amex Travel, provide a value of under 1 cent per point, well below TPG’s July 2025 valuation of 2 cents per point, and are not recommended.

With both cards, you’ll generally be better off transferring your points to one of Chase’s or Amex’s transfer partners for maximum value.

Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve. Its points are worth at least 1 cent per point, regardless of the redemption method, whereas with the Amex Gold, there are no redemption methods that have a rate of 1 cent per point.

Related: Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve

Transferring points on the Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold

Both cards have excellent rosters of transfer partners.

With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you’ll have access to the Chase roster of 14 airline and hotel partners.

With the Amex Gold, you’ll have access to Amex’s roster of 20 airline and hotel partners, including Avianca LifeMiles and Qantas Frequent Flyer.

Both cards share some transfer partners, including Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Emirates Skywards, British Airways Club, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.

Additionally, each card has two domestic airlines as a transfer partner, with Chase having United MileagePlus and Southwest Rapid Rewards and Amex having Delta SkyMiles and JetBlue TrueBlue.

Chase has fewer airline transfer partners but is much better for those looking to redeem points for hotel stays, as World of Hyatt offers the best-value hotel redemptions, as Hyatt still uses a fixed award chart. Both cards share Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors as hotel transfer partners.

TPG Credit Cards Writer Chris Nelson loves to transfer his Amex points to Delta SkyMiles to take advantage of flash sales on award flights. Additionally, he likes to transfer his Chase points to Air Canada Aeroplan to book long-haul business-class flights on Star Alliance partners.

Transfer partners are the best way to maximize your points, especially if you want to stay at luxury hotels or fly in fancy premium cabins.

Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve. The Sapphire Reserve takes the slight edge despite Aemx having more transfer partners, as Chase has World of Hyatt as a transfer partner.

Related: Why all travelers should earn transferable points

Should I get the Sapphire Reserve or Amex Gold?

If you’re eligible for both of these cards, they make an all-star pairing, and there’s a real case for having both in your wallet, as Credit Cards Editor Daisy Hernandez can attest to: “I get a ton of value from both my Sapphire Reserve and my Amex Gold as travel, dining and groceries are among my biggest expenses.”

These two cards complement each other very well in terms of benefits and earning and redeeming points. But if you must pick one, you’ll have to decide if you want better earning rates on food and dining and a lower annual fee with the Amex Gold or luxury travel benefits with the Sapphire Reserve.

If you’re looking for a more travel-oriented card, the Sapphire Reserve is your best choice, but if you spend a lot on food and dining, the Amex Gold will likely be a better fit.

Related: How to choose the best credit card for you

Bottom line

Despite not technically being a premium card, the Amex Gold gives the Chase Sapphire Reserve a run for its money in several different categories.

These two cards complement each other quite well, but also target slightly different audiences. The Amex Gold is a go-to card for all things food-related, while the Sapphire Reserve focuses on luxury travel experiences. Either card could make an excellent addition to your wallet.

To learn more, check out our full reviews of the Amex Gold and the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

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Apply here: Amex Gold
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve

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Related: Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve

For rates and fees of the Amex Gold card, click here.

Whether you’re traveling with a large group or want a spacious kitchen where you can cook for your family, there are many reasons to choose a vacation rental over a traditional hotel room. As of this week, Chase cardholders have a new reason to stay in a vacation rental: the ability to earn or redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for their booking through the Vacation Homes program via Chase Travel℠.

Currently, only cardholders with Freedom or Ink Business cards have access to the Vacation Homes program, but Chase is expanding the program to include Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders starting in July.

Here’s what you need to know about this new travel program.

Related: I rarely stay at major hotel chains — here’s how I maximize my reward travel anyway

Chase Vacation Homes program details

For those who already have access to the Vacation Homes option, Chase Travel now offers the ability to choose from thousands of cottages, villas, cabins, beach homes, condos and apartments in destinations across the globe. When you log in to Chase Travel and choose an eligible card, you should see the option to search either “Hotels” or “Vacation Homes.”

For testing purposes, we searched for vacation rentals in Boston in early August. For each search result, we saw multiple images of the property, the rental type (apartment, etc.), how many guests it could accommodate, the nightly cash price and the all-in price in both cash and Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

You’ll also see in the search results a map view that you can use to narrow down your search to a specific part of town or get a better idea of where the properties you are looking at are located. There’s an option to filter your search results to see only accommodations with certain amenities, like internet, fitness facilities, on-site parking and more.

Who is eligible to book Chase Vacation Homes?

Currently, only select cardholders will see the Vacation Homes option when they log in to Chase Travel. This includes those with the following cards:

When Vacation Homes gets a broader rollout in July, Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (launching June 23) cardholders will also have access to the program.

The information for the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business has not been reviewed by the card issuer.

Related: Current Chase Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Flex welcome offers

If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, keep in mind that the redemption value for booking through Chase Travel will soon change, and there will be several other refreshed perks (and a higher annual fee).

How much can you earn?

Freedom and Ink cardholders can earn Ultimate Rewards points for using Vacation Homes at the same rate as booking flights or hotels. For Freedom cardholders, that means 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel. If you have one of the Chase Ink Business cards, your earning rate (if any) will vary based on which card you have.

When the Chase Sapphire Reserve personal and business cards come into the fold in July, those cards will earn 8 points per dollar spent on Chase Travel purchases. For the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, that is a drop of 2 points per dollar from the previous earning rate, but Chase is hoping some of the card’s other new perks will woo you.

Bottom line

Now that Chase is entering the vacation rental business, travelers can book apartments, condos, beach houses and other accommodation types through the Chase Travel portal, and earn points while they do it.

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