When it comes to mid-tier cards with the best benefits, there are two major players most people pick from – the American Express Green Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. Both cards offer competitive benefits and perks which make the annual fee a valuable investment for many cardholders. But which option is the best for you?
Our American Express vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Review will tell you everything you need to know to make this decision. We will take a look at the fees, perks, and points earning potential for each of these credit cards, so you can decide which option is the right fit for you. So, let’s get started!
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Editor's Choice
60,000 Points
American Express Green Card vs Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Review
In our Amex Green Card vs. Chas Sapphire Preferred review, we will compare how each card performs against a variety of criteria. From the welcome bonus, to transfer partners – we’ll assess which card offers the best value in each area.
Which Card Offers the Best Welcome Bonus?
In our Amex Green Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred review, we will compare how each card performs against a variety of criteria. From the welcome bonus, to transfer partners – we’ll assess which card offers the best value in each area.
Which Card Offers the Best Welcome Bonus?
Welcome bonuses can significantly impact the value of a credit card. Let's see how the Amex Green and Chase Sapphire Preferred compare.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred: Currently offers a welcome bonus of 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. This is a significant increase from the previous offer.
- American Express Green Card: Provides a welcome bonus of 40,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 in the first six months. While the spending requirement is lower, the overall point value is less than the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Both cards have eligibility restrictions, so it's essential to check your status before applying.
To get the most accurate and up-to-date information, please visit the following websites:
By comparing the current welcome bonuses, spending requirements, and any additional perks, you can make an informed decision about which card aligns best with your spending habits and goals.
Note: Welcome bonuses and terms are subject to change. Always verify the latest offer before applying.
How to Earn Points with the Chase Sapphire vs American Express Green Card?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred allows you to earn 3x points for each dollar you spend on dining with your card, and 2x points for each dollar spent on travel purchases. There are no annual caps for these points-earning rewards. As well as the expected spending, these wide-ranging categories also cover spending at unexpected locations such as food trucks and parking garages.
If you hold an Amex Green credit card, you will earn 3x points per dollar for your spending on travel, transit, and restaurants worldwide. This covers flights, car rentals, subway spending, and even campsite bookings.
So, both card options offer broad opportunities for travelers to earn rewards points as they book flights, hotels, and other trip expenses, with Amex offering a slightly higher return for travel. However, you should note that there have been some issues with the coding of travel spending with Amex when making payments through payment processors such as Stripe and Square.
How to Redeem Your Points with the Amex Green vs Chase Sapphire Preferred?
As well as the amount of points you can earn, one of the most important factors in assessing these cards is how and where you can redeem these points for the best value.
One of the most valuable partners for Chase cardholders is the World of Hyatt, along with the partners below, you can transfer your Ultimate Rewards points at a ratio of 1:1. The value of each transferred point varies from approximately 0.7 cents with Marriott Bonvoy and 2.8 cents for the World of Hyatt.
- Air Canada Aeroplan Miles
- British Airways Avios
- Emirates Skywards Miles
- KLM and Air France Flying Blue Miles
- World of Hyatt points
- IHG Rewards points
- JetBlue TrueBlue points
- Marriott Bonvoy points
- United Airlines MileagePlus miles
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points
You’ll also be able to get a 25% bonus on your points when you redeem them using the Chase Travel portal, so that’s a base redemption value of at least 1.25 cents per point!
American Express also has a wide range of travel partners which can give you discounts on your flight bookings and hotel stays when you redeem them through these loyalty schemes.
- Asia Miles
- British Airways Executive Club
- Delta SkyMiles®
- Emirates Emirates Skywards
- Etihad Airways Etihad Guest
- Finnair Finnair Plus
- Flying Blue
- Iberia Plus
- Marriott Bonvoy Marriott Bonvoy™
- Qantas Airways Qantas Frequent Flyer
- SAS EuroBonus
- Singapore KrisFlyer
- Virgin Atlantic Virgin Atlantic Real Time UK
The points ratios for transferring your points to these loyalty schemes caries from 1:1 to 2:3, so the bonus points and spending points you earn can prove to be very valuable for your future travel bookings. Particularly if you take advantage of one of Delta SkyMile’s flash sales!
Ultimately the best card in terms of partners will depend on your current travel lifestyle and where you prefer to book. But it is always worth checking whether switching your bookings to a certain air carrier or hotel chain may provide you with valuable savings through your points redemption.
Which Card Offers the Best Perks? – American Express Green Card vs Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?
To justify the annual fee ($150 on the Amex Green Card, and $95 on the Chase Sapphire Preferred), both card providers have added several benefits which cardholders can use which make the fee a valuable investment. You won’t get the premium perks available on cards where the fee is $200+, but there is enough on offer for each card to make them a good choice.
Standout benefits for the Chase card include:
· $50 annual statement credit for hotels booked through Chase Travel.
· Trip Delay/ Interruption Insurance
· Baggage Delay Insurance and Loss Reimbursement.
· Collision Damage Waiver for Car Rentals
· No Delivery Fees on DoorDash orders (if you activate your account before December 31, 2024.)
The Amex Green Card also offers some great benefits, including valuable perks for frequent travelers. These include:
· $189 CLEAR® Plus membership credit
· $100 LoungeBuddy annual credit
If you take advantage of both of these benefits, then your $150 annual fee is covered from the outset, with an added saving of $139 on an airport lounge and Clear memberships to boot!
Takeaway - American Express Green vs Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Review
Both the American Express Green Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offer great perks and points-earning opportunities for cardholders. Whereas the Sapphire Preferred card offers you valuable savings on travel insurance, the Amex Green card offers impressive statement credits for airport lounge and TSA precheck memberships.
Although the annual fee is cheaper on the Chase card, the best card for you will depend upon your travel habits, and which card you think will offer you the most savings overall.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase offers two different Sapphire credit cards: the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Both of these cards provide generous bonuses and perks, but which one is best for you?
