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- The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers generous rewards on dining, but a slate of newcomers have been trying to take its place as the best card for dining.
- Last fall, the American Express® Gold Card was refreshed with new benefits, including an even better rewards earning rate at US restaurants.
- There are a lot of similarities between the two cards, but also some important differences. Here's what you need to know to decide which is right for you.
When it launched in 2016, the Chase Sapphire Reserve was the king of dining rewards. With 3x points for every dollar spent on dining - which was defined broadly enough to include everything from restaurants to cafés and bars - it was the obvious go-to to maximize points anytime you ate out.
Nearly three years later, the rewards landscape has become more crowded than ever, and the Sapphire Reserve, or "CSR," has some heavy-hitting competition. Last year, American Express refreshed its Premier Rewards Gold card, rebranding it the American Express Gold Card.
The two cards bear a lot of similarities: They have hefty annual fees but a handful of benefits and credits to offset it, they earn bonus points on dining, and they both have a handful of valuable ways to redeem points. But there are also a handful of differences, some of which are pretty significant. There's also the Citi Prestige card, which offers an incredible 5x points on dining, but Citi's rewards program is trickier to navigate to get top value.
With that in mind, which card - the Sapphire Reserve or AmEx Gold - is best for you? Read on to find out.
Keep in mind that we're focusing on the rewards and perks that make these cards great options, not things like interest rates and late fees, which can far outweigh the value of any rewards.
When you're working to earn credit card rewards, it's important to practice financial discipline, like paying your balances off in full each month, making payments on time, and not spending more than you can afford to pay back. Basically, treat your credit card like a debit card.
Click here to learn more about the Chase Sapphire Reserve from Business Insider's partner: The Points Guy.
Click here to learn more about the American Express Gold Card from Business Insider's partner: The Points Guy.
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Business Insider may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.