If you eat out often and travel a few times a year, these two cards keep showing up on every shortlist — and for good reason. This Amex Green vs Chase Sapphire Preferred comparison breaks down the real annual fees, rewards rates, and current welcome bonuses so you can see which one actually fits your spending, not just which one has the flashier marketing.
Quick update: Chase Sapphire Preferred is currently offering its highest-ever welcome bonus — 100,000 points, only the third time this has happened since the card launched in 2009. If you’re comparing Amex Green vs Chase Sapphire Preferred right now, timing matters.
| Feature | Amex Green Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $150 | $95 |
| Welcome Bonus (current offer) | 40,000 points after $3,000 spend in 6 months | 100,000 points after $5,000 spend in 3 months (limited time) |
| Top Earning Rate | 3X on travel, transit, and restaurants worldwide | 5X on Chase Travel, 3X on dining, gas/EV, streaming, groceries |
| Key Annual Credit | Up to $199 for CLEAR Plus membership | $100 Chase Travel hotel credit + $120 Global Entry/TSA credit |
| Transfer Partners | 20+ airline and hotel programs | 14 airline and hotel programs |
| Foreign Transaction Fees | None | None |
Both issuers publish full terms directly — check the official Amex Green Card terms before applying, since welcome offers and credits can change without notice.
Amex Green vs Chase Sapphire Preferred: Where the Green Card Wins
The Green Card’s real strength is its transfer partner network — over 20 airline and hotel loyalty programs, noticeably more than Sapphire Preferred’s 14. If you like flexibility in how you redeem points, or you already have loyalty status with a specific airline, that wider network matters. The CLEAR Plus credit is also easy to use for frequent flyers who fly out of airports where CLEAR operates, and at up to $199/year, it can offset the entire annual fee on its own.
Where Chase Sapphire Preferred Wins in This Comparison
Sapphire Preferred costs $55 less per year and, as of its June 2026 refresh, now earns 3X points on gas, EV charging, and vacation rentals in addition to dining, streaming, and groceries — a broader set of everyday categories than the Green Card covers. The current 100,000-point welcome bonus is also simply larger in raw value than Amex Green’s standard offer, even accounting for the higher $5,000 minimum spend. One trade-off to know about: Chase recently changed its Hyatt transfer ratio from 1:1 to 4:3, making Hyatt hotel redemptions somewhat less valuable than before for new cardholders.
- You want the widest transfer partner network
- You fly through CLEAR-enabled airports regularly
- Your spending leans heavily toward dining and general travel
- You want the lower annual fee
- You spend a lot on gas, groceries, or streaming
- You want to grab the current 100,000-point limited-time bonus
| Who Should Get Which Card | |
|---|---|
| Amex Green | Frequent travelers who value transfer flexibility over category breadth |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | Everyday spenders who want a lower fee and broader bonus categories |
For a deeper look at Sapphire Preferred’s full benefits and June 2026 changes, check our Chase Sapphire Preferred Review. And if you’re weighing Chase against other travel cards in your wallet, our Best Travel Credit Cards guide rounds up the top options side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions: Amex Green vs Chase Sapphire Preferred
Which card has the better welcome bonus right now?
Chase Sapphire Preferred’s current 100,000-point offer is a limited-time promotion and one of the highest in the card’s 17-year history, making it the stronger offer at this moment — but check both issuers directly, since bonus offers change frequently.
Is Amex Green a charge card or a credit card?
It’s a credit card with a revolving balance option, not a charge card like the Amex Platinum, so it carries a standard APR if you don’t pay in full.
Can I have both cards at the same time?
Yes, since they’re issued by different banks (American Express and Chase), there’s no rule against holding both, though each issuer has its own approval criteria and card limits.
Does the Hyatt transfer change affect Amex Green?
No, the 1:1 to 4:3 transfer ratio change only applies to Chase Ultimate Rewards points transferring to World of Hyatt — Amex Membership Rewards transfer ratios to its own partners are unaffected.
Which card is easier to get approved for?
Both typically require good to excellent credit (generally a FICO score of 690+), and approval also depends on your overall credit profile and existing relationship with each issuer.
Disclaimer: This comparison is based on publicly available terms as of July 2026 and independent research. Card terms, fees, and welcome offers are set by each issuer and may change at any time. Always confirm current terms directly with the issuer before applying. Best Card Guide may earn a commission from partner links, which does not influence our ratings.