Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; data as of September 27, 2026. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.
Annual fees: American Express Green Card $150/yr, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card $95/yr. Strongest bonus categories: American Express Green Card on travel, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card on travel.
Card data as of September 27, 2026.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | American Express Green Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred Card |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 3X | 3X |
| Electric Vehicle Charging |
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card wins in 5 of 7 categories. The American Express Green Card leads in 2. 1 more category depend on booking channel or caps.
Travel
Depends: via Chase Travel portal
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 5X when conditions are met; American Express Green Card earns 3X (3X without restrictions)
Transit
American Express Green Card earns 3X vs 1X
Ridesharing
American Express Green Card earns 3X vs 1X
Gas Stations
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 3X vs 1X
Electric Vehicle Charging
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 3X vs 1X
Vacation Rentals
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 3X vs 1X
Streaming
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 3X vs 1X
Grocery Stores
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 3X vs 1X
Both scenarios favor the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card on net value (rewards, usable credits, fees, and welcome offer).
Published annual fees: American Express Green Card $150/yr, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card $95/yr — a $55 difference before welcome offers and credits.
| 3X |
| Gas Stations | 1X | 3X |
| Grocery Stores | 1X | 3X |
| Ridesharing | 3X | 1X |
| Streaming | 1X | 3X |
| Transit | 3X | 1X |
| Travel | 3X | 2X |
| Vacation Rentals | 1X | 3X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Modeled net value (bonus categories at unconditional rates, caps applied). Spend mix: dining 15%, groceries 15%, gas 10%, travel 10%, everything else 50%. Statement credits use the same recurring usable estimates as each card's detail page; first-year-only credits count in year one only. Welcome offers valued at each card's program rate shown on this page.
Both scenarios favor the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card on net value (rewards, usable credits, fees, and welcome offer).
| Scenario | American Express Green Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred Card | Ongoing winner | Year-one winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light spender: $1,000/month | Rewards: $270 Credits (our usable estimate): $155 − Annual fee ($150) Ongoing: $275 Year one: $885 | Rewards: $410 Credits (our usable estimate): $109 − Annual fee ($95) Ongoing: $424 Year one: $1,774 | Chase Sapphire Preferred Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred Card |
| Heavy spender: $4,000/month | Rewards: $1,080 Credits (our usable estimate): $155 − Annual fee ($150) Ongoing: $1,085 Year one: $1,695 | Rewards: $1,642 Credits (our usable estimate): $109 − Annual fee ($95) Ongoing: $1,656 Year one: $3,006 | Chase Sapphire Preferred Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred Card |
The American Express Green Card costs $150/yr — that's $55 more than the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card ($95/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $55 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The American Express Green Card includes travel credits, lounge access. Those perks are not included in the earn-rate scenario table above — compare their dollar value to the $55 fee gap for your own usage.
Bottom line: Use the year-one vs ongoing table for modeled earn value at your spend level. The $55 fee gap means the American Express Green Card needs roughly $55 more in annual rewards (or credits you will use) to break even on travel and transit and everyday spend.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Chase Sapphire Preferred Card means losing:
Get the American Express Green Card if you:
Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card if you:
Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; data as of September 27, 2026. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.
