American Express Gold Card vs Chase Sapphire Preferred Referral Bonus (2026)
A detailed comparison of American Express Gold Card (20,000 Membership Rewards points per referral) and Chase Sapphire Preferred (15,000 Ultimate Rewards points per referral) in the Credit Cards category.
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Verdict: American Express Gold Card Edges Ahead
Both American Express Gold Card and Chase Sapphire Preferred offer competitive referral programs. American Express Gold Card edges ahead with a 4.7-star rating.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | American Express Gold Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred |
|---|---|---|
| Referrer Bonus | 20,000 Membership Rewards points | 15,000 Ultimate Rewards points |
| Referee Bonus | Up to 90,000 bonus points | Up to 75,000 bonus points |
| Payout Type | Points | Points |
| Commission Type | One-Time | One-Time |
| Max Referrals | 15/year | 5/year |
| Max Earnings | 300,000 points/year | 75,000 points/year |
| Conversion Difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Rating | 4.7 | 4.6 |
| How to Refer | Log in to your Amex account, go to the 'Refer a Friend' page, and generate your unique referral link to share via email, text, or social media. | Log in to Chase.com, select 'Refer a friend' from your Sapphire Preferred card menu, and share your link. |
| Referee Requirements | Must be approved for the American Express Gold Card and meet the minimum spending requirement (typically $6,000 in 6 months). | Must be approved for the Chase Sapphire Preferred and spend $4,000 in the first 3 months. |
| Last Verified |
Pros & Cons
American Express Gold Card
Pros
- +20,000 points per referral — one of the highest credit card referral bonuses
- +Up to 300,000 points per year (15 referrals)
- +Points are highly flexible through transfer partners
- +Strong product with genuine appeal to food lovers
Cons
- −Referral must be approved (credit check required)
- −$325 annual fee may deter some potential referrals
- −Points take 8-12 weeks to credit
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Pros
- +Strong brand — Chase Sapphire is a well-known, respected card
- +15,000 points per referral worth $187+ in travel
- +Low $95 annual fee makes it broadly appealing
- +Versatile Ultimate Rewards points with excellent transfer partners
Cons
- −Limited to 5 referrals per year (lower cap than Amex)
- −Referral must pass credit approval
- −Some friends may prefer no-annual-fee cards
Detailed Program Breakdowns
American Express Gold Card Referral Program
Earn 20,000 Membership Rewards points (worth ~$200) for each friend approved for the Amex Gold Card through your referral link.
Max earnings: 300,000 points/year
Max referrals: 15/year
Chase Sapphire Preferred Referral Program
Earn 15,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points for each friend approved for the Chase Sapphire Preferred through your referral link.
Max earnings: 75,000 points/year
Max referrals: 5/year
Our Recommendation
American Express Gold Card edges ahead with a 4.7/5 rating, making it our top pick in this comparison. It offers 20,000 Membership Rewards points per referral with points payouts.
That said, Chase Sapphire Preferred is still a solid program worth considering. The best choice ultimately depends on your audience — promote the platform your referrals are most likely to sign up for, as conversions matter more than raw bonus amounts.
For best results, consider promoting both programs and recommending whichever fits each individual referral's situation. Many successful referrers maintain active links for multiple programs in the same category.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which referral program pays more, American Express Gold Card or Chase Sapphire Preferred?
- American Express Gold Card offers 20,000 Membership Rewards points per referral while Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 15,000 Ultimate Rewards points per referral. Based on the maximum bonus value, American Express Gold Card has the higher earning potential per referral.
- Is American Express Gold Card or Chase Sapphire Preferred easier to refer friends to?
- American Express Gold Card has a medium difficulty level while Chase Sapphire Preferred has a medium difficulty level. Both programs have similar conversion difficulty.
- How do American Express Gold Card and Chase Sapphire Preferred pay referral bonuses?
- American Express Gold Card pays referral bonuses as points with a one-time commission structure. Chase Sapphire Preferred pays as points with a one-time commission structure.
- Can I promote both American Express Gold Card and Chase Sapphire Preferred referral programs?
- Yes, you can promote both American Express Gold Card and Chase Sapphire Preferred referral programs simultaneously. Many successful referrers promote multiple programs in the same category and recommend different options to different audiences based on their needs and preferences.
- Which has a higher rating, American Express Gold Card or Chase Sapphire Preferred?
- American Express Gold Card has a 4.7/5 rating while Chase Sapphire Preferred has a 4.6/5 rating on RefPerks. American Express Gold Card is rated higher overall. Ratings reflect the quality of the referral program from a referrer's perspective, including payout reliability, bonus amounts, and ease of conversion.
Explore Each Program
Get the complete breakdown of each referral program, including detailed tips, step-by-step referral instructions, and earning strategies.
Referral program terms may change. Verify current offers on the official website.