Card database → Chase Freedom Unlimited vs American Express Gold Card
Chase Freedom Unlimited vs American Express Gold Card
Printed earn rates valued in cents per dollar, side by side — the same math the Credit Upside engine runs on every charge. Card data verified 2026-09-03.
| Category | Chase Freedom Unlimited | American Express Gold Card |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 3.0¢/$ (3%) | 4.4¢/$ (4x) |
| Groceries | 1.5¢/$ (1.5%) | 4.4¢/$ (4x) |
| Gas | 1.5¢/$ (1.5%) | 1.1¢/$ (1x) |
| Travel | 1.5¢/$ (1.5%) | 1.1¢/$ (1x) 2x at American Express Travel (amextravel.com) only — not counted |
| Flights | 1.5¢/$ (1.5%) | 3.3¢/$ (3x) |
| Hotels | 1.5¢/$ (1.5%) | 1.1¢/$ (1x) |
| Streaming | 1.5¢/$ (1.5%) | 1.1¢/$ (1x) |
| Online retail | 1.5¢/$ (1.5%) | 1.1¢/$ (1x) |
| Issuer travel portal | 5.0¢/$ (5%) | 5.5¢/$ (5x) |
| Drugstores | 3.0¢/$ (3%) | 1.1¢/$ (1x) |
| Everything else | 1.5¢/$ (1.5%) | 1.1¢/$ (1x) |
| Annual fee | None | $325 |
| Statement credits (max/yr) | — | $424 |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3% | None |
| Signup bonus | 20,000 after $500/3mo | 100,000 after $8,000/6mo |
| Offer last confirmed | 2026-09-14 | 2026-09-14 |
Chase Freedom Unlimited wins more of the everyday categories (7 of 11), but American Express Gold Card still wins where you might spend most — which card earns more depends entirely on where YOUR money goes.
Point values are Credit Upside's maintained mid-range estimates (Amex Membership Rewards at 1.10¢). Caps, rotating categories and credit usage change the real answer — the app applies all of them to your actual statement.
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