Amex Gold vs CSP Welcome Bonus: How to Get the Best Offer in 2026
The welcome bonus is the single largest chunk of value you will get from either card. Here is how to find the highest offers and what each bonus is actually worth.
Current Welcome Offers (April 2026)
Amex Gold
Up to 100,000 MR
After spending $6,000 in 6 months
Chase Sapphire Preferred
75,000 UR
After spending $5,000 in 3 months
How to Find the Best Amex Gold Offer
1. Resy Landing Page
Resy frequently hosts the highest public Amex Gold offers (90K-100K). Visit resy.com/amex and check for current promotions. This is often the best public offer available.
2. CardMatch Tool
CardMatch (cardmatch.com) shows pre-qualified offers based on your credit profile. Sometimes surfaces elevated Amex offers of 90K-100K that are not available through the standard application page.
3. Incognito Browser
Open an incognito/private browsing window and navigate to the Amex Gold application page. Amex sometimes shows higher offers to new visitors. Try multiple times, as offers can vary.
4. Referral Links
Existing cardholders can share referral links that may carry elevated offers. Check NerdWallet, The Points Guy, and other financial sites for current referral promotions.
How to Find the Best CSP Offer
1. In-Branch Application
Chase branches occasionally offer elevated bonuses of 80,000-100,000 UR. Walk into a branch and ask about current promotions before applying online. This is the most reliable way to find above-market CSP offers.
2. Chase Pre-Approval
Log into your Chase banking account and check “Just for You” offers. Pre-approved offers sometimes carry higher bonuses than the public application page.
First-Year Total Value (Moderate Spender)
| Component | Amex Gold | CSP |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome bonus (at 1.5cpp) | $1,500 | $1,125 |
| Annual rewards ($4K/mo spend) | $1,242 | $927 |
| Credits used | $424 | $50 |
| Annual fee | -$325 | -$95 |
| First-year total | $2,841 | $2,007 |
Meeting the Spending Requirement
Gold: $6,000 in 6 months
That is $1,000/month, which is quite manageable for most card applicants.
- Put all dining, groceries, and gas on the card
- Use for recurring bills (insurance, subscriptions)
- Time large purchases (furniture, electronics) for early in the window
- Do NOT buy gift cards or manufacture spending
CSP: $5,000 in 3 months
That is $1,667/month, which is more aggressive. Plan ahead.
- Apply before a planned large purchase (travel, home repair)
- Route all household spending through the card for 3 months
- Prepay bills if needed (some utilities allow credit card prepayment)
- Do NOT overspend just to hit the bonus
Sign-Up Bonus FAQ
What is the current Amex Gold welcome bonus?▾
What is the current CSP welcome bonus?▾
Can you get the Amex Gold bonus more than once?▾
Updated 11 April 2026