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Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Chase Sapphire Preferred

Credit Cards1 year ago
Hand holding a credit card while typing on a computer

Chase offers two different Sapphire credit cards: the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Both of these cards provide generous bonuses and perks, but which one is best for you? We'll compare the two cards side by side in this article so that you can choose which one is ideal for your needs.

 

What are the differences between the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve are two of the most popular travel rewards credit cards on the market. Both cards provide a variety of useful features, but they have distinct differences. Here's an overview of the main distinctions between the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve:

 

Chase Sapphire Preferred:

  • Annual fee: $95
  • 60,000 bonus points
  • Transfer to leading airline and hotel partners
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Earn 5x points per $1 on all travel booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
  • Earn 3x points per $1 spent on dining purchases, online grocery shopping, and select streaming services.
  • You can book your hotel stays through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal and get a $50 annual credit.
  • Every quarter, Instacart shoppers in the U.S. get a $15 credit on their account.
  • 2 years of complimentary Platinum status to The Parking Spot.

 

Chase Sapphire Reserve:

  • Annual fee: $450
  • Earn 3x points on travel and dining purchases
  • Earn 5x points on flights purchased through Chase
  • Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase
  • Earn 10x total points on Chase Dining.
  • $300 Annual Travel Credit
  • 50% more redemption value on travel purchased through Chase
  • Priority Pass Select membership

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Best for Travel

Intro offer

60,000 Points

Annual Fee

$95.00

Recommended Credit

690-850GoodExcellent

60,000 Points

Chase Sapphire Preferred.png

Which is better for you - the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

If you're looking for a travel credit card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve may be two options you consider. These cards offer advantages and benefits, but which one is superior depends on how much money you spend regularly and what sorts of travels you frequently go on.

So, which card is right for you? The Chase Sapphire Reserve is usually a better option if you spend a lot on traveling and dining. If you don't spend as much in those areas or if you're trying to keep your expenditures low, the Chase Sapphire Preferred may be the superior choice.

 

What are the pros and cons of each card?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has a fantastic sign-up bonus, a high rewards rate on travel and dining purchases, as well as useful benefits. It also comes at a lower price than the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. If you're seeking for a premium travel card with a more reasonable price tag, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent choice to consider.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card boasts plenty of advantages that the average traveler will love. To start, you earn more rewards on travel and dining purchases than with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. There's also an annual $300 travel credit to put towards your next vacation. If you find yourself hitting the skies often, take advantage of perks like complimentary airport lounge access and trip delay insurance- both included with this card.

Choosing the best card comes down to your spending habits and travel plans. If you don't vacation often and mostly use your card for average expenses, then go with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. But, if you spend more on luxuries while traveling such as first-class tickets and five-star restaurants, it might be worth paying extra for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card.

 

 

How to decide which card is right for you

If you're trying to decide between the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve, there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind.

The second is your travel patterns - do you usually stick to domestic travel or do you frequently fly abroad? If it's the case, the Reserve might be a better option for you since it provides greater benefits such as airport lounge access. However, if you mostly stick to domestic flights, Preferred may be a better choice since it has a lower annual fee.

You should also think about your regular spending habits when you're on a trip. If you like to spend money freely on activities such as dining and shopping, then the Reserve could give you more points per dollar spent in those categories. However, if you are trying to save money while still enjoying yourself, then the Preferred credit card might be better suited since its points don't differ based on how they're used.

Finally, the ideal method to figure out which card is ideal for you is to evaluate your travel habits and expenditure patterns and pick one that will provide you with more advantages based on your specific needs.

Picture of passport next to Chase Sapphire Preferred