Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve: Which Card Is Better?

Chase has some of the most coveted travel rewards credit cards on the market.

And two of its flagship credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve^®, are among the best and most popular offerings for earning flexible rewards.

Both of these Chase cards can help you earn lots of Chase Ultimate Rewards points, but they’re very different from one another, especially when it comes to perks, benefits, earnings, and annual fees. This post compares and contrasts each card’s benefits so you can decide which one is the right fit for your wallet.

Comparing Welcome Bonus Offers and Annual Fees

See below for the current welcome offers for both of these Chase credit cards:

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Welcome Offer and Annual Fee

You can earn a large welcome offer from the Chase Sapphire Reserve card:

Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Although the $795 is high, the card’s elevated welcome offer plus its many benefits make it well worth it.

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

100,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$2,000

Annual Fee

$795

APR

19.49% - 27.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Excellent

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like worldwide airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus, it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to cover you at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the more than $2,000 in annual credits, which can offset the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 8x points on all Chase Travel purchases
• 5x points on Lyft rides
• 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly

Cons

• $795 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Get $3,000 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
• Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge^® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^® every 4 years
• Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
• Get complimentary subscriptions to Apple TV and Apple Music for a minimum of one year when activated by June 22, 2027, a value of $288 annually.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49% - 27.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Welcome Offer and Annual Fee

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card also features a generous welcome offer:

Earn 75,000 100,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

Considering the card only carries a $95 annual fee, this is an excellent opportunity to earn a large stash of points without breaking the bank.

LIMITED-TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

75,000 100,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$2,000

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.24% - 27.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, gas, EV charging, vacation homes, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance and emergency evacuation. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), gas, EV charging, vacation homes (such as Airbnb and Vrbo), and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
• Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $156.
• Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
• Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck^® or NEXUS application.
• Transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.24% - 27.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Statement Credits

Statement credits are where we see a major difference between the cards.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Statement Credits

It’s true that the Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with a $795 annual fee, making this card somewhat of an investment with the initial fee hitting up front. However, the card offers many valuable benefits that make it worth the cost.

Each cardmember year, you receive a $300 travel credit that automatically reimburses you for a wide range of travel expenses, including ride-hailing services, flights, and hotels. You get up to $500 in annual statement credits with The Edit, delivered in 2 separate credits of up to $250 each (a 2-night minimum stay is required), plus hotel benefits.

Through December 31, 2026, you can also receive up to $250 in statement credits for prepaid hotel stays of 2 nights or more made via Chase Travel at IHG Hotels & Resorts, Montage Hotels & Resorts, Pendry Hotels & Resorts, Omni Hotels & Resorts, Virgin Hotels, Minor Hotels, and Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts properties.

With Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables, cardholders get up to $300 in annual dining credits, available for booking on OpenTable. From January to June and then from July to December, statement credits of up to $150 are given for dining at Exclusive Tables restaurants.

Cardholders also receive up to $300 in annual StubHub credits for concert and event tickets, available in 2 separate up to $150 biannual credits (valid for StubHub and viagogo through December 31, 2027), as well as up to $300 annually in monthly DoorDash promotion credits and a complimentary DashPass membership worth $120 annually. Included in membership is a monthly $5 restaurant credit and 2 monthly $10 credits to spend at supermarkets, drugstores, and more.

You earn 5x points on Lyft purchases, and the card offers up to $120 in annual Lyft in-app credits, available in monthly credits of up to $10 (through September 30, 2027). Additionally, up to $120 in annual statement credits toward a Peloton membership is included with the card (through December 31, 2027). Cardmembers also receive a statement credit for a Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck application or renewal fee every 4 years.

Hot Tip:

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can activate the complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions that come with the card and receive up to $288 in value. Subscriptions run through June 22, 2027.

These statement credits and offers can add up to over $2,000 in value during your first year with the card.

Additional Perks

For those cardholders who spend $75,000 or more in a calendar year, additional statement credits and benefits include:

• Southwest Airlines A-List Status and a $500 Southwest Airlines credit when booked through Chase Travel 
• $250 credit to the Shops at Chase
• IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status
• World of Hyatt Explorist status

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Statement Credits

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card comes with a $95 annual fee, but you can easily outweigh it by using the $100 annual credit toward hotel stays booked via the Chase travel portal.

You also get an up to in $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit every 4 years, a complimentary 1-year Apple TV subscription when activated by December 31, 2026, and a complimentary DashPass membership (a $120-a-year value), plus up to $10 off a month on groceries, daily essentials, and more on DoorDash.

Earning Potential

Both of these cards are ideal for people who travel and dine out, as these are the primary bonus-earning categories on both cards, though the earning rates differ.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Earnings

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card earns 8x points on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal, 4x points on airfare or hotels booked directly with the airline or hotel site, and 3x points on dining worldwide. All other purchases made with the card earn 1x points.

The card also earns 5x points spent on Lyft purchases (through September 30, 2027). You can also earn 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessories (through December 31, 2027).

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Earnings

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card earns 5x points for all travel booked via Chase Travel, 3x points on dining, certain streaming services, gas purchases, EV charging, vacation homes booked on sites like Airbnb and Vrbo, and online groceries, 2x points for all other travel, and 1x on all other purchases.

Plus, the card earns 5 points per $1 spent on Lyft purchases (through September 30, 2027) and on eligible Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $150 (through December 31, 2027).

Hot Tip:

The 10% anniversary points bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is being discontinued, effective immediately for cardmembers who applied on or after June 15, 2026. For cardmembers who applied prior to June 15, 2026, eligible purchases made through October 1, 2026, will continue to earn the 10% bonus, which will be awarded by January 31, 2027.

Redemption Options

Both of these cards earn Ultimate Rewards points, a valuable points currency that offers flexible redemptions.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Redemptions

You can use points for statement credits or gift cards to book travel via Chase Travel. Or you can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio to several airline partners.

You can also transfer points to several hotel partners:

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers Points Boost redemptions, where you can earn up to 2 cents per point on certain hotels or flights.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Redemptions

With the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you can also transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to Chase airline and hotel partners — most of which also transfer at a 1:1 ratio. However, Ultimate Rewards points will transfer from the Chase Sapphire Preferred card to World of Hyatt at a 4:3 ratio, effective immediately for new cardmembers who apply on or after June 15, 2026, and effective October 1, 2026, for cardmembers who applied prior to June 15, 2026.

You can also redeem points using Points Boost in Chase Travel, and for gift cards and statement credits.

Hot Tip:

These are some of the best ways to redeem your Ultimate Rewards points for maximum value.

Travel Benefits and Protections

Each of these cards offers a wide range of travel benefits. While some levels of travel protection are similar, there are differences.

One of the best travel benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is access to over 1,300 airport lounges available with complimentary Priority Pass membership. Lounge access includes the Chase Sapphire Lounges by the Club, as well as some Air Canada lounges and cafes.

Both cards offer primary automobile rental coverage, which provides coverage for your car rental without requiring a claim to be filed with your personal car insurance.

The main difference with car rental insurance is that the Chase Sapphire Preferred card doesn’t cover expensive or exotic cars. In contrast, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers additional rental coverage with up to $75,000 in reimbursement for theft or collision.

Both cards also offer roadside assistance, but the Chase Sapphire Preferred card charges a flat fee per service call, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers 4 service calls at no extra charge, valued up to $50 each, per year.

Purchase protection provides an added layer of peace of mind for purchases made with your card. Both offer up to $50,000 in claims per year, but the Chase Sapphire Reserve card protects up to $10,000 per item, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers $500 per item.

Travel protections that cover lost or delayed luggage and trip cancellation are identical. However, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers slightly better insurance benefits for trip delay coverage, travel accident coverage, and emergency evacuation.

Authorized Users

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card doesn’t charge additional annual fees for authorized users, but the Chase Sapphire Reserve card charges $195 for each authorized user added to your account.

However, authorized users of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card do receive the added benefit of worldwide lounge access through the Priority Pass Select membership.

Final Thoughts

Both of these cards offer incredible benefits and travel protections, along with a flexible rewards program that provides fantastic value and earning potential for almost everyone.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is ideal for individuals seeking their first travel rewards credit card. It’s also a useful card for anyone who may not have immediate travel plans but wants to start earning valuable and flexible rewards points. With its lower annual fee, this card is a more long-term, manageable investment that still offers valuable perks, and it prevents your points from expiring as long as you keep the card open.

In contrast, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is ideal for frequent travelers who will take full advantage of all the travel credits, numerous statement credits for certain purchases, and enhanced travel benefits and protections.

The bottom line is that the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a great place to start. But if you want better earnings and the extra perks that can improve your lifestyle and travel experience, you may find better value with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.