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If you've even slightly dipped your toes into the world of points and miles, you've probably heard of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates & Fees). It's often referred to as the “best beginner travel card” — and for good reason. You may also be familiar with its premium sibling, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees), which offers elevated travel perks and protections.
But with recent changes to the Sapphire Reserve‘s benefits, annual fee, and redemption structures, the decision between the two looks a little different now. The value calculations have shifted. Depending on how you travel and use your points, the right fit for you might not be the same as it was before.
So, let's compare the two cards in their current forms to see which is right for you.
- 5X points on Lyft rides through September 2027
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on dining at restaurants worldwide
- 3X points on eligible streaming services
- 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
- 2X points on all other travel
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
- 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
- 3x points on dining worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
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Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve Welcome Bonus
One of the best parts of opening a new credit card is earning its welcome bonus, and both the Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Preferred offer excellent ones.
- Sapphire Reserve: Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Sapphire Preferred: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Chase Ultimate Rewards points are incredibly versatile. You can transfer them to travel partners or take advantage of the brand-new Points Boost feature — arguably two of the most valuable ways to redeem your rewards. But between the two cards, the Sapphire Reserve offers a significantly larger bonus, so it gets the edge in this category comparison.
Winner: Sapphire Reserve for its larger — and more rewarding — welcome bonus.
- Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get more than $2,700 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 Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music - all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 - a value of $250 annually
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
- 3x points on dining worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve: Annual Fee
The Sapphire Reserve is a premium card whereas the Sapphire Preferred is a mid-tier card. Thus, their annual fees are vastly different, as follows:
- Sapphire Preferred: $95
- Sapphire Reserve: $795
Additionally, the fees for adding an authorized user (a person who has their own card and can make purchases on your account) are quite different as well:
- Sapphire Preferred: $0 per authorized user
- Sapphire Reserve: $195 per authorized user
We’ll cover how the benefits stack up below, but for now, looking at the annual fee alone, one card is the clear winner.
Winner: Sapphire Preferred for its much more affordable annual fee.
- Earn 75,000 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, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
- 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- 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.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 5X points on Lyft rides through September 2027
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on dining at restaurants worldwide
- 3X points on eligible streaming services
- 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
- 2X points on all other travel
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve: Earning Categories
Both the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve earn Ultimate Rewards points. Here's the earning structure for both cards:
The Sapphire Reserve earns as follows:
- 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
- 3x points on dining worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
Meanwhile, the Sapphire Preferred earns:
- 5X points on Lyft rides through September 2027
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on dining at restaurants worldwide
- 3X points on eligible streaming services
- 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
- 2X points on all other travel
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
You'll notice significant overlap in earning categories, but the rates in those categories are quite different. If you're looking for higher earning rates and are willing to accept a higher annual fee to get there, the Sapphire Reserve is it.
If you want a lower annual fee and corresponding lower earnings in certain categories, or if you spend with online streaming or online grocery services, then the Sapphire Preferred makes more sense.
Winner: Tie. Both cards offer lucrative earning rates, but the better of the two depends on what categories you spend the most amount of money on.
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve: Key Benefits
Transfer partners
Both cards provide access to Chase's transfer partners. Additionally, if you have a no-annual-fee Chase credit card, you can combine your cash back with points on these two cards to access the transfer partners.
Related: Different Ways to Redeem Ultimate Rewards
Travel credits
The Sapphire Preferred offers a $50 annual hotel credit toward hotel bookings made in the Chase Travel portal.
The Sapphire Reserve has significantly more (and larger) travel credits, including an annual $300 travel credit. This easy-to-use credit applies automatically to your first $300 of travel spending each year, applying broadly to anything that codes as travel.
This differs from the Sapphire Preferred hotel credit that only applies to the Chase Travel portal. Note that you won't earn bonus points on travel purchases that are offset by this credit.
As of the 2025 updates, Sapphire Reserve cardholders will now also receive up to $500 in annual credits for prepaid stays at The Edit, Chase’s curated luxury hotel collection, split into two $250 statement credits every six months (January through June and July through December) for bookings of two nights or more.
Finally, Sapphire Reserve cardholders can receive a TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit every four years. This credit covers up to $120, depending on the application fee for the program you apply for, when you use your card to pay for the application. You'll receive a statement credit for that same amount.
Lounge access and luxury hotel program
Sapphire Reserve cardholders get a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which provides access to over 1,300 airport lounges and additional experiences like spas and in-airport nap rooms — but not Priority Pass restaurants.
Thankfully, cardholders get unlimited visits to Chase Sapphire Lounges, of which there are currently eight open worldwide, with additional locations set to debut in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Dallas–Fort Worth in 2025. Depending on how often you travel, this could be worth hundreds of dollars in free food and drinks each year.
The Sapphire Reserve also unlocks VIP treatment through The Edit hotel collection, offering perks like daily breakfast for two, a $100 on-property credit, and room upgrades (when available) for stays booked through the dedicated portal.
Sapphire Preferred cardholders cannot access any of these benefits.
Related: How to Receive Elite Hotel Benefits Without Elite Status
Partner program benefits
Both Sapphire cards offer a variety of partner perks, but the Sapphire Reserve now includes several premium additions as part of its 2025 refresh.
Sapphire Preferred cardholders receive:
- One-year DoorDash DashPass membership (enroll by December 31, 2027) and $10 per month credit on non-restaurant orders.
- Bonus points on eligible Peloton purchases through December 31, 2027
- Enhanced Lyft benefits through September 30, 2027
Sapphire Reserve cardholders receive:
- Up to $500 per year in statement credits for prepaid two-night stays at The Edit luxury hotels ($250 available from January through June and again from July through December)
- Up to $300 in annual dining credits when booking Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables on OpenTable ($150 from January through June and again from July through December)
- Up to $300 per year in ticket credits for StubHub and viagogo ($150 from January through June and again from July through December)
- Up to $125 per year in Apple Music credits and $125 per year in Apple TV+ credits
- Up to $120 per year in Peloton statement credits, plus 10X points on eligible equipment purchases
- Up to $10 per month in Lyft in-app credits through September 30, 2027 (totaling $120 annually)
- Up to $300 in annual DoorDash promos, plus a complimentary DashPass membership
Insurance protections
Both cards come with a wide range of shopping and travel protections. Before diving into what sets them apart, let’s look at what they have in common:
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
- Baggage delay insurance
- Lost luggage reimbursement
- Extended warranty protection
- Travel and emergency assistance
Both cards offer the following types of protections, though coverage amounts are different:
- Auto rental collision damage waiver (CDW): The coverage is primary for both cards. However, Sapphire Preferred cardholders are covered up to $60,000 (excluding certain expensive/exotic vehicles), and Sapphire Reserve cardholders are covered up to $75,000.
- Roadside assistance: Cardholders can call for help, though Sapphire Preferred pay for all services received. Sapphire Reserve cardholders can be covered for up to $50 per event and up to four events per year. Coverage does not apply to more than one call for the same problem in seven days.
- Trip delay protection: Both cards provide up to $500 of coverage for expenses during travel delays. Sapphire Reserve cardholders receive coverage with a delay of six hours or more, while Sapphire Preferred cardholders need a delay of 12 hours or overnight.
- Travel accident insurance: Sapphire Preferred cardholders receive up to $100,000 of coverage for 24-hour protection and up to $500,000 of coverage when traveling on a common carrier. Conversely, Sapphire Reserve cardholders receive up to $1 million of coverage on a common carrier or up to $100,000 of 24-hour coverage.
- Purchase protection: The Sapphire Preferred covers up to the cost of the item with a maximum of $500 per item and a maximum of $50,000 across the life of the account. Items are covered for up to 120 days from purchase. The Sapphire Reserve has the same 120-day stipulation but covers up to the cost of the item or $10,000 per claim, with a $50,000 maximum per year.
The following protections are only available on the Sapphire Reserve:
- Emergency medical and dental
- Emergency evacuation and transportation
- Travel accident insurance
For more details on these protections, consult the following:
- Everything You Need To Know About Chase Sapphire Reserve® Insurance Benefits
- How to Get Coverage via Chase Sapphire Preferred Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
- Chase Sapphire Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance
Winner: Sapphire Reserve for all of its extra benefits and protections.
- Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get more than $2,700 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 Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music - all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 - a value of $250 annually
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
- 3x points on dining worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
Can You Have Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve?
For years, Chase limited cardholders to just one Sapphire product at a time. But as of June 23, 2025, that rule is changing. You can now hold both the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve. However, you'll want to pay close attention to the application rules to ensure you're eligible to earn the welcome bonus.
From the Sapphire Reserve‘s application page:
“The new cardmember bonus may not be available to you if you currently have any other personal Sapphire cards open, previously held this card or received a new cardmember bonus for this card. We may also consider the number of cards you have opened and closed, as well as other factors in determining your bonus eligibility.”
This shift gives more flexibility than ever. Now you don’t have to feel like you must pick just one anymore. Still, it’s worth starting with the card that aligns best with your current travel habits and spending patterns.
Make sure to check Chase's other application rules before applying for either of these cards.
Related: All of the Credit Cards that Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Bottom Line
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Understanding your travel style and spending priorities makes it easier to choose the card that fits your needs.
You should get the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card if you're a frequent or semi-frequent traveler who wants strong earning potential, flexible redemptions, and valuable protections, all for a reasonable $95 annual fee.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve®, on the other hand, is best suited to travelers who can consistently take advantage of its elevated perks. With the 2025 updates, the card's benefits have expanded significantly, but so has the annual fee. At an annual fee of $795, this card only makes sense if you’ll make good use of the $300 travel credit, The Edit hotel credits, lounge access, and other lifestyle perks throughout the year.
Not everyone needs the full suite of premium benefits. But if you do, the Sapphire Reserve could deliver serious value in return.
- 5X points on Lyft rides through September 2027
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on dining at restaurants worldwide
- 3X points on eligible streaming services
- 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
- 2X points on all other travel
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
- 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
- 3x points on dining worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
For more details on these cards, check out our Chase Sapphire Preferred review and Chase Sapphire Reserve review.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates & Fees), and Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees)
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