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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 both the Sapphire Reserve and the Sapphire Preferred, choosing between the two isn't quite as straightforward as it used to be. Depending on how you travel, which transfer partners you value most, and how you redeem your points, the better fit might be different than before.
So, let's compare the two cards in their current forms to see which is right for you.
$95Rates & 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 gas and EV charging
- 3X points on vacation homes at top brands like Airbnb, Vrbo and more
- 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
$795Rates & 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 Chase Sapphire Reserve Welcome Bonus
One of the best perks of 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 after you spend $6,000 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.
These cards earn incredibly valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. You can transfer them to travel partners or take advantage of the Points Boost feature — arguably two of the most valuable ways to redeem your rewards.
Winner: Sapphire Reserve for a higher welcome bonus.
- 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, 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, Emergency Evacuation and Transportation 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 12 months 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
- 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 gas and EV charging
- 3X points on vacation homes at top brands like Airbnb, Vrbo and more
- 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 Chase Sapphire Reserve: Annual Fee
The Sapphire Reserve is a premium card, whereas the Sapphire Preferred is a more affordable midtier option. As you'd expect, their annual fees are vastly different:
- Sapphire Preferred: $95
- Sapphire Reserve: $795
The cost of adding authorized users is different as well:
- Sapphire Preferred: $0 per authorized user
- Sapphire Reserve: $195 per authorized user
Looking solely at the annual fee, the winner is clear. We'll see whether the Sapphire Reserve's additional benefits justify its higher cost in the sections below.
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, 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, Emergency Evacuation and Transportation 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 12 months 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
- 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 gas and EV charging
- 3X points on vacation homes at top brands like Airbnb, Vrbo and more
- 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 Chase Sapphire Reserve: Earning Categories
Both the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve earn Ultimate Rewards at the following rates:
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 gas and EV charging
- 3X points on vacation homes at top brands like Airbnb, Vrbo and more
- 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 some overlap in earning categories, but the rates are quite different. If you're looking for higher earning rates for flights and hotels, the Sapphire Reserve is it.
But the Sapphire Preferred, on the other hand, offers 3X on gas, EV charging, vacation rentals, eligible online grocery purchases, and select streaming services. If those are categories where you spend heavily, the Preferred makes more sense.
Winner: Tie. Both cards offer lucrative earning rates, but the better choice depends on what categories you spend the most on.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Vs Chase Sapphire Reserve: Key Benefits
Transfer partners
Both cards provide access to Chase's airline and hotel transfer partners. Additionally, if you have a no-annual-fee Chase credit card, you can combine those rewards with either Sapphire to unlock transfers.
However, Sapphire Preferred cardholders now have a reduced transfer ratio to World of Hyatt of 4:3. This begins October 1, 2026 for those who had the card before June 15, 2026. If you regularly transfer points to Hyatt, this is a significant drawback compared to the Sapphire Reserve.
If you hold both Sapphire cards, you can transfer Ultimate Rewards points to your Sapphire Reserve account before sending them to Hyatt, preserving the 1:1 transfer ratio.
Related: Different Ways To Redeem Ultimate Rewards
Travel credits
The Sapphire Preferred offers a $100 annual hotel credit toward hotel bookings made in the Chase Travel portal.
The Sapphire Reserve offers significantly more travel credits, starting with its annual $300 travel credit. This easy-to-use credit automatically applies to your first $300 in purchases that code as travel each cardmember year.
Unlike the Sapphire Preferred's hotel credit, this credit isn't limited to bookings made through Chase Travel. Note that you won't earn bonus points on travel purchases that are offset by this credit.
Sapphire Reserve cardholders also receive up to $500 in annual credits for prepaid stays at The Edit, Chase’s curated luxury hotel collection. The credit is split into two $250 statement credits each year (January through June and July through December) for bookings of two nights or more.
Additionally, Sapphire Reserve cardholders receive a $250 statement credit through December 31, 2026, on prepaid Chase Travel hotel bookings for stays with:
- IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Montage Hotels & Resorts
- Pendry Hotels & Resorts
- Omni Hotels & Resorts
- Virgin Hotels
- Minor Hotels
- Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts
Cardholders also receive a statement credit of up to $120 every four years when they use the card to pay for a TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS application fee.
Lounge access and luxury hotel program
Sapphire Reserve cardholders get a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. Your membership provides access to over 1,300 airport lounges and additional experiences like spas and sleep pods — although Priority Pass restaurants are not included.
In addition, cardholders get unlimited visits to Chase Sapphire Lounges, of which there are currently eight open worldwide, with additional locations set to debut in Los Angeles and Dallas–Fort Worth in 2026. Depending on how often you travel, this could be worth hundreds of dollars in free food and drinks each year.
The Sapphire Reserve also includes access to The Edit benefits, where eligible stays come with perks like daily breakfast for two, a $100 on-property credit, and room upgrades (when available).
These benefits are exclusive to Sapphire Reserve cardholders.
Related: How To Receive Elite Hotel Benefits Without Elite Status
Partner program benefits
Both Sapphire cards include partner perks, but the Sapphire Reserve 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 $288 per year toward Apple Music and Apple TV subscriptions
- 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. Here's 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: 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: Both cards provide access to roadside assistance. Sapphire Preferred cardholders pay the full cost of any services they receive, while Sapphire Reserve cardholders are covered for up to $50 per event, up to four events per year. Coverage doesn't apply to more than one call for the same issue within 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 also covers purchases for up to 120 days but increases the limit to $10,000 per claim, with a maximum of $50,000 per year.
The following protections are only available on the Sapphire Reserve:
- Emergency medical and dental
- Emergency evacuation and transportation
For more details on these protections, consult the following articles:
- 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 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
- 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 has limited cardholders to just one Sapphire product at a time. But as of June 23, 2025, that rule has been lifted. 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:
“This credit card is unavailable to you if you currently have one open. The new cardmember bonus may not be available to you if you 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 in determining your bonus eligibility.”
This shift gives applicants much more flexibility. If both cards fit your spending habits, you can now carry them at the same time.
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.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the better choice for most travelers. It offers strong earning potential, flexible redemptions, and valuable travel 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. If you'll make good use of the $300 travel credit, The Edit benefits, lounge access, and other premium perks, the higher annual fee can be well worth it. Plus, if transferring Ultimate Rewards points to World of Hyatt is a priority, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the clear winner.
$95Rates & 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 gas and EV charging
- 3X points on vacation homes at top brands like Airbnb, Vrbo and more
- 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
$795Rates & 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
For more details on these cards, check out our Chase Sapphire Preferred review and Chase Sapphire Reserve review.
Page Contents
- Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Chase Sapphire Reserve Welcome Bonus
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Vs Chase Sapphire Reserve: Annual Fee
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Vs Chase Sapphire Reserve: Earning Categories
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Vs Chase Sapphire Reserve: Key Benefits
- Can You Have Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve?
- Bottom Line
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)
