If you’ve ever Googled the "best travel credit card,” chances are you’ve come across the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
These two cards are among the most powerful options in the points world. But since Chase only lets you carry one Sapphire card at a time, the big question is: Which one deserves a spot in your wallet?
Let’s compare them side by side to help you decide.
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Reserve Key Features
Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Sapphire Preferred is one of the best travel cards for beginners (and even experienced travelers who like simplicity). It has a modest $95 annual fee and packs in serious value — especially with the current welcome offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
100,000 points are worth at least $1,250 in travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠ — and potentially more when transferred to airline and hotel partners like Air Canada Aeroplan, United MileagePlus or World of Hyatt.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Sapphire Reserve is the Sapphire Preferred’s premium sibling. It comes with a $550 annual fee, but if you travel often, the benefits can easily justify the price.
Here’s the Sapphire Reserve’s current welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Side-By-Side Overview
Feature | Sapphire Preferred | Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
Annual Fee | $95 | $550 |
Foreign Transaction Fees | None | None |
Travel Credit | Up to $50 hotel credit (Chase Travel) | Up to $300 travel credit (any travel) |
Chase Travel Point Redemption Value | 1.25 cents per point | 1.5 cents per point |
Airport Lounge Access | N/A | Access to Priority Pass lounges and Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations |
Global Entry / TSA PreCheck / NEXUS credit | N/A | Up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® |
Rewards
Both the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which are some of the most valuable transferrable points in the game. They can be redeemed in a variety of ways, including for cash back, travel, or transferred to 1:1 airline and hotel partners.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
With the Sapphire Preferred, you’ll earn Ultimate Rewards points at the following rates:
5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel
3x points on dining, select streaming, and online grocery purchases
2x points on other travel
1x point on everything else
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Sapphire Reserve earns elevated returns, including:
10x points on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase
5x points on flights through Chase
3x points on other travel and dining
1x point on all other purchases
Benefits
Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Sapphire Preferred comes with the following perks:
No foreign transaction fees
Travel protections including trip delay, cancellation, and primary rental car insurance
25% more value when redeeming through Chase Travel
Access to Chase's full list of 1:1 airline and hotel transfer partners
It’s flexible, rewarding, and easy to justify — even if you travel just once or twice each year.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Sapphire Reserve shines when it comes to premium perks. You’ll get:
Up to $300 annual travel credit
Priority Pass and and Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club airport lounge access
TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS reimbursement (up to $120 every four years)
50% more value when redeeming through Chase Travel
Top-tier travel protections and emergency assistance
If you travel often and love perks like lounge access and luxury redemptions, this card has serious long-term value.
What Are These Cards Actually Worth?
Let’s break down the math. That Sapphire Preferred welcome offer is worth a lot through Chase’s travel portal and even more when transferred to partners. After factoring in the $50 hotel credit, you’re effectively paying just $45 for a card that can return hundreds in value every year.
The Sapphire Reserve may seem pricey at first, but the $300 travel credit brings the effective cost closer to $250. Add in premium perks like lounge access, better point redemption, and higher earning rates, and it can easily pay for itself.
But if you’re not using the lounge benefits or higher-tier perks regularly, you may be better off sticking with the more affordable Preferred.
Why We Love the Sapphire Preferred at Daily Drop
At Daily Drop, we think the Sapphire Preferred hits the sweet spot. It offers excellent value without overcomplicating things. The rewards are generous, the perks are practical, and the low annual fee is easy to justify — especially with the hotel credit baked in.
It’s the ideal card if you’re dipping your toes into points and miles or want a dependable card for travel rewards without hefty fees. And with bonus categories that align with everyday spending, you’ll rack up points fast.
That said, if you’re someone who practically lives in airports and values the full VIP treatment — from lounge access to expedited airport security — the Sapphire Reserve could be a smart move. Just make sure you're traveling enough to actually benefit from it.
Bottom Line
Both Sapphire Preferred and the Sapphire Reserve offer exceptional value, but which one is right for you comes down to your travel habits, budget, and how much you value premium perks.
If you're just getting started with points or want a straightforward, rewarding travel card with a low annual fee, the Sapphire Preferred is hard to beat. But if you're a frequent flyer looking for elevated experiences, like airport lounges and stronger redemption value, the Sapphire Reserve could be the better option.
No matter which you choose, you’ll be earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points — one of the most flexible and valuable currencies in the game.
