What To Know
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® are two of the most popular premium travel credit cards on the market.
- Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve cards earn Ultimate Rewards points, which can be redeemed for a variety of travel and non-travel rewards.
- However, the Reserve card offers a number of exclusive benefits that make it a better choice for those who travel frequently and want the best possible travel experience.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® are two of the most popular premium travel credit cards on the market. Both cards offer a generous rewards program, valuable travel benefits, and solid purchase protections. However, there are some key differences between the two cards that make one better suited for some people than others. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve cards to help you decide which one is right for you.
Earning Rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve cards earn Ultimate Rewards points, which can be redeemed for a variety of travel and non-travel rewards. The Preferred card earns 2 points per dollar on dining and travel, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. The Reserve card earns 3 points per dollar on dining and travel, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
In addition, the Reserve card offers a number of ways to earn bonus points, such as:
- Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
- Anniversary bonus: Earn 10,000 bonus points each year on your card anniversary.
- Travel credits: Earn up to $300 in statement credits each year on travel purchases.
- Dining credits: Earn up to $120 in statement credits each year on dining purchases.
Redeeming Rewards
Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for a variety of travel and non-travel rewards, including:
- Travel: Book flights, hotels, and rental cars through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal.
- Cash back: Redeem points for cash back at a rate of 1 cent per point.
- Gift cards: Redeem points for gift cards to popular retailers, restaurants, and airlines.
- Merchandise: Redeem points for merchandise from the Chase Ultimate Rewards catalog.
Travel Benefits
Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve cards offer a number of valuable travel benefits, including:
- No foreign transaction fees: You won’t pay any fees when using your card to make purchases in foreign countries.
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Your trips are protected against unforeseen events, such as lost luggage, trip delays, and medical emergencies.
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Your rental car is covered in case of damage or theft.
In addition, the Reserve card offers a number of exclusive travel benefits, such as:
- Priority Pass Select membership: Get access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit: Get reimbursed for the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
- Airport lounge access: Get complimentary access to select airport lounges.
Purchase Protections
Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve cards offer a number of purchase protections, including:
- Extended warranty: Your purchases are covered for an additional year beyond the manufacturer’s warranty.
- Purchase protection: Your purchases are protected against damage or theft for 120 days.
- Price protection: You can be reimbursed for the difference if you find a lower price on an item you purchased within 90 days.
In addition, the Reserve card offers a number of exclusive purchase protections, such as:
- Trip delay reimbursement: You can be reimbursed for expenses incurred due to a covered trip delay.
- Baggage delay reimbursement: You can be reimbursed for expenses incurred due to a covered baggage delay.
Fees
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has an annual fee of $95. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card has an annual fee of $550.
Which Card Is Right for You?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve cards are both excellent choices for frequent travelers. However, the Reserve card offers a number of exclusive benefits that make it a better choice for those who travel frequently and want the best possible travel experience. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, the Preferred card is a great choice.
What You Need to Learn
Q: Which card earns more points?
A: The Chase Sapphire Reserve card earns more points than the Preferred card.
Q: Which card has better travel benefits?
A: The Chase Sapphire Reserve card has better travel benefits than the Preferred card.
Q: Which card has a lower annual fee?
A: The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a lower annual fee than the Reserve card.
