Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve 2024

Darren Murph

CNN Underscored Money

Published 2:37 PM EDT, Wed August 7, 2024

Let’s get one thing out of the way right up front. Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve? are winners at their respective price points. Or said another way, you really can’t go wrong with either. Even if you’re not an avid traveler just yet, both credit cards offer plenty of exciting perks and earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards? points that can get you well on your way to your next adventure.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is aimed at the casual traveler, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the most feature-packed, prestigious travel cards. We’ll break down the advantages and disadvantages of both to help you make the best call for your lifestyle.

Featured Offer

Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card

Welcome Bonus

60,000 bonus points

Regular APR

21.49% – 28.49% Variable

Annual Fee

$95

Credit Score

Excellent, Good

Apply Now

On Chase Bank USA, NA's Secure Website

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Reserve

First, let’s take a look at all the key details of Chase Sapphire credit cards side-by-side:

	Chase Sapphire Preferred	Chase Sapphire Reserve
Annual fee	$95	$550
Foreign transaction fee	None	None
Welcome bonus offer	60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening	60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Travel rewards	5 points per dollar on Chase Travel purchases (excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 annual credit) 2 points per dollar on other travel	10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel (hotels exclude The Edit? luxury hotels; rewards apply after you spend the first $300 on travel purchases each year) 5 total points per dollar on flights purchased through Chase Travel (after you spend $300 on travel purchases each year) 3 points per dollar on other travel (after you spend $300 on travel purchases each year)
Dining rewards	3 points per dollar (including on takeout and eligible delivery services)	10 points per dollar on Chase Dining purchases 3 points per dollar on other dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services)
Eligible streaming service rewards	3 points per dollar	1 point per dollar
Eligible online grocery rewards	3 points per dollar	1 point per dollar
Lyft rides	5 points per dollar through March 2025	10 points per dollar through March 2025
Peloton purchases	5 points per dollar on purchases of $150+ through March 2025 (maximum $5,000 in spending)	10 points per dollar on purchases of $150+ through March 2025 (maximum $5,000 in spending)
Other purchases	1 point per dollar	1 point per dollar
Annual points bonus	10% each account anniversary (so if you earned 10,000 points in a year, you’ll get 1,000 points)	None
Redemption values	1.25 cents per point toward Chase Travel purchases 1 cent per point toward cash back, gift cards and eligible purchases through Apple 0.8 cents per point when you pay at checkout with Amazon and PayPal	1.5 cents per point toward Chase Travel purchases 1 cent per point toward cash back, gift cards and eligible purchases through Apple 0.8 cents per point when you pay at checkout with Amazon and PayPal
Transfer partners	14 (11 airline, three hotel)	14 (11 airline, three hotel)
Airport lounge access	No	Priority Pass Select airport lounges Chase Sapphire Lounges
Credits	Up to $50 per year toward hotels booked through Chase Travel	Up to $300 per year toward travel purchases $5 per month in DoorDash credits through Dec. 31, 2024
Memberships	DoorDash DashPass subscription for at least one year (activate by Dec. 31, 2024)	Two-year Lyft Pink All Access subscription (activate by Dec. 31, 2024) DoorDash DashPass subscription for at least one year (activate by Dec. 31, 2024)

Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve review and Chase Sapphire Preferred review for an even closer look at each card.

Transfer partners

Here, both Sapphire credit cards are on an even footing, with equal access to Chase’s catalog of travel partners.

Points from either the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Chase Sapphire Reserve transfer to all these partners at a 1:1 ratio, meaning for every 1,000 points you transfer, you’ll get 1,000 points or miles in the airline or hotel program.

While it takes some research and flexibility, for those who like to strategize, you can concoct impressive itineraries by transferring points to partner programs and often get much more value for your points than you would by redeeming through the Chase travel portal.

Airport lounges and hotel perks

Chase Sapphire Reserve

If staying cozy in an airport lounge is important to you, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is the clear winner. The card includes a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership, which provides access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide. Additionally, you’ll have access to a handful of other lounges, including the Chase Sapphire lounges at Logan International Airport (BOS) and New York LaGuardia (LGA).

On the hotel side, you’ll get access to benefits at hotels in The Edit by Chase Travel collection. Those perks can include room upgrades and complimentary meals. Card holders also get benefits at select Relais & Chateaux hotel properties, including a VIP welcome and complimentary daily breakfast.

Featured Offer

Chase Sapphire Reserve? Card

Welcome Bonus

60,000 bonus points

Regular APR

22.49%-29.49% Variable

Annual Fee

$550

Credit Score

Excellent

Apply Now

On Chase Bank USA, NA's Secure Website

Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Sapphire Preferred comes with an annual $50 credit on hotels booked through Chase Travel.

Travel and purchase protections

While the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve have similar travel and purchase protections, you’ll find a few extras on the more expensive Sapphire Reserve.

Personal experience: See how one card holder used Sapphire Preferred travel insurance to save more than $2,000.

	Chase Sapphire Preferred	Chase Sapphire Reserve
Extended warranty	Extends warranty by one year on eligible original warranties of three years or less; limit of $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account	Extends warranty by one year on eligible original warranties of three years or less; limit of $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account
Purchase protection	Within 120 days of purchase, up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per year	Within 120 days of purchase, up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year
Return protection	No	Within 90 days of purchase, up to $500 per item and $1,000 per year
Auto rental collision damage waiver	Yes, primary coverage, up to the actual cash value of most cars (some makes/models excluded)	Yes, primary coverage, up to $75,000 of most cars (some models excluded)
Emergency evacuation and transportation	No	Yes, up to $100,000
Emergency medical and dental insurance	No	Yes, up to $2,500 ($50 deductible)
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance	Up to $10,000 per covered person and up to $20,000 per covered trip	Up to $10,000 per covered person and up to $20,000 per covered trip
Baggage delay insurance	Up to $100 per day for up to five days	Up to $100 per day for up to five days
Lost luggage reimbursement	Up to $3,000 per covered person per trip	Up to $3,000 per covered person per trip
Trip delay reimbursement	Up to $500 per person for delays of 12 hours or more (or requiring an overnight stay)	Up to $500 per person for delays of six hours or more (or requiring an overnight stay)
Travel accident insurance	Up to $500,000 in coverage	Up to $1 million in coverage

The Sapphire Reserve has higher per-claim thresholds than the Sapphire Preferred when it comes to purchase protection and travel accident insurance, as well as only requiring a six-hour delay before trip delay protection kicks in.

But you’ll also have two additional protections with the Sapphire Reserve: Emergency evacuation and transportation insurance, which can get you out of a jam if you get sick or injured when you’re far from home, and emergency medical and dental coverage, which can cover you for medical expenses if you get sick or injured while you’re on a trip more than 100 miles from home (the 100 mile minimum doesn’t apply to New York residents).

Annual fees and credits

Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred comes with a $50 hotel credit every year when booking through Chase, which can effectively shave off more than half of the $95 annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

While the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s $550 annual fee is high, it’s partially offset by a $300 annual travel credit that’s shockingly easy to use. Just make $300 in travel purchases over the course of your card holder year, and you’ll trigger the reimbursement. For example, if you spend two nights in a hotel and rack up $350 in charges, your out-of-pocket cost will be just $50.

This makes the net annual fee for the Sapphire Reserve $250 — a much more palatable sum. Then toss in $5 in monthly DoorDash credits through the end of the year and the effective cost is even lower. Of course, if you don’t use DoorDash, you won’t be able to take advantage of this perk, so you’ll need to do the math based on your own personal situation.

What could be better?

Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve

While the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s bundled Priority Pass Select membership is appreciated, another top-tier premium travel card — The Platinum Card? from American Express (terms apply) — offers more comprehensive airport lounge access, including Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta) and Amex Centurion Lounges. It’s also curious that the Sapphire Reserve doesn’t include cell phone insurance, while many other cards with lower annual fees do.

While earning at least 3x points on all travel and dining is above average, several credit cards offer higher earning rates on dining, such as the American Express? Gold Card (terms apply).

Plus, the Amex Platinum offers a whopping 5x points on airfare purchased through Amex Travel or directly with the airline (on up to $500,000 in purchases per year, terms apply). In comparison, the Sapphire Reserve only offers 5x points on eligible flights booked through Chase Travel after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually (other flights earn 3x).

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Capital One Venture

Some cards with similar annual fees have perks that are missing from the Sapphire Preferred. As an example, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit worth up to $120, yet Chase only offers that benefit on the higher-priced Sapphire Reserve.

Amex Green Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred

The American Express? Green Card * The information for the American Express? Green Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , while charging a higher $150 annual fee, earns 3 points per dollar on travel, transit and dining purchases. Plus, the card includes an annual credit of up to $189 for a CLEAR? Plus membership and an annual credit of up to $100 for LoungeBuddy purchases.

All information about American Express? Green Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.

Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve and Chase Freedom Unlimited

A card pairing could also be better than either card alone. Both cards pair well with the Chase Freedom Unlimited?, a no annual fee credit card that offers 5% cash back on Chase Travel purchases, 3% back on dining and drugstores, and 1.5% cash back on other purchases.

With this pairing, any rewards earned on the Chase Freedom Unlimited can be moved into your Sapphire account and redeemed like the rest of your points at either 1.25 cents per point (Sapphire Preferred) or 1.5 cents per point (Sapphire Reserve).

Should you get the Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve?

If you travel frequently and would utilize its airport lounge access and longer list of travel protections, it may be worth springing for the Chase Sapphire Reserve?. The massive (and simple to use) $300 annual travel credit pushes the effective annual fee down to $250.

As long as you plan to use the card’s perks — including the higher 1.5 cents per point on Chase travel portal redemptions — it could make sense to pay the higher annual fee. Read more about the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s benefits to help decide if it’s worth it for you.

Otherwise, you’ll be better off grabbing the Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card and potentially putting another card or two in your wallet with the savings — cards that can help you maximize earnings on other popular categories such as gas, business expenses or groceries. Be sure to read our analysis of the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s benefits, and check out our guide to the best credit cards if you’re researching cards that would complement the Sapphire Preferred.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

You can’t hold the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve at the same time. If you have one of the cards and either the Chase Freedom Unlimited? or Chase Freedom Flex? * The information for the Chase Freedom Flex? has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , you can pool your Ultimate Rewards points.

Yes, you may be able to upgrade from the Sapphire Preferred to the Sapphire Reserve. You can call the number on the back of the card to see if you qualify. Note that you won’t be able to receive a welcome bonus if you upgrade.

If you’re not getting enough value from the Sapphire Reserve, you can consider downgrading to the Sapphire Preferred instead of closing the account altogether. Do the math to see if either card is worth the annual fee.

All information about American Express? Green Card and Chase Freedom Flex? has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines, hotel chain, or other commercial entity and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of such entities.

This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended and should not be understood to constitute financial, investment, insurance or legal advice. All individuals are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified financial professional before making any financial, insurance or investment decisions.

Note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed or may no longer be available.