Chase
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Credit cards
$95/yrAnnual fee
Explore this product Your shortlist, side by side
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card vs Chase Freedom Flex
Find the differences that matter for your next decision.
Chase
Chase Freedom Flex
Credit cards
$0/yrAnnual fee
Explore this product What matters most to you?
Start with all rankable specifications, or focus on a particular use.
Your starting point
Buy the Chase Freedom Flex.
- Leads 2 of 3 rankable overall specs; Chase Sapphire Preferred Card takes 1.
- Annual fee: $0 vs $95
How we reached this
We compare the published specifications relevant to your priority. Each rankable specification counts once; your selected requirements can rule a product out. This is a guide to the numbers, not a laboratory performance score.
Regular APR: 20.49% – 29.24% Variable APR vs 21.49% – 28.49% Variable APR
It also charges $95 less a year.
The trade-off to know
Check first: the Chase Freedom Flex has foreign transaction fee. Tick them under deal-breakers if that rules it out.
Look at the differences ↓Refine your requirements
What would rule one out?
Side by side
The differences, in detail.
Start with the key specs, then explore as much as you need.
| What you’re comparing | Chase Sapphire Preferred Card | Chase Freedom Flex |
|---|---|---|
| Annual feeFees & Rates | $95 | $0 |
| Regular APRFees & Rates | 21.49% – 28.49% Variable APR | 20.49% – 29.24% Variable APR |
| Foreign transaction feeFees & Rates | None (0%) | 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars |
| Rewards rateRewards & Perks | 5X travel via Chase, 3X dining/online grocery/select streaming, 2X other travel, 1X other | 5% on quarterly rotating categories (up to $1,500 quarterly spend with activation), 5% travel via Chase, 3% dining and drugstores, 1% all other purchases |
| Sign-up bonusRewards & Perks | 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after $4,000 spend in first 3 months ($750 travel value) | $200 cash back (20,000 Ultimate Rewards points) after spending $500 in first 3 months |
Showing 5 of 10 specifications. Missing values stay unlisted. About the sources
Both sides of the decision
What you gain. What you give up.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Reasons to choose it
- Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel
- 1:1 point transfers to Hyatt, United, Southwest, and British Airways
- Primary rental car collision damage waiver insurance
Worth considering
- No airport lounge access
- $95 annual fee is not waived the first year
Chase Freedom Flex
Reasons to choose it
- 5% cash back on rotating quarterly bonus categories (up to $1,500/quarter with activation)
- 3% cash back on dining and drugstores with $0 annual fee
- Pairs with Chase Sapphire cards to convert cash back into Ultimate Rewards travel points
Worth considering
- Requires manual category activation each quarter
- 3% foreign transaction fee on international purchases
Beyond the spec sheet
Living with your choice.
Explore the ownership details available for this pair.
What three years could cost
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
3-Year Estimated Total$285
Chase Freedom Flex
3-Year Estimated Total$0
Know what’s behind the comparison
Published specs. Visible sources.
Clinchmark compares manufacturer specifications and other published information. We have not independently lab-tested these products. Editorial assessments and unknown values are identified in the specification details.
Catalog snapshot: September 1, 2026. Prices, availability, and provider terms can change.
Still weighing it up?
Which card has the lower annual fee, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or Chase Freedom Flex?
Chase Freedom Flex charges $95 a year less.
What is the biggest catch with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or Chase Freedom Flex?
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has this deal-breaker: annual fee. You pay before a single reward is earned.
Which is better for travel, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or the Chase Freedom Flex?
Tied on travel. Chase Freedom Flex charges less a year. The 2 rankable travel specs split 1 to 1. Saves $95 a year in fees.
What cannot be compared from spec sheets?
Of the 10 specs tracked here, 7 are descriptive and cannot be ranked on numbers alone. Spec sheets also cannot measure subjective factors like build quality, real-world performance, or comfort.