Chase
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Credit cards
$95/yrAnnual fee
Explore this product Your shortlist, side by side
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
Find the differences that matter for your next decision.
Chase
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Credit cards
$550/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 Sapphire Reserve.
- Leads 2 of 3 rankable overall specs; Chase Sapphire Preferred Card takes 1.
- Rewards rate: 10X hotels/cars & 5X flights via Chase… vs 5X travel via Chase, 3X dining/online…
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.
Lounge access: Yes vs No
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card charges $455 less a year. Pay the higher fee only if rewards rate matters to you.
The trade-off to know
Check first: the Chase Sapphire Reserve needs excellent credit (720+). 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 Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Annual feeFees & Rates | $95 | $550 |
| Rewards rateRewards & Perks | 5X travel via Chase, 3X dining/online grocery/select streaming, 2X other travel, 1X other | 10X hotels/cars & 5X flights via Chase Travel, 3X general travel & dining, 1X other |
| Sign-up bonusRewards & Perks | 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after $4,000 spend in first 3 months ($750 travel value) | 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after $4,000 spend in first 3 months |
| Intro APR offerRewards & Perks | None (Variable APR applies from account opening) | 0% intro APR for 0 months (Pay Over Time APR applies) |
| Lounge accessRewards & Perks | No | Yes (Priority Pass Select + Sapphire Lounge by The Club) |
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 Sapphire Reserve
Reasons to choose it
- $300 automatic annual travel statement credit offsets base annual fee
- Complimentary Priority Pass Select lounge access and Sapphire Lounge entry
- 50% bonus point value when redeeming points for travel through Chase Travel (1.5¢ each)
Worth considering
- $550 annual fee plus $75 per authorized user
- Requires Excellent credit (720+) to qualify
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 Sapphire Reserve
3-Year Estimated Total$1,650
Everyday ownership notes
Documented ergonomic quirks, hardware annoyances, and maintenance realities reported by real owners.
Sapphire Preferred: What to watch for
Sapphire Reserve: What to watch for
- Hidden Cost
Priority Pass lounge crowding and long waitlists during peak hours.
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 Sapphire Reserve?
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card charges $455 a year less.
What is the biggest catch with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve?
Both 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 Sapphire Reserve?
For travel, buy the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Leads 2 of 3 rankable travel specs; Chase Sapphire Preferred Card takes 1. Rewards rate: 10X hotels/cars & 5X flights via Chase… vs 5X travel via Chase, 3X dining/online…
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.