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ComparisonsFeb 28, 20269 min
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve: Which Is Better?
The ultimate comparison for Chase's two premium travel cards.
The Quick Answer
If you spend less than $30K/year on dining and travel combined, the Sapphire Preferred ($95/yr) is better. If you spend more and value airport lounge access, the Sapphire Reserve ($550/yr) wins.
Earning Rates Compared
| Category | Preferred | Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 3x | 3x |
| Travel | 2x | 3x |
| Streaming | 3x | 1x |
| Groceries | 3x | 1x |
| Everything else | 1x | 1x |
Key Differences
- Annual fee: $95 vs $550
- Travel credit: None vs $300/year
- Lounge access: None vs Priority Pass
- Signup bonus: 60K vs 75K
- Travel portal multiplier: 1.25x vs 1.5x
The Math
The Reserve's $300 travel credit brings the effective annual fee to $250. You need to value the lounge access, 3x travel (vs 2x), and higher portal multiplier at more than $155/year for the Reserve to make sense.
Our Recommendation
Start with the Preferred. It's the better card for 80% of people. Upgrade to the Reserve later if you start traveling more frequently and want lounge access. Both cards earn the same transferable Ultimate Rewards points.