Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve: Which Travel Card is Worth It?

If you've been researching travel credit cards, you've probably found yourself staring at these two options wondering which one makes more sense. The Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve are both fantastic cards, but that $700 difference in annual fees isn't just for show. Let's break down what you actually get for your money.

Let's Talk About That Annual Fee

The Chase Sapphire Reserve costs $795 per year, which honestly makes most people do a double-take. The Sapphire Preferred costs just $95 annually. That massive gap tells you these cards are built for different types of travelers. The Reserve is packed with luxury perks, while the Preferred takes a more practical approach with excellent rewards.

Starting Off Right: Welcome Bonuses

How You Earn Points Day-to-Day

This is where things get interesting, and it might surprise you. The Sapphire Preferred earns:

• 5 points per dollar on Chase Travel purchases
• 3 points on dining and streaming services
• 3 points on online groceries
• 2 points on other travel

The Reserve goes bigger on certain categories with 8 points per dollar through Chase Travel and 4 points on flights and hotels booked directly. But here's the catch: it only gives you 3 points on dining and just 1 point on other travel expenses like Uber, Airbnb, or parking.

The Points Boost Twist

Chase recently changed redemptions with Points Boost, which can get you up to 1.75 cents per point on certain premium flights. The downside? Bookings without Points Boost now only give you 1 cent per point for both cards. The old system was simpler with fixed rates. Now you need to hunt for those Points Boost deals to get real value.

Where the Reserve Really Shines

If you're paying $795 annually, you better be getting something special. The Reserve delivers with:

The Preferred Keeps It Simple

The Preferred offers a $50 hotel credit through Chase and a 10% anniversary bonus on your yearly points. You can add extra cardholders for free versus $195 each for the Reserve.

Travel Insurance and Protection

Both cards include solid travel protections. You get primary rental car insurance with both, meaning you don't have to involve your personal car insurance if something happens to a rental. The Reserve's trip delay protection kicks in at 6 hours versus 12 hours for the Preferred. Both include:

• Baggage delay insurance
• Trip cancellation coverage
• Emergency medical protection abroad

So Which Card Should You Actually Get?

For most people, the Sapphire Preferred is the smarter choice. It costs way less, earns solid points on everyday spending, and gives you the same Ultimate Rewards flexibility without requiring you to spend thousands on travel just to break even on the annual fee.

The Reserve makes sense if you're genuinely traveling several times a year and will actively use the lounge access, credits, and perks. You need to treat maximizing this card like a part-time hobby to really justify the cost. If that sounds exhausting, stick with the Preferred.

Want to Dig Deeper Into the Numbers?

NerdWallet's detailed comparison of both Sapphire cards walks through even more scenarios and breakeven calculations. It's worth checking out if you're still on the fence.

The Real Bottom Line

Both cards earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which are legitimately some of the best travel rewards out there. Your decision really comes down to honest self-assessment. Will you actually use those lounge visits? Will you remember to use all those dining and subscription credits? If you're not sure, the Preferred gives you 90% of the value for a fraction of the cost.

Sometimes the practical choice is also the smart choice. And if you're looking for more ways to maximize your travel rewards strategy, check out our comprehensive guide on the best travel rewards credit cards to see how the Sapphire cards compare to other top options.