Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve: Which Wins for You?

The Sapphire Preferred ($95/year) and Sapphire Reserve ($795/year) are the two most-compared travel cards in America — and the right answer depends entirely on how you spend and which credits you'd actually use. This calculator pulls live card data (bonuses, earning rates, and credits are re-scraped regularly), applies your monthly spending, and shows the net annual value of each card with the math in the open.

The short version

The Preferred wins for most people who travel a few times a year: low fee, 3x dining, strong transfer partners. The Reserve wins if you'll genuinely use its credit stack (travel credit, dining and hotel credits) and lounge access — used fully, the credits can more than offset the $795 fee, and points are worth 25–50% more when redeemed through Chase Travel with Points Boost.

FAQs

Do both cards transfer to the same partners?

Yes — all 14 Chase transfer partners are identical on both cards. See the full list in our Chase Transfer Partners explorer.

Can I hold both Sapphire cards?

Chase no longer allows holding two Sapphire cards or getting a Sapphire bonus if you've received one within 48 months. Pick one and pair it with a Freedom Unlimited/Flex instead.

Can I downgrade a Reserve to a Preferred?

Yes — you can product-change between Sapphire cards after the first year without a new application.

More tools

Try the Chase Points Calculator, check if the Sapphire Reserve is worth it, and see where Chase points transfer.