Chase is also a top player in travel rewards cards; its Sapphire cards are now the most sought-after cards for frequent travelers. When it introduced its Chase Sapphire Reserve(r) in 2016, there was such a huge demand; despite the $50 annual cost, Chase could not supply the materials needed to make the card. Alongside the Sapphire Reserve, however, there's a more affordable option: The Sapphire Preferred(r) Card. These well-known travel cards have identical names; however, they offer very different reward programs.
Regular travelers seeking access to luxurious amenities, like the use of a lounge and travel credit and travel credits, will find greater value in the Reserve than the Preferred. But Preferred could be a better option for those who do not want to shell out $550 per year to get a credit card because the cost is only $95. If you're searching for a travel credit card and have excellent or good credit (scores 670 or greater), you have the greatest chance of getting approved on one of Chase Sapphire cards and enjoying the card's amazing travel benefits.
Eligibility
While they are similar in their names, although they're not identical in name, these two Chase Sapphire cards vary according to credit requirements. Sapphire Preferred is the more flexible option. Sapphire Preferred is more forgiving, but it requires cardholders to have excellent credit to be eligible. The minimum credit score recommended is about 640 for applicants. However, to be eligible for Chase Sapphire Reserve, you require an excellent credit score because the criteria for approval are highly selective. To be eligible, you'll require an average score of 720 to be eligible.
Be sure of your choice before you submit. Chase restricts the number of credit cards you can apply for during the aforementioned time. It generally doesn't approve more than two credit cards for personal use and more than one corporate credit card within a month. Some applicants also face denials after creating more than five credit card accounts in the last 24 hours.
Intro Offer
The Chase Sapphire credit cards offer many bonus points once you open your account. To qualify, you must make at least $4,000 in the first three months after the account opening. The number of bonus points you earn will depend on the type of card you're using. The Sapphire card gives you greater points than the Reserve and gives cardholders 20,000 additional points to 80,000. Sapphire Reserve cardholders receive 60,000 points, but this might not be as great as Preferred; however, it can be a fantastic introduction deal.
Chase redeems every point for $0.01 credit or 100 points for $1. If you make a reservation by using the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, the value is $.0125; this means that 100 points equal $1.25 in value for redemption. The 80,000 points you earn on the introductory phase of the Chase Preferred card. Chase Preferred card equals $1,000 in travel-related purchases or 800 dollars in cash. But, it's crucial to remember that Chase does not offer promotional APRs. When you sign up, you will receive the standard rate unless you're eligible to get better rates later.
Rewards
Both cards provide the same bonuses, including worldwide travel and international dining; however, the value of points varies per card. When you use the Sapphire Reserve Card, you can earn 5X points on flights and 10X points for cars and hotels when you book travel with Chase Ultimate Rewards(r) (immediately after you've earned the $150 travel credit). Additionally, you earn 3X points for other purchases such as meals and travel and 1X points on other purchases.
The Sapphire Preferred, on the contrary, offers you 5X points for travel purchases with Chase Ultimate Rewards. 3X points when dining out, and 2X points on other purchases made during travel.
Bonus Comparison
Although these cards offer distinct welcome bonus offers at present, they are both worth the same when you use points for travel using Chase Ultimate Rewards. Sapphire Preferred: The Sapphire Preferred offers 60,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first three months after the account's opening, while the Reserve comes with 50,000 points with the same threshold for spending.
But, if you want to redeem points to travel with Chase, You'll earn 1.5 cents for every point when you use Reserve Reserve or 1.25 cents per point for the Preferred. Both bonuses have the value of 1,000 when you redeem them for travel, making it a tie in this particular category.
