Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Reserve: Eligibility
Though similar in name, these two Chase Sapphire cards vary when it comes to credit requirements. The Sapphire Preferred is more forgiving, although it still requires cardholders to have good credit to qualify. The recommended minimum credit score is around 640 to apply. However, to qualify for the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you will need excellent credit as the requirements for approval are very discriminating. For this one, you will need a minimum score of about 720 to qualify.
However, be sure about your decision before you apply. Chase limits the amount of credit cards for which you can apply during a certain period. It usually does not approve more than two personal credit cards or more than one business card in a single month. Applicants also often receive denials when they have opened five or more credit card accounts within the last 24 months.
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Reserve: Rewards and Benefits
No matter which card you pick, Chase delivers some pretty fantastic rewards and benefits. The Reserve card does come with more perks that are designed around the regular traveler, but the Preferred still rewards its cardholders, too.
Chase offers Sapphire cardholders a 1:1 Point Transfer. This means that with Chase Ultimate Rewards, you receive full value when you transfer your points to eligible loyalty programs from leading airlines and hotels.
Through the end of 2021, cardholders benefit from a credit of up to $60 on your Peloton Digital or All-Access membership. If you are a Reserve customer, your Pelton credit doubles to $120. You also can receive a $300 annual travel credit.
Your Sapphire card delivers peace of mind in other ways, too. If you use your card to pay for your travel, Chase will offer added protection with its travel accident insurance. It provides up to $1 million in accidental death or dismemberment coverage.
| Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Reserve: Rewards and Benefits | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | Chase Sapphire Reserve | |
| Annual fee | $95 | $550 |
| Sign-up bonus | 80,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases during first three months | 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases during first three months |
| Travel rewards | 2x | 3x |
| Dining rewards | 2x | 3x |
| Lyft rewards | 5x | 10x |
| Regular purchase rewards | 1x | 1x |
| Additional credits | Up to $60 on Peloton Digital or All-Access membership, through 12/31/2021 $50 First-Year Grocery Store Credit |
$300 annual travel credit $60 annual travel credit Up to $120 on Peloton Digital or All-Access membership, through 12/31/2021 |
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Reserve: Intro Offer
Chase Sapphire credit cards come with a ton of bonus points when you open your account. To be eligible, you must spend a minimum of $4,000 within the first three months of opening your account.
The amount of bonus points you receive, however, depends on which card you have. The Preferred card offers more points than the Reserve card, giving cardholders 20,000 more points for a total of 80,000. Sapphire Reserve cardholders receive 60,000 points, which may not be as much as the Preferred, but it still makes for an excellent introductory offer. Chase redeems each point for $0.01 credit or 100 points for one dollar. However, if you book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, the value is worth $.0125, which means that 100 points equal $1.25 in redemption value. The 80,000 introductory points for the Chase Preferred card equal $1,000 in travel purchases or $800 in cash.
However, it’s important to note that Chase does not offer any introductory APRs. What you get when you sign up is your regular rate, unless you are able to requalify for a better rate later on.
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Reserve: Fees
The Reserve card matches the Preferred card in many ways when it comes to fees. However, the Reserve runs slightly higher in a few key areas.
Membership is significantly more expensive with the Reserve card. The annual membership fee is a steep $550, while the Preferred card costs less than $100. Plus, there’s an additional fee of $75 per authorized user that gets tacked onto your bill.
The APR is different between the two cards as well, with the Reserve running a full percentage point above the Preferred. While the Preferred ranges from 15.99% to 22.99%, the Reserve starts at 16.99% and runs up to almost 24% (as of March 2021). The balance transfer APR is also the same, and there is no introductory APR for either card.
Otherwise, both cards charge a balance transfer fee of $5 or 5% of your total transfer, whichever is more. Cash advances hold a minimum of $10 per transaction or up to 5%. There are no transaction or returned check fees for either card, and both assess a 24.99% penalty on cash advances and up to $40 for late or returned payments.
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | Chase Sapphire Reserve | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $550; $75 per authorized user |
| APR | 15.99% to 22.99% | 16.99% to 23.99% |
| Intro APR | N/A | N/A |
| Balance transfer APR | 15.99% to 22.99% | 16.99% to 23.99% |
| Balance transfer fee | $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater | $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater |
| Cash advances | $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater | $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater |
| Foreign transaction | N/A | N/A |
| Cash advance | 24.99% | 24.99% |
| Penalty APR | Up to 29.99% | Up to 29.99% |
| Minimum interest charge | N/A | N/A |
| Late payment | Up to $40 | Up to $40 |
| Return payment | Up to $40 | Up to $40 |
| Return check | None | None |
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Reserve: Security
Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve credit cards come with a host of security protections to ensure that your account is safe, no matter what happens.
Zero liability protection: Chase offers zero liability protections on its credit cards to protect you from credit card fraud. With this benefit, you don’t have to pay for unauthorized charges made using your account. Once you report the charge using the number on the back of your card, Chase will take care of the rest.
Fraud protection: The Sapphire Preferred and Reserve credit cards come with cutting-edge fraud monitoring that’s available in real-time. Even if you aren’t paying attention to your account, you can take comfort in knowing that there is a professional keeping an eye on things so your account is protected.
Fraud alerts: If suspicious or fraudulent activity is detected on your account, Chase will notify Sapphire Preferred and Reserve cardholders immediately. Notifications can be sent via text, email, or phone. You can then sign in to your account via Chase.com to review your account and correct any potential fraudulent activity that is being made.
Chip-enhanced security: Regardless of whether you open a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve card, you will receive a new credit card with an embedded chip. Not only will your card be accepted by more businesses globally, but you’ll also enjoy Chase’s signature security protections, no matter where you are in the world.
FAQs
Can I Have Both Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve Cards?
Unfortunately, Chase does not allow the same cardholder to have both a Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card and a Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card. You will need to choose one card and then close one account before you can be approved for the other card.
Can I Downgrade From the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Preferred?
When you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card, you have the option of downgrading to a Sapphire Preferred card. Chase requires you to stay within the same family of credit cards when downgrading, which, in this case, includes the Reserve, Preferred, Freedom, and Freedom Unlimited credit cards.
Is The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Worth It?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with excellent perks that can benefit the busy traveler on the go. Instead of two times the points with the Preferred card, you’ll earn three times the points with the Reserve, allowing you to stack up travel credit or cash value fairly quickly. There’s no introductory APR, but you still get an excellent head start on your points, with up to 80,000 awarded upon the first three months when you spend $4,000 or more using your card.
Will Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve Waive The Annual Fee?
Chase offers some military discounts, which could waive the annual fee. Otherwise, members can expect to pay the regular annual fee, with an additional $75 fee per authorized user for the Reserve card.
Do Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve Card Offer Travel Insurance?
Chase offers travel insurance with both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve cards. As a cardholder, you will receive up to $1 million in accidental death or dismemberment coverage to keep you safe on your travels.
How We Evaluated Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Reserve
To evaluate Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Reserve, we reviewed in detail the latest offerings and incentives for 2021. We read the fine print, looking for benefits and potential issues that can affect your account once you become a policyholder. We also assessed the fees, looking far beyond the base APR to see how various charges and fees can stack up, eating away at your rewards. Finally, we analyzed security prowess to ensure that you are protected with all of the coverage you need to safeguard not only your finances but also your identity.