Chase Sapphire Preferred (8.7/10) wins for most people. Chase Sapphire Reserve wins for a specific profile.
Entry-level premium travel card for $300+/month dining. Best first rewards card. 3x dining + $95 fee = correct math for most people.
Apply now →Frequent travelers who use airport lounges. Better than Preferred at $500+/month travel spend. Lounge access tips the math.
Apply now →| Chase Sapphire Preferred | Chase Sapphire Reserve | |
|---|---|---|
| Claire's score | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 |
| Price | — | $550. |
| Top strength | 3x points on dining | $300 travel credit nearly halves the effective fee |
| Biggest drawback | $95 annual fee | $550 annual fee requires high spend to justify |
Chase Sapphire Preferred is Claire's recommendation for most people reading this comparison. Score: 8.7/10. Best first rewards card. 3x dining + $95 fee = correct math for most people.
Chase Sapphire Reserve (8.2/10) is the right choice for a specific situation: frequent travelers who use airport lounges. If that describes you, the full review has the complete math.
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