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.
Discover it Cash Back (7.6/10) is the right choice for a specific situation: first credit card / building credit. If that describes you, the full review has the complete math.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Chase Sapphire Preferred or Discover it Cash Back?
Chase Sapphire Preferred (8.7/10) wins for most people. Best first rewards card. 3x dining + $95 fee = correct math for most people. Discover it Cash Back is the right choice if: first credit card / building credit.
What is Claire's score for Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Claire rates Chase Sapphire Preferred 8.7/10. Verdict: Best first rewards card. 3x dining + $95 fee = correct math for most people.
What is Claire's score for Discover it Cash Back?
Claire rates Discover it Cash Back 7.6/10. Verdict: Best first card. Year-one Cashback Match doubles every dollar earned.
Who should choose Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Entry-level premium travel card for $300+/month dining.
Who should choose Discover it Cash Back?
First credit card / building credit.
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Head to head, by the numbers
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Discover it Cash Back
Claire's score
8.7/10
7.6/10
Price
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Top strength
3x points on dining
Year-one Cashback Match effectively doubles all earnings
Year-one Cashback Match effectively doubles all earnings
No annual fee
Free FICO score monitoring
Good approval odds for limited credit history
Bottom line
Chase Sapphire Preferred takes this one on the numbers (8.7/10 vs 7.6/10). The best entry-level premium travel card. The math works for anyone spending over $300/month on dining.
That said, Discover it Cash Back isn't a loser — it's a different answer. The best first credit card. The first-year Cashback Match makes it uniquely valuable for new cardholders building credit.