Amex Blue Cash Preferred is Claire's recommendation for most people reading this comparison. Score: 8.3/10. Best grocery card. 6% is the highest available. Math works at $250+/month.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Chase Sapphire Reserve or Amex Blue Cash Preferred?
Amex Blue Cash Preferred (8.3/10) wins for most people. Best grocery card. 6% is the highest available. Math works at $250+/month. Chase Sapphire Reserve is the right choice if: frequent travelers who use airport lounges.
What is Claire's score for Chase Sapphire Reserve?
Claire rates Chase Sapphire Reserve 8.2/10. Verdict: Better than Preferred at $500+/month travel spend. Lounge access tips the math.
What is Claire's score for Amex Blue Cash Preferred?
Claire rates Amex Blue Cash Preferred 8.3/10. Verdict: Best grocery card. 6% is the highest available. Math works at $250+/month.
Who should choose Chase Sapphire Reserve?
Frequent travelers who use airport lounges.
Who should choose Amex Blue Cash Preferred?
Families spending $250+/month at US supermarkets.
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Head to head, by the numbers
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
Claire's score
8.2/10
8.3/10
Price
$550.
—
Top strength
$300 travel credit nearly halves the effective fee
6% at US supermarkets up to $6,000/year
Biggest drawback
$550 annual fee requires high spend to justify
$95 annual fee from year two
The case for Chase Sapphire Reserve
$300 travel credit nearly halves the effective fee
3x on all travel and dining
Priority Pass lounge access
1.5cpp through Chase travel portal
The case for Amex Blue Cash Preferred
6% at US supermarkets up to $6,000/year
6% on select streaming services
3% at US gas stations
$0 first-year annual fee
Bottom line
Amex Blue Cash Preferred takes this one on the numbers (8.3/10 vs 8.2/10). Best grocery card for families. 6% at US supermarkets up to $6,000/year is the highest earn rate in the category.
That said, Chase Sapphire Reserve isn't a loser — it's a different answer. The better card if you spend $500+ per month on travel. The $550 fee math only works at high spend.