Chase Sapphire Preferred Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve
We did the math using PointsMax "honest rates" to see which of these cards provides the highest net return for your budget.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Chase
Annual Fee
$95/yr
Best Category
3.75% Return
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase
Annual Fee
$795/yr
Best Category
6% Return
PointsMax Recommendation Verdict
Based on welcome offers and fee dynamics, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has a higher initial net value of $655.00 compared to the Chase Sapphire Reserve's $105.00 (welcome bonus value minus annual fee). However, your long-term choice should be driven by category spending. If your budget is heavily weighted toward groceries and dining, compare their specific return percentages below to choose the perfect anchor card.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Chase Sapphire Preferred Card | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $95 | $795 |
| Welcome Bonus | 60,000 points | 60,000 points |
| Bonus Est. Value | $750.00 | $900.00 |
| Usable Perks Value | $50/yr | $300/yr |
| Ecosystem Type | points | points |
Rewards Return Comparison
Comparison of effective return rates (reward multiplier × ecosystem point value) across standard spend categories.
| Category | Chase Sapphire Preferred Card | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| dining | 3x (3.75%) | 3x (4.50%) | -0.75% (B wins) |
| groceries | 3x (3.75%) | 1x (1.50%) | +2.25% (A wins) |
| gas | 1x (1.25%) | 1x (1.50%) | -0.25% (B wins) |
| travel | 2x (2.50%) | 4x (6.00%) | -3.50% (B wins) |
| streaming | 3x (3.75%) | 1x (1.50%) | +2.25% (A wins) |
| miscellaneous | 1x (1.25%) | 1x (1.50%) | -0.25% (B wins) |
Check them against your actual spending
Our free optimizer runs your monthly budget against thousands of credit card combinations (net of fees) to tell you exactly which cards belong in your wallet.
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