Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card* and Chase Sapphire Reserve® excel at providing travel perks, which is one reason they’re so popular. Their offerings are unique, though, and you’ll notice a more expansive set of benefits with the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Travel Credits
There are opportunities to earn a statement credit after making eligible purchases with your card each year—one of the fastest ways to get value from your Sapphire card, regardless of which one you choose.
The Sapphire Preferred’s credit is much smaller and requires more specific spending. You can receive a $50 credit every account anniversary year when booking hotel stays through Chase Travel and paying with your card.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card instead offers a variety of travel credits. A fan favorite is the ability to earn up to $300 in statement credits each anniversary year as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card. As long as you pay with your Sapphire Reserve card and the merchant is considered a travel service or supplier, you’ll be reimbursed automatically, making it extremely flexible.
The Reserve also provides up to $500 in statement credits for hotel bookings made with The Edit by Chase Travel. Lastly, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers a credit for your application fee with TSA PreCheck®, Global Entry or NEXUS every four years when you use your credit card to pay it. The Sapphire Preferred doesn’t offer these benefits.
Travel Protections
Both cards come with exceptional insurance coverage and built-in protections for a credit card. You’ll find similar purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance and baggage delay insurance on both cards. Each also includes trip delay insurance and primary auto rental coverage, though the Sapphire Reserve has higher reimbursement amounts.
The Sapphire Reserve adds extra protections on top of that. It includes lost luggage reimbursements, travel accident insurance, low-limit emergency medical and dental insurance and emergency evacuation and transportation coverage. It also offers return protection, while the Sapphire Preferred does not.
Lounge Access
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card includes a Priority Pass Select membership, allowing you to access their network of over 1,300 airport lounges. Card members and authorized users, plus up to two guests each, receive access through this card’s Priority Pass Select membership. Cardholders can also enter Chase Sapphire Lounges as well as select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges when flying on Star Alliance.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card* doesn’t offer lounge access.
Elite Status
If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you’ll be eligible for complimentary Platinum Elite status with IHG One Rewards. This is an easy way to earn additional bonus points on every stay and qualify for reward night discounts. This status can be upgraded to Diamond Elite if you spend $75,000 or more in a calendar year.
Cardholders spending $75,000 can also earn Southwest Airlines A-List status to make your flying experience more comfortable. You’ll also earn $500 in Southwest credit, redeemable through Chase Travel, at the same time.
There’s no rental car status provided directly by the Sapphire Reserve, but your IHG Platinum Elite status qualifies you for automatic Five Star status with Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, for yet another set of perks.