Upgrading Chase Sapphire Preferred to Chase Sapphire Reserve: A Step-by-Step Guide
In the world of travel rewards credit cards, two options stand out in the United States: the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Both cards offer a range of benefits, but they differ in their annual fees, rewards earning structure, and perks.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, with an annual fee of $95, offers 5 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase, 2 points per dollar on travel and dining, and 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases. It also provides a 10% anniversary rewards bonus, redemption bonuses on select travel booked through Chase Travel, up to 25% redemption bonus with Pay Yourself Back, and a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards hotel credit.
On the other hand, the Chase Sapphire Reserve, with an annual fee of $795 (plus $195 per authorized user), offers significantly better rewards. It earns 8 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase, 4 points per dollar on direct flight and hotel bookings, 3 points per dollar on dining, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. The Reserve card also includes premium benefits such as airport lounge access, travel credits, higher points for Chase Travel and flights/hotels, and a complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription.
The key differences between the two cards lie in their annual fees, rewards earning structure, and benefits/perks. Here's a side-by-side comparison:
| Feature | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Chase Sapphire Reserve | |--------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------| | **Annual Fee** | $95 | $795 (plus $195 per authorized user) | | **Points Earned on Travel via Chase** | 5 points per dollar | 8 points per dollar | | **Points Earned on Flights & Hotels (direct booking)** | 2 points per dollar (travel in general) | 4 points per dollar | | **Dining Rewards** | 3 points per dollar | 3 points per dollar | | **Other Travel (non-Chase Travel)** | 2 points per dollar | Not specified separately, but Reserve offers high points on travel booked via Chase | | **Other Purchases** | 1 point per dollar | 1 point per dollar | | **Special Categories** | 3 points on select streaming & online groceries (excluding big-box stores) | 10 points per dollar on eligible Peloton purchases; 5 points on Lyft rides | | **Points Redemption Value** | Points worth up to 75% more on travel booked through Chase | Points worth up to 100% more on travel booked through Chase | | **Additional Perks** | 10% annual points bonus on total purchases | Premium travel perks (airport lounge access, travel credits), higher points for Chase Travel and flights/hotels |
If you travel frequently and want premium perks plus enhanced earning on travel bookings, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is the better choice. If you prefer a lower annual fee with solid rewards on broader categories including groceries and streaming, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is more suitable.
Both cards offer roadside assistance, trip delay coverage, emergency evacuation and transportation coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and lost luggage reimbursement. However, neither card offers purchase protection or return protection.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has a rating of a fantastic travel card with good benefits and perks for a moderate annual fee, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve has a rating of a top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.
For those considering an upgrade from the Preferred to the Reserve, it may be worth it for those who spend a lot on travel, want better travel benefits, want better redemption value on Chase Travel portal bookings, applied for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card less than 4 years ago, or want the complimentary Priority Pass Select membership and annual travel credit offered by the Reserve Card. The upgrade process is straightforward, requiring a call to Chase and a possible credit limit increase if the current limit is below $10,000, the minimum credit limit for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
Both cards do not charge foreign transaction fees, making them ideal for international travel. The fee for authorized users is $0 for the Preferred Card and $195 per authorized user for the Reserve Card.
In conclusion, whether you choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Chase Sapphire Reserve depends on your spending habits, travel frequency, and preference for premium perks. Both cards offer a range of benefits and rewards, making them popular choices for travel enthusiasts in the United States.
[1] Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: https://creditcards.chase.com/a1c/preferred-card [2] Chase Sapphire Reserve Card: https://creditcards.chase.com/a1c/reserve-card [4] Comparison of Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve Cards: https://thepointsguy.com/guide/chase-sapphire-preferred-vs-reserve/
- The news about travel rewards credit cards highlights the standout options for US consumers, which include the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve. They offer different annual fees, rewards structures, and perks.
- If you're interested in investing in music or finance, you might want to look elsewhere, as the focus of these cards is primarily travel-related. However, the Chase Sapphire Reserve does offer premium benefits, including airport lounge access, travel credits, and a complimentary DoorDash subscription.
- For those who enjoy traveling frequently, the Chase Sapphire Reserve presents a better choice with its enhanced rewards on travel bookings and premium perks. On the other hand, the Chase Sapphire Preferred might be more suitable for those who prefer a lower annual fee and solid rewards on broader categories like groceries and streaming services.
