Fortune Recommends™ partners with CardRatings to cover credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive fees from card issuers.
of Let’s pursue freedom without limits®, Chase Sapphire is preferred® cardand Chase Sapphire Reserve® All cards offer rich rewards, valuable perks, and protection. But that’s where the similarities end. Each card offers different annual fees, benefit structures, and accompanying benefits. Which one is right for you? Let’s take a closer look at the details to decide which one is right for you.
Let’s pursue freedom without limits® vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
| Let’s pursue freedom without limits® | Chase Sapphire is preferred® card | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | |
| Annual fee | $0 | $95 | $550 |
| reward |
5% cash back on combined gas station and grocery store purchases (excluding Target or Walmart) up to $12,000 in the first year. |
5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® Through March 31, 2025, get 5x points on Lyft rides (3x points on top of the 2x points you already earn on travel) Through March 31, 2025, earn 5x points on purchases of $150 or more on Peloton equipment and accessories. 2x points on travel purchases Earn 3x points on meals including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. 3x points on online grocery purchases (excludes Target, Walmart, and Wholesale Club) 3x points on some video streaming services 1x points on other purchases |
Spend your first $300 on travel purchases each year and earn 5x points on flights through Chase Ultimate Rewards® When you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, you earn 10x points on hotels and car rentals after you spend your first $300 in travel purchases per year 10x points on Lyft rides Through March 31, 2025, earn 10x points on purchases of $150 or more on Peloton equipment and accessories. After your first $300 spent on travel purchases in a year, you’ll earn 3x points on other travel worldwide Earn 10x total points on Chase Dining purchases with Ultimate Rewards® Earn 3x points when dining at restaurants including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. |
| welcome offer | Extra 1.5% cash back on all purchases (up to $20,000 spent in the first year) | 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. | 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. |
| Benefits |
3 months free DashPass membership. Then, you’ll automatically be enrolled in DashPass for 9 months at 50% off. Must activate by December 31, 2024 |
Free DashPass, valid for at least 1 year when activated by December 31, 2024 Get 6 months of Instacart+ membership when you activate by July 31, 2024.Members can also earn up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024 |
$300 annual travel credit Priority Pass™ Select membership provides lounge access for you and up to two guests Chase Sapphire Lounge Access Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS billing statement credit Get at least one year of DashPass free when you activate by December 31, 2024. Plus, earn $5 in DoorDash credits each month, redeemable at checkout. 1 year free Instacart+ membership.Plus, earn up to $15 in statement credits each month through July 2024 |
| additional benefits | Activate by December 31, 2024 and receive 2 years of Lyft Pink All Access membership | ||
| Security and insurance | Zero liability protection purchase protection extended warranty protection Trip cancellation or interruption insurance Second Auto Rental Collision Damage Compensation Waiver |
Trip cancellation or interruption insurance Primary Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver Baggage delay insurance Travel delay refund purchase protection extended warranty protection |
Primary Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver Trip cancellation or interruption insurance Travel delay refund travel accident insurance Refund for lost luggage Baggage delay insurance Emergency evacuation and transportation roadside assistance Emergency medical and dental benefits purchase protection Return protection extended warranty protection |
Annual fee
Chase Freedom Unlimited is the most affordable of the three cards, with a $0 annual fee. Despite the card’s low annual fee, cardholders earn a generous welcome bonus, earn solid cash back benefits, and receive some useful protections and insurance.
While Freedom Unlimited is a cash-back card, the $95 annual fee Sapphire Preferred is designed for travelers, earning Ultimate Rewards points that can be used to book travel or transferred to transportation partners, and offers travel-specific protection and redemption amount when points are redeemed for travel through Chase.
The most expensive of the three cards is the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which has an annual fee of $550. Sapphire Reserve cardholders enjoy value-for-money elite benefits, statement credits, and plenty of protection and insurance, making it the perfect card for anyone planning to take advantage of all the card has to offer .
Based on annual fee alone, Chase Freedom Unlimited stands out as the clear winner.
winner: Let’s pursue freedom without limits
welcome offer
When you sign up for a new card, a welcome bonus can help significantly increase your reward potential.
Freedom Unlimited allows cardholders to earn benefits Extra 1.5% cash back on all purchases (up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
Both the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve cards have higher annual fees than the Freedom Unlimited, but they also come with more generous welcome offers.
With the Sapphire Preferred, cardholders earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. Additionally, when a Preferred cardholder redeems points for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, the value of the points increases by 25%, so 60,000 points are worth him $750.
While the welcome offers for Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Preferred appear at face value, Sapphire Reserve cardholders earn even more points when redeemed through the Chase portal. The value of Sapphire Preferred will increase by 25%, while the value of Sapphire Reserve will increase by 50%. Currently, a Sapphire Reserve cardholder can earn 60,000 bonus points if he spends $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. Get $900 towards travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
The Sapphire Reserve has an advantage over the Sapphire Preferred and Freedom Unlimited cards because cardholders earn 50% more redemptions when booking travel through Chase.
winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Earn rewards
While some credit cards boast amazing perks and protections, some cards offer a wealth of benefits, allowing cardholders to earn generous rewards rates across a wide range of spending categories.
Freedom Unlimited is one such card. Freedom Unlimited cardholders earn 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases, plus 3% cash back on dining at restaurants and drugstores. Cardholders also earn additional rewards on trips and Lyft rides booked through the Chase portal.
If you’re not interested in a cashback card, using the Sapphire Preferred as a travel card will give you solid rewards across a variety of spending categories. Sapphire Preferred cardholders earn 3x her points on dining, online grocery purchases and select streaming services. You’ll also earn higher rewards rates on travel and his Lyft rides booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Plus, earn 2x points on travel and 1x points on all other purchases.
Finally, Sapphire Reserve cardholders can earn higher rewards on general travel, travel and dining booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, and eligible Lyft and Peloton usage.
Overall, Freedom Unlimited and Sapphire Preferred offer benefits across the widest range of categories, making them perfect for everyday spending.
winner: It’s a tie between Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Freedom Unlimited.
advantage
The Freedom Unlimited, Sapphire Reserve, and Sapphire Preferred cards each bring different benefits to the table.
Freedom Unlimited only offers a few benefits, but none are continuous and are only available for a limited time. Freedom Unlimited cardholders receive three months of DashPass and Instacart+ membership. This is useful if you want the convenience of home delivery.
Sapphire Preferred offers slightly more benefits from Instacart and DashPass, with a minimum of 1 year of free DashPass membership and 6 months of Instacart+ membership. Like the Freedom Unlimited card, these benefits are not repeatable.
However, Sapphire Reserve offers a number of valuable benefits, and for those who take advantage of these benefits, the $550 annual fee is well worth it. Sapphire Reserve offers cardholders and up to two guests (registration required) Priority Pass Select lounge access to more than 1,300 lounges worldwide, application fee statement credit refunds for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fees, and up to $300 in annual statement credits. Travel will be paid for using your Sapphire Reserve card.
Sapphire Reserve cardholders also receive a minimum of one year of free DashPass and Instacart+ memberships. You also get a two-year Lyft Pink All Access membership.
Considering the extensive benefits list, the Sapphire Reserve emerges as a winner for those who prioritize credit card perks.
winner: chase sapphire reserve
Security and insurance
The Freedom Unlimited, Sapphire Preferred, and Sapphire Reserve cards include common protections such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance and access to emergency assistance on the go, while the Sapphire Reserve also includes travel accident insurance, lost baggage protection, and more. Additional safeguards are in place, including refunds and baggage delays. Insurance, emergency evacuation and transportation coverage, roadside assistance, emergency medical and dental benefits.
The Sapphire Preferred Card is a cross between the Freedom Unlimited and the Sapphire Reserve, offering more travel protection than the Freedom Unlimited but less overall insurance than the Reserve.
Freedom Unlimited, on the other hand, lags behind the two cards and lacks the extensive travel coverage that both have.
Sapphire Reserve offers the most comprehensive protection of the three cards ahead of cardholders who want to cover their feet when traveling.
winner: chase sapphire reserve
Which Chase card is right for you?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve has emerged as a top choice among the three cards, but its premium price may not suit everyone’s tastes or budget.
If you’re looking to earn simple cash back rewards, Chase Freedom Unlimited may be a good option for you. Its $0 annual fee and easy benefits make it an attractive option for those who prefer a streamlined approach to credit card rewards.
Those looking for a travel card will likely find the Sapphire Preferred to be an attractive option. For a $95 annual fee, cardholders enjoy a generous welcome bonus, powerful benefits, enhanced redemption value when redeeming travel through the Chase portal, and a host of insurance and protections.
If you want to learn more, check out our full reviews of Freedom Unlimited, Sapphire Preferred, and Sapphire Reserve.
Fortune Recommends™ partners with CardRatings to cover credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive fees from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the date of issue, but are subject to change at any time at the issuer’s discretion. Check with your card issuer to confirm rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
