Chase
Chase Sapphire rewards deep dive.
Chase offers Sapphire travel rewards cards that earn Ultimate Rewards points. These cards include travel booking options, transfer partners, statement credits, and card-specific travel and purchase protections.
Card reports
Choose a card to open its full guide.
Chase
Sapphire Preferred
$95 annual fee
Where it wins
The best low-fee entry point into Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers. It is easier to justify than premium cards because the annual fee is modest and the travel protections are unusually strong for the price.
Core multipliers
- 5xTravel purchased through Chase Travel, excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the annual hotel credit.
- 3xDining, select streaming, and online grocery purchases, with issuer exclusions.
- 2xOther travel purchases.
- 1xOther purchases, plus the card's anniversary points bonus structure.
Credit analysis
The annual hotel credit applies through Chase Travel. It is useful only if the portal price and terms are competitive with booking direct.
Transfer partners
Preferred unlocks Ultimate Rewards transfers. World of Hyatt is the standout hotel partner, while United, Southwest, JetBlue, Aeroplan, British Airways, Flying Blue, Emirates, Iberia, Singapore, and Virgin Atlantic give the card practical airline utility.
Insurance and protections
Primary auto rental collision damage waiver is a core advantage when eligible and paid with the card. Chase lists coverage up to $60,000 for most covered vehicles, plus strong trip and baggage protections for a $95 card.
Best role
Transfer-partner gateway and travel-protection anchor for a simple wallet.
Chase
Sapphire Reserve
$795 annual fee
Where it wins
Premium Chase travel card with strong protections, broad travel credit structure, airport lounge access, and elevated Chase Travel earning. It is strongest for travelers who can use Chase's statement credits naturally.
Core multipliers
- PortalElevated rates on Chase Travel bookings, including eligible hotels, car rentals, flights, and experiences through Chase Travel.
- 4xFlights and hotels booked direct, according to Chase's current Reserve rewards structure.
- 3xDining.
- 1xOther purchases.
Credit analysis
Chase lists a broad package including annual travel credit, hotel credits, dining credits, Apple TV+/Apple Music, lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit, Lyft, DoorDash, StubHub, and Peloton-related credits.
Transfer partners
Reserve uses the same Ultimate Rewards transfer ecosystem as Preferred, with the same Hyatt strength and useful airline partners. It is strongest when the premium benefits and travel protections justify the higher annual fee.
Insurance and protections
Primary auto rental collision damage waiver is a major Reserve benefit when eligible and paid with the card. Chase lists coverage up to $75,000 for most covered vehicles, plus broader premium travel protections than Preferred in many categories.
Best role
Premium travel-protection card for people who book travel often and prefer Chase transfer partners.
Chase sources