I Already Have the Chase Sapphire Reserve — So Why Did I Just Apply for the Preferred

A 100,000-point Chase Ultimate Rewards bonus is hard to walk away from 👀 — so I didn't. Even though I already carry the Chase Sapphire Reserve, I went ahead and applied for the Chase Sapphire Preferred. And yes, my clients immediately started asking why on earth I'd want both. Here's the full breakdown.

The Preferred Earns in Ways the Reserve Doesn't 💳

The Chase Sapphire Preferred carries a $95 annual fee, which is effectively offset by a $100 hotel credit — so the card is essentially paying for itself before you even swipe it once.

But where it really shines is the earning structure. The Preferred earns 3x points on vacation home rentals — Airbnb, VRBO, the works. I have several Airbnb stays already on the books, so this one category alone is going to add up fast 💰 It also earns 3x on dining and gas (including EV charging), and 5x points when booking through the Chase Travel Portal.

Where the Reserve Still Wins 🏆

For flights and hotels booked directly, the Reserve pulls ahead with 4x points — and if you book through the Chase Travel Portal, it jumps to an impressive 8x points. The Reserve also offers better redemption rates for World of Hyatt transfers, a points boost on redemptions, plus lounge access and a stack of travel, hotel, and dining credits.

The catch? A $795 annual fee and a fair amount of mental energy to track and use all those credits each year. You can read here about how I used the credits for a whirlwind weekend in Las Vegas. 

Now that I have the Preferred in my wallet, I'm genuinely reconsidering whether I'll renew the Reserve when the annual fee hits again.

The Good News: You Can Combine Them 🔄

One of the best features of holding both cards is that you can transfer points from the Preferred directly to the Reserve — which means you earn on the Preferred's strong bonus categories and redeem at the Reserve's better rates. Best of both worlds, at least for now.

Oh, and a few more perks worth mentioning: the Preferred comes with one free year of Apple TV+ , $120 Global Entry credit, a complimentary Dashpass membership and a $10 monthly credit for groceries and great travel protections. 

Bottom Line

If you already have the Reserve and you're eligible for the Preferred's 100,000-point welcome bonus — apply. The math makes sense and the card earns its keep on its own. If you have the Preferred and are eyeing the Reserve, take your time. The higher annual fee requires a real commitment to maximizing the credits to justify the cost.

If this all gives you a headache, and you want more personal help using points and miles for almost FREE travel? Join my Travel Coaching Program and we will design your personal strategy to travel for almost FREE and guide you through the process. Right now, you can use the promo code "FREETRAVEL" to get $50 off the program. 

Or you can pay a travel planning fee and we will find all the best points and miles deals for your trip! 

Or you can book a consulting call with us for just $100. I would love to help you make priceless family memories affordable. 

***In honor of every new paid client, we will make a donation of 10% to one of our favorite charities.