{"id":249119,"date":"2026-06-29T17:00:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T17:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/29\/why-im-keeping-my-chase-sapphire-preferred-over-the-reserve-the-points-guy\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T17:00:02","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T17:00:02","slug":"why-im-keeping-my-chase-sapphire-preferred-over-the-reserve-the-points-guy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/29\/why-im-keeping-my-chase-sapphire-preferred-over-the-reserve-the-points-guy\/","title":{"rendered":"Why I’m keeping my Chase Sapphire Preferred over the Reserve – The Points Guy"},"content":{"rendered":"


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I’m thrilled that the Chase Sapphire Preferred\u00ae Card<\/a><\/span> (see rates and fees<\/a><\/span>) has increased its welcome offer to 100,000 bonus points, earned after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.<\/p>\n

I applied for this card last year when the bonus was also 100,000 points and have been very happy with it since, having just paid my annual fee for year No. 2.<\/p>\n

The more premium Chase Sapphire Reserve\u00ae<\/a><\/span> (see rates and fees<\/a><\/span>) is also currently offering 100,000 bonus points, though those points are earned after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.<\/p>\n

Sure, I’ve looked at upgrading to the more premium Sapphire Reserve, which undoubtedly comes with more bells and whistles (and a very different annual fee). But for me, the numbers just don’t add up when considering my travel and spending patterns.<\/p>\n

Here’s why I’m happy with my Sapphire Preferred Card and have no plans to upgrade to the Sapphire Reserve.<\/p>\n

Related: Value simplicity? Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred is now the only card you need<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Sapphire Preferred combines an excellent welcome bonus with a low annual fee<\/h2>\n

For me, the standout reason I applied for the Sapphire Preferred<\/a><\/span> is the epic welcome bonus<\/a><\/span> with a low annual fee. For a limited time only, new applicants can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.<\/p>\n

While other cards offering six-figure welcome bonuses<\/a><\/span> often come with annual fees approaching $1,000, the Sapphire Preferred still charges just $95 for its annual fee \u2014 a number that’s well within reason<\/a><\/span> for all that it offers.<\/p>\n

This card was an absolute no-brainer in my first year of having it, but I’m happily keeping it for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n

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Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred 100,000-point bonus \u2014 all your questions answered<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I can recoup the annual fee immediately every year<\/h2>\n

An awesome perk of the Sapphire Preferred<\/a><\/span> is the up to $100 statement credit each year for prepaid hotel bookings<\/a><\/span> made through Chase Travel\u2120<\/a><\/span>. This couldn’t be easier to use. When my $95 annual fee is due each membership year, the credit is loaded at the same time, and I can redeem it for a one-night stay<\/a><\/span> of any value at more than 600,000 hotels worldwide and come out $5 ahead immediately.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Sapphire Reserve<\/a><\/span> offers a range of included credits<\/a><\/span> to offset that steep $795 annual fee. For example, it offers up to $300 for DoorDash<\/a><\/span> purchases (two separate monthly $10 nonrestaurant promos and one monthly $5 restaurant promo when you activate your DoorDash DashPass membership by Dec. 31, 2027).<\/p>\n

I simply do not have the energy for that sort of mental gymnastics to keep track of complex benefits to save money on food deliveries.<\/p>\n

Related: The hidden cost of premium credit card perks: Keeping track of them<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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DOORDASH<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Sapphire Preferred has excellent earning rates for a low-annual-fee card<\/h2>\n

I regularly use Lyft<\/a><\/span> for airport transfers when I’m in the U.S., as I find it’s usually slightly cheaper than Uber. Because of that, I love earning 5 points per dollar spent on eligible Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027) with my Sapphire Preferred<\/a><\/span>. The Sapphire Reserve<\/a><\/span> offers the same earning rate, so that’s no temptation to upgrade.<\/p>\n

The Sapphire Preferred also earns a generous 3 points per dollar in categories I spend in regularly:<\/p>\n