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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
Why you may want the Ink Business Preferred over the Chase Sapphire Reserve
Augusta Stone is a credit cards writer for TPG. She joined the TPG team in 2023 and is excited to take points and miles beginners with her on a journey toward maximizing rewards.
Chris was a reporter at The Points Guy, where he covered the intersection of credit card rewards and travel. At TPG, he wrote a broad array of stories ranging from in-depth features and reports to trending travel news as it related to loyalty, card benefits and consumer behavior.
also contributed to this story
August 9, 2025 • 8 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick Summary
The article compares two popular rewards cards, one designed for business use and another for premium travel, highlighting their distinct benefits and eligibility rules.
Recent changes have made it harder to qualify for the premium travel card's welcome bonus, especially for those who have held similar products before.
The business-focused card offers practical perks, including broad travel bonus categories and cellphone protection, with a more modest annual fee.
Both cards allow points transfers to the same loyalty partners, but the business card may be preferable for those who value simplicity and lower costs.
Key Considerations
Eligibility for welcome bonuses may be restricted if you currently hold or have recently earned bonuses on similar products.
The business card's bonus categories include a wide range of travel-related merchants, while the premium travel card offers higher value for portal bookings but fewer general travel bonuses.
Cellphone protection is included only with the business card, subject to claim limits and deductibles.
What You'll Miss
A detailed breakdown of which card best matches specific spending habits, redemption strategies and benefit preferences.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
If you're considering your next card application, two options from Chase may entice you.
While the Sapphire Reserve features a flashy name and high-end perks, the practical perks of the Ink Business Preferred could make more sense for many wallets.
Here are six reasons you may want to collect valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points with the Ink Business Preferred over the Sapphire Reserve.
You're not eligible for the Sapphire Reserve's welcome bonus
One of the best ways to earn a haul of points is by collecting a welcome bonus. With Chase's changes to Sapphire bonus eligibility in 2025, earning a welcome offer with the Sapphire Reserve has become more challenging.
That's because if you've already earned a welcome bonus on the Sapphire Reserve, or if you currently hold the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), you will most likely not be eligible to receive the Sapphire Reserve's bonus.
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That would sting as a new Sapphire Reserve applicant, since new cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. According to TPG's May 2026 valuations, that's worth $2,050.
Meanwhile, new Ink Business Preferred cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in the first three months after account opening. TPG's valuations deem this bonus worth $2,050.
While the Ink Business Preferred bonus has a higher spending requirement, it has fewer restrictions than the Sapphire Reserve. Plus, the Ink Business Preferred provides a stellar offer for a $95 annual fee, especially when compared to the Sapphire Reserve's $795 annual fee.
You value simplicity and don't want to pay a high annual fee
Speaking of annual fees, you may prefer the Ink Business Preferred simply because its $95 annual fee is substantially less than the $795 fee that comes with the Sapphire Reserve.
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The Ink Business Preferred is a solid business card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points. It's a better option for simple spenders who aren't interested in keeping track of multiple statement credits, since the Sapphire Reserve provides a long list of such benefits meant to offset its high fee.
If a sky-high annual fee isn't your preference, you're better off with the Ink Business Preferred.
With the Ink Business Preferred, you'll earn 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent on combined purchases in the following categories each account anniversary year:
Advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines
Internet, cable and phone services
Shipping
Travel
The Sapphire Reserve also provides travel-related bonus categories. With this card, you'll earn:
8 points per dollar spent on purchases made through Chase Travel
4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked directly
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The key aspect where the Ink Business Preferred pulls ahead is the inclusion of a general travel category.
Sure, the Sapphire Reserve earns 8 points per dollar spent on travel booked within its portal and 4 points per dollar spent on hotels and flights booked directly, but any other general travel purchase will bring in just 1 point per dollar.
The Ink Business Preferred, meanwhile, earns 3 points per dollar spent on travel purchases such as buses, campgrounds, car rental agencies, cruise lines, ferries, parking lots and garages, taxis, and more.
So, if you find yourself frequently booking travel beyond hotels and flights and outside of Chase Travel, you'll get a better return on your spending with the Ink Business Preferred.
The Ink Business Preferred and Sapphire Reserve both have access to Chase's Points Boost feature, which allows cardholders to redeem their points through Chase Travel for up to 1.75 or 2 points per dollar in value, respectively, for select flight and hotel bookings made through the portal.
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If you opt for the Ink Business Preferred, you may be leaving some value on the table. That's because the maximum value of your points through Points Boost is higher with the Sapphire Reserve.
But, if you'd rather leverage transfer partners for your redemptions (which is a great way to meet or even exceed TPG's full August 2025 valuation of Chase points at 2.05 cents apiece), then you're on even footing with the Ink Business Preferred and Sapphire Reserve.
For instance, you could transfer 40,500 Ultimate Rewards points to Iberia Club to book a one-way business-class flight to or from Madrid on Iberia. Since the cash price for this flight is $3,258, you're getting an incredible 8 cents per point in value.
And, with the Ink Business Preferred, you'll pay $700 less in annual fees to have the exact same transfer options with your points.
Ink Business Preferred cardholders (and employees if they choose) receive up to $1,000 in coverage for theft or damages per claim, provided the number is listed on their monthly bill and they pay their bill with their card. There's a limit of three claims per 12-month period, with a $100 deductible per claim.
If phone protection is an important benefit for you, the Ink Business Preferred is the obvious choice.
If you have The Platinum Card® from American Express and find that its luxury perks — like lounge access, elite status and statement credits (enrollment required; terms apply) — are enough for you, you may not need to add another high-annual-fee card like the Sapphire Reserve to your budget.
The Ink Business Preferred allows you to earn Chase points at a high return and comes with solid travel and purchase protections at a more modest annual fee.
If your card setup isn't missing a premium card, you may not need the Sapphire Reserve anyway.
Remember, there are many ways to qualify for a business card, such as side hustles and freelancing gigs. So, don't leave the Ink Business Preferred on the table simply because you aren't a traditional small-business owner. The card is a solid option for many people.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
