Why you should hold both the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business and Ink Business Preferred
The debut of the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) has added a solid new product to Chase's business credit card lineup. The card offers high earning rates and a wide range of travel and business statement credits — but comes with a hefty $795 annual fee.
So, you may be wondering if this card is worth it, especially if you already hold another Chase business credit card like the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees), with a more manageable $95 annual fee. Even if you don't have the Ink Business Preferred and have been thinking about applying for it, you could consider opening both business cards instead.
Let's explore why holding both the Sapphire Reserve for Business and the Ink Business Preferred makes sense.
Earn two welcome bonuses
Earning a large welcome bonus on a new credit card is one of the quickest ways to amass travel rewards. That large sum of points can help fund your next trip — and it's even better if you can earn them through two welcome offers.
Currently, new cardholders of the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business can earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Meanwhile, new cardholders of the Ink Business Preferred can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in the first three months from account opening.
So, you'd earn almost 250,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after meeting the minimum spending requirement and earning the two welcome bonuses. As a Chase enthusiast, I could book several business-class flights by transferring the points to airline partners for maximum value.
Pool your points
Cardholders can combine their points to further maximize value by having both the Ink Business Preferred and Sapphire Reserve for Business.
Ink Business Preferred cardholders can redeem their points for up to 1.75 cents through the Chase Travel℠ portal; however, as a cardholder of the more premium Sapphire Reserve for Business, you can redeem your points for up to 2 cents per point using Points Boost instead.
Related: Family points pooling: How to transfer and maximize your rewards
Maximize your credit line
The Ink Business Preferred, like most credit cards, gives cardholders a credit limit that determines how much you can spend on the card monthly.
However, there can be times when your credit limit may not be enough. In this situation, the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business is a good choice, because it offers a revolving credit limit and a flexible payment option.
You can take advantage of Flex for Business, a revolving credit line that enables payments over time with interest. This gives you flexibility for occasional large purchases that might exceed your Ink Business Preferred credit limit.
Take advantage of complementary earning rates
The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business bonus-earning categories are centered around travel:
- 8 points per dollar spent on Chase Travel bookings
- 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft (through Sept. 30, 2027)
- 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked directly
- 3 points per dollar spent on social media and search engine advertising
- 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Meanwhile, the Ink Business Preferred earns 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases each year on the following:
- Travel
- Shipping purchases
- Internet, cable and phone services
- Advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines
Travel purchases on the Ink Business Preferred are widely defined. So, you can make all eligible travel purchases apart from flights and hotels booked directly with the carrier or hotel to earn 3 points per dollar. Then, you can book travel through the portal, and flights and hotel directly, with the Sapphire Reserve for Business to maximize the 8 and 4 points per dollar, respectively.
Consider putting social media and search engine advertising purchases on the Ink Business Preferred until the annual $150,000 maximum is reached. This way, you keep your revolving credit line open on the Sapphire Reserve for Business for large purchases. Once you reach the spending cap on the Ink Business Preferred, you can continue earning bonus points in these categories with the Sapphire Reserve for Business.
The best part is that points between both accounts can be combined, so you're earning bonus points across many categories.
Related: 5 reasons to get the Chase Ink Business Preferred
Why not to get both cards
The main drawback to holding both cards is the combined annual fees.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business has a very high $795 annual fee. It may not be worth paying an additional $95 for the Ink Business Preferred, especially if you won't be taking advantage of the card's complementary earning rates and the access to an additional line of credit.
Related: How to decide if a credit card's annual fee is worth paying
Bottom line
Carrying two Chase business credit cards can be a useful way for a business to access more credit, giving you flexibility with cash flow.
By carrying the Ink Business Preferred, you can maximize the card's earning rates on general travel, shipping and advertising purchases. Then, the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business can be your business's main travel rewards card to maximize earnings on flights and hotels, not to mention travel-related statement credits.
To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred and our full review of the Sapphire Reserve for Business.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business
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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees