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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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.