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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
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Ink Business Preferred: Which Ultimate Rewards-earning card is better for you?
Chris Nelson is a credit cards writer for TPG. He specializes in budget travel, hotels, earning elite status through minimal spending and redeeming points for maximum value.
When Ryan worked as a TPG credit cards writer, he oversaw refreshes of card reviews and card offer stories. He enjoyed racking up cash back and helping readers maximize their points and miles for their next big trip.
also contributed to this story
August 30, 2025 • 13 min read
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Quick summary
This article compares two popular rewards cards, one offering premium travel perks and the other designed for business spending.
The premium card provides extensive benefits such as lounge access, multiple statement credits and higher redemption values for points.
The business-focused card features valuable protections, employee cards at no extra cost and strong earning potential in select business categories.
Choosing the right card depends on your travel frequency and whether you prioritize premium travel benefits or business expense rewards.
What to consider
Eligibility for welcome bonuses may be restricted based on prior card ownership or recent bonus receipt.
The premium card includes a higher annual fee but offers numerous statement credits and travel protections, while the business card has a more modest fee and includes cellphone protection.
Both cards allow point transfers to a wide range of airline and hotel partners, with redemption values varying by method, up to 2.05 cents per point as of May 2026 per TPG's valuations.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed side-by-side analysis of benefits, earning structures and redemption strategies to help you decide which card best fits your needs.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
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.
The Sapphire Reserve is Chase's top personal card offering premium perks like lounge access and multiple statement credits. Meanwhile, the Ink Business Preferred is a popular small-business credit card.
A few months ago, the Sapphire Reserve underwent a refresh that completely overhauled the card, from modified rates and benefit changes to a higher annual fee.
Let's compare the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Ink Business Preferred to see which card is the best fit for you.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Ink Business Preferred comparison
Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Ink Business Preferred
Welcome bonus
Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Earning rates
Earn 10 points per dollar spent on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more (through Dec. 31, 2027).
Earn 8 points per dollar spent on all Chase Travel℠ purchases.
Earn 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027).
Earn 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotel purchases booked directly.
Earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining.
Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Note that you won’t earn any points on the first $300 spent on travel, as that will trigger the card’s $300 travel credit.
Earn 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027).
Earn 3 points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 of combined purchases each cardmember year, then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, in the following categories: shipping purchases, internet services, cable services, phone services, travel, and advertising with social media and search engines.
Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Annual fee
$795
$95
Points redemption value
Up to 2 cents per point, depending on the specific redemption
Up to 1.75 cents per point, depending on the specific redemption
Other benefits
$500 annual statement credit for The Edit (up to $250 biannually; minimum two-night stay required)
$300 annual travel credit
$300 annual statement credit for StubHub or Viagogo (up to $150 biannually; through Dec. 31, 2027)
Complimentary subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music (through June 22, 2027)
$300 annual dining credit at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables (up to $150 biannually)
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/Nexus application fee credit (up to $120 every four years)
Complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription (activate by Dec. 31, 2029) and up to $35 in DoorDash promos each month when you have an active DashPass membership
$10 monthly Lyft in-app credit; does not apply to Wait & Save, bike or scooter rides (through Sept. 30, 2027)
Complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status(through Dec. 31,2027)
Extensive travel and purchase protections
Additional perks after spending $75,000 in a calendar year, including: IHG One Rewards Diamond status, Southwest Airlines A-List status, a $500 Southwest statement credit and a $250 Shops at Chase statement credit
Cellphone protection
Multiple travel and purchase protections
Fee for additional cards
$195 each
$0
Both cards have much to offer, and which is better for you depends on your business spending habits. Before deciding, consider the factors below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Ink Business Preferred welcome bonus
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is currently offering new applicants 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
TPG's May 2026 valuations peg Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents each, making this offer worth a whopping $2,050.
THE POINTS GUY
Meanwhile, the Ink Business Preferred is currently offering new applicants 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
According to our valuations, this bonus is worth $2,050. This is the standard welcome bonus we typically see on this card.
This spending requirement is one-third more than that of the Sapphire Reserve, and it offers fewer points.
As always, be mindful of each card's eligibility restrictions before applying. Both are Chase cards, so they're subject to the 5/24 rule.
However, you can still earn the Sapphire Reserve welcome bonus if you earned the Sapphire Preferred bonus in the past; you just can’t have the Sapphire Preferred open.
With the Ink Business Preferred, you won't be eligible for a welcome bonus if you have previously earned one in the past 24 months.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve. The spending amount is $2,000 lower.
For more details, see our full guide on the Sapphire Reserve's statement credits.
The standout benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve are airport lounge access, multiple statement credits, automatic elite status and impressive travel protections. If you travel frequently, these perks will likely make the Sapphire Reserve a better option.
The value of all the statement credits on the Sapphire Reserve totals over $2,000 annually if fully used. These credits are lifestyle-centered, and most people should have no problem using them. Even if you use just half of the credits, that will more than offset the annual fee.
I think about applying for this card every day, but I’m debating whether I want to pay the $795 annual fee upfront. I know I could easily recoup the cost through the travel and entertainment credits, especially since I already pay for Apple Music and Apple TV+, but it’s still a large pill to swallow all at once.
Travel protections, including lost/delayed baggage protection and trip cancellation/interruption insurance
Extended warranty and purchase protection
While the Ink Business Preferred's list of benefits is shorter than that of the Sapphire Reserve, you'll still get valuable protections that include cellphone protection (not offered on the Sapphire Reserve) for you and every authorized user on the account. Authorized users can be added for no additional cost.
Both cards do share benefits like primary rental car insurance and similar travel and purchase protections. If you don't need the Sapphire Reserve's premium perks or travel enough, you may find the Ink Business Preferred's solid travel protections and a modest annual fee to be your best bet.
Winner: Sapphire Reserve. The travel benefits and statement credits far surpass the benefits on the Ink Business Preferred.
10 points per dollar spent on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more through Dec. 31, 2027 (a 20.5% return based on TPG's valuations)
8 points per dollar spent on all Chase Travel purchases (16.4%)
5 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027) (10.3%)
4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked directly (8.2%)
5 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides through Sept. 30, 2027 (10.3%)
3 points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 of combined purchases each cardmember year, then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter in the following categories: shipping purchases, internet services, cable services, phone services, travel, and advertising with social media and search engines
1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
The Sapphire Reserve is better suited for those who book hotels and flights directly and have high dining budgets, as you'll earn 4 and 3 points per dollar spent, respectively.
However, if you spend more on travel outside of hotels and flights booked directly, the Ink Business Preferred is the better option as you'll earn 3 points per dollar spent. The only caveat is that with the Ink Business Preferred, you're limited to $150,000 in combined spending to earn 3 points per dollar spent.
To fully maximize your earnings, you could hold both cards or even add a third Chase card to create a trifecta.
Winner: Sapphire Reserve. The Sapphire Reserve just narrowly edges out the Ink Business Preferred, as it offers more bonus categories, is better suited for dining and specific travel purchases, and has no spending caps.
You also have the option to redeem your points by booking travel through Chase Travel. Depending on the specific redemption, you'll get a value of up to 1.75 cents per point with the Ink Business Preferred or up to 2 cents per point with the Sapphire Reserve through Chase's Points Boost feature.
You can also use Chase's Pay Yourself Back option and redeem your points for a statement credit for select purchases.
Additionally, you can redeem your points with either card for gift cards or a statement credit at a rate of 1 cent per point. This is your least valuable redemption option, but nice to have if you need flexibility.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve. Its higher redemption value through Points Boost via Chase Travel gives it the slight edge.
I love transferring my Chase points to Hyatt and using them to book hotels when the cash price is high. I just transferred 6,500 points to Hyatt for a night at the Hyatt Place Amsterdam Airport, which would have cost me over $200.
Additionally, for flights, I often transfer my points to Southwest Rapid Rewards and book cheap flights during its seasonal sales on nonstop routes that often require a layover on any other airline.
Whether you primarily travel domestically or abroad, you'll find valuable redemption opportunities with Chase's transfer partners.
Winner: Tie. Both cards allow you to transfer your points to Chase's travel partners.
Should I get the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Ink Business Preferred?
If you travel often or prefer premium perks, you should opt for the Chase Sapphire Reserve for its airport lounge access, travel benefits, statement credits, and its bonus-earning categories. If you don't travel much, however, and spend more of your money on business expenses, you should opt for the Ink Business Preferred.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Ink Business Preferred are both excellent cards. Which one is best for you depends on whether you're looking for a premium travel card to elevate your travel experiences or a versatile business credit card that will reward you in categories where many businesses spend money regularly.
Either way, you can't go wrong earning super-valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points on your spending.
