Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Ink Business Preferred showdown

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are among the most valuable on the market, thanks to their flexible redemption options. Chase has a handful of cards that earn Ultimate Rewards points, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees).

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 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.	Earn 90,000 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) $120 in annual statement credits toward Peloton memberships; activation required (through Dec. 31, 2027) Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/Nexus application fee credit (up to $120 every four years) Complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription (activate by Dec. 31, 2027) and $25 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 125,000 bonus points after they spend $6,000 in the first three months from account opening.

TPG’s August 2025 valuations peg Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents each, making this offer worth a whopping $2,563.

Meanwhile, the Ink Business Preferred is currently offering new applicants 90,000 bonus points after they spend $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

According to our valuations, this bonus is worth $1,845. 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.

Additionally, you won’t be eligible for the Sapphire Reserve’s bonus if you’ve received it before or if you currently have the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees).

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. Its bonus is 35,000 points higher and requires $2,000 less in spending.

Related: Am I eligible for the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s 125,000-point bonus?

Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Ink Business Preferred benefits

The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a hefty $795 annual fee but comes with a stellar set of premium benefits:

• Priority Pass Select membership and access to Sapphire and select Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges
• $500 annual statement credit for The Edit (up to $250 biannually; minimum two-night stay required)
• Up to a $300 annual travel credit: This credit is incredibly flexible and triggers on any purchase Chase defines as travel
• $300 annual statement credit for StubHub or Viagogo (up to $150 biannually; through Dec. 31, 2027)
• $300 annual dining credit at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables (up to $150 biannually)
• $120 in annual statement credits toward Peloton memberships; activation required (through Dec. 31, 2027)
• Up to $120 in reimbursement for your application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus, once every four years
• Complimentary subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music (through June 22, 2027)
• Complimentary minimum one-year DashPass membership (through Dec. 31, 2027) and $25 in monthly promos
• $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
• Extensive travel protections, including rental car, lost/delayed baggage, emergency evacuation and trip delay/cancellation insurance
• Extended warranty, purchase and return protection

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.

The Ink Business Preferred has a much lower $95 annual fee but comes with a more limited set of benefits:

• Employee cards at no additional cost
• Cellphone protection
• 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.

Related: I’m keeping my Chase Sapphire Reserve despite its $795 annual fee. Here’s why

Earning points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Ink Business Preferred

With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you’ll earn:

• 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%)
• 3 points per dollar spent on dining (6.2%)
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases (2.1%)

On the other hand, the Ink Business Preferred earns:

• 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.

Related: What purchases qualify for 3 points per dollar with the Ink Business Preferred?

Redeeming points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Ink Business Preferred

Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Ink Business Preferred earn transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Your most valuable redemption option is to transfer your points from either card to one of Chase’s 14 hotel and airline partners.

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.

Related: Why I choose to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points over Amex Membership Rewards points

Transferring points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Ink Business Preferred

Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Ink Business Preferred allow you to transfer your points to any of Chase’s 14 airline and hotel partners.

Partners like Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Iberia Club, United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt can offer outsize value.

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.

Related: Chase Ultimate Rewards to lose Emirates Skywards as a transfer partner Oct. 16

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.

Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Ink Business Preferred

Bottom line

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.

To learn more, please see our full reviews of the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Ink Business Preferred.

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Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Apply here: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

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