Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Amex Blue Cash Preferred
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Chase Sapphire Reserve wins 3-2. Annual travelers — the upgrade path from Sapphire Preferred. Amex Blue Cash Preferred is still the right call if suburban families with kids — best us-supermarket card..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Amex Blue Cash Preferred |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $550 | $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 10% (travel) | · 6% (shopping) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | No FX fee | · 2.7% |
| Welcome bonus | = 60,000 points after $4,000 in first 3 months | = $250 statement credit after $3,000 in 6 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | · 740 | 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.7/5 | · 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
Chase Sapphire Reserve
- 10x on hotels and rental cars booked via Chase Travel
- 5x on flights booked via Chase Travel
- 3x on all other dining + travel
- $300 annual travel credit
- Priority Pass Select + Chase Sapphire Lounge access
- 50% bonus when redeeming for travel via Chase portal
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
- 6% cashback on US supermarkets (up to $6K/year, then 1%)
- 6% on streaming subscriptions
- 3% on US gas stations + transit
- 1% on everything else
- 0% intro APR for 12 months
FAQ
›Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Amex Blue Cash Preferred: which is better?
Chase Sapphire Reserve wins on more dimensions (3 vs 2). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Chase Sapphire Reserve for its best categories, Amex Blue Cash Preferred for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Chase Sapphire Reserve: 60,000 points after $4,000 in first 3 months. Amex Blue Cash Preferred: $250 statement credit after $3,000 in 6 months.