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The Chase Freedom Unlimited®, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, and Chase Sapphire Reserve® cards all offer rich rewards and valuable perks and protections. But the similarities end there. Each card offers a different annual fee, rewards structure and accompanying perks. Which one is right for you? We’ll do a deep dive into the details to help you determine which one is right for you.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | |
| Annual fee | $0 | $95 | $550 |
| Rewards |
5% cash back on combined gas station & grocery store purchases (not including Target or Walmart) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year |
5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® 5x points on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025 (that’s 3x points in addition to the 2x points you already earn on travel) 5x points Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $150 through March 31, 2025 2x points on travel purchases 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs) 3x points on select streaming services 1x points on other purchases |
5x points on flights through Chase Ultimate Rewards® after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually 10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually 10x points on Lyft rides 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $150 through March 31, 2025. 3x points on other travel worldwide after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually 10x total points on Chase Dining purchases with Ultimate Rewards® 3x points on dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out |
| Welcome offer | an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) | 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening | 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening |
| Perks |
Complimentary 3 months DashPass membership. After that, you’re automatically enrolled in DashPass at 50% off for the next 9 months. You must Activate by December 31, 2024 |
Complimentary DashPass, for a minimum of 1 year if you activate by December 31, 2024 6 months Instacart+ membership when you activate it by July 31, 2024. Members also earn up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024 |
$300 annual travel credit Lounge access for you and up to two guests through a Priority Pass™ Select Membership Access to Chase Sapphire Lounges Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Fee statement credit Complimentary DashPass, for a minimum of 1 year if you activate by December 31, 2024. Plus, get $5 in DoorDash credits each month, redeemed at checkout 1 year complimentary Instacart+ membership. Plus, earn up to $15 in statement credits each month through July 2024 |
| Additional Benefits | 2 year Lyft Pink All Access membership when activated by December 31, 2024 | ||
| Protections and Insurances | Zero liability protection Purchase protection Extended warranty protection Trip cancellation or interruption insurance Secondary auto rental collision damage waive |
Trip cancellation or interruption insurance Primary auto rental collision damage waiver Baggage delay insurance Trip delay reimbursement Purchase protection Extended warranty protection |
Primary auto rental collision damage waiver Trip cancellation or interruption insurance Trip delay reimbursement Travel accident insurance Lost luggage reimbursement Baggage delay insurance emergency evacuation and transportation Roadside assistance Emergency medical and dental benefit Purchase protection Return protection Extended warranty protection |
Annual fee
The Chase Freedom Unlimited is the most affordable card of the three, with a $0 annual fee. Despite the card’s low annual fee, cardholders can earn a generous welcome bonus, get solid cash-back rewards, and receive a handful of useful protections and insurances.
While the Freedom Unlimited is a cash-back card, the $95-annual-fee Sapphire Preferred is designed for travelers, earning Ultimate Rewards points that can be used to book travel or transferred to transfer partners and comes with travel-specific protections, and earns a redemption value when points are redeemed for travel through the Chase..
The most expensive card of the three is the Chase Sapphire Reserve carries a $550 annual fee. Sapphire Reserve cardholders get elite perks, statement credits and a plethora of protections and insurances for the price, so the card is best for those who plan to take advantage of all the card has to offer.
Based on the annual fees alone, the Chase Freedom Unlimited stands out as the clear winner.
Winner: Chase Freedom Unlimited
Welcome offer
When you sign up for a new card, a welcome bonus can help you supercharge your rewards potential.
With the Freedom Unlimited, cardholders earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
Both the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve cards carry higher annual fees than the Freedom Unlimited but also come with higher welcome offers..
With the Sapphire Preferred, cardholders earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, when Preferred cardholders redeem their points for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, their points are worth 25% more, so 60,000 points would be worth $750.
Though the Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Preferred welcome offers look the same at face value, Sapphire Reserve cardholders get an additional points boost when they redeem through the Chase portal. Where the Sapphire Preferred earns an impressive 25% boost in value, the Sapphire Reserve earns a meaty 50% boost. Currently, Sapphire Reserve cardholders earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Because of the 50% boosted redemption value cardholders get when booking travel through Chase, the Sapphire Reserve has the edge over the Sapphire Preferred and Freedom Unlimited cards.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Earning rewards
While some credit cards boast amazing perks and protections, some cards offer rich rewards, earning cardholders generous rewards rates on a vast array of spending categories.
The Freedom Unlimited is one of those cards. Freedom Unlimited cardholders earn 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases plus 3% on dining at restaurants and at drugstores. Cardholders also earn additional rewards on travel booked through the Chase portal and on Lyft rides.
If you’re not interested in a cash-back card, as a travel card the Sapphire Preferred, offers solid rewards in various spending categories. Sapphire Preferred cardholders earn 3x points on dining, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services. They also earn even higher rewards rates on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on Lyft rides. Plus, 2x points on travel and 1x points on all other purchases.
Lastly, Sapphire Reserve cardholders can earn higher rewards on general travel and travel and dining booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on eligible Lyft and Peloton spending.
Overall, the Freedom Unlimited and Sapphire Preferred offer rewards across the widest swath of categories, making them ideal for everyday spending.
Winner: Tie between Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Benefits
The Freedom Unlimited, Sapphire Reserve, and Sapphire Preferred cards each bring different advantages to the table.
The Freedom Unlimited only offers a few perks, but none are ongoing, so you’ll only be able to take advantage of them for a limited time. Freedom Unlimited cardholders receive 3-month DashPass and Instacart+ memberships, which may come in handy if you prefer the convenience of at-home delivery.
The Sapphire Preferred offers slightly elevated benefits from Instacart and DashPass of a minimum one-year complimentary DashPass membership and a six-month Instacart+ membership. Like the Freedom Unlimited card, these benefits aren’t recurring.
The Sapphire Reserve, however, takes the lead with an array of valuable benefits, that can make it well worth the $550 annual fee for those who utilize these benefits. The Sapphire Reserve offers Priority Pass Select lounge access to more than 1,300 lounges globally for the cardholder and up to two guests (enrollment required), a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fee application fee statement credit reimbursement , and an up to $300 annual statement credit for travel paid for with the Sapphire Reserve card .
Sapphire Reserve cardholders also enjoy a minimum one-year complimentary DashPass membership and Instacart+ membership. Plus, they get a two-year Lyft Pink All Access membership.
Considering its extensive list of benefits, the Sapphire Reserve emerges as the winner for those who prioritize perks in a credit card..
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Protections and insurances
While the Freedom Unlimited, Sapphire Preferred, and Sapphire Reserve cards share common protections such as and trip cancellation/interruption insurance and access to emergency assistance when away from home, the Sapphire Reserve offers additional safeguards like travel accident insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, emergency evacuation and transportation coverage, roadside assistance, and emergency medical and dental benefits.
The Sapphire Preferred card takes a middle ground between the Freedom Unlimited and the Sapphire Reserve with more travel protections than the Freedom Unlimited but fewer overall insurances than the Reserve.
The Freedom Unlimited, on the other hand, lags behind the two cards, lacking the extensive travel protections found in both.
The Sapphire Reserve takes the lead for cardholders who want their bases covered when traveling, offering the most comprehensive protections of the three cards.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Which Chase card is right for you?
Though the Chase Sapphire Reserve emerges as the top choice among the three cards, the premium price tag may not suit everyone’s preferences or budget.
If you’re looking to earn simple cash-back rewards, the Chase Freedom Unlimited may be a fitting choice. With a $0 annual fee, it offers straightforward rewards making it an appealing option for those who prefer a streamlined approach to credit card rewards.
Those seeking a travel card, will likely find that the Sapphire Preferred is a compelling option. For its $95 annual fee, cardholders enjoy a solid welcome bonus, strong rewards and an enhanced redemption value when they redeem travel through the Chase portal, along with a slew of insurances and protections.
To dig deeper, check out our full reviews of the Freedom Unlimited, Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve.
Fortune Recommends™ has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
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