Pairing the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred cards costs $890 a year in combined annual fees, but frequent travelers who carry both say the statement credits alone can cover more than double that. One cardholder detailed how splitting spending strategically between the two cards yields more than $2,000 in value each year, before even factoring in the welcome bonus or the underlying rewards points.
How to split spending between the two Sapphire cards
The strategy centers on using each card where its earning rate is strongest. The Sapphire Reserve earns 4 points per dollar on flights and hotels booked directly, and 8 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Travel. It's also the card of choice for direct bookings with hotel brands such as Hyatt, Marriott and IHG, since booking directly avoids missing out on elite-qualifying credits or loyalty points.
The Sapphire Preferred, by contrast, earns 2 points per dollar on general travel like ride-hailing, car rentals and trains that aren't booked directly, plus 3 points per dollar on online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs), gas purchases, and eligible vacation rentals through platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. Both cards earn 3 points per dollar on dining worldwide, including takeout and eligible delivery.
Statement credits that offset the $890 in fees
The Sapphire Reserve's $795 annual fee comes with a deep set of credits: a $300 flexible travel credit, two credits worth up to $250 each for stays booked through The Edit, up to $300 split across StubHub and Viagogo, and $150 twice a year for dining through Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables on OpenTable. It also includes $10 in monthly Lyft credits and $5 in monthly DoorDash credits.
- Two Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS credits worth up to $120 each, every four years (shared across both cards)
- A DoorDash DashPass membership worth up to $120 a year (activation required)
- An Apple TV+ subscription credit worth $99.99
- The Sapphire Preferred's $100 annual Chase Travel hotel credit, which alone covers most of its $95 fee
Is carrying both Sapphire cards worth $890 a year?
Added up, one cardholder estimated roughly $2,140 in easily redeemable annual value across both cards' credits, before counting the value of Ultimate Rewards points earned on everyday spending or the Sapphire Reserve's airport lounge access, which the Preferred lacks. The Reserve also offers Points Boost, worth up to 2.5 cents per point on select Chase Travel bookings, and a 1:1 transfer ratio to World of Hyatt.
Other frequent travelers who hold both cards described similar patterns: using the Reserve's $300 travel credit to soften the cost of last-minute flights, and leaning on the Preferred for everyday categories like streaming subscriptions and grocery orders. Shoppers comparing credit card rewards deals generally find that the math only works if they actually use the credits rather than letting them expire unused.
Who shouldn't carry both Sapphire cards
The combination isn't for everyone. Travelers who don't want to track statement credits and bonus categories across two cards, who don't travel often enough to use lounge access or travel credits, or who don't value transferable points and partners like World of Hyatt may be better served by a simpler cash-back card. Anyone above Chase's 5/24 limit also won't be approved for either card until they fall back under it. For readers following broader personal finance news, the same logic applies to any premium card pairing: the fees only pay for themselves if the credits actually get used.
Chase Sapphire Reserve and Preferred: quick answers
How much do the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Preferred cost combined?
Together, the two cards carry $890 in combined annual fees: $795 for the Sapphire Reserve and $95 for the Sapphire Preferred.
Can I be approved for both Chase Sapphire cards?
Approval depends on Chase's underwriting, including the 5/24 rule, which blocks new card approvals for applicants who've opened five or more cards from any issuer in the past 24 months.
