Chase Sapphire Preferred Vs. Reserve: Which Is Better?

I was recently debating between the two and eventually decided on the Preferred. I already have a Priority Pass membership so that takes away a major value point for the Reserved. While I super commute every week and one of my home airports has a Chase lounge, I time my arrival at the airport as close to boarding as possible. The lower annual fee is also compelling given the same sign on bonus and mostly same earnings.

Along with the Marriott Boundless card also priced at $95 annual, the Preferred is my favorite card in my wallet.

Now that you can have both there is no reason not to get the Preferred if you have the Reserve. It is essentially free with the hotel credit and can be used for all travel where the Reserve only offers one point. I use it exclusively for car rentals, public transport, and hotel bookings made through third parties. And now 3 points on fuel and Airbnb, etc. No brainer.

The Guide to Benefits for the Reserve mentions a $100,000. limit for medical evacuation while on a trip paid for with the card or points. The Guide to Benefits for the Preferred does not mention that benefit.
This could make a difference in choosing to buy travel insurance from an outside source.

The only thing is you’re missing out on Chase Sapphire lounges, which are pretty good, where they are, so far (like LGA). Yeah, I wouldn’t value Priority Pass too highly these days anyway, especially after the loss of those restaurant credits. (Not to mention, a lot of us have like 6+ Select memberships.) It’s like valuing a Global Entry reimbursement on multiple premium cards (you only need one, every several years, unless you’re doing it for the whole family.)

That's a trick question. They both suck in their respective categories. The best $95 card, IMHO, is Citi Strata. The best premium card is a toss-up between Alaska Summit and C1 Venture X. None of these other cards are keepers.

@Alan Thinking that this credit card is ‘essentially free’ just because of the hotel credit is fuzzy math. While credits can offset costs the true math requires assessing your natural spending against the fee.

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I agree to an extent. Chase Sapphire Lounges are quite nice but I typically have no time to go to the lounge anyways as I always cut it close. When I travel for leisure especially abroad when I do have the time at the airport, it is nice to know you can access some sort of lounge via PP in most countries (albeit always a mediocre experience)

Only thing that would make a difference is IRROPS (in which LGA is definitely known for so that superior lounge access would come in handy!)

The only thing is you’re missing out on Chase Sapphire lounges, which are pretty good, where they are, so far (like LGA). Yeah, I wouldn’t value Priority Pass too highly these days anyway, especially after the loss of those restaurant credits. (Not to mention, a lot of us have like 6+ Select memberships.) It’s like valuing a Global Entry reimbursement on multiple premium cards (you only need one, every several years, unless you’re doing it for the whole family.)

@Alan Thinking that this credit card is ‘essentially free’ just because of the hotel credit is fuzzy math. While credits can offset costs the true math requires assessing your natural spending against the fee.