If you’re considering your next card application, two options from Chase may entice you.
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees) and Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) are both popular rewards cards that come with their own suite of perks and key differences — like the fact that the Ink Business Preferred is a business card and the Sapphire Reserve is a premium travel card.
While the Sapphire Reserve features a flashy name and high-end perks, the practical perks of the Ink Business Preferred could make more sense for many wallets.
Here are six reasons you may want to collect valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points with the Ink Business Preferred over the Sapphire Reserve.
You’re not eligible for the Sapphire Reserve’s welcome bonus
One of the best ways to earn a haul of points is by collecting a welcome bonus. With Chase’s changes to Sapphire bonus eligibility in 2025, earning a welcome offer with the Sapphire Reserve has become more challenging.
That’s because if you’ve already earned a welcome bonus on the Sapphire Reserve, or if you currently hold the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), you will most likely not be eligible to receive the Sapphire Reserve’s bonus.
That would sting as a new Sapphire Reserve applicant, since new cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points plus a $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit* after spending $5,000 in the first three months from account opening. That’s worth up to $2,550, per TPG’s August 2025 valuations.
*Note that the terms for the travel credit state: The promotional credit is valid for a one-time use only, if you apply the promotional credit to a transaction less than $500, you will forfeit the remaining balance.
Meanwhile, new Ink Business Preferred cardholders can earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in the first three months after account opening. TPG’s valuations deem this bonus worth $1,845.
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While the Ink Business Preferred bonus has a higher spending requirement, it has fewer restrictions than the Sapphire Reserve. Plus, the Ink Business Preferred provides a stellar offer for a $95 annual fee, especially when compared to the Sapphire Reserve’s $795 annual fee.
Related: Best time to apply for Chase credit cards based on offer history
You value simplicity and don’t want to pay a high annual fee
Speaking of annual fees, you may prefer the Ink Business Preferred simply because its $95 annual fee is substantially less than the $795 fee that comes with the Sapphire Reserve.
The Ink Business Preferred is a solid business card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points. It’s a better option for simple spenders who aren’t interested in keeping track of multiple statement credits, since the Sapphire Reserve provides a long list of such benefits meant to offset its high fee.
If a sky-high annual fee isn’t your preference, you’re better off with the Ink Business Preferred.
Related: How to decide if a credit card’s annual fee is worth paying
You frequently spend on general travel and select business categories
The Ink Business Preferred‘s bonus categories are solid for a $95-annual-fee card. This is a great option if you want to rack up valuable Chase points.
With the Ink Business Preferred, you’ll earn 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent on combined purchases in the following categories each account anniversary year:
- Advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines
- Internet, cable and phone services
- Shipping
- Travel
The Sapphire Reserve also provides travel-related bonus categories. With this card, you’ll earn:
- 8 points per dollar spent on purchases made through Chase Travel
- 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked directly
The key aspect where the Ink Business Preferred pulls ahead is the inclusion of a general travel category.
Sure, the Sapphire Reserve earns 8 points per dollar spent on travel booked within its portal and 4 points per dollar spent on hotels and flights booked directly, but any other general travel purchase will bring in just 1 point per dollar.
The Ink Business Preferred, meanwhile, earns 3 points per dollar spent on travel purchases such as buses, campgrounds, car rental agencies, cruise lines, ferries, parking lots and garages, taxis, and more.
So, if you find yourself frequently booking travel beyond hotels and flights and outside of Chase Travel, you’ll get a better return on your spending with the Ink Business Preferred.
Related: The best credit cards for general travel purchases
You don’t redeem points through Chase Travel often
The points you’ll earn from the Ink Business Preferred and Sapphire Reserve are transferable to the same 14 loyalty program partners and can be maximized in that way.
The Ink Business Preferred and Sapphire Reserve both have access to Chase’s Points Boost feature, which allows cardholders to redeem their points through Chase Travel for up to 1.75 or 2 points per dollar in value, respectively, for select flight and hotel bookings made through the portal.
If you opt for the Ink Business Preferred, you may be leaving some value on the table. That’s because the maximum value of your points through Points Boost is higher with the Sapphire Reserve.
But, if you’d rather leverage transfer partners for your redemptions (which is a great way to meet or even exceed TPG’s full August 2025 valuation of Chase points at 2.05 cents apiece), then you’re on even footing with the Ink Business Preferred and Sapphire Reserve.
For instance, you could transfer 40,500 Ultimate Rewards points to Iberia Club to book a one-way business-class flight to or from Madrid on Iberia. Since the cash price for this flight is $3,258, you’re getting an incredible 8 cents per point in value.
And, with the Ink Business Preferred, you’ll pay $700 less in annual fees to have the exact same transfer options with your points.
Related: Why transferable points and miles are worth more than other rewards
You want cellphone protection
While the Sapphire Reserve provides multiple perks, it falls short on a key benefit the Ink Business Preferred includes: cellphone protection.
Ink Business Preferred cardholders (and employees if they choose) receive up to $1,000 in coverage for theft or damages per claim, provided the number is listed on their monthly bill and they pay their bill with their card. There’s a limit of three claims per 12-month period, with a $100 deductible per claim.
If phone protection is an important benefit for you, the Ink Business Preferred is the obvious choice.
Related: Lesser-known ways your credit card can save you money
You already have a luxury travel card
If you have The Platinum Card® from American Express and find that its luxury perks — like lounge access, elite status and statement credits (enrollment required; terms apply) — are enough for you, you may not need to add another high-annual-fee card like the Sapphire Reserve to your budget.
The Ink Business Preferred allows you to earn Chase points at a high return and comes with solid travel and purchase protections at a more modest annual fee.
If your card setup isn’t missing a premium card, you may not need the Sapphire Reserve anyway.
Related: Why the Amex Platinum still reigns supreme in the luxury travel space
Bottom line
Your unique situation plays a key role in whether you’d be better off with the Ink Business Preferred over the Chase Sapphire Reserve. As with any Chase card, just be sure you’re below 5/24 and meet other application requirements for approval.
Remember, there are many ways to qualify for a business card, such as side hustles and freelancing gigs. So, don’t leave the Ink Business Preferred on the table simply because you aren’t a traditional small-business owner. The card is a solid option for many people.
To learn more, see our full review of the Chase Ink Business Preferred.
Apply here: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
