Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Ink Business Preferred: Which $95-a-year card should you get?

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

With so many fantastic travel rewards credit cards available, including some with large welcome bonuses and phenomenal benefits, you might have difficulty choosing one that suits your needs. This can become even more overwhelming if you qualify for a small-business credit card, which opens the door to many additional options.

Two of the most valuable mid-tier cards from Chase are the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees). They have similar benefits — including earning Ultimate Rewards points — and identical $95 annual fees.

While they make a pretty powerful team, you might only want or be eligible for one or the other — for instance, if you’re not looking for a business card or are nearing your 5/24 limit with Chase. We’ll look at how these cards stack up against each other and help you decide whether one or both deserve a place in your wallet.

Sapphire Preferred vs. Ink Business Preferred comparison

Sapphire Preferred vs. Ink Business Preferred welcome offer

New Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Meanwhile, new Chase Ink Business Preferred cardholders can earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

According to TPG’s April 2025 valuations, Ultimate Rewards points are worth 2.05 cents each, making these bonuses worth $2,050 and $1,845, respectively.

Winner: Sapphire Preferred. Its welcome offer provides more value.

Related: 5 reasons to get the Ink Business Preferred

Sapphire Preferred vs. Ink Business Preferred benefits

Both cards offer phenomenal travel protections that are quite similar, though the Sapphire Preferred is slightly more comprehensive.

Each card includes trip cancellation and interruption insurance. With the Ink Business Preferred, you’re covered for up to $5,000 per covered person for nonrefundable travel expenses, up to $10,000 per trip. The Sapphire Preferred covers up to $10,000 per covered traveler or up to $20,000 per trip.

Both cards also offer identical trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance and lost luggage reimbursement.

Both cards also offer primary rental car coverage, which is a fantastic benefit and alleviates the expense and hassle of dealing with an agency or your own insurance if things go wrong with a rental. However, the Ink Business Preferred’s benefits state that your rental must be for business purposes for this protection to kick in.

Both cards also provide purchase protection and extended warranty coverage as well. The Ink Business Preferred offers cellphone protection up to $1,000 with a $100 deductible if you pay your monthly bill with the card.

Beyond travel protections, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a statement credit each account anniversary of up to $50 on hotels booked through Chase Travel. In addition, cardholders also receive 10% anniversary bonus points each year. The bonus is based on your total spend during the account anniversary year at a rate of 1 point for every $10 spent.

Finally, the Sapphire Preferred also provides at least one year of complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership (activate by Dec. 31, 2027) and up to $10 off a month on non-restaurant DoorDash orders.

The Ink Business Preferred offers complimentary employee cards, which is a great bonus for small businesses trying to save on costs.

Winner: Sapphire Preferred. Its benefits outclass those on the Ink Business Preferred.

Related: Why the Sapphire Preferred remains the top travel rewards card year after year

Earning points with the Sapphire Preferred vs. Ink Business Preferred

These cards’ earning rates are very different. The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns at the following rates:

• 5 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel
• 5 points per dollar on Lyft (through Sept. 2027)
• 5 points per dollar on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more (through Dec. 2027, with a limit of 25,000 bonus points)
• 3 points per dollar on dining, online grocery stores (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs) and streaming services
• 2 points per dollar on a broad range of travel purchases, including airline tickets, taxis, tolls and parking
• 1 point per dollar on everything else

The Ink Business Preferred has much simpler earning rates:

• 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent each account anniversary year on a combination of travel (the same broad category as with the Sapphire Preferred), shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines
• 1 point per dollar on everything else

There are a couple of things to keep in mind here. First, if dining is one of your major expenses, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the way to go. However, if travel is your main outlay, the Ink Business Preferred earns more points per dollar than the Sapphire Preferred on most travel purchases.

If your business spends more than $150,000 each year, the Ink Business Preferred may not be the best fit. If you still want to earn rewards with Chase, apply for the Sapphire Preferred or another Chase business card instead.

Winner: Tie. The categories differ significantly, so your preference will depend on your spending habits.

Redeeming points with the Sapphire Preferred vs. Ink Business Preferred

Both cards earn Ultimate Rewards points, some of the most valuable around.

You’ll get the highest value from your points by transferring them to one of Chase’s 14 airline and hotel loyalty partners.

Cardholders of either product can also redeem points directly for travel through Chase Travel to get 1.25 cents per point in value or for eligible categories through Pay Yourself Back. Points can also be used for cash back or gift cards at a rate of 1 cent per point.

Winner: Tie. You’ll get the same redemption options on either card.

Related: 6 of the best Ultimate Rewards sweet spots

Transferring points with the Sapphire Preferred vs. Ink Business Preferred

Ultimate Rewards can be transferred to 11 airline partners, including British Airways, Southwest and United, and three hotel programs: Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt and IHG One Rewards.

These transfer partners can provide great value. For example, TPG’s managing editor for content operations, Madison Blancaflor, was able to snag a last-minute premium economy ticket from New York to Amsterdam using Flying Blue for just 20,500 Ultimate Rewards points using a transfer promotion.

Winner: Tie. You’ll get the same redemption options on either card.

Related: How I used a transfer bonus to get a lie-flat seat to London for just 21,000 points

Should I get the Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred?

You should consider whether you want to carry a personal credit card or a business one. If you prefer a personal credit card and can benefit from the Chase Sapphire Preferred‘s superior travel protections and bonus categories, it might be the better option for you. Still, the Sapphire Preferred and Ink Business Preferred together is a powerful match-up that could boost your travel rewards earnings into the stratosphere.

Bottom line

If you’re trying to decide between the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Ink Business Preferred, think about whether you want a business or personal card, which one’s category bonuses you will best be able to take advantage of and which one’s travel protections are better suited to your needs.

The two products are among the best travel rewards credit cards currently available, and carrying both is a good way to boost your points earnings on an ongoing basis.

To learn more, read our full reviews of the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Ink Business Preferred.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Apply here: Ink Business Preferred