Best Chase Travel Credit Cards

Are you a traveler looking for the best Chase credit card offer? Chase has a variety of different credit cards that are great for travel, including many co-branded options. However, there are just two consumer cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards®, a transferable point currency you can use to purchase travel, gift cards or get cash back.

Let’s take a look at the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, including each card’s welcome offers, unique benefits and annual fees.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

As you can see, the earning rate and benefits that these cards offer vary significantly. Let’s compare in detail the similarities and differences between these two cards.

Comparing the two Chase Sapphire credit cards

Welcome bonus

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card is currently featuring the following welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, meanwhile, offers the following: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Currently, the two cards have the same welcome bonus. However, Chase periodically offers even higher welcome bonuses — keep an eye out for these, as they’re typically valid for a limited time only.

» Learn more: Is it worth keeping the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

Annual fee

The difference in annual fee between these two cards is significant. As Chase’s most expensive card, you’ll pay $550 per year for the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

You will, however, receive a $300 travel credit each year on a wide variety of travel purchases. This drops your net out of pocket cost to $250.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is much less expensive; you’ll pay just $95 in annual fees for the card. It also comes with a $50 annual hotel credit if you book through Chase's travel portal, making your net cost just $45.

Redeeming Chase points

Both of these cards earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® that can be redeemed in a variety of ways. If you’re looking to transfer your points to one of Chase’s hotel or airline partners, you’ll always receive a 1:1 transfer ratio. This means that one Chase point becomes one hotel or airline point.

However, the value of your Chase point changes when you choose to redeem them for travel within the portal.

If you hold the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, your points are worth 50% more, at 1.5 cents each. However, those with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card will only be able to redeem their points for a value of 1.25 cents each, or 25% more.

Perks that are the same

No foreign transaction fees.

Neither of these cards will charge you for using them overseas.

Travel insurance.

Both of these cards offer several different kinds of travel insurance, including primary rental car insurance.

Benefits unique to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card

If you’re looking for a high-end travel credit card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with plenty of perks to improve your travel experience.

$300 travel credit

One of the most generous travel credits offered by high-end cards, this comes in the form of a statement credit. In order to redeem it, you’ll simply need to charge eligible travel purchases to your card; you’ll then be reimbursed up to $300.

» Learn more: How does the Chase Sapphire Reserve travel credit work?

Priority Pass Select membership

Priority Pass is a collection of more than 1,300 airport experiences, including lounges. Those who hold the Chase Sapphire Reserve® can take advantage of a membership that also provides access for two guests. Note that Priority Pass restaurants are no longer excluded with this benefit.

The Edit by Chase

The Edit by Chase (formerly the Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection) offers cardholders elite-like benefits at a variety of high-end hotels. Perks you can expect include late check out, property credits and room upgrades.

Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/Nexus credit

Like many credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with a credit towards Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership. In this case, you could also opt to use the credit for Nexus application fees, which can help speed your crossings to and from Canada.

Lyft Pink membership

Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders receive a free two year membership to Lyft Pink All Access. Perks of the membership include 10% of Lux rides, cancellation fee forgiveness, free Grubhub+, free unlimited 45-minute classic bike rides, free unlimited electric bike and scooter unlocks as well as discounted rates, and much more.

Benefits unique to the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

$50 annual hotel credit

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card comes with just one perk that is wholly unique: a $50 annual hotel credit. This benefit applies to accommodations booked through Chase's travel portal.

Bonus points in select categories

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns 3 points per $1 on online grocery purchases and select streaming services. So if you're spending a lot in these categories, this is a good card to have.

10% anniversary point bonus

On each account anniversary, you will earn a 10% point bonus on all your spending in the prior year. So if you've spent $50,000 on the card, you'll receive a 5,000 point bonus.

» Learn more: The best Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits

What are Chase’s hotel and airline transfer partners?

Chase has a total of 14 hotel and airline partners to which you can transfer points:

All of these partners transfer points at a 1:1 ratio.

» Learn more: Chase Sapphire Preferred versus Sapphire Reserve

Final thoughts on the best Chase travel credit card offer

Although Chase offers a variety of credit cards, just two consumer cards earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. One of these options, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, charges a high annual fee in exchange for top-tier benefits like airport lounge access, an annual travel credit and access to The Edit by Chase Travel℠.

The other, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, comes at a more modest cost with equally modest benefits. While your earnings will still be strong, there is just one additional perk available to cardholders: a $50 annual hotel credit.

While both cards are excellent options for those looking to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards®, the card that’s right for you will depend on your own personal travel needs.