The Best Alternatives to Chase Sapphire Reserve

Has the $795 annual fee on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® got you down? Perhaps you're trying to re-evaluate your travel rewards strategy or you've heard that there are new options out there. Whether you're a Chase Ultimate Rewards® loyalist or you're ready to try other programs, there are plenty of other travel cards that can help you get similar benefits.

Here are the best alternatives to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® you may want to consider.

» Learn more: Chase Sapphire Reserve review: A first-class premium travel card

Cards to consider instead of the Chase Sapphire Reserve®

These three options are worth a closer look if you're ready to swap your card for something else or are considering getting the Chase Sapphire Reserve® for the first time.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

This card has a $395 annual fee, which is lower than that of the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, but it offers similar perks.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has a $300 annual travel credit (for bookings made through Capital One Travel), an anniversary bonus of 10,000 miles, no foreign transaction fees, access to more than a dozen transfer partners and Hertz rental car elite status. In addition, cardholders will receive access to Priority Pass lounges, as well as Capital One lounges.

The current sign-up bonus is: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

One of the main drawbacks of this card is the bonus rewards categories can be less lucrative than the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. While the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers 4x points on direct bookings with airlines and hotels, people with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card have to book through the Capital One Travel portal to get the huge bonus earnings on travel (10x on hotels and rental cars, 5x on flights). If they book directly with an airline or hotel, for example, they'll only get 2x miles, which is the same as all other purchases.

» Learn more: Is the Capital One Venture X worth its annual fee?

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Some people may opt for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® over the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card because of the travel perks like lounge access and higher bonus categories on travel spending. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® also offers credits like a $300 travel credit, which can help bring down the cost of the annual fee.

However, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great alternative to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® because it has a much more reasonable $95 annual fee but still earns generous rewards: 5x points on travel purchased through Chase's travel portal, 3x points on dining and 2x points on all other travel expenses. Plus, you don't have to deal with the headache of trying to figure out how to use all the credits.

Although you would lose out on the lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck and NEXUS card fee credits, you’ll also save on the card’s annual fee. However, many other travel rewards credit cards offer Priority Pass lounge benefits and TSA/Global Entry.

» Learn more: Who benefits the most (and the least) from the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

American Express® Green Card

The American Express® Green Card offers several of the same benefits as the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, but with a significantly lower annual fee of $150. Terms apply.

This card earn 3x points on travel and restaurants worldwide. While the Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit every four years, the American Express® Green Card comes with a $199 CLEAR+® fee credit every year. Terms apply.

The American Express® Green Card also comes with ShopRunner membership, which is valued at $79. Enrollment required. Terms apply.

In total, the American Express® Green Card not only has similar benefits as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® at a lower annual fee, but the perks are also more practical. Some would argue that shipping fee savings could be more significant than credits toward food deliveries, depending on their spending patterns.

While the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry benefits are tough to argue against, many participants in these programs have noticed longer lines because of how prevalent these credits have become.

» Learn more: AmEx points versus Chase points

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express is probably the closest competitor to the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

Cardholders of The Platinum Card® from American Express get access to money-saving programs like AmEx Offers and Fine Hotels & Resorts. FHR bookings include elite-type benefits like free breakfast, space-available room upgrades, resort credits and complimentary nights. Terms apply. Chase also offers a similar program, called The Edit, although it's not as established as FHR.

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers up to $200 a year in Uber Cash when you use your card to pay for rides or Uber Eats; that might be more practical than the DoorDash credits that come with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Enrollment required. Terms apply. The fact that the Uber Cash is issued in monthly installments may not be appealing to everyone, but it works out well for frequent Uber or Uber Eats users.

The automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold and Hilton Honors Gold elite status upgrades are also an advantage, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers Platinum Elite status with IHG One Rewards. Enrollment required. Terms apply.

» Learn more: Is the Platinum Card from American Express worth its annual fee?

Consider alternatives to the Chase Sapphire Reserve®

While the Chase Sapphire Reserve® annual fee may not feel ideal, the card can still be worth it for those who max out the benefits.

For everyone else, there are plenty of alternatives to choose from. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is for those who want to continue earning Ultimate Rewards® points with a lower annual fee. The Platinum Card® from American Express is a good alternative for those who don’t mind a high-annual-fee card that’s packed with premium benefits.

However, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers overall the best value as an alternative to the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. It offers practical travel benefits and its annual fee is just $395. With the Capital One's vastly improved transfer partnerships, you’ll find plenty of ways to put your points to good use.