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 sign-up bonuses and phenomenal benefits, you might have difficulty choosing one (or a combination) 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 include the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, which have similar benefits — including earning Ultimate Rewards points and annual fees of $95.

While they make a pretty powerful team, you might only want or be eligible for one or the other — for instance, if you are not looking for a business card or are nearing your 5/24 limit with Chase. Today, we will 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

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is currently offering a welcome offer of 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. The Chase Ink Business Preferred currently offers 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

According to TPG’s January 2025 valuation, Ultimate Rewards points are worth 2.05 cents each, making these bonuses worth up to $1,230 and $1,845, respectively.

While the Ink Preferred cleans the table when it comes to bonus value, that $8,000 minimum spending requirement might be difficult for some businesses to hit, so you’ll want to consider your spending power when deciding which card to get.

Winner: Ink Business 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 trip for nonrefundable travel expenses, up to $10,000 per trip. The Sapphire Preferred covers up to $10,000 per person or up to $20,000 per trip. Trip delay reimbursement for things like overnight lodging or meals kicks in at 12 hours with the Ink Business Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Both cards also cover up to $500 per ticket in the event of a covered delay.

The baggage delay insurance is identical on both cards: up to $100 per day for up to five days when your bag is delayed or misdirected for more than six hours. Lost luggage insurance with both cards is up to $3,000 per passenger.

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 Chase Sapphire Preferred offers purchase protection of up to $500 per claim with a $50,000 limit per year, and the Ink Business Preferred offers a slightly elevated coverage of $10,000 per claim with the same $50,000 maximum

In addition, both cards provide extended warranty coverage for eligible items by extending a manufacturer’s warranty by one additional year for items with less than three years of warranty. In case of a replacement or repair the cards each provide up to $10,000 per item with a $50,000 maximum per account.

Finally, the Ink Business Preferred provides cellphone protection when paying the monthly bill. The card covers up to $1,000 in case of repair or replacement with a $100 deductible.

Beyond travel protections, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a statement credit each account anniversary of up to $50 on hotel stay purchases 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.

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

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

Earning points with the Sapphire Preferred vs. Ink Business Preferred

The cards’ earning rates are very different. The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 5 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel℠, plus 2 points per dollar on a broad range of travel purchases, including airline tickets and hotel stays and taxis, tolls and parking. The card also earns 3 points per dollar on dining worldwide and 1 point per dollar on everything else, all with no earning caps.

The Ink Business Preferred earns a solid 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. It earns 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’s 3-points-per-dollar bonus edges out the Sapphire Preferred’s 2-points-per-dollar rate in this category.

Another consideration is that if you are a business owner and spend a lot of money in the card’s other bonus categories, you might hit that $150,000 annual cap sooner than you think. Still, to make the Sapphire Preferred worth it over the Ink Business Preferred strictly in terms of travel, you’d have to spend $225,000 or more in travel purchases each year instead of $150,000 with the business card.

Winner: Tie. The categories differ significantly, and 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 the Chase travel portal to get 1.25 cents per point in value and have the option to redeem points for eligible categories through Pay Yourself Back.

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 managing editor 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 one for business. If you prefer a personal credit card and can benefit from the Chase Sapphire Preferred‘s superior travel protections, not to mention its handy dining category bonus, it might be the better option for you.

Still, the Sapphire Preferred and Ink Business Preferred combination 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.

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Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred

Apply here: Ink Business Preferred

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