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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. Citi Premier® Card: Which Is Best for You?
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The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and Citi Premier credit cards are both mid-tier travel rewards cards. These two cards have become favorites among frequent and not-so-frequent travelers because of their flexible reward programs and generous welcome bonuses. Both have $95 yearly fees, but vary in perks and features.
Because choosing between two good rewards credit cards can be difficult, this comparison will break down the differences between the Sapphire Preferred and Premier Card to help you make a decision.
Comparison Overview: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. Citi Premier® Card
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardCiti Premier® Card
- Has Annual Fee
- Has Balance Transfer Offer
- Has APR Offer
- Cash Back Rewards
- Travel Rewards
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card At a Glance
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card credit card is one of the best rewards cards available today. The card comes with a bonus of 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points (worth $750 toward travel when redeemed via Chase Ultimate Rewards), 3X points per dollar spent on dining, 5X total points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, flexible redemption choices and no foreign transaction fees. However, to be approved for the Sapphire Preferred, you must have excellent credit — otherwise, you may be denied.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
A very good rewards card with no foreign transaction fees and comprehensive travel cover
- 1–2 Points per $1Rewards Rate
- 21.49% – 28.49% VariableAPR
- $95Annual Fee
- ExcellentRecommended Credit
Citi Premier® Card At a Glance
New cardmembers can earn 60,000 ThankYou bonus points after spending $4,000 in purchases with the Citi Premier® Card within the first three months of account opening. ThankYou Points are worth $0.01 per point when redeemed through Citi’s travel portal or for gift cards. So 60,000 points would be worth $600 toward gift cards, travel and other redemptions.
- Citi Premier® Card
An excellent travel rewards card for international use
- 1–3 Points per $1Rewards Rate
- 21.24% – 29.24% VariableAPR
- $95Annual Fee
- ExcellentRecommended Credit
Comparison Summary
Compare the similarities and differences between these two mid-tier travel rewards credit cards to see which card is best for you.
Card Detail | Comparison Summary |
|---|---|
Travel Coverage and Purchase Protection | Insurance for trip cancellation, trip delay, baggage delay, travel accidents and an auto rental collision damage waiver are all included in Chase Sapphire Preferred Card's travel benefits. The Citi Premier® Card doesn’t have any travel protections. Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card |
Welcome Bonus | Both providers offer generous welcome bonuses to their new cardholders. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers new cardholders the opportunity to earn 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account setup. Chase Ultimate Rewards are incredibly valuable since each point is worth $1.25 when redeemed using the Chase travel site or the Pay Yourself Back function (so the 60,000-point incentive is worth $750). When redeemed, ThankYou Points are only worth $0.01 per point. Therefore 60,000 points are worth $600 in gift cards or towards a vacation. Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card |
Rewards | In terms of rewards, both cards are excellent. With the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, it’s possible to earn 5X points on travel paid via Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3X points on dining and 2X points on all other travel purchases. With the Citi Premier® Card, you’ll earn 3X points for every dollar spent at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airports and hotels. You’ll also earn 1X point per dollar spent on all other eligible items. For frequent travelers, the Sapphire Preferred is the ideal option since it earns 5X points per dollar instead of the Premier Card's 3X points per dollar. Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card |
Annual Fee | The annual fee is $95 for both the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the Citi Premier® Card. Winner: Tie |
Foreign Transaction Fee | Neither card has foreign transaction fees. Winner: Tie |
Which Card Should You Get?
When deciding between the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and Citi Premier® Card, it’s best to consider your financial habits and goals. The best choice will depend on your individual travel needs and spending patterns.
Who Should Consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is ideal for people who want to stretch their points farther on travel and statement credits. It's also an excellent choice for people looking to earn points that can be used with various partners, such as airlines, hotels and restaurants.
Frequent travelers may want to take advantage of this card's ample travel protections, plus 5X total points rewards bonus on select travel purchases.
Each year, customers may use a $50 statement credit for hotel stays booked via Chase Ultimate Rewards.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
Who Should Consider the Citi Premier® Card?
The Citi Premier® Card is a good choice for individuals who want to earn points on regular purchases. The card will also help you save money on travel, as there are no foreign transaction fees.
Once per year, the Citi Premier® Card gifts customers with a $100 Annual Hotel Savings Benefit on a single stay of $500 or more booked through thankyou.com.
Experience-seekers may enjoy the Citi Entertainment rewards system, which gives cardholders special access to purchase tickets for concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
EXPERT OPINION
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is definitely the better card in this comparison. Chase Ultimate Rewards are extremely valuable as you can transfer them to great airline and hotel loyalty programs. While you can do the same with Citi ThankYou points, the partners are not as valuable as the majority of them are international airlines.
Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs
Despite knowing the differences between the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the Citi Premier® Card, you might still be undecided about which one to go with. MoneyGeek has answered some frequently asked questions that can help you make an informed decision.
Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options
If you can't decide between the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the Citi Premier® Card, look into other cards that offer significant rewards advantages. If you want to receive money back on purchases, a cash back credit card could be a good option for you.
Learn more about credit cards in general
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sources
- Chase Bank. "Chase Sapphire Preferred Card." Accessed January 6, 2022.
- Citi Premier. "Citi Premier® Card." Accessed January 6, 2022.
*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.