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The Chase Sapphire Preferred 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.

OUR COMPARISON AT A GLANCE

Comparison Overview: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Citi Premier Card

  • Chase Sapphire Preferred
    Citi Premier Card
  • Has Annual Fee
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  • Has Balance Transfer Offer
  • Has APR Offer
  • Cash Back Rewards
  • Travel Rewards
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Chase Sapphire Preferred At a Glance

The Chase Sapphire Preferred 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

    A very good rewards card with no foreign transaction fees and comprehensive travel cover

    • ExcellentCredit Needed
    • $95Annual Fee
    • 1–2 Points per $1Rewards Rate
    • 2xRewards Rate on Air Travel
    • 2xRewards Rate on Dining

    Terms, rates and fees apply

    Compare this credit card with other cards with lower interest rates.

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

    • ExcellentCredit Needed
    • $95Annual Fee
    • 1–3 Points per $1Rewards Rate
    • 3xRewards Rate at Hotels
    • 3xRewards Rate on Groceries

    Terms, rates and fees apply

    Compare this credit card with other top-rated cards from our partners.

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's travel benefits.

    The Citi Premier Card doesn’t have any travel protections.

    Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred

  • 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

  • Rewards

    In terms of rewards, both cards are excellent.

    With the Chase Sapphire Preferred, 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

  • Annual Fee

    The annual fee is $95 for both the Chase Sapphire Preferred 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 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?

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.

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    Frequent travelers may want to take advantage of this card's ample travel protections, plus 5X total points rewards bonus on select travel purchases.

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    Each year, customers may use a $50 statement credit for hotel stays booked via Chase Ultimate Rewards.

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    ≫ 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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    ≫ More: Read Our Full Review
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EXPERT OPINION

The Chase Sapphire Preferred 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 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.

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*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.
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.
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