Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card worth the higher annual fee?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card costs $95/yr vs $0/yr for the Chase Freedom Flex. The higher fee and travel credits that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

Which card earns more rewards, the Chase Freedom Flex or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?

Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.

What benefits does the Chase Freedom Flex have that the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card doesn't?

The Chase Freedom Flex focuses on earn rates, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers travel credits.

Should I get the Chase Freedom Flex or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?

Choose the Chase Freedom Flex if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card if you spend enough to justify the $95/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card worth the higher annual fee?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card costs $95/yr vs $0/yr for the Chase Freedom Flex. The higher fee and travel credits that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

Which card earns more rewards, the Chase Freedom Flex or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?

Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.

What benefits does the Chase Freedom Flex have that the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card doesn't?

The Chase Freedom Flex focuses on earn rates, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers travel credits.

Should I get the Chase Freedom Flex or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?

Choose the Chase Freedom Flex if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card if you spend enough to justify the $95/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card worth the higher annual fee?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card costs $95/yr vs $0/yr for the Chase Freedom Flex. The higher fee and travel credits that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

Which card earns more rewards, the Chase Freedom Flex or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?

Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.

What benefits does the Chase Freedom Flex have that the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card doesn't?

The Chase Freedom Flex focuses on earn rates, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers travel credits.

Should I get the Chase Freedom Flex or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?

Choose the Chase Freedom Flex if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card if you spend enough to justify the $95/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Chase Freedom Flex vs Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

The Chase Freedom Flex ($0/yr) is better for everyday value, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card ($95/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.

Chase Freedom Flex

Chase

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Chase

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$95

Welcome Bonus

200 Cash

75,000 Flex point

Earn Rates

Category	Chase Freedom Flex	Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Rotating Quarterly	5X	1X

Category-by-Category Winner

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card wins in 5 of 7 categories. The Chase Freedom Flex leads in 2.

Rotating Quarterly

Chase Freedom Flex earns 5X vs 1X

Drugstores

Chase Freedom Flex earns 3X vs 1X

Dining

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 3X vs 1X

Streaming

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 3X vs 1X

Online Groceries

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 3X vs 1X

Grocery Delivery

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 3X vs 1X

Travel

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 2X vs 1X

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card costs $95/yr — that's $95 more than the Chase Freedom Flex (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $95 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers travel credits. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.

The Bottom Line

The Chase Freedom Flex has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $95), making it the more accessible option.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like travel credits.

Choose the Chase Freedom Flex if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card worth the higher annual fee?: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card costs $95/yr vs $0/yr for the Chase Freedom Flex. The higher fee and travel credits that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the Chase Freedom Flex or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?: Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.
What benefits does the Chase Freedom Flex have that the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card doesn't?: The Chase Freedom Flex focuses on earn rates, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers travel credits.
Should I get the Chase Freedom Flex or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?: Choose the Chase Freedom Flex if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card if you spend enough to justify the $95/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Related Comparisons

Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Preferred Amex Green vs Chase Sapphire Preferred Amex Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Preferred Capital One Venture vs Chase Sapphire Preferred

Explore More

Chase Freedom Flex — Full Review All Chase Cards

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card — Full Review All Chase Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: Chase cards

Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: June 2026.

Chase Freedom Flex vs Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Chase Freedom Flex

Chase

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Chase

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$95

Welcome Bonus

200 Cash

75,000 Flex point

Earn Rates

Category	Chase Freedom Flex	Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Rotating Quarterly	5X	1X

Category-by-Category Winner

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card wins in 5 of 7 categories. The Chase Freedom Flex leads in 2.

Rotating Quarterly

Chase Freedom Flex earns 5X vs 1X

Drugstores

Chase Freedom Flex earns 3X vs 1X

Dining

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 3X vs 1X

Streaming

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 3X vs 1X

Online Groceries

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 3X vs 1X

Grocery Delivery

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 3X vs 1X

Travel

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 2X vs 1X

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers travel credits. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.

The Bottom Line

The Chase Freedom Flex has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $95), making it the more accessible option.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like travel credits.

Choose the Chase Freedom Flex if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card worth the higher annual fee?: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card costs $95/yr vs $0/yr for the Chase Freedom Flex. The higher fee and travel credits that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the Chase Freedom Flex or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?: Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.
What benefits does the Chase Freedom Flex have that the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card doesn't?: The Chase Freedom Flex focuses on earn rates, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers travel credits.
Should I get the Chase Freedom Flex or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?: Choose the Chase Freedom Flex if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card if you spend enough to justify the $95/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Related Comparisons

Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Preferred Amex Green vs Chase Sapphire Preferred Amex Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Preferred Capital One Venture vs Chase Sapphire Preferred

Explore More

Chase Freedom Flex — Full Review All Chase Cards

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card — Full Review All Chase Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: Chase cards

Chase Freedom Flex vs Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Chase Freedom Flex

Chase

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Chase

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$95

Welcome Bonus

200 Cash

75,000 Flex point

Earn Rates

Category	Chase Freedom Flex	Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Rotating Quarterly	5X	1X

Category-by-Category Winner

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card wins in 5 of 7 categories. The Chase Freedom Flex leads in 2.

Rotating Quarterly

Chase Freedom Flex earns 5X vs 1X

Drugstores

Chase Freedom Flex earns 3X vs 1X

Dining

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 3X vs 1X

Streaming

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 3X vs 1X

Online Groceries

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 3X vs 1X

Grocery Delivery

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 3X vs 1X

Travel

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 2X vs 1X

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers travel credits. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.

The Bottom Line

The Chase Freedom Flex has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $95), making it the more accessible option.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like travel credits.

Choose the Chase Freedom Flex if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card worth the higher annual fee?: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card costs $95/yr vs $0/yr for the Chase Freedom Flex. The higher fee and travel credits that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the Chase Freedom Flex or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?: Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.
What benefits does the Chase Freedom Flex have that the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card doesn't?: The Chase Freedom Flex focuses on earn rates, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers travel credits.
Should I get the Chase Freedom Flex or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?: Choose the Chase Freedom Flex if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card if you spend enough to justify the $95/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Related Comparisons

Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Preferred Amex Green vs Chase Sapphire Preferred Amex Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Preferred Capital One Venture vs Chase Sapphire Preferred

Explore More

Chase Freedom Flex — Full Review All Chase Cards

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card — Full Review All Chase Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: Chase cards

Pros & Cons

Pros

+5% on rotating categories up to $1,500/quarter when activated
+3% on dining and drugstores with no annual cap
+5X on Chase Travel portal purchases
+$0 annual fee with Mastercard World Elite benefits
+Transfer points 1:1 to travel partners with Sapphire card

+75,000 point welcome bonus worth $937+ via transfers
+$95 annual fee offset by $50 hotel credit
+1:1 transfer to 13+ airline and hotel partners including Hyatt
+5X on Chase Travel, 3X dining, streaming, online groceries
+Trip cancellation, delay, and lost luggage insurance included

Cons

−Must activate quarterly categories or miss 5% bonus
−$1,500 quarterly cap on 5% categories ($300 max bonus/quarter)
−3% foreign transaction fee
−Points worth only 1 cent without Sapphire card pairing
−Welcome bonus lower than Sapphire cards

−$95 annual fee vs $0 Freedom cards
−No lounge access included
−Secondary rental car coverage only (not primary)
−5/24 rule restricts applicants with 5+ cards in 24 months
−No 0% intro APR offer

Pros & Cons

Pros

+5% on rotating categories up to $1,500/quarter when activated
+3% on dining and drugstores with no annual cap
+5X on Chase Travel portal purchases
+$0 annual fee with Mastercard World Elite benefits
+Transfer points 1:1 to travel partners with Sapphire card

+75,000 point welcome bonus worth $937+ via transfers
+$95 annual fee offset by $50 hotel credit
+1:1 transfer to 13+ airline and hotel partners including Hyatt
+5X on Chase Travel, 3X dining, streaming, online groceries
+Trip cancellation, delay, and lost luggage insurance included

Cons

−Must activate quarterly categories or miss 5% bonus
−$1,500 quarterly cap on 5% categories ($300 max bonus/quarter)
−3% foreign transaction fee
−Points worth only 1 cent without Sapphire card pairing
−Welcome bonus lower than Sapphire cards

−$95 annual fee vs $0 Freedom cards
−No lounge access included
−Secondary rental car coverage only (not primary)
−5/24 rule restricts applicants with 5+ cards in 24 months
−No 0% intro APR offer

Pros & Cons

Pros

+5% on rotating categories up to $1,500/quarter when activated
+3% on dining and drugstores with no annual cap
+5X on Chase Travel portal purchases
+$0 annual fee with Mastercard World Elite benefits
+Transfer points 1:1 to travel partners with Sapphire card

+75,000 point welcome bonus worth $937+ via transfers
+$95 annual fee offset by $50 hotel credit
+1:1 transfer to 13+ airline and hotel partners including Hyatt
+5X on Chase Travel, 3X dining, streaming, online groceries
+Trip cancellation, delay, and lost luggage insurance included

Cons

−Must activate quarterly categories or miss 5% bonus
−$1,500 quarterly cap on 5% categories ($300 max bonus/quarter)
−3% foreign transaction fee
−Points worth only 1 cent without Sapphire card pairing
−Welcome bonus lower than Sapphire cards

−$95 annual fee vs $0 Freedom cards
−No lounge access included
−Secondary rental car coverage only (not primary)
−5/24 rule restricts applicants with 5+ cards in 24 months
−No 0% intro APR offer

Chase Freedom Flex vs Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Chase Freedom Flex

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Fees & Welcome Offer

Earn Rates

Category-by-Category Winner

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Comparisons

Explore More

Chase Freedom Flex vs Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Chase Freedom Flex

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Fees & Welcome Offer

Earn Rates

Category-by-Category Winner

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Comparisons

Explore More

Chase Freedom Flex vs Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Chase Freedom Flex

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Fees & Welcome Offer

Earn Rates

Category-by-Category Winner

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Comparisons

Explore More

Benefits & Features

Pros & Cons

What You Give Up

Which Card Is Right for You?

Benefits & Features

Pros & Cons

What You Give Up

Which Card Is Right for You?

Benefits & Features

Pros & Cons

What You Give Up

Which Card Is Right for You?