Two of Chase’s hottest bank cards — the mid-tier Chase Sapphire Most popular® Card (see charges and costs) and its premium sibling, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and costs) — are well-loved at TPG as a consequence of a number of elements together with the previous’s affordable $95 annual charge, bonus-earning charges on journey and eating and invaluable journey protections.
Whereas the Sapphire Reserve has a a lot larger annual charge of $550, it additionally provides luxurious perks and lots of the advantages we have come to count on from premium journey playing cards.
That stated, the Sapphire Most popular nonetheless packs an honest punch. What makes it much more interesting is that it is each an incredible starter journey card and ultimate for frequent and seasoned vacationers, too.
Let’s check out why the Sapphire Most popular may be the following Chase card you need in your pockets (if you happen to do not have already got it).
Higher welcome bonus
Each playing cards presently provide totally different welcome bonuses however similar minimal spend thresholds:
- Sapphire Most popular: Earn 100,000 factors after spending $5,000 on purchases inside the first three months from account opening.
- Sapphire Reserve: Earn 60,000 factors after spending $5,000 on purchases inside the first three months from account opening.
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In accordance with TPG’s April 2025 valuations, the Chase Sapphire Most popular’s 100,000-point bonus is value $2,050. If you happen to select to redeem via Chase Journey℠, nonetheless, the identical quantity of factors are value as much as $1,250.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve’s 60,000-point bonus is value $1,230 in accordance with our valuations and may be value as much as $900 whenever you redeem the factors for journey via the Chase Journey or as a press release credit score with the Pay Your self Again function since level redemptions are value 50% extra this fashion.
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If you happen to redeem factors for money again exterior of Pay Your self Again, 60,000 factors are value $600.
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Decrease annual charge
The 2 Chase Sapphire playing cards have very totally different annual charges, so it is vital to do the mathematics and see which card makes essentially the most monetary sense to your life-style. Those that aren’t frequent vacationers won’t really feel the necessity to pay extra for advantages that they are going to not often use.
If you happen to’ve by no means held a premium card earlier than or are averse to excessive annual charges, it’s possible you’ll be just a little apprehensive concerning the $550 annual charge for the Sapphire Reserve.
Nevertheless, you need to know {that a} excessive charge is frequent amongst playing cards of this tier. You may successfully recoup many of the charge if you happen to make the most of all of the added card advantages.
Simply by accounting for the Sapphire Reserve’s $300 annual journey credit score alone, the annual charge is already decreased to a extra manageable $250 — but it is nonetheless a $155 premium over the Sapphire Most popular.
Whereas the Sapphire Reserve delivers extra credit and perks than the Sapphire Most popular, you do must make extra of an effort to maximise these extra perks, which may very well be a ache if you’d like a card with an easier reward incomes and redeeming construction.
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Bonus classes
The Sapphire Most popular earns on the following charges:
- 5 factors per greenback spent on journey booked via Chase Journey
- 3 factors per greenback spent on eating — consistent with the Sapphire Reserve
- 3 factors per greenback spent on choose streaming providers
- 3 factors per greenback spent on on-line groceries (excluding Goal, Walmart and wholesale golf equipment)
- 2 factors per greenback spent on journey purchases
- 1 level per greenback spent on different eligible purchases
For its half, the Chase Sapphire Reserve earns:
- 10 factors per greenback spent on Chase Eating booked via the Final Rewards portal
- 10 factors per greenback spent on lodge and automobile rental purchases via Chase Journey
- 5 factors per greenback spent on airline journey booked via Chase Journey
- 3 factors per greenback spent on different journey
- 3 factors per greenback spent on eating
- 1 level per greenback spent on different eligible purchases
The extra you propose to spend in these bonus classes, the larger the distinction in rewards. As an example you spend $500 on non-Chase eating and $500 on non-Chase journey (a complete of $1,000) per 30 days on these two bonus classes.
That will convey your Sapphire Most popular earnings to 2,500 factors month-to-month (as much as $50 in worth) versus 3,000 factors with the Reserve (as much as $60).
Total, the extra 1 level earned on basic journey purchases with the Sapphire Reserve might not warrant the a lot larger annual charge for some. When you think about that $155 distinction in annual charges (after utilizing the $300 annual journey credit score from the Sapphire Reserve), the Sapphire Most popular might very nicely come out on prime as the higher alternative for some shoppers.
Journey protections
It is uncommon to discover a mid-tier card with robust journey protections. Most playing cards on this vary provide a number of protections, reminiscent of secondary auto insurance coverage or baggage insurance coverage.
With the Chase Sapphire Most popular, cardholders get the good thing about as much as $10,000 per coated traveler or $20,000 per journey in journey cancellation insurance coverage, as much as $500 a coated ticket in journey delay insurance coverage, as much as $3,000 in misplaced baggage insurance coverage, as much as $100 a day (as much as 5 days) in baggage delay insurance coverage and main rental automobile insurance coverage.
Secondary automobile rental insurance coverage is extra standard amongst mid-tier playing cards, including much more worth to an already spectacular protection-rich card.
As a mid-tier card, the Sapphire Most popular packs a punch with premium-level journey insurance coverage. The advantages right here make the Sapphire Most popular extraordinarily enticing, particularly when its annual charge is a lot decrease than the Sapphire Reserve’s.
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Simpler approval
The Chase Sapphire Most popular is less complicated to get accredited for than the Chase Sapphire Reserve, too. Now, that does not imply that it is a straightforward course of, particularly if you happen to’re seeking to get the Sapphire Most popular as one in all your first bank cards.
Many elements play into whether or not or not you will get accredited for any bank card, reminiscent of revenue, credit score historical past, credit score rating, age of your credit score accounts and if in case you have a preexisting relationship with the credit score issuer.
When making use of to the extra premium Chase Sapphire Reserve, you will possible want a credit score rating of at the very least 740. Nevertheless, it has been reported the typical individual accredited has a rating of round 750.
It is vital to notice you could nonetheless be denied for both card even if in case you have a superb credit score rating. Nevertheless, these estimates may give you a spot to begin. And bear in mind, Chase’s 5/24 rule nonetheless applies, so if you happen to’ve opened 5 or extra private bank cards throughout all banks within the final 24 months, you will possible obtain a denial in your utility.
Associated: Chase’s 5/24 rule: The whole lot you should know
Backside line
The Sapphire Reserve is a superb premium card for vacationers who plan to maximise its perks and use its coveted airport lounge entry. Nevertheless, the Chase Sapphire Most popular Card is a standout within the sea of mid-tier playing cards. While you crunch the numbers, the same advantages and decrease annual charge make it essentially the most enticing Chase card for most individuals.
Plus, because of the Chase Sapphire Most popular Card’s present highest-ever welcome bonus of 100,000 factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening, it is simple to earn a large stash of Final Rewards factors proper now.
Associated: Chase Sapphire Most popular vs. Sapphire Reserve: Do you have to go mid-tier or premium?
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Most popular
