With so many fantastic travel rewards credit cards available, including some with large welcome bonuses and phenomenal benefits, you might have difficulty choosing one that suits your needs. The decision can become even more complicated if you’re eligible for a small-business credit card, which opens the door to a whole new set of options.
Two of the most valuable mid-tier cards from Chase are the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees). They have similar benefits, including earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points, and identical $95 annual fees.
They make a powerful team, but you may only want — or qualify for — one of them.
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Let’s look at how these cards stack up against each other to help you decide whether one or both deserve a place in your wallet.
Sapphire Preferred vs. Ink Business Preferred comparison
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | Chase Ink Business Preferred | |
|---|---|---|
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Annual fee |
$95 |
$95 |
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Welcome bonus |
Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. |
Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. |
|
Earning |
*Booked through Airbnb, Vrbo, Plum Guide, HomeAway, Homestay.com and Vacasa |
|
|
Notable benefits |
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Sapphire Preferred vs. Ink Business Preferred welcome offer
New Sapphire Preferred cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Based on TPG’s June 2026 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $2,050. This matches the highest offer we’ve seen in the card’s history.
Meanwhile, new Chase Ink Business Preferred cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Based on TPG’s valuations, this welcome offer is also worth $2,050. This is the standard welcome offer we typically see on this card.
Note that both cards are subject to the 5/24 rule, meaning you can’t have opened five or more cards across all banks in the past 24 months, or you’ll most likely be denied when applying for either card.
Finally, to be eligible for the Ink Business Preferred, you must have a business. However, many side hustles, freelance ventures and limited liability companies qualify.
Winner: Sapphire Preferred. While both cards currently offer 100,000-point welcome bonuses, the Sapphire Preferred requires $3,000 less spending to qualify.
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‘s are slightly more comprehensive.
Both cards include trip cancellation and interruption insurance. With the Ink Business Preferred, you’re covered for up to $5,000 per covered person for nonrefundable travel expenses (up to $10,000 per trip); the Sapphire Preferred’s coverage is double that.
They also provide identical baggage delay insurance and lost luggage reimbursement.
Another standout benefit is primary rental car coverage, which can save you the expense and hassle of filing a claim with a rental agency or your personal auto insurer if something goes wrong. However, the Ink Business Preferred’s benefits state that your rental must be for business purposes for this protection to kick in.
Both cards round out their protections with purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.
The Ink Business Preferred offers cellphone protection up to $1,000 (up to $3,000 per 12-month period, with a $100 deductible) when you pay your monthly wireless bill with the card.
Beyond travel protections, the Sapphire Preferred offers up to a $100 annual hotel credit for bookings made through Chase Travel.
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 monthly non-restaurant DoorDash orders.
And the Ink Business Preferred offers free employee cards, a great bonus for small businesses looking to save on costs.
Winner: Sapphire Preferred. Its benefits outclass those of the Ink Business Preferred.
Related: Why the Sapphire Preferred remains the top travel rewards card year after year
Earning points with the Sapphire Preferred vs. Ink Business Preferred
If you’re looking for a personal travel rewards card, the Sapphire Preferred is the stronger everyday option.
It earns 3 points per dollar spent on dining, online grocery stores, streaming services, and gas and electric vehicle charging, making it the stronger choice for most consumers looking to maximize rewards on regular purchases. It also earns 2 points per dollar on a broad range of travel purchases.
The Ink Business Preferred is the better catch-all travel card for business owners, earning 3 points per dollar on travel along with shipping, internet, cable and phone services, and social media and search engine advertising. Note that those elevated earning rates apply to the first $150,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary year (after which you’ll earn 1 point per dollar).
If your business regularly exceeds that $150,000 annual cap — particularly on advertising purchases — the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) may be a better fit. It earns an uncapped 3 points per dollar on social media and search engine advertising.
Although it carries an annual fee of $795, businesses with substantial advertising budgets may be able to offset that cost through the rewards they earn.
Winner: Tie. The Sapphire Preferred is the stronger everyday card for consumers, while the Ink Business Preferred is the better choice for business owners who spend heavily on travel and eligible business expenses.
Redeeming points with the Sapphire Preferred vs. Ink Business Preferred
Both cards earn Ultimate Rewards points, some of the most valuable around.
You’ll maximize the 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 Chase Travel to get up to 1.75 cents per point in value, with Points Boost (depending on the specific redemption).
Additionally, points can be redeemed to cover eligible purchases in select categories through Chase’s Pay Yourself Back feature.
Points can also be used for cash back or gift cards at a rate of 1 cent per point.
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 points can be transferred to 11 airline partners, including British Airways, Southwest and United, and three hotel programs: IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt.
Most Chase transfer partners offer a 1:1 transfer ratio, though points transfer to World of Hyatt at a 4:3 ratio from both cards.
These transfer partners can provide great value.
I recently transferred 32,000 Ultimate Rewards points to Air France-KLM Flying Blue to book two economy flights from Paris to Washington, D.C. Thanks to a 20% Chase transfer bonus, I needed just 32,000 points (plus $540 in taxes and fees) instead of 38,000 points, while the same tickets were selling for $3,456.
Winner: Tie. You’ll get the same redemption options on either card.
Related: 10 best ways to redeem 150,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points
Should I get the Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred?
First, decide whether a personal or business credit card better fits your needs. If you can take advantage of the Sapphire Preferred‘s broader bonus categories and stronger travel protections, it may be the better choice. However, pairing it with the Ink Business Preferred can be a powerful strategy for maximizing Ultimate Rewards earnings.
Bottom line
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the better choice for most consumers thanks to its broader everyday bonus categories and stronger travel protections.
However, if you own a business, the Ink Business Preferred can be an excellent complement, especially if you spend heavily on travel, shipping, telecommunications services or advertising.
Since both cards earn transferable Ultimate Rewards points and carry the same $95 annual fee, many eligible cardholders may find that holding both is the best way to maximize their rewards.
To learn more, read our full reviews of the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Ink Business Preferred.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Learn more: Ink Business Preferred
