The offer mentioned below for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® are no longer available.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
When it comes to travel rewards credit cards, you can't have a conversation about the top card without mentioning the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. And anyone debating the merits of the best premium credit cards won't get far without diving into the Chase Sapphire Reserve®'s benefits.
Right now, it's time to pay even more attention to both of these cards because they have limited-time increased welcome bonuses. When you're approved for either card you can earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases with the card in the first three months of account opening. These bonuses are 15,000 points more than the previous offers, which is worth at least an additional $187 to $225 in travel depending on the card.
Chase Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve bonus offers
There's a lot you can do with 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points — at a minimum these bonuses are worth $750 when you redeem for cash back or gift cards since those options provide a value of one cent per point.
Both cards also get a boost in value when you use the points to pay for travel booked through Chase Travel℠. With the Sapphire Preferred, points are worth 25% more (1.25 cents each) when redeemed this way, so with 75,000 points you can book $937.50 in travel. With the Sapphire Reserve points are worth 50% more (1.5 cents each) when using this method, making 75,000 Chase points worth $1,125 in travel.
If you only plan on redeeming your points for travel booked through Chase, these offers are easily among the best intro bonuses currently available. But you can unlock even more value with Chase's travel partners. With these two cards, you can transfer Chase points at a 1:1 ratio to 14 airline and hotel partners, including Hyatt, Aeroplan, Emirates, Southwest and Virgin Atlantic.
It only costs 60,000 to 70,000 Aeroplan points to book a one-way business-class award between North American and Europe for partner flights up to 6,000 miles in flight distance. That means you could book business-class awards from the U.S. to a large swath of Europe on airlines such as United, Lufthansa and Swiss. These flights typically cost thousands of dollars, so this is a great way to get a ton of value from your points.
Which card makes sense for you?
The welcome bonuses both allow you to earn 75,000 bonus points, so which card makes sense for you will largely come down to the cost and benefits. The Sapphire Preferred has a $95 annual fee, which is significantly less than the Sapphire Reserve's $550 annual fee, but the Reserve card's benefits are much more valuable.
This is especially true if you're always on the go —the Sapphire Reserve is geared toward heavy travelers and offers unlimited complimentary access to Priority Pass airport lounges. It also has an annual travel credit of up to $300 and a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit worth up to $120. The Sapphire Preferred has an annual Chase Travel hotel credit of up to $50 when you book hotels through Chase Travel.
Both cards offer impressive shopping and purchase protections. Eligible purchases are covered by trip delay reimbursement, primary rental car insurance, purchase protection and much more.
However, when you dive into the fine print, you'll notice the Reserve card's coverage offers more value. Its trip delay insurance kicks in when your travel is delayed by as little as six hours or you require an overnight stay, with the Preferred card the coverage applies only after 12 hours (or an overnight stay is required). The Reserve card also has more valuable purchase insurance that covers items for up to $10,000 per claim, whereas the Preferred's purchase protection only reimburses you for up to $500 per claim
Who's eligible for these offers?
To be eligible for either card's bonus, you can't currently have any version of the Sapphire card. If you have a Sapphire Preferred, you aren't eligible for a Sapphire Reserve and vice versa. You also can't have earned a welcome bonus from any Sapphire card in the previous 48 months. Chase also has an unofficial 5/24 rule and if you have opened five or more credit cards from any bank in the past 24 months, you're less likely to be approved for a new Chase credit card.
Alternative cards
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a worthwhile alternative if you can't get, or don't want, the Chase Sapphire Preferred. It has the same $95 annual fee and its intro bonus has a similar value. With the Venture Rewards Card, you'll earn at least 2X miles on every purchase, and you can transfer Capital One miles to a long list of partner airline and hotel programs.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a reasonable annual fee and earns flexible travel rewards, which makes it a great travel card for both beginners and frequent travelers.
- Valuable welcome offer
- You can transfer miles to Capital One's travel partners
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
- No foreign transaction fees
- Lacks ongoing travel benefits such as statement credits or lounge access
- Limited bonus spending category that only applies to certain Capital One Travel bookings
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $300 to use on hotel and vacation rental bookings through Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that's more than $1,000 in travel value
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fee
None
The American Express Platinum Card® offers a long list of exceptional benefits including access to transfer partners, but it also comes with a high annual fee of $895 (see rates and fees). It has a larger welcome offer than the Chase Sapphire Reserve and comes with more robust airport lounge access and a greater variety of statement credit offers. However, you have to meet a larger minimum spending requirement to earn the Amex Platinum's welcome bonus compared to the Reserve, and many of the statement credits are tied to specific brands or are more complicated to redeem. If you'd prefer to keep things simpler and have a lower upfront cost, the Sapphire Reserve could make more sense.
The American Express Platinum Card® is a premium card loaded with annual statement credits, entertainment benefits, extensive airport lounge access, elite status perks and more. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- Access to 1,550+ airport lounges, including Priority Pass™ lounges (enrollment required) and Amex Centurion lounges
- Statement credit offers worth up to twice what the annual fee costs
- Elite status perks for hotels and rental cars (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- High annual fee
- Many statement credit offers are complicated and are earned in increments or limited to specific purchases
- Not as rewarding for purchases as other lower-fee travel cards
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits (subject to visit limitations) when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass™ membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. *As of 01/2026
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
- $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights™ by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. As a Platinum Card® Member you have special access to reservations on select nights at participating sought after Resy restaurants in select cities through Platinum Nights™ by Resy. Simply add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to book your reservation.
- $219 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM late check-out.
- $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Get up to a $12.95* statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox. Sign up here.
Bottom line
Two of the top travel credit cards have increased intro bonuses for a limited time — the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve. If you've had either card on your radar, now is the right time to apply.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every personal finance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of financial products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cards, banking and money, and follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.
Read more
For rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, click here.
