What if I don't have a high credit score?

Both cards require 700+ credit scores. If your score is lower, you'll need to build credit elsewhere first. There are no weaker alternatives between these two that accept lower scores.

Is the $95 annual fee worth it?

Yes, if you spend $5,700+ annually on bonus categories (earning ~$95 in extra points versus a no-fee card). The 60,000-point signup bonus alone offsets the first year if you value points at 1.5+ cents each.

Can I transfer points to airlines with both cards?

Yes, both cards transfer to 14-15 airline partners. Sapphire Preferred's larger signup bonus (due to higher point value in transfers) and broader earning categories give you more points to transfer overall.

Which card has better travel insurance?

Chase Sapphire Preferred includes trip cancellation and interruption insurance, which Citi Premier does not offer. This is meaningful protection that adds real value for frequent travelers.

Citi Premier vs Chase Sapphire Preferred — Which Is Better?

Citi · Mastercard

Citi Premier Card

Chase · Visa

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Head-to-Head · Plastic Quarterly

The Citi Premier and Chase Sapphire Preferred are nearly identical premium travel cards with matching $95 annual fees and 60,000-point signup bonuses. The key difference lies in category breadth versus redemption flexibility. Citi Premier spreads 3x points across five categories including supermarkets and gas stations, making it better for everyday spending. Chase Sapphire Preferred concentrates rewards on travel and dining but offers superior point valuation through its travel portal (25% bonus) and slightly better insurance protections. Both require 700+ credit scores and waive foreign transaction fees. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize diverse earning categories or maximum redemption value.

Our ruling.

“Chase Sapphire Preferred wins for most travelers. Its 5x points on Chase Travel purchases, combined with the 25% redemption bonus, creates better overall value despite fewer bonus categories. Citi Premier only makes sense if you heavily use supermarkets and gas stations.”

Side A is for you if…

01You spend significantly at supermarkets and gas stations—categories Sapphire doesn't cover—making Citi's 3x points valuable for weekly groceries and fuel
02You prioritize transfer partners and want airline-focused rewards without the travel portal dependency
03You value the $100 annual hotel savings benefit and don't rely on the Chase Travel portal for bookings
04You want the broadest earning potential across everyday categories rather than concentrated travel rewards

Side B is for you if…

01You book travel through Chase's portal regularly—the 5x points and 25% redemption bonus add up to 6.25 effective points per dollar
02You dine out frequently and want strong dining rewards (3x) combined with premium travel protections like trip cancellation insurance
03You use streaming services and shop online groceries—Sapphire's niche categories align better with modern spending
04You maximize credit card value through strategic point transfers to premium airline partners where Sapphire's larger point pool matters

Side by side.

Citi Premier Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

ISSUER: Citi; Chase
NETWORK: Mastercard; Visa
ANNUAL FEE: $95; $95
APR RANGE: 21.24% – 29.24%; 21.49% – 28.49%
INTRO APR (PURCHASES): None; None
INTRO APR (BALANCE TRANSFERS): None; None
REWARDS TYPE: points; points
REWARDS RATE: 1x ThankYou points on all purchases; 1x points on all purchases
SIGN-UP BONUS: 60,000 points; 60,000 points
BONUS VALUE: $600; $750
MIN. CREDIT SCORE: 700+; 700+
FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE: None; None

Apply for Side A →Apply for Side B →

Citi Premier Card

—3x points on restaurants, supermarkets, gas, air travel, and hotels
—Transfer ThankYou Points to 15+ airline partners
—No foreign transaction fees
—$100 annual hotel savings benefit
—Citi Entertainment access

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

—Points worth 25% more when redeemed through Chase Travel
—Transfer points to 14+ airline and hotel partners
—$50 annual Chase Travel hotel credit
—No foreign transaction fees
—Trip cancellation and interruption insurance

Frequently filed.

Both earn 3x points on dining. However, Chase Sapphire Preferred's points are worth 25% more when redeemed through Chase Travel, making dining effectively 3.75x value. Citi Premier offers straight 3x with no redemption bonus.