The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred Card are two of the best travel credit cards available on the market today. Not only do they offer great benefits and perks, but they also have amazing earning rates that make them highly desirable for frequent travelers.
One of the standout features of both cards is their earning potential when it comes to dining purchases. Both the Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Preferred earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining purchases worldwide. This means that every time you dine out, whether it’s at a fast food restaurant or a fine dining establishment, you are earning valuable points that can be redeemed for travel rewards.
But it doesn’t stop there. The Sapphire Reserve goes one step further by also earning 3 points per dollar spent on travel purchases. This includes everything from flights and hotels to rental cars and train tickets. On the other hand, the Sapphire Preferred earns 2 points per dollar spent on travel. While not as high as the Reserve, it’s still a great earning rate that can help you accumulate points quickly.
In addition to the dining and travel earning rates, both cards offer a generous bonus for Lyft purchases. Through March 2025, the Sapphire Reserve earns 10 points per dollar spent on Lyft, while the Sapphire Preferred earns 5 points per dollar spent. This is a fantastic perk for those who frequently use ride-sharing services.
When it comes to Chase’s definition of what counts as a dining purchase, it is quite broad and generous. According to their website, restaurants are defined as merchants whose primary business is sit-down or eat-in dining, including fast food restaurants and fine dining establishments. This means that bars, coffee shops, and even restaurant delivery services like DoorDash typically code as dining purchases and earn the bonus points.
However, there are some exceptions to this definition. Food and drink establishments located within larger merchants, such as sports stadiums, hotels, and grocery stores, may not be included in the dining category unless the merchant has set up such purchases to be classified as a restaurant. Additionally, gift card and delivery service merchants are not included in the dining category unless the merchant has specifically classified them as such.
It’s worth noting that sometimes restaurants may not be categorized correctly, and if you believe that an eligible dining purchase did not code properly, you can dispute it with a Chase representative to ensure you receive the bonus points you deserve.
As an added perk, both the Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Preferred currently offer at least one year of complimentary DashPass membership with DoorDash. This provides cardholders with free delivery and reduced service fees on eligible purchases, further enhancing the dining benefits of these cards.
Overall, Chase’s definition of what counts as a dining purchase is quite extensive, allowing cardholders plenty of opportunities to earn valuable points. Based on The Points Guy’s valuations, earning 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on dining is equivalent to a return of up to 6.1%, making these cards highly rewarding for dining expenses.
In conclusion, the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred Card are among the best travel credit cards available due to their amazing earning rates on dining and travel purchases. Both cards offer an excellent return on spending and provide cardholders with valuable benefits and perks. If you’re a frequent traveler looking to maximize your rewards, these cards are definitely worth considering.