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Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Discover it Cash Back comparison
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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
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| Card type | Travel | Cash back |
| Credit card issuer | Chase | Discover |
| Credit card network | Visa | Discover |
| Annual fee | $95 | $0 |
| Welcome offer | Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. |
| Earning rate | Earn 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases. | Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. |
| Redemption methods |
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| Intro APR | None |
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| Foreign transaction fee | None | 0% |
| Recommended credit score | Excellent, Good | Excellent, Good |
| Apply now |
Apply now |
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When you should choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred
If you want a rewards credit card that's focused on helping you travel more, choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred. However, keep in mind that it comes with a $95 annual fee.
Consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred instead of the Discover it Cash Back if:
- You want to earn travel rewards.
- You want to take advantage of travel perks and benefits.
- You want to combine points with other eligible Chase credit cards.
- You already have a relationship with Chase.
Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits and perks
With the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can take advantage of a generous welcome offer and earn 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases.
You can also earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Additionally, you receive these travel benefits:
- Travel redemptions
- Up to 1.5x more value on select flights and hotels when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
- Travel insurance
- Up to $50 in statement credits each anniversary year for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel℠
- No foreign transaction fees
Learn more in our Chase Sapphire Preferred review.
When you should choose the Discover it Cash Back
If you want opportunities to earn a high rate of cashback rewards on everyday expenses, choose the Discover it Cash Back. This card has a $0 annual fee.
We'd recommend the Discover it Cash Back to you if:
- You want to earn a high rate of cash back on quarterly rotating categories.
- You want a $0 annual fee.
- You would take advantage of 0% intro APRs.
- You already have a relationship with Discover.
Discover it Cash Back benefits and perks
The Discover it Cash Back has a $0 annual fee and 0% foreign transaction fees. You can earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
You can also take advantage of these intro APR offers:
- Intro APR on purchases: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then 17.99% - 26.99% Variable).
- Intro APR on balance transfers: 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then 17.99% - 26.99% Variable).
Learn more in our Discover it Cash Back review.
What both cards excel at
- Welcome offers: Both cards provide welcome offers that new cardholders can take advantage of.
- Earning potential: You can earn rewards on eligible purchases with either card. There are also bonus categories for earning more rewards on specific purchases.
- Foreign transaction fees: You don't have to worry about paying foreign transaction fees with the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Discover it Cash Back.
7 important differences between Chase Sapphire Preferred and Discover it Cash Back
1. Rewards rates
The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases.
With the Discover it Cash Back, you can earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
There's no clear winner because these are different types of earning rates. If you prefer travel rewards, the Sapphire Preferred makes more sense. If you prefer cash back, the Discover it Cash Back makes more sense.
Winner: It's a tie because the better rewards rate depends on your spending habits and preferences.
2. Redemption options
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has these redemption options:
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The Discover it Cash Back has these redemption options:
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Overall, the Sapphire Preferred has more redemption options.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred because it offers more flexibility with its higher number of redemption options.
3. Annual fees
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a $95 annual fee, while the Discover it Cash Back has a $0 annual fee.
If you want to avoid annual cardmember costs, the Discover it Cash Back makes more sense.
Winner: Discover it Cash Back because it has a $0 annual fee.
4. Card protections
The Chase Sapphire Preferred provides these coverages and protections:
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Overall, the Sapphire Preferred provides more and better protections to cardholders. The Discover it Cash Back doesn't provide any noteworthy protections.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred because it provides more card protections.
5. Introductory APR offers
The Chase Sapphire Preferred doesn't provide intro APR offers to help you avoid paying a high interest rate for a certain amount of time.
The Discover it Cash Back provides these intro APR offers:
- Intro APR on purchases: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then 17.99% - 26.99% Variable).
- Intro APR on balance transfers: 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then 17.99% - 26.99% Variable).
In general, many Discover credit cards provide intro APR offers. Travel cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, don't typically have intro APR offers.
Winner: Discover it Cash Back because it has excellent intro APR offers.
6. Card benefits
You can take advantage of these benefits with the Chase Sapphire Preferred:
- Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel℠.
- Get up to 1.5x more value when you redeem your points for eligible travel through Chase Travel℠. That means 75,000 points could be worth up to $1,125 if you book eligible travel through the Chase Travel portal.
- Each account anniversary, earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases from the previous year. For example, spending $25,000 nets you 2,500 points.
The Discover it Cash Back doesn't provide much in the form of additional unique benefits. That's common on cards without annual fees.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred because it has more perks and benefits.
7. Card network
The Chase Sapphire Preferred uses the Visa credit card network, while the Discover it Cash Back uses the Discover network.
For overall card acceptance, Visa and Mastercard are better than Discover. For example, Visa is accepted in over 200 countries and territories worldwide, while Discover doesn't provide that same kind of reach. But if you don't plan to travel abroad, either network should work just fine.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred because Visa is the superior network in terms of worldwide acceptance.
FAQs
Can you get cash back with the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Yes, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred earns Ultimate Rewards points, it provides multiple cashback options, such as receiving a statement credit or a mailed check.
You can also redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards points for travel through the Chase portal, transfers to travel partners, Chase Dining experiences, gift cards, certain online purchases, Pay Yourself Back options, and combining points with other eligible Chase cards.
Is Chase Sapphire Preferred worth the annual fee?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred can typically be worth the $95 annual fee if you're able to take advantage of its many benefits. That includes up to $50 statement credits each anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel℠.
You can also combine points from other eligible Chase cards onto your Sapphire Preferred and they could be worth up to 1.5x more value for eligible travel redemptions through Chase Travel℠.
Is Discover it Cash Back a good first card?
It's an excellent first card because it provides high cashback earning potential while giving you the opportunity to build your credit history at the same time. And you don't have to stress about an annual cost since the Discover it Cash Back has a $0 annual fee. Keep in mind that the Discover it Cash Back is best for people with average to excellent credit scores, which typically means a FICO score of 670 or higher.
Bottom line
We recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred if you want to earn points that you can redeem for travel. If you would rather earn cash back with a $0-annual-fee card, consider the Discover it Cash Back.
Compare credit cards to find the right credit card offer for you.
Current Offer
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases
Current Offer
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
