Chase Sapphire Reserve vs United Infinite Card: Which is Best?

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve and United Infinite Card are two of the most popular premium credit cards on the market. The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a $300 travel credit, while the United Infinite Card offers a $100 United travel credit.

Both cards have a high annual fee of $550, but they offer different rewards and benefits. The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a 50,000-point bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, while the United Infinite Card has a 100,000-mile bonus after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a 3x points earning rate on travel and dining purchases, while the United Infinite Card has a 2x miles earning rate on United purchases. The Chase Sapphire Reserve also offers a 50% points bonus when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Card vs. Comparison

The Chase Sapphire Reserve and the United Club Infinite Card are two high-end credit cards that offer impressive rewards and benefits. The United Club Infinite Card has a sign-up bonus of 90,000 miles after spending $5,000 in the first three months, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.

Credit: youtube.com, Is This The BEST Airline Credit Card?! United Club Infinite Card Review (In Depth)

The annual fees for these cards are $525 and $550, respectively. The United Club Infinite Card offers a more valuable point/mile valuation, with 1.35 cents per mile, compared to the Chase Sapphire Reserve's 2.05 cents per point.

The rewards structures for these cards differ significantly. The United Club Infinite Card earns 4 miles per dollar on United purchases, 2 miles per dollar on travel and dining, and 1 mile per dollar on other eligible purchases. In contrast, the Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 10 points per dollar on Lyft, hotels, and car rentals booked through Chase Travel, and 5 points per dollar on flights booked through Chase Travel.

Here's a comparison of the key benefits and features of these cards:

Reward Redemption and Transfer

United's MileagePlus program no longer publishes an award chart, making redemption rates unpredictable.

But United does have some sweet spots in its program, like the United Excursionist Perk or booking partner awards with United miles, which don't pass on fuel surcharges on partner awards.

Credit: youtube.com, United Infinite Credit Card: Too Good To Be True? (Full Review 2024) | Best Credit Card For Travel

This can save you hundreds of dollars per ticket when booking awards like first-class tickets on Lufthansa.

With the Sapphire Reserve, you can book travel through Chase Travel with your points at a value of 1.5 cents each, a great option for boutique hotels or flights when cash prices are low.

You can also transfer your points to one of Chase's 14 travel partners, which can lead to incredible redemptions like a two-night stay at a Category 7 Hyatt property or a flight to Europe in Delta One business class.

The Sapphire Reserve's redemption and transfer options are more flexible than the United Club Infinite's, making it a winner in this category.

Should I Get the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

If you travel frequently, the Chase Sapphire Reserve might be a great choice for you. This card offers a $300 annual travel credit, which can be a huge perk if you use it to offset your annual fee.

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You'll also earn 3x Chase Ultimate Reward Points on travel and dining, which can be redeemed at a rate of 1.5 cents per point. This means that for every dollar you spend, you'll get 4.5 cents in value.

The card also comes with travel and shopping protections, as well as 24/7 customer service and concierge service.

However, it's worth noting that the card has a $450 annual fee, which is a significant cost. But if you can take advantage of the benefits, it might be worth it.

Here's a rough estimate of the value you can get from the card's benefits, excluding the sign-up bonus:

  • $300 travel credit
  • 3x Chase Ultimate Reward Points on travel and dining
  • Redeem Chase Ultimate Reward Points at 1.5 cents per point
  • $100 Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit
  • Priority Pass Select Membership
  • Special deals with National, Avis, Silvercar and the Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Travel and purchase protections
  • 24/7 customer service and concierge service

If you can redeem more than 22,000 Chase Ultimate Reward Points a year, you'll come out ahead with the Chase Sapphire Reserve. With 150,000+ Chase Ultimate Reward Points, you'll definitely get more value with this card.

Key Offer Details

The Chase Sapphire Reserve and United Club Infinite cards both have lucrative sign-up bonuses of 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points, which can be worth up to $1,125 when redeemed for travel through Chase's booking portal.

To qualify for these points, new cardholders must spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

The value of these points can increase significantly when transferred to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners.

Detailed Comparison Overview

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve and United Infinite Card are two top-tier credit cards that cater to frequent travelers. The United Infinite Card has an annual fee of $525, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve comes in at $550.

The sign-up bonus for the United Infinite Card is 90,000 miles after spending $5,000 in the first three months, whereas the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the same timeframe.

If you're a heavy United user, the United Infinite Card's rewards structure might be more appealing, earning 4 miles per dollar on United purchases and 2 miles per dollar on travel and dining. On the other hand, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Travel.

Both cards offer lounge access, but the United Infinite Card includes United Club membership, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve grants access to Chase Sapphire Lounges and Priority Pass Select membership.

Credit: youtube.com, United Club Infinite Credit Card Review | Chase United Club Infinite Card WORTH IT in 2024?!

Here's a comparison of the two cards' benefits:

The United Infinite Card offers a range of travel protections, including trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance and baggage delay insurance. The Chase Sapphire Reserve also provides these protections, as well as emergency evacuation and transportation.

Maximizing Value Through Partners

The Chase Sapphire Reserve and United Infinite cards offer incredible rewards, but one of the most lucrative features is access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, allowing you to transfer points to a variety of airline and hotel partners.

By strategically transferring your points, you can significantly enhance the value of your rewards beyond the standard redemption options through Chase's travel portal.

Transferring points to these partners often yields a value of 2.0 cents per point (CPP) or more, making it a savvy move to maximize your rewards.

J.P. Morgan Review

J.P. Morgan is a well-established bank with a long history of providing financial services.

Their customer service is often praised for being helpful and knowledgeable, with many clients noting that their representatives are able to answer complex questions.

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J.P. Morgan offers a wide range of financial products and services, including investment banking, asset management, and private banking.

Their investment banking division is particularly notable, with a strong track record of advising on high-profile mergers and acquisitions.

J.P. Morgan's online banking platform is user-friendly and allows for easy account management and transaction tracking.

Their mobile app is also highly rated, with many users praising its ease of use and seamless integration with their online account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sapphire reserve worth it in 2024?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve's $550 annual fee may be justified for frequent travelers, but its value depends on individual spending habits and usage of its benefits. Consider your travel frequency and spending to determine if the card's rewards outweigh the fee.

Ginger Wolf

Copy Editor

Ginger Wolf is a meticulous and detail-oriented copy editor with a passion for refining written content. With a keen eye for grammar and syntax, Ginger has honed her skills in ensuring that articles are polished and error-free. Her expertise spans a range of topics, including personal finance and budgeting.

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