Note: Even though the Chase Freedom Flexâ„ card is marketed as a cashback card, it actually earns Chase Ultimate Points, which you can redeem for cash or other rewards.
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Chase Freedom Flex℠vs Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Sapphire is the new winner, though you'll still want both.
The main difference between these two Chase credit cards is that Chase Freedom Flex℠is a cashback card for everyday spending, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is aimed at everyday travel.
The Chase Freedom Flex℠earns extra rewards on categories that rotate every quarter, as well as permanent rewards categories on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, restaurants, drugstores and Lyft. On the other hand, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns accelerated points on travel, dining, select streaming services and eligible online grocery purchases.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card also lets you transfer your points to other loyalty programs or redeem them for a 25% higher value through the Chase travel portal. But it also comes with an annual fee.
Check out which card is better in our credit card breakdown below.
The winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
While both are rewards cards and they aim to occupy a different spot in your wallet, the Sapphire Preferred is the new winner. The expanded rewards categories of the Preferred, including the fact that it now earns the same travel points you can earn with the Flex, means the Preferred has finally stepped up to become worthy of the $95 asking price.
However, because you can transfer rewards between these two cards, you’ll still want to grab both if you want to go deep into the Chase Ultimate Rewards Program.
Chase Freedom Flex℠vs Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Card breakdown
Despite being part of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, these two cards have many differences. Let’s see which one is better.
Rewards. Winner: Tie
Chase Freedom Flex℠lets you earn 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter on up to $1,500 in combined purchases, and 1% back after that. The same 5% rate applies to Lyft purchases until March 2022. In addition, you earn 5% on travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, 3% at restaurants, which includes delivery, and at drugstores.This is a big rewards rate on a variety of categories – unusual for a rotating category card – and it’s unmatched by any almost any other card currently on the market.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card on the other hand now sports a heaping helping of reward opportunities. You can earn 5x points on travel booked through Chase, 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and eligible online groceries, 2x points on all other travel purchases and 1x points on everything else. This new variety gives covers enough ground to make the Preferred a go-to rewards card for travel, dining and even groceries, while the Flex still performs well on its main rotating categories.
Signup bonus. Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
With Chase Freedom Flex℠, you can earn $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 in the first 3 months when you open your account. You’ll also earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases on up to $12,000 spent in the first year. This does not include Target® or Walmart® purchases.
On the other hand, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card lets you earn 60,000 bonus points once you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months. This is one of Chase’s larger signup bonuses, worth around $750 if you redeem via the Chase Ultimate Rewards program or the new Pay Yourself Back feature. This welcome offer alone is enough to consider the card, even if you’re not yet invested in the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.
Intro APR period. Winner: Chase Freedom Flexâ„
Travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card aren’t known for offering a 0% intro APR period on purchases, balance transfers or both. This is where cashback cards shine. With the Chase Freedom Flex℠, you get to save money on purchases with a 0% intro APR period for the first 15 months when you open your account. After that, a variable APR of 14.99% to 23.74% applies.
Consider this perk a 0%-interest loan to buy your new iPhone, laptop, or to renovate at home.
Chase Freedom Flex℠and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card combo
These two cards are extremely powerful reward-earning machines when paired together; This way you can earn accelerated rewards on a variety of categories. And the best part? You can transfer your Chase Freedom Flex℠points to your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card card and enjoy a 25% higher redemption value via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. This will turn your 5% cash back to a 6.25% value toward travel redemption.
And if you want to go even further, consider adding the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card. This combination of three cards is known as the Chase trifecta.
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