Sapphire Reserve for Business vs. Ink Business Preferred: Which Card Is Right for You?

If you’re in the market for a brand-spanking new business card, two names should be on your radar: the new Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ and the long-standing fan favorite, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.

Both cards are designed for business owners (or just anyone who has business expenses) who want to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, but they cater to different needs… and budgets.

Let’s look at both cards’ strengths so you can decide which one you’re feeling.

Key Features

Sapphire Reserve Business:

Chase took everything that makes the personal version of this card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and gave it some business-y twists. And now, we’ve got a premium card with some sweet perks, strong travel rewards, and a ton of useful credits, especially if you travel often or have larger expenses.

This card comes with a Annual Fee: $795 annual fee, but that includes a generous $300 annual travel credit, plus a $500 annual hotel credit through The Edit (split into two $250 credits).

Ink Business Preferred:  

This is a classic for a reason. It delivers high value at a low cost, with a $95 annual fee and a super sexy welcome offer: Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

That’s worth well over $1,000 toward travel when booked through Chase’s portal (and even more when talking about transfer partners). Its bonus categories are perfect for digital businesses, and you’ll earn extra points on shipping, advertising, internet, phone services, and travel.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Earning Rates

Sapphire Reserve Business:

This card is tough to beat when it comes to earning potential, especially for all of you travelers:

• 8x points on Chase Travel^SM purchases

• 5x points on eligible Lyft rides (through 9/30/27)

• 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly

• 3x points on eligible advertising (Google, Meta, etc.)

• 1x points on everything else

Plus, it offers elevated redemption with Points Boost, which allows you to redeem points at up to 2 cents each on select flights and hotels through Chase Travel (yay!).

Ink Business Preferred:

Don’t discount this card, y’all. It still covers all of the basics:

• 5x points on eligible Lyft rides through 9/30/27

• 3x points on the first $150,000 each year (then 1x per $1 after) for combined spending on travel, shipping, internet, cable and phone services, and select advertising

• 1x points on everything else

While it doesn’t have flashy hotel or lounge perks, if your business spends in these core categories, you’ll rack up points quickly.

Benefits and Credits

Sapphire Reserve Business:

This card is loaded with both travel and business perks:

• $300 annual travel credit

• $500 in hotel credits via The Edit ($250 biannual credits; two-night minimum stay and prepayment required)

• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit (up to $120 every four years)

• Chase Sapphire Lounge (plus two guests) and Priority Pass access

• DoorDash, Lyft, Peloton perks

• Points Boost for redemptions (up to 2x on thousands of top hotels and flights through Chase Travel)

• Big spender bonuses after $120K spend: IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite Status, Southwest A-List Status and $500 flight credit when booked through Chase Travel

• No additional cost for employee cards

Let’s face it… this is a card designed for high spenders and folks who want premium experiences and serious flexibility.

Ink Business Preferred:

This card is more low-key but still extremely valuable:

• No foreign transaction fees

• Employee cards at no extra cost

• Top-tier travel and purchase protections

• Access to all Chase transfer partners

• Points Boost: Worth up to 1.5x on thousands of both top booked

  hotels and flights with select airlines through Chase Travel-- and up to 1.75x on premium cabin tickets on select airlines

It’s a simple card that overdelivers, especially for such a small fee.

What Are These Cards Actually Worth?

With the Ink Business Preferred, you’re getting tons of potential travel value from the welcome offer alone, and that’s before you factor in the solid earnings on everyday business expenses.

The Sapphire Reserve Business has a much higher fee, but most of it is offset right away by the annual travel credits. If you take advantage of Points Boost, lounge access, and the extra status perks, this card could be worth hundreds (or thousands) more, depending on how you use it.

Why We Love the Ink Business Preferred

It’s simply tough to beat the value here.

Under $100 a year? For hundreds (or thousands) of dollars worth of points? Drooling.

Add in the bonus categories and full access to Chase’s transfer partners, and you’ve got one of the most versatile and affordable business cards out there.

The Ink Business Preferred is the perfect candidate for side hustlers, small business owners, or anyone dipping their toes into business card territory without wanting to shell out any crazy cash.

Who Should Consider the Sapphire Reserve for Business

If you travel a lot for work, run paid ads, or spend enough throughout the year to unlock those juicy big-spender items, this card could make sense for you.

Its value is actually pretty incredible, with its statement credits, hotel perks, and airport lounge access. Throw in the Points Boost situation, and you’ve got a premium business card that pays for itself and then some.

Bottom Line

The Ink Business Preferred is the right pick if you want unbeatable value, strong bonus categories, and a low annual fee. It’s a straightforward option perfect for small businesses.

The Sapphire Reserve Business, on the other hand, is great for business owners who constantly find themselves in the airport and want nicer perks on top of their daily business spend.

Whichever one you choose, you’ll be earning some of the most flexible points out there, Chase Ultimate Rewards. And, you’ll be giving your business expenses a chance to work for you, in return.