Anyone pick the Sapphire over Preferred?

[Mailak]

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@darkfrosty wrote:

i originally had a saphhire then about a year later called them up and changed it to sapphire preferred

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Did it cost you an extra inquiry or was that done without a pull?

[nickn86]

I agree with most of the above.  In general, there is almost never any reason to be scared off by a card that has an annual fee that is waived for the first year.  Better to sign up for the annual fee version, get the lucrative sign-up bonus (which are generally only available on AF cards) and then product change/cancel before the fee becomes do.  This is especially easy to do with the Sapphire.

Right now I have five cards (see sig) with an annual fee that's waived for the first year.  I will be canceling/product changing 4 of them.  Will probably keep Sapphire.

Also, if you're intent on applying for a no fee card, don't get the Sapphire.  If you want a dining card, the Citi Forward is far superior to the standard Sapphire.

[darkfrosty]

No inquiry I was told .. I asked multiple times with different people before I ok'd it

[bribro]

The regular Sapphire card is really just a 2x restaurant card, that's it. You lose a lot when you downgrade from CSP. However, it's still very useful card when you have another "premium" Chase card that allows UR partner transfers. I'll probably downgrade my CSP to CS when the AF comes due since I currently have two other Chase cards that allow me to transfer.

[CreditScholar]

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@lolabelle wrote:

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@CreditScholar wrote:
There isn't much point having the normal sapphire. Transferability is what UR is all about, and if you don't get that there are far better options out there. A straight 2% cash back no AF card would be an alternative.

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I'm curious about this.  What other Chase cards with no annual fee would you recommend in lieu of the regular Sapphire?

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In terms of no AF cards, the Freedom is your only likely option unless you like Disney. The Slate also has no AF but it has no rewards.

Much like Amex who targets high spenders, Chase's products are also heavily tilted towards AF-rewards cards .

[mmduluth]

I got the regual Sapphire because I don't travel but I wanted another Chase card that I can use when I'm only using my Freedom for the 5%. I've managed to rack up $300.80 in cash back between the two cards in the last year so in the future I can finally take a trip and at least have some part of it paid for without me having to do anything different.