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Side-by-side

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Discover it Cash Back

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Chase Sapphire Preferred comes from Chase at $95/yr; the Discover it Cash Back from Discover at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,300 more in estimated value) than the Discover it Cash Back's. Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred first; revisit the Discover it Cash Back after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureChase Sapphire PreferredDiscover it Cash Back
Annual fee$95$0
Sign-up bonus75,000 pointsCashback Match (first year, unlimited)
Bonus value (est.)$1,500$200
Min spend to unlock bonus$5,000 in 3 mo$0 in 12 mo
IssuerChaseDiscover
Card categorytravelcashback
Best earning category (Travel)5x1x
Transfer partnerschase-urNone
Headline benefits
  • 5x on travel booked via Chase
  • 3x on dining & streaming
  • $50 annual hotel credit
  • Transfer to 13 partners (Hyatt 1:1)
  • 5% rotating categories
  • First-year match
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign tx fees
Read the full review
Chase Sapphire Preferred
$95/yr · 75,000 points
Read the full review
Discover it Cash Back
$0/yr · Cashback Match (first year, unlimited)

Editorial take: Chase Sapphire Preferred

The best starter travel card, period. Transferable points, solid bonus categories, and a low annual fee make this the card we recommend to almost everyone getting into the points game. Note: the 10% anniversary points bonus sunsets October 1, 2026.

Editorial take: Discover it Cash Back

The first-year Cashback Match effectively doubles your earnings, someone who earns $300 in cash back gets $600 total. It's the best no-fee first card for building credit with real rewards.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Discover it Cash Back?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has the bigger bonus, 75,000 points, worth roughly $1,500, versus Cashback Match (first year, unlimited) (~$200) on the Discover it Cash Back.
Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Discover it Cash Back?
At $95/yr, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Discover it Cash Back's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Discover it Cash Back?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Chase and Discover) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Discover it Cash Back first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Chase Sapphire Preferred: $5,000 spend in 3 months. Discover it Cash Back: $0 in 12 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.