Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Citi Simplicity Card
On the criteria below, Chase Sapphire Preferred wins 4 of 5. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase
Citi Simplicity Card
Citi
Chase Sapphire Preferred wins 4 of 5 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.
Chase Sapphire Preferred wins on first-year math, earning ceiling, travel insurance, and foreign transactions; Citi Simplicity Card wins on annual fee.
Pick the Chase Sapphire Preferred if year-one math is your priority; take the Citi Simplicity Card if you want a cheaper card to keep long-term.
Who wins what
4 vs 1- First-year math Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire Preferred wins on bonus value minus annual fee.
- Annual fee Citi Simplicity Card
Citi Simplicity Card is $95 cheaper to keep.
- Earning ceiling Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire Preferred earns more on its best category (5× vs 0×).
- Travel insurance Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire Preferred carries built-in travel insurance.
- Foreign transactions Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire Preferred has a lower (or zero) foreign transaction fee.
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- $95
- Free
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- $1,700
- —
- First-year net
- +$1,605
- +$0
- Peak earning rate
- 5×
- —
- Top categories
- Chase Travel Portal, Dining, Travel
- —
- Lounge access
- No
- No
- Travel insurance
- Yes
- No
- Elite status
- No
- No
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- 3.00%
- Reward currency
- Chase Ultimate Rewards
- —
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.