In the event you’re weighing widespread mid-tier journey playing cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) and Bilt Obsidian Card (see rates and fees) are stable choices.
These playing cards every have a $95 annual price (see Bilt Obsidian rates and fees) and earn transferable factors you should utilize to guide flights and motels.
Nevertheless, the way you earn and redeem these factors differs considerably. The Chase Sapphire Most popular is an all-around points earner, whereas Bilt’s program is an effective selection for earning rewards on housing.
There’s additionally a key distinction in switch ratios which will curiosity some resort rewards maximizers. With the Chase Sapphire Most popular’s recent change to its World of Hyatt switch price, Bilt’s unchanged 1:1 switch price to Hyatt might be particularly engaging to followers of the model.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card — Earn 100,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
That can assist you determine, this is a side-by-side comparability of the Chase Sapphire Most popular and Bilt Obsidian.
Chase Sapphire Most popular vs. Bilt Obsidian comparability
| Card | Chase Sapphire Most popular | Bilt Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
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Earn 100,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. |
Obtain $200 in Bilt Money once you apply and are accepted.
(As much as $100 of Bilt Money earned rolls over to the following 12 months.) |
|
|
$95 |
||
|
Chase Final Rewards factors (price 2.05 cents apiece)* |
Bilt Factors (price 2.2 cents apiece)* and Bilt Money (when you select) |
|
|
|
|
|
A most advantages quantity and sure restrictions and limitations apply. Please overview the Bilt Obsidian Mastercard Guide to Benefits for particulars. |
|
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None |
*Per TPG’s June 2026 valuations
^Manufacturers eligible for 3 factors per greenback spent with the Sapphire Most popular: Airbnb, Vrbo, Plum Information, HomeAway, Homestay.com and Vacasa
#Sapphire Most popular cardholders obtain as much as $100 in assertion credit for pay as you go resort stays booked by way of Chase Journey every anniversary 12 months; present cardholders who’ve already used their $50 will obtain an extra $50.
**You will not earn Bilt Money when you go for the tier-rewards possibility.
***Tax funds don’t earn factors.
Chase Sapphire Most popular vs. Bilt Obsidian welcome bonus
New Chase Sapphire Preferred candidates earn 100,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
TPG’s June 2026 valuations place this provide at a whopping $2,050, matching the very best bonus we have seen in the card’s history.
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When making use of for any Chase card, it is essential to maintain the issuer’s 5/24 rule in thoughts. And, with the Sapphire Most popular, you are restricted to incomes the bonus simply as soon as in your lifetime. So, when you’ve earned it earlier than, you are not eligible for it once more.
In the meantime, the Bilt Obsidian gives new cardholders with $200 in Bilt Money once they apply and are accepted.
Bilt Cash may be redeemed contained in the Bilt platform in a number of methods, together with for health courses, resort bookings, Lyft rides and, most notably, unlocking factors on mortgage and lease funds. You’ll be able to redeem $30 in Bilt Money to earn 1,000 Bilt factors on mortgage or lease funds, as much as the complete value of your housing funds.
It is price noting that Bilt Money can’t be transferred to journey companions, which is a key distinction from transferable Bilt factors.
With Bilt, you’ll be able to’t apply for the Bilt Obsidian when you’re at present the first cardholder of one other Bilt card, such because the Bilt Palladium Card (see rates and fees) or the Bilt Blue Card (see rates and fees).
Winner: Chase Sapphire Most popular. Its bonus outpaces the Bilt Obsidian by a landslide, contemplating you solely obtain $200 in Bilt Money and will not obtain any transferable Bilt factors. Nevertheless, the Bilt Obsidian provide does not have a minimal spend requirement, which might be a constructive for some cardholders.
Chase Sapphire Most popular vs. Bilt Obsidian advantages
Each playing cards pack in a stable suite of advantages to assist offset their annual charges.
With the refreshed Chase Sapphire Preferred, you will obtain:
- Annual hotel credit: A $100 resort credit score every anniversary 12 months^^ once you guide by way of Chase Travel. This has doubled from $50.
- Apple TV subscription: One complimentary 12 months of Apple TV (when activated by Dec. 31)^^
- DoorDash: A complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription for at the least one 12 months (once you activate by Dec. 31, 2027) and $10 in month-to-month credit ($120 yearly) for nonrestaurant purchases (by way of Dec. 31, 2027)
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus: As much as $120 in credit each 4 years^^
^^New or enhanced profit
It is price noting that cardholders who apply for the Sapphire Most popular on or after June 15, 2026, is not going to obtain the annual 10% anniversary points bonus that was beforehand a part of this card’s advantages. In the event you utilized earlier than then, eligible purchases made by way of Oct. 1, 2026, will proceed to earn the ten% bonus. If eligible, you will obtain your final anniversary bonus by Jan. 31, 2027.
In the meantime, the Bilt Obsidian gives:
The Chase Sapphire Most popular’s refreshed resort credit score places it on par with the one which comes on the Bilt Obsidian when it comes to worth.
Nevertheless, the Chase Sapphire Most popular resort credit score is simpler to make use of since you’ll be able to redeem the complete $100 on a single transaction. With the Bilt Obsidian resort credit score, you are restricted to $50 for stays of at the least two nights from January to June, and you could redeem it once more from July to December.
Typically, it’s a lot simpler to get outsize worth from Sapphire Most popular’s annual price than from Bilt Obsidian’s.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Most popular. The cardboard presents extra perks for its $95 annual price, together with a extra versatile resort credit score and an announcement credit score for World Entry/TSA PreCheck/Nexus utility charges each 4 years.
Incomes factors with the Chase Sapphire Most popular vs. Bilt Obsidian
Each playing cards have good incomes constructions, however you will want to investigate the important thing variations earlier than making your selection.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns Ultimate Rewards points. With this card, you will earn:
- 5 factors per greenback spent on all journey booked by way of Chase Journey, eligible Lyft rides (by way of Sept. 30, 2027) and eligible Peloton gear and accent purchases over $150 (by way of Dec. 31, 2027)
- 3 factors per greenback spent on dining, gas and EV charging, vacation homes at a number of manufacturers^, online grocery purchases (excluding Goal, Walmart and wholesale golf equipment) and choose streaming services
- 2 factors per greenback spent on all different travel worldwide
- 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
^Manufacturers eligible for 3 factors per greenback spent with the Sapphire Most popular: Airbnb, Vrbo, Plum Information, HomeAway, Homestay.com and Vacasa.
The Chase Sapphire Most popular is a superb all-around incomes card. With the addition of bonus classes for gasoline, EV charging and trip properties, most on a regular basis spenders will be capable to acquire a excessive variety of factors on most of their purchases.
The Bilt Obsidian earns Bilt factors on purchases. With the Bilt Obsidian, you’ll be able to earn:
- 4% Bilt Money on all nonhousing purchases (when you elect for the Bilt Money incomes construction for housing rewards; as much as $100 of Bilt Money earned rolls over to the following 12 months)
- 3 Bilt factors per greenback spent in your selection of both grocery (on as much as $25,000 per 12 months, then 1 level per greenback spent) or dining purchases
- 2 factors per greenback spent on travel
- As much as 1.25 factors per greenback spent on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction price (rates and fees; when you elect for the tiered-rewards possibility**; earn as much as 1 level per greenback spent on these purchases when you choose to earn Bilt Money)
- 1 level per greenback spent on all nonhousing purchases***
**You will not earn Bilt Money when you go for the tier-rewards possibility.
***Tax funds don’t earn factors.
Bilt Obsidian cardholders can select their 3 factors per greenback bonus class, however they will have to take into account that the grocery class is capped at $25,000 per 12 months (then they will earn 1 level per greenback spent).
Nonetheless, the Obsidian’s grocery class is way broader than the Sapphire Most popular’s. The Sapphire Most popular limits its grocery bonus class to on-line orders. With the Obsidian, you will additionally earn bonus factors on in-person groceries.
Nevertheless, you will additionally need to think about housing rewards right here, since you will get probably the most out of this card when you earn points on your rent or mortgage.
If you choose to earn tiered rewards, you’ll be able to earn as much as 1.25 factors per greenback spent in your lease and mortgage funds. Nevertheless, you will not earn Bilt Money if you choose this selection.
In the event you choose to earn Bilt Money, you will earn 4% Bilt Money on each buy. Bilt Money can be utilized to unlock factors on housing funds at a price of $30 in Bilt Money for 1,000 Bilt factors towards housing. You can too redeem Bilt Money in a wide range of different methods, together with for health courses and resort bookings.
The Bilt Obsidian may be exceptionally rewarding when you put lots of spend in your card to earn factors on housing. Nevertheless, the Chase Sapphire Most popular is an easier selection for everyday spenders.
Winner: Tie. This comes down as to whether you worth maximizing your earnings or preserving it easy. In the event you’re a renter or home-owner, the Bilt Obsidian might ship lots of worth. If you wish to maximize on a regular basis spending, the Chase Sapphire Most popular is a extra easy card.
Redeeming factors with the Chase Sapphire Most popular vs. Bilt Obsidian
Each playing cards provide a number of methods to redeem factors.
The Final Rewards factors you will earn on the Chase Sapphire Preferred may be redeemed for assertion credit, reward playing cards, Amazon.com purchases and journey booked by way of Chase Journey.
Plus, the Chase Sapphire Most popular has entry to Points Boost, which suggests you’ll be able to redeem your factors within the Chase Journey portal for as much as 1.75 cents per level, relying on the redemption.
Whereas Factors Enhance is a straightforward possibility that may be rewarding, I usually advocate transferring Final Rewards factors to certainly one of Chase’s switch companions for maximum value.
In the meantime, the Bilt Obsidian earns Bilt factors that may be redeemed towards Amazon.com purchases immediately, Bilt Assortment purchases, Bilt Journey bookings, health courses and subsequent month’s lease or mortgage.
Nonetheless, you get probably the most worth out of your rewards by leveraging certainly one of Bilt’s loyalty program companions.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Most popular. Factors Enhance is an effective characteristic for easy redemptions within the portal, which supplies it the sting over the Bilt Obsidian — however that is earlier than you think about switch companions (extra on that within the subsequent part).
Transferring factors with the Chase Sapphire Most popular vs. Bilt Obsidian
If maximizing worth is your factor, I at all times advocate transferring your points — whether or not they’re Final Rewards factors from the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Bilt factors from the Bilt Obsidian.
First, we have to mention World of Hyatt. Transferring Final Rewards factors at a 1:1 ratio to Hyatt has lengthy been a favorite choice for many people at TPG.
Now, when you maintain solely the Chase Sapphire Most popular, you will lose some worth. New Chase Sapphire Most popular cardholders who apply on or after June 15, 2026, will likely be topic to a 4:3 switch price. In the event you utilized earlier than that date, you will nonetheless have entry to the 1:1 switch price till Sept. 30, 2026. From Oct. 1, 2026, onward, your factors switch at a 4:3 price.
In the event you maintain the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) or Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees), you will nonetheless have entry to a 1:1 switch ratio from Chase to Hyatt.
Nevertheless, these playing cards include a a lot increased $795 annual price, and you may want to mix your factors earned from the Chase Sapphire Most popular right into a single account earlier than making the switch. For a lot of Sapphire Most popular holders, pairing with a $795 card is not a sensible resolution.
TPG managing editor for bank cards Giselle Gomez transferred her Final Rewards factors to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio (earlier than the switch price change) for 2 stays. She used 24,000 factors to guide three nights on the Hyatt Place North Charleston in South Carolina throughout a vacation weekend. This could have value her $200 per evening in money, so she netted 2.5 cents per level in worth.
Bilt is sustaining its 1:1 switch price for Bilt Obsidian cardholders, so when you’re a Hyatt devotee, this truth might carry the cardboard excessive for you. Nonetheless, many different companions are shared between the 2 issuers.
Each Chase and Bilt provide 1:1 transfers to Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, British Airways Club, United Airlines MileagePlus and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club — a few of my favourite airline applications. I used 39,000 Flying Membership factors to guide my first business-class flight from John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR).
On the subject of airline companions, I feel Bilt has the sting over Chase right here as a result of you’ll be able to switch Bilt factors to Atmos Rewards.
Atmos Rewards is my favourite program, since I can persistently discover implausible offers on home American Airlines flights by way of it. I’ve booked many short-haul domestic American Airlines flights for 4,500 to six,000 factors one-way, together with journeys from Charlotte Douglas Worldwide Airport (CLT) to LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York.
Chase usually runs transfer bonuses all through a whole month, whereas Bilt contains one-day switch bonuses on the primary of the month as a part of its Rent Day promotions. Chase’s switch bonuses are extra accessible, whereas Bilt requires you to behave quick.
Winner: Bilt Obsidian. Sustaining a 1:1 ratio for Hyatt transfers is a sport changer. Plus, Atmos Rewards is unique to Bilt amongst main transferable factors currencies.
Ought to I get the Chase Sapphire Most popular or the Bilt Obsidian?
In the event you worth a excessive welcome bonus, a broad vary of bonus classes and easy-to-understand incomes and redemption choices, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the cardboard for you. It additionally presents further advantages, together with helpful assertion credit for World Entry, TSA PreCheck and Nexus and DoorDash.
The Bilt Obsidian is a greater possibility for level maximizers who’re prepared to place within the effort to earn on housing funds. Whereas it lacks a excessive welcome provide, it does grant entry to the coveted 1:1 Hyatt switch ratio, which can put it excessive for some vacationers.
Backside line
The Chase Sapphire Preferred and Bilt Obsidian (rates and fees) are stable $95 rewards playing cards providing transferable factors that can be utilized in a wide range of methods. Nevertheless, every card caters to a special viewers.
In the event you’re into simplicity, excessive incomes charges and a stable welcome bonus, the Chase Sapphire Most popular wins out. In the event you’re a renter or home-owner who needs to maximise your earnings, the Bilt Obsidian is a superb possibility. Hyatt loyalists can also choose the Bilt Obsidian with the information concerning the Chase Sapphire Most popular’s switch ratio altering.
To be taught extra, learn our full opinions of the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Bilt Obsidian.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Apply right here: Bilt Obsidian Card
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