Jump to section Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Copy URL Email The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Editor's Note TPG's Brian Kelly is a Bilt adviser and investor. If you're weighing popular mid-tier travel cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees ) and Bilt Obsidian Card (see rates and fees ) are solid options.
These cards each have a $95 annual fee (see Bilt Obsidian rates and fees ) and earn transferable points you can use to book flights and hotels.
However, how you earn and redeem those points differs significantly. The Chase Sapphire Preferred is an all-around points earner , while Bilt's program is a good choice for earning rewards on housing .
There is also a key distinction in transfer ratios that may interest some hotel rewards maximizers. With the Chase Sapphire Preferred's recent change to its World of Hyatt transfer rate, Bilt's unchanged 1:1 transfer rate to Hyatt could be especially attractive to fans of the brand.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card — Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
To help you decide, here's a side-by-side comparison of the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Bilt Obsidian.
Welcome bonus Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Receive $200 in Bilt Cash when you apply and are approved. (Up to $100 of Bilt Cash earned rolls over to the next year.)
Annual fee $95 $95 (see rates and fees ) Award currency Chase Ultimate Rewards points (worth 2.05 cents apiece)* Bilt Points (worth 2.2 cents apiece)* and Bilt Cash (if you choose) Earning rates 5 points per dollar spent on all travel booked through Chase Travel℠, eligible Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027) and eligible Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $150 (through Dec. 31, 2027) 3 points per dollar spent on dining, gas and electric vehicle charging, vacation homes at multiple brands^, online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs) and select streaming services 2 points per dollar spent on all other travel worldwide 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases 4% Bilt Cash on all nonhousing purchases (if you elect for the Bilt Cash earning structure for housing rewards) 3 Bilt points per dollar spent on your choice of either grocery (on up to $25,000 per year, then 1 point per dollar) or dining purchases 2 points per dollar spent on travel Up to 1.25 points per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee (see rates and fees ; if you elect for the tiered-rewards option ; earn up to 1 point per dollar spent on these purchases if you opt to earn Bilt Cash) 1 point per dollar spent on all nonhousing purchases* Key benefits Annual $100 hotel credit when you book through Chase Travel# DoorDash DashPass subscription (activation required) and monthly DoorDash credits on nonrestaurant purchases (through Dec. 31, 2027) Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee credit One-year complimentary Apple TV subscription (when activated by Dec.…