Sapphire Reserve vs Southwest Plus
Sapphire Reserve
$795/yr
7.0/10
VS
Southwest Plus
$99/yr
6.0/10
Quick Answer
Sapphire Reserve charges $795/yr with 1X base rewards. Southwest Plus charges $99/yr with 1X base rewards. Southwest Plus offers better overall value for most spenders when comparing fees, rewards, and benefits side by side.
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Winner by Category
Annual Fees
Southwest Plus
Lower annual fee ($795 vs $99)
Rewards Earning
Southwest Plus
6 earning categories
Benefits & Protection
Sapphire Reserve
12 benefits vs 0
Statement Credits
Sapphire Reserve
$2348 in annual credits
Flexibility
Sapphire Reserve
Transferable points to airline/hotel partners
OUR PICK
Southwest Plus wins for most people
The $696 fee difference is hard to justify unless you maximize premium benefits.
Apply for Southwest PlusPREMIUM PICK
Sapphire Reserve wins for heavy spenders
If you can offset the higher fee with credits and perks, this card delivers more value.
Apply for Sapphire ReserveRewards Earning: Detailed Comparison
Sapphire Reserve
| Chase Travel purchases including The Edit | 8.0X |
| Flights booked directly with airlines | 4.0X |
| Hotels booked directly | 4.0X |
| Dining worldwide | 3.0X |
| All other purchases | 1.0X |
Southwest Plus
| Southwest purchases | 2.0X |
| Hotel & car rental partners | 2.0X |
| Local transit & commuting | 2.0X |
| Streaming services | 2.0X |
| Internet, cable, phone | 2.0X |
| Everything else | 1.0X |
Card Benefits: Detailed Comparison
Sapphire Reserve (12 benefits)
- Emergency Medical and Dental (up to $2,500)
- Lost Luggage Reimbursement (up to $3,000)
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance (up to $10,000)
- Trip Delay Reimbursement (up to $500)
- Baggage Delay Insurance (up to $100)
- Primary Auto Rental Coverage (up to $75,000)
- Purchase Protection (up to $10,000)
- Extended Warranty Protection
- Emergency Evacuation/Transportation (up to $100,000)
- Priority Pass Select + Chase Sapphire Lounges (up to $469)
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS Credit (up to $120)
- IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status
Southwest Plus (0 benefits)
See full review for benefits details.