The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the most popular travel rewards credit cards, offering valuable points, strong earning rates, and premium travel benefits. Here’s everything you need to know.
Quick Overview
- Annual Fee: $95
- APR: 21.49% – 28.49% Variable
- Rewards Rate: 2X-5X points per dollar
- Sign-up Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in first 3 months (worth $750 in travel)
- Best For: Travelers who want flexible points and premium perks
Why We Recommend It
The Chase Sapphire Preferred strikes an excellent balance between rewards value and affordability. With a $95 annual fee that’s easily offset by the generous sign-up bonus, this card is perfect for anyone who travels occasionally and wants to maximize their rewards. Chase Ultimate Rewards points are incredibly flexible, transferring to 14+ airline and hotel partners or redeeming through Chase Travel at 1.25 cents per point.
Rewards & Benefits
Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points at these rates:
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel
- 3X points on dining (including takeout and delivery)
- 3X points on select streaming services
- 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and warehouse clubs)
- 2X points on all other travel purchases
- 1X point on all other purchases
Additional perks include:
- $50 annual Chase Travel hotel credit
- No foreign transaction fees
- Primary rental car insurance (when you decline the rental agency’s coverage)
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
- Baggage delay insurance
- Purchase protection
- Extended warranty protection
Fees & Rates
- Annual fee: $95
- Purchase APR: 21.49% – 28.49% Variable
- Balance transfer fee: 5% ($5 minimum)
- Foreign transaction fee: None
- Cash advance fee: 5% ($10 minimum)
Who Should Get This Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is ideal for:
- Travelers who want premium perks without a sky-high annual fee
- Dining enthusiasts who can maximize the 3X category
- Anyone seeking flexible rewards that transfer to airline/hotel partners
- People with good to excellent credit (typically 690+ credit score)
This card is NOT ideal for:
- People who rarely travel or dine out
- Those carrying balances (high APR makes this expensive)
- Budget travelers who prefer simple cash back
How It Compares
Compared to similar cards:
- Better than Capital One Venture for dining rewards
- More flexible points than many airline-specific cards
- Lower annual fee than Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550)
- Higher earning rates than basic cash back cards in bonus categories
The Bottom Line
The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers excellent value for occasional travelers and frequent diners. The 60,000-point sign-up bonus alone covers the annual fee for multiple years, and the flexible redemption options make your rewards more valuable than many competing cards. If you travel even 2-3 times per year and regularly dine out, this card can easily pay for itself.
[APPLY NOW BUTTON – we’ll add this later]
This card is offered by Chase. clevercreditcards.com may receive compensation if you apply and are approved. Terms and conditions apply.