Hey there, travel enthusiasts and reward seekers! If you’ve been thinking about dipping your toes into the world of travel credit cards, you’ve probably heard of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
It’s one of those cards that keeps popping up in conversations, blogs, and social media for all the right reasons. But what’s the big deal? Is it really worth your time and that $95 annual fee?
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Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to digest, so you can decide if this card deserves a spot in your wallet.
I’ve been exploring credit cards for a while now, and I’ll let you in on a little secret: the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a fan favorite for a reason. It’s not just for frequent flyers or jet-setters.
Even if you travel once or twice a year, this card can make your trips more rewarding and less stressful. Ready to find out how? Let’s dive in!
What Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?
Picture this: a credit card that blends travel perks, everyday rewards, and a reasonable cost into one shiny package. That’s the Chase Sapphire Preferred in a nutshell.
It’s designed for people who love to travel but don’t want to pay a fortune for a premium card. With a $95 annual fee, it sits in that sweet spot between no-fee cards and the high-end ones that cost hundreds.
This card earns points called Chase Ultimate Rewards, which are super flexible. You can use them for flights, hotels, gift cards, or even cash back.
Plus, it comes with some handy travel benefits that can save you money and headaches on the road. Think of it as your travel buddy that helps you earn rewards while keeping things simple.
Why Should You Care About This Card?
So, why does the Chase Sapphire Preferred get so much buzz? It’s all about value. For a relatively low annual fee, you get a mix of rewards and perks that can easily outweigh the cost if you use it right.
Whether you’re booking a weekend getaway or grabbing dinner with friends, this card helps you rack up points without overcomplicating your life.
It’s also a great starting point if you’re new to travel rewards. You don’t need to be a points-and-miles expert to make it work. The rules are straightforward, and the benefits are practical.
Let’s walk through what makes this card tick and how it can fit into your everyday spending.
How Do You Earn Points?
Earning points with the Chase Sapphire Preferred is pretty simple. The card gives you more points in categories where people tend to spend a lot, like travel and dining. Here’s the breakdown:
- 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel (their online portal) and Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025).
- 3x points on dining (think restaurants, takeout, and delivery), online grocery purchases (not including Target, Walmart, or wholesale clubs), and select streaming services.
- 2x points on all other travel purchases, like flights or hotels booked outside Chase.
- 1x point on everything else, from gas to groceries to random online shopping.
Let’s say you spend $100 on dinner with friends. That’s 300 points right there. Book a $200 flight through Chase Travel? Boom, 1,000 points. It adds up fast if you use the card for your regular habits.
Plus, there’s a welcome bonus to kick things off. Right now, you can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. That’s a nice chunk of points to jumpstart your rewards stash!
A Quick Look at Earning Rates
| Spending Category | Points Earned per Dollar |
|---|---|
| Travel via Chase Travel | 5x |
| Dining | 3x |
| Online Groceries | 3x |
| Streaming Services | 3x |
| Other Travel | 2x |
| Everything Else | 1x |
How Can You Use Your Points?
Here’s where the fun begins. The Chase Sapphire Preferred gives you a bunch of ways to redeem those hard-earned points. The best part? You’re not locked into one option. You can mix and match depending on your mood or travel plans. Here are the main ways to cash in:
- Travel through Chase: Redeem points for flights, hotels, or car rentals on the Chase Travel portal. Each point is worth 1.25 cents here, so 60,000 points equals $750 in travel value.
- Transfer to Partners: Move your points to airline or hotel loyalty programs like United, Southwest, or Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio. This can stretch your points even further if you find a good deal.
- Cash Back: Want cold, hard cash instead? You can redeem points at 1 cent each, so 60,000 points equals $600.
- Gift Cards: Grab gift cards to your favorite stores, usually at 1 cent per point, though Chase sometimes offers discounts.
The real magic happens when you use the Chase Travel portal or transfer points to partners. That 25% boost in value (1.25 cents per point) makes a big difference. For example, a $300 hotel stay would cost 24,000 points through Chase Travel, but if you cashed out for money, those same points would only get you $240. See the perk?
What Are the Travel Benefits?
Travel can be unpredictable, but the Chase Sapphire Preferred has your back with some solid protections. These perks can save you money and stress, especially if things go sideways. Here’s what you get:
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Up to $10,000 per person (and $20,000 per trip) if your plans get canceled or cut short for covered reasons like illness or bad weather.
- Trip Delay Reimbursement: If your flight or train is delayed by 12 hours or more, you can get up to $500 per ticket for expenses like meals or a hotel.
- Primary Auto Rental Coverage: Rent a car with the card, and you’re covered for damage or theft up to the car’s value. No need to use your own insurance.
- Baggage Delay Insurance: If your bags are delayed by 6 hours or more, you can claim up to $100 per day for 5 days to cover essentials.
On top of that, you get a $50 annual credit for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel. It’s automatic once you use it, so it’s like shaving $50 off the annual fee right away.
These benefits make the card a safety net for travelers, whether you’re on a quick trip or a big adventure.
What Else Comes With the Card?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred isn’t just about points and travel insurance. It throws in a few extras to sweeten the deal. Check these out:
- 10% Anniversary Bonus: Every year, you get bonus points equal to 10% of what you spent the previous year. Spend $20,000? You’ll get 2,000 points as a thank-you.
- Complimentary DashPass: Activate by December 31, 2027, and enjoy at least 12 months of free DoorDash DashPass, which means $0 delivery fees on orders over $12.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Use the card abroad without those annoying 3% fees that other cards tack on.
These little perks might not seem huge, but they add up. The anniversary bonus alone could cover a small reward each year, and DashPass is a win if you’re a food delivery fan.
Is the Annual Fee Worth It?
Let’s talk about that $95 annual fee. It’s not free, but it’s not outrageous either. The question is: can you make it worth it? For most people, the answer is yes, and here’s why.
First, the $50 hotel credit knocks the effective fee down to $45 if you travel at least once a year. Then, factor in the welcome bonus. Those 60,000 points are worth $750 in travel through Chase, which blows the fee out of the water in your first year. After that, it’s about your spending habits.
If you spend $500 a month on dining and online groceries (3x categories), that’s 1,500 points monthly, or 18,000 points a year. Add in some travel spending, and you’re easily earning enough to offset the fee with rewards.
Plus, the travel protections can save you hundreds if you ever need them. For me, the math checks out as long as you’re using the card regularly.
Who Should Get This Card?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred isn’t for everyone, but it’s a great fit for certain people. Here’s who might love it:
- Occasional Travelers: If you take a trip or two a year, the points and perks can make your adventures cheaper and safer.
- Foodies: Love eating out or ordering in? The 3x points on dining and delivery are a big draw.
- Reward Newbies: New to travel cards? This one’s easy to use and doesn’t overwhelm you with complexity.
- Flexibility Fans: Want options for how you redeem points? This card gives you plenty.
On the flip side, it might not be ideal if you don’t travel at all, prefer cash back over points, or want a no-fee card. It’s also not the best pick for hardcore travelers who’d benefit more from a premium card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
How Does It Compare to Other Cards?
Wondering how the Chase Sapphire Preferred stacks up? Let’s compare it to a couple of popular options.
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Capital One Venture Rewards
| Feature | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Capital One Venture Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $95 | $95 |
| Welcome Bonus | 60,000 points | 75,000 miles |
| Earning Rate | 5x, 3x, 2x, 1x | 5x on hotels/cars via portal, 2x on everything else |
| Redemption Value (Travel) | 1.25 cents/point | 1 cent/mile |
| Travel Partners | Yes | Yes |
The Capital One Venture offers a simpler 2x miles on everything, which might appeal if you want less fuss. But the Chase card’s bonus categories and 25% travel boost give it an edge for strategic spenders.
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve
| Feature | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $95 | $550 |
| Welcome Bonus | 60,000 points | 60,000 points |
| Earning Rate | 5x, 3x, 2x, 1x | 10x, 5x, 3x, 1x |
| Redemption Value (Travel) | 1.25 cents/point | 1.5 cents/point |
| Travel Credit | $50 hotel credit | $300 travel credit |
The Reserve is the luxury big brother with higher rewards and a $300 travel credit, but that $550 fee is steep. The Preferred keeps it affordable while still delivering solid value.
Tips to Maximize Your Card
Want to get the most out of your Chase Sapphire Preferred? Try these tricks:
- Use Chase Travel: Book trips through their portal for that 1.25-cent-per-point value.
- Pair It Up: Combine it with a no-fee Chase card (like Freedom Flex) to earn more points in other categories, then transfer them to your Sapphire Preferred.
- Hit the Bonus: Plan big purchases in your first three months to snag that 60,000-point welcome bonus.
- Transfer Smart: Research airline and hotel partners for sweet-spot redemptions, like cheap Hyatt stays.
A little planning goes a long way with this card. It rewards you for being intentional without demanding too much effort.
Real-Life Example: How I’d Use It
Let’s imagine I’m planning a trip to Seattle. I spend $300 on a flight and $200 on a hotel through Chase Travel. That’s 2,500 points earned (5x on $500). Redeeming for the trip costs 40,000 points ($500 at 1.25 cents each). With the $50 hotel credit, my out-of-pocket cost drops even lower.
Back home, I spend $200 a month on dining and streaming (3x = 600 points monthly). Over a year, that’s 7,200 points, plus the 2,000-point anniversary bonus if I spend $20,000 total. Add in the welcome bonus, and I’ve got a nice pile of points for my next adventure. It’s practical and adds up without much hassle.
Common FAQs About the Chase Sapphire Preferred
Got questions? Here are some quick answers to the ones I hear most:
Q: What credit score do I need to get approved?
A: You’ll typically need a good to excellent score, around 670 or higher. Some folks get approved with less, but higher is safer.
Q: Can I have this card if I already have another Chase card?
A: Yes, but Chase has a “5/24 rule.” If you’ve opened 5 or more cards (from any bank) in the last 24 months, you might get denied.
Q: How long does the welcome bonus take to show up?
A: It posts to your account 6-8 weeks after you hit the $4,000 spending requirement, as long as it’s within the first three months.
Q: Is it hard to cancel if I don’t like it?
A: Not at all. You can call Chase to cancel or downgrade to a no-fee card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited. No pressure to keep it.
Things to Watch Out For
No card is perfect, so here are a few heads-ups:
- No Intro APR: You won’t get a 0% period for purchases or balance transfers, so don’t plan on carrying a balance.
- Spending Requirement: That $4,000 in three months for the bonus might be a stretch if you’re not a big spender.
- Limited Perks: If you want airport lounge access or bigger credits, you’ll need a pricier card.
It’s all about knowing what you’re signing up for. For most, these aren’t dealbreakers, but they’re worth considering.
Final Thoughts: Is It Right for You?
After digging into the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card, I’d say it’s a solid pick for anyone who wants to dip into travel rewards without going overboard.
The $95 fee feels manageable with the $50 hotel credit, welcome bonus, and everyday earning potential.
It’s not the flashiest card out there, but it’s reliable and versatile, like a trusty pair of sneakers you can wear anywhere.
If you’re ready to start earning points for your next trip, or just want a card that rewards your dining and streaming habits, give it a look. It’s not about changing your life overnight.
It’s about adding a little extra value to what you’re already doing. What do you think? Could this card fit your vibe?
Disclaimer: Hey, quick note: I’m not a financial advisor, just a curious writer sharing what I’ve learned. Credit cards come with risks, and what works for me might not work for you. Always check the latest terms with Chase before applying, as offers and details can change. Spend responsibly, and happy travels!
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