The Chase Sapphire Preferred has been one of the most recommended travel credit cards for over a decade. With a $95 annual fee, 3x points on dining, 5x on travel booked through Chase, and a 60,000-point signup bonus, it remains a strong pick for travelers who want flexible rewards without paying premium card prices. This review covers what you get, what you give up, and who should apply.
Chase Sapphire Preferred: Key Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $95 |
| Welcome Offer | 60,000 points after $4,000 spend in 3 months |
| Earning Rate | 5x travel via Chase Travel, 3x dining, 3x select streaming, 2x all other travel, 1x everything else |
| Point Value (Chase Transfer) | 1.25 cents per point minimum via Chase Travel portal |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None |
| Credit Score Required | Good to Excellent (670+) |
Welcome Bonus Value
The 60,000-point welcome bonus is worth at least $750 when redeemed through the Chase Travel portal. Transfer those points to airline and hotel partners, and you can often stretch that value to $900-$1,200 or more depending on how you redeem.
Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers to 14 partners including United, Southwest, Hyatt, Marriott, Air Canada Aeroplan, and British Airways. Hyatt in particular is consistently regarded as the best transfer partner, where 60,000 points can cover multiple nights at properties that cost $250+ per night in cash.
Earning Rates Explained
5x on Chase Travel
Flights, hotels, car rentals, and activities booked through Chase Travel earn 5 points per dollar. This is the highest rate on the card, but you must book through Chase’s portal to qualify. If you prefer booking direct with airlines or hotels for elite status credit, you’ll earn the lower travel rate instead.
3x on Dining
Restaurants, takeout, delivery, and bars all earn 3 points per dollar. This is one of the highest dining rates available at the $95 annual fee tier. A household spending $500 per month on dining earns 1,800 points monthly just from food spend.
2x on All Other Travel
Any travel purchase not booked through Chase Travel still earns 2x. This covers direct airline bookings, hotel stays, Airbnb, ride-shares, tolls, parking, and transit.
Travel Protections Worth Having
Beyond earning points, the Sapphire Preferred includes a solid suite of travel protections that can save you real money.
- Trip cancellation and interruption: Up to $10,000 per person, $20,000 per trip for covered reasons like illness or severe weather
- Primary rental car insurance: Covers collision and theft damage without filing against your personal auto policy first
- Baggage delay insurance: Up to $100/day for 5 days when bags are delayed more than 6 hours
- Trip delay reimbursement: Up to $500 per ticket when your trip is delayed 12+ hours
- Travel accident insurance: Up to $500,000 for death or dismemberment
The primary rental car insurance alone can justify the annual fee for frequent renters. Most standalone travel insurance policies cost $50-$150 per trip.
$50 Annual Hotel Credit
Each cardmember year, you get a $50 statement credit for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel. This effectively reduces the annual fee to $45 for anyone who stays at a hotel at least once a year. It only applies to Chase Travel bookings, which is a limitation.
How It Compares to Other Cards
| Card | Annual Fee | Best For | Welcome Bonus Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | $95 | Flexible travel rewards, dining | $750+ |
| Capital One Venture X | $395 | Premium travel benefits, lounge access | $750+ |
| Amex Gold | $325 | Dining and groceries | $600-$900 |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | $0 | Everyday spend, no fee | $200 |
| Capital One Venture | $95 | Simple flat-rate travel | $750 |
Who Should Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Sapphire Preferred makes the most sense for people who travel at least a few times a year, eat out regularly, and want the flexibility of transferable points rather than cash back. If you spend heavily on dining and travel, the 3x and 2x categories will generate enough points to offset the annual fee several times over.
It is also a smart starting card for people building a Chase points ecosystem. Once you hold the Sapphire Preferred, you can combine points earned on other Chase cards like the Freedom Unlimited (1.5x on everything) and Freedom Flex (5x rotating categories) into one pool.
Skip it if you want simplicity, prefer cash back, or rarely travel. In that case a no-fee card earning 1.5-2% cash back on everything will be more valuable.
How to Apply
Apply directly through Chase. You need good to excellent credit (a FICO score of 670 or higher is recommended, though most approvals are 720+). Be aware of the Chase 5/24 rule: if you have opened 5 or more new credit card accounts in the last 24 months, Chase will automatically decline your application regardless of credit score.
The application takes about 5 minutes. Instant approval is common for strong credit profiles. Some applications go to pending review and are decided within 1-2 weeks.
Bottom Line
The Chase Sapphire Preferred remains one of the best travel credit cards at its price point. The $95 fee is easy to offset with the $50 hotel credit, and the combination of flexible transfer partners, strong dining and travel earning rates, and robust travel protections makes it worth holding long-term. If you travel and dine out regularly, this card delivers strong value year after year.
See also: Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards 2026