Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $95
• APR: 19.49%–27.74% variable
• Rewards: 5X Chase Travel + 3X dining/streaming + 2X travel + 1X everything else
• Bonus: 75,000 points after $5,000 spend in 3 months
• Best For: Frequent travelers and diners wanting flexible points with no foreign fees
• Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (700+)

Overview

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a premier travel rewards credit card that combines strong earning rates, valuable travel protections, and flexible redemption options. With 5X points on Chase Travel, 3X on dining and streaming, and a $50 annual hotel credit, this card delivers exceptional value for travelers willing to pay a $95 annual fee.

As the entry point into Chase's premium Ultimate Rewards ecosystem, the Sapphire Preferred offers the perfect balance of benefits and affordability. Points can be transferred to 14+ airline and hotel partners or redeemed for 25% more value when booking travel through Chase, making it one of the most versatile rewards cards available.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 19.49%–27.74% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: 19.49%–27.74% variable
• Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable
• Penalty APR: None

Note: Higher APR typical of premium rewards cards. This card is designed for those who pay their balance in full each month to maximize rewards value.

Benefits Overview

Travel Benefits

• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance (up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip)
• Trip delay reimbursement (up to $500 per traveler for delays 6+ hours)
• Baggage delay insurance (up to $100 per day for 5 days if delayed 6+ hours)
• Auto rental collision damage waiver (primary coverage up to $60,000)
• Emergency evacuation and transportation coverage
• Travel accident insurance
• No foreign transaction fees
• Emergency card replacement worldwide

Everyday Benefits

• Purchase protection (120 days, up to $500 per claim)
• Extended warranty protection (adds 1 year to warranties of 3 years or less)
• Free Chase Credit Journey (credit score monitoring)
• 24/7 fraud monitoring with zero liability protection
• Travel and emergency assistance services worldwide
• Card lock/unlock feature via Chase Mobile app

Lifestyle Benefits

• DashPass membership (complimentary, $120 annual value)
• $50 annual Chase Travel hotel credit
• 10% anniversary bonus on total annual spending
• 5X points on Lyft rides through September 30, 2027
• 5X points on Peloton purchases over $150 through December 31, 2027
• Access to Chase Ultimate Rewards portal with exclusive travel deals

Rewards & Points

• 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ (excluding hotel purchases qualifying for annual credit)
• 3X points on dining (including takeout and delivery), online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, wholesale clubs), and select streaming services
• 2X points on other travel purchases (flights, hotels, car rentals booked directly)
• 1X point on all other purchases
• 10% anniversary bonus on total annual spending (awarded in bonus points)
• 25% redemption bonus when redeeming points for travel through Chase Travel
• Transfer to partners at 1:1 ratio to 14+ airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Points never expire as long as your account is open

Transfer Partners Include:

• Airlines: United, Southwest, British Airways, Air France/KLM, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and more
• Hotels: IHG, Hyatt, Marriott

Welcome Bonus

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Bonus Value: Worth $937.50 when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel, or potentially more when transferred to airline/hotel partners for premium redemptions.

Note: New cardholders only. You cannot have other personal Sapphire cards open or have previously received a Sapphire bonus in the past 48 months.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $95
• Foreign Transaction Fee: $0 (No foreign transaction fees)
• Balance Transfer Fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount transferred, whichever is greater
• Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount, whichever is greater
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Frequent travelers booking flights and hotels regularly
• Dining enthusiasts earning 3X at restaurants year-round
• International travelers benefiting from no foreign transaction fees
• Flexible rewards seekers who value transfer partners
• Chase ecosystem users pairing with Freedom cards for maximum value
• Those wanting premium benefits at an affordable annual fee

Not Good For

• Infrequent travelers who won't use travel benefits (consider cash back cards)
• Balance carriers (high APR makes carrying balances expensive)
• Those with limited spending ($5,000 bonus requirement may be challenging)
• Current Sapphire cardholders (cannot hold multiple Sapphire cards)
• Those who had a Sapphire bonus in the past 48 months

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• Strong 75,000-point welcome bonus worth $937.50+ for travel
• Excellent earning rates: 5X travel, 3X dining/streaming, 2X other travel
• $50 annual Chase Travel hotel credit (effectively reduces fee to $45)
• 10% anniversary bonus rewards loyal cardholders annually
• Comprehensive travel protections including trip cancellation up to $10,000
• No foreign transaction fees for international travel
• Primary auto rental coverage up to $60,000 (rare for personal cards)
• Transfer points to 14+ valuable airline and hotel partners
• 25% redemption bonus on travel through Chase
• DashPass membership included ($120 annual value)
• Reasonable $95 annual fee for premium benefits

Cons

• $95 annual fee (though offset by benefits for active users)
• $5,000 minimum spend requirement for welcome bonus in 3 months
• Cannot hold multiple Sapphire cards simultaneously
• 48-month restriction on Sapphire bonus eligibility
• Points worth only 1 cent each for cash back redemption
• Higher APR (up to 27.74%) if carrying a balance
• Online grocery 3X excludes major retailers like Target and Walmart
• No airport lounge access (available on Sapphire Reserve)

Alternatives to Consider

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

If you spend $20,000 per year with strategic category optimization:

Total Estimated First Year Value: $1,570
Less Annual Fee: -$95
Net First Year Value: $1,475

Ongoing Annual Value (after Year 1): $632.50
Less Annual Fee: -$95
With $50 Hotel Credit: +$50
Net Ongoing Annual Value: $587.50

This assumes 1.25 cents per point when redeeming for travel through Chase. Transfer partner redemptions can yield significantly higher value (1.5–2+ cents per point).

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If…

• You travel at least 2-3 times per year domestically or internationally
• You spend $5,000+ within 3 months for the welcome bonus
• You dine out or order delivery frequently
• You value flexible points over fixed cash back
• You want comprehensive travel insurance and protections
• You travel internationally and need a card with no foreign fees
• You're building a Chase ecosystem with Freedom cards
• You want transfer partners for maximum redemption value

You Should Skip It If…

• You rarely travel and won't use travel benefits
• You can't meet the $5,000 spending requirement comfortably
• You already have a Sapphire card or received a bonus recently
• You prefer simple cash back over travel points
• You won't spend enough to justify the $95 annual fee
• You carry balances month-to-month (high APR is costly)
• You want airport lounge access (upgrade to Reserve)

Apply Now

Apply for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Information accurate as of December 2025. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.