The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the most popular travel rewards card in America. Here is our honest review of the rewards, fees, perks, and whether the $95 annual fee is worth it.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the card that launched a thousand travel-hacking blogs. It has been the gold standard for mid-tier travel credit cards since its launch in 2009, offering premium travel rewards without a premium price tag.
For anyone spending $2,000+/year on travel and dining, the Sapphire Preferred is almost certainly worth the $95 annual fee. Here is the full breakdown.
Card details
Annual fee: $95 Sign-up bonus: 60,000+ Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months (bonus amounts change periodically; check current offer). Worth $750+ when redeemed through Chase Travel or transferred to airline/hotel partners.
Earning rates:
- 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel
- 3x points on dining (restaurants, takeout, eligible delivery)
- 3x points on select streaming services
- 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding in-store)
- 2x points on all other travel (flights, hotels, car rentals, trains, tolls, parking)
- 1x points on everything else
Point value: 1 point = 1.25 cents when redeemed through Chase Travel portal. 1 point = 1 to 2+ cents when transferred to airline/hotel partners (depending on redemption).
APR: 21.49 to 28.49% variable. Never carry a balance on a rewards card. The interest charges will vastly exceed any rewards earned.
Key perks
Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners
This is the most valuable feature. You can transfer points 1:1 to 14 airline and hotel loyalty programs, including:
- Airlines: United, Southwest, JetBlue, British Airways, Air France/KLM, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic
- Hotels: Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Transferring to partners often yields 1.5 to 2.5 cents per point, far more than the 1.25 cents through the Chase Travel portal. A 60,000-point sign-up bonus transferred to Hyatt can book 3 to 4 nights at a mid-range Hyatt hotel (worth $600 to $1,000+).
Travel protections
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Up to $10,000 per person, $20,000 per trip for non-refundable travel expenses if your trip is canceled or cut short due to covered reasons (illness, severe weather, jury duty).
Primary rental car insurance: Covers theft and collision damage on rental cars. This is primary coverage, meaning it pays first (before your personal auto insurance). This alone can save $15 to $30/day on rental car insurance.
Baggage delay insurance: Up to $100/day for 5 days for essential purchases if your bags are delayed 6+ hours.
Trip delay reimbursement: Up to $500 per ticket for expenses (meals, lodging) if your flight is delayed 12+ hours or requires an overnight stay.
No foreign transaction fees
The Sapphire Preferred charges 0% on international purchases. Most credit cards charge 3% on foreign transactions. For international travelers, this saves significant money.
DoorDash benefits
Complimentary DashPass membership (waives delivery fees) and a $5 monthly credit on DoorDash orders. Worth up to $60+/year in delivery fee savings if you use DoorDash.
What we like
The sign-up bonus. 60,000+ points worth $750+ is one of the best bonuses in the mid-tier card category. It more than covers the annual fee for years.
Transfer partners. The ability to transfer to 14 airline and hotel programs gives your points maximum flexibility and value. Hyatt transfers in particular offer exceptional value (often 2+ cents per point).
Primary rental car insurance. This is a premium benefit usually reserved for cards with $400+ annual fees. Having it on a $95 card is exceptional value.
3x on dining and travel. These are the highest everyday spending categories for most Millennials and Gen Z. If you spend $500/month on dining and $200/month on travel, that is 25,200 points/year ($315+ value), more than covering the $95 fee.
No foreign transaction fees. Essential for international travel.
What we do not like
$95 annual fee. If you spend less than $2,000/year on dining and travel combined, the fee may not be justified. A no-annual-fee cash back card might be better.
1x on non-bonus categories. Everyday purchases (groceries in-store, gas, utilities) earn only 1x, which is average. A 2% flat-rate card (like Citi Double Cash) is better for non-bonus spending.
No airport lounge access. The Sapphire Reserve ($550/year) includes Priority Pass lounge access. The Preferred does not.
Minimum spend for the bonus. $4,000 in 3 months is manageable for most people but could be challenging for low spenders. Never spend more than you normally would just to hit a sign-up bonus.
The Sapphire Reserve temptation. The Sapphire Reserve ($550/year) offers higher earning rates (5x on travel and dining), airport lounge access, and a $300 annual travel credit. High spenders may find the Reserve a better value despite the higher fee.
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. alternatives
| Card | Annual fee | Travel earning | Dining earning | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | $95 | 2x-5x | 3x | Travel rewards beginners |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $550 | 5x-10x | 5x | Frequent travelers |
| Capital One Venture X | $395 | 2x (10x on hotels/car through portal) | 2x | Simple travel rewards |
| Citi Double Cash | $0 | 2x | 2x | No-fee flat rate |
| Amex Gold | $250 | 3x flights | 4x restaurants | Dining-heavy spenders |
Is the $95 annual fee worth it?
Break-even calculation: You need to earn enough extra value from the Sapphire Preferred’s bonus categories to offset the $95 fee compared to a free 2% card.
At 3x on dining (worth 3.75 cents via Chase Travel) vs. 2% cash back, you earn 1.75 extra cents per dollar on dining. At $300/month in dining: $300 x 12 x $0.0175 = $63/year extra from dining alone.
At 2x on travel (worth 2.5 cents) vs. 2% cash back, you earn 0.5 extra cents per dollar on travel. At $200/month: $200 x 12 x $0.005 = $12/year extra from travel.
Total extra value: $75/year from bonus categories + the sign-up bonus (worth $750+ in year one) + rental car insurance (worth $100+ per rental) + no foreign transaction fees. The fee pays for itself easily for travelers and diners.
Not worth it if: You spend less than $1,500/year on dining and travel, you never travel internationally, and you do not rent cars. Stick with a no-annual-fee card.
Who the Sapphire Preferred is best for
Travel rewards beginners. This is the best first travel card. The $95 fee is manageable, the rewards structure is straightforward, and the transfer partners provide long-term value.
Diners and food lovers. 3x on all dining (restaurants, delivery, takeout) makes this the best mid-tier card for food spending.
International travelers. No foreign transaction fees, primary rental car insurance, and trip protection make it ideal for international trips.
People looking to build a Chase card strategy. The Sapphire Preferred pairs with the Chase Freedom Flex (5x rotating categories) and Freedom Unlimited (1.5x on everything), all earning Ultimate Rewards points that can be combined and transferred through the Sapphire Preferred.
Who should skip this card
Non-travelers. If you rarely eat out and do not travel, the $95 fee is wasted. A flat-rate cash back card is a better fit.
People carrying credit card balances. The 21.49 to 28.49% APR will destroy any rewards value. Pay off existing debt before applying for a rewards card.
Credit score below 700. The Sapphire Preferred generally requires good to excellent credit (720+). If your credit score is lower, build it first with a no-fee starter card.
The bottom line
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the most popular travel rewards card for a reason. For $95/year, you get premium travel rewards (3x dining, 2x to 5x travel), valuable transfer partners, primary rental car insurance, and a sign-up bonus worth $750+. It is the best entry point into the world of travel rewards.
If you spend at least $300/month on dining and travel and pay your balance in full every month, the Sapphire Preferred will pay for itself many times over.
Our rating: 4.5 / 5
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