Chase Sapphire Preferred review: Top travel card

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Overview

this Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) is one of the most popular travel rewards credit cards. This is an excellent option for those who want more value from their trip but don’t need lounge access. This is one of our favorite cards to recommend to anyone who loves to travel. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

*Card ratings are based on the opinions of TPG editors and are not influenced by card issuers.

At TPG, one of the questions we get asked most often is “Which travel credit card should I start with?”

We almost universally recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card because it earns valuable points, offers useful benefits, and has a low and reasonable annual fee of $95.

It’s designed for both frequent and leisure travelers, and is an especially good choice for beginners and intermediate travelers. Many of us started our points and miles journey with this card.

TPG recommends a credit score of at least 670 to qualify for this card; however, it’s not unheard of for someone to be approved with a lower score.

If you’re considering adding Sapphire Preferred to your wallet, here’s what you need to know.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Pros and Cons

Chase Sapphire Preferred Welcome Offer

new Chase Sapphire Preferred Card After spending $5,000 within three months of account opening, holders will receive 75,000 bonus points.

This is higher than the standard bonus for this card.

If you transfer your points to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners, this bonus is worth up to $1,538 based on our December 2025 valuation.

Make sure you meet Chase’s 5/24 rule to qualify for the welcome bonus. This means you have not opened five or more personal credit cards with all banks within the past two years.

Chase allows you to hold multiple Sapphire cards, but the requirements for receiving the welcome bonus are strict and are usually limited to one per card. You’ll see a pop-up during the application process telling you in advance whether you qualify for the bonus.

Related: Who should (and shouldn’t) get Chase Sapphire Preferred?

Chase Sapphire Priority Benefits

In addition to the welcome bonus, becoming a member has many attractive benefits Sapphire Preferred Card holder.

For hotel stays booked through Chase Travel℠, you’ll receive up to $50 in statement credit upon card opening and on each account anniversary thereafter. (Each year, when you make a qualifying charge, it’s automatically applied to your account. But please note, $50 in points does not earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points.)

Cardholders can also enjoy a 10% anniversary points bonus every year. This bonus is based on your total spending during the account anniversary year, earning 1 point for every $10 spent. So if you spend $30,000 on the card during the card year, you’ll earn 3,000 bonus points at the end of the year.

You’ll also get a free DoorDash DashPass membership for at least one year, which includes free shipping and service fee discounts on qualifying purchases (activate before December 31, 2027). If you already use DoorDash, this is a valuable benefit.

Sapphire Preferred card holders with an active DashPass membership can get $10 per month on non-restaurant purchases on DoorDash, which is a great way to save on a quick convenience store purchase.

Finally, Sapphire Preferred is ideal for travel bookings such as flights, hotels, and cruises. That’s because it comes with comprehensive travel protection, including:

It also includes shopping offers such as:

Related: 7 Chase Sapphire Preferred Benefits You May Not Know

Earn points with Chase Sapphire Preferred

this Chase Sapphire Preferred Has a lucrative revenue structure that is easy to maximize. What you will get:

• Earn 5 points per $1 spent on travel booked through Chase Travel (excluding $50 hotel credit)
• Earn 5 points per $1 spent on Lyft purchases (through September 30, 2027)
• Earn 5 points per $1 spent on Peloton gear and accessories worth $150 or more (reward points capped at 25,000 points through December 31, 2027)
• Earn 3 points per $1 spent on dining, select streaming services and online grocery shopping*
• Earn 2 points per $1 spent on all other travel not booked through Chase Travel
• Earn 1 point per USD 1 on every other purchase

*Higher revenue rates for online grocery shopping exclude Target, Walmart and Wholesale Club.

These are some of the highest earn rates, especially since you’re earning valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. That said, there are cards that earn you more points per dollar spent on dining and groceries.

Related: Is Chase Sapphire Preferred Worth the Annual Fee? I said yes

Redeem points with Chase Sapphire Preferred

When you redeem points earned through Chase Sapphire Preferredyou’ll see how the card sparkles.

The best alternative to transferring to a partner (explained in the next section) is to use your points to book flights, accommodations, and car rentals through Chase Travel—all for up to 1.75 cents per point, depending on the specific redemption (see your rewards program agreement for complete details).

This means you don’t have to worry about blackout dates or finding award space; you always have the option of booking travel using points. You can pay with points whenever a flight or hotel room is available.

You can also redeem your points for cash back or gift cards (1 cent per point) or get a slightly higher value when you take advantage of Chase’s Pay Yourself Back option.

However, these redemption options aren’t as valuable as transferring points to Chase’s travel partners, so we recommend avoiding them if possible.

Related: Chase’s Ultimate Rewards Sweet Spot: From International Business Class to Domestic Travel

Transfer points with Chase Sapphire Preferred

The best way to get the most value from your Chase points is to transfer them to one of Chase’s 10 airline or 3 hotel partners. Some of our favorites include World of Hyatt for luxury hotel accommodations and comfortable flights with Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France KLM Flying Blue and British Airways Club.

Chase often runs transfer bonus promotions where you can get up to 50% more points or miles when you transfer points.

For example, TPG contributing editor Matt Moffitt regularly transfers points to Hyatt hotels and can book European hotels for just 3,500 points per night during the summer.

Using a transfer partner for your ideal trip is a sure-fire way to maximize your Ultimate Rewards points and get value from your travels. Sapphire preferred expenditure.

What cards compete with the Chase Sapphire Preferred?

this Sapphire preferred It’s hard to beat, but worth comparing it to other cards:

• If you prefer Capital One: If you’re interested in a Capital One supplementary card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is your best choice. It offers a simpler revenue structure with the same annual fee of $95. However, based on TPG’s December 2025 valuation, Capital One miles are worth slightly less than Chase points. Learn more in our comprehensive review of risk-reward.
• If you prefer American Express: The American Express® Green Card offers high earning rates on travel, dining and transportation. Clear Plus credits of up to $209 per year are enough to offset its $150 annual fee. Additionally, American Express has more transfer partners than Chase and offers more frequent transfer bonuses. Learn more in our full review of Amex Green.
• If you want more benefits: this Chase Sapphire Reserve® (See Rates & Fees) Offers higher earn rates on select travel purchases and offers enhanced benefits, such as airport lounge access and annual travel credits, for annual fees up to $795. Read our comprehensive review of Sapphire Reserve to learn more.

For other options, check out our full list of the best starter credit cards.

American Express Green Card information is independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

RELATED: Hot Topic: Which Sapphire Products Are Best? 2 experts strongly disagree

bottom line

If you’re ready to upgrade with cash back or a no-annual-fee credit card, you can apply for a great credit card Chase Sapphire Preferred. Since its launch 15 years ago, it’s still considered one of the best credit cards with rewards. It earns the most valuable points and is flexible enough to meet the rewards goals of both regulars and beginners.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card