Editor’s be aware: This submit has been up to date with the most recent bank card data.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card overview
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is without doubt one of the best-known journey rewards bank cards, that includes 5 factors per greenback on journey booked by way of the Chase journey portal and Lyft purchases, 3 factors per greenback on eating, choose streaming companies and on-line grocery retailer purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale golf equipment), 2 factors per greenback on all different journey purchases and 1 level per greenback on the whole lot else.
These precious factors may be transferred to airline and lodge companions or redeemed immediately for journey at a charge of 1.25 cents per level by way of Chase Ultimate Rewards. Card ranking*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
*Card ranking relies on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.
At TPG, we at all times get requested an vital query from newbie vacationers seeking to plan journeys: Which journey bank card must you begin with?
We virtually universally suggest the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. It earns considered one of our favourite rewards currencies. It affords profitable perks. It contains a low annual charge. In truth, many people began our journey into factors and miles with the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
The card is at the moment providing a sign-up bonus of 60,000 Ultimate Rewards factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Here’s what it’s essential know concerning the Chase Sapphire Preferred and why it is one of many finest playing cards on the market.
Ready to get the cardboard? Apply right here for the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Who is the Chase Sapphire Preferred for?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is designed to work for each frequent and informal vacationers. With a $95 annual charge, it’s not an costly card, which makes it a sensible choice for newbies.
Sign up for our every day e-newsletter
I additionally suggest beginning your journey into the world of loyalty factors with Chase playing cards, as a result of it’s essential strategically plan round Chase’s 5/24 rule relating to purposes. The Sapphire Preferred is unquestionably value contemplating for considered one of your coveted 5 slots for opening new playing cards inside two years.
Related: Who ought to (and who shouldn’t) get the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Chase Sapphire Preferred sign-up bonus
With the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you’ll earn a sign-up bonus of 60,000 factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening, sufficient to take you nearly anyplace on the earth you need to go.
This haul of factors is value a minimal of $750 when redeemed for journey by way of the Chase portal, however if you happen to maximize Chase’s switch companions, TPG’s valuations peg the total worth of the bonus at a whopping $1,200.
Main advantages and perks
In addition to the sign-up bonus, there are various interesting perks on the Sapphire Preferred.
$50 annual lodge credit score
In Aug. 2021, Chase revealed a slew of thrilling modifications to its Sapphire playing cards, together with the Sapphire Preferred. One of those new perks was a $50 assertion credit score on lodge stays bought by way of the Chase Ultimate Rewards journey portal upon opening the cardboard, in addition to every following cardmember anniversary. It’s mechanically utilized to your account every year if you make an eligible cost. Note that the $50 credit score doesn’t earn Chase Ultimate Rewards factors.
Related: How to make use of the brand new $50 lodge credit score on the Chase Sapphire Preferred
10% annual factors bonus
Another change Chase added to the cardboard is a 10% anniversary factors bonus. Cardholders will obtain a ten% bonus primarily based on their complete spending throughout the account anniversary 12 months at a charge of 1 level for every $10 spent. For instance, if you happen to spent $100,000 in your Sapphire Preferred throughout your cardmember 12 months, you’ll obtain 10,000 bonus factors on the finish of the 12 months.
Note that this 10% is calculated on the {dollars} you spent quite than the factors you earned. You thus don’t obtain extra factors by leveraging the cardboard’s bonus classes.
DoorDash
The Chase Sapphire Preferred additionally consists of a minimum of one 12 months of complimentary DashPass membership with DoorDash, which provides you free supply and decreased service charges on eligible purchases. There is a price related to utilizing meals supply companies reminiscent of DoorDash, however this is usually a precious profit if you happen to already use the service.
Travel protections
This card is a perfect option to pay for journey bookings reminiscent of automotive leases, cruises, aircraft tickets and lodges due to the excellent journey and buy protections it affords. Among them, cardholders can anticipate the next:
You can learn extra concerning the Chase Sapphire Preferred purchasing and journey advantages right here.
How to earn factors
The Chase Sapphire Preferred comes with a easy incomes construction that’s straightforward to maximise. Here’s the way you earn factors on the Sapphire Preferred:
- 5 factors per greenback on journey booked by way of the Chase journey portal.
- 5 factors per greenback on Lyft purchases (by way of March 2025).
- 3 factors per greenback on eating, choose streaming companies and on-line grocery retailer purchases (excludes Target, Walmart and wholesale golf equipment).
- 2 factors per greenback on all journey not booked by way of the Chase journey portal.
- 1 level per greenback on the whole lot else.
How to redeem factors
When you’re able to redeem the factors you’ve earned with the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you’ll perceive why the cardboard shines. Here are some methods you should use your Ultimate Rewards.
Chase Ultimate Rewards journey portal
You can use your factors to buy airfare, reserve lodge rooms and even hire a automotive by way of Chase Travel — all at a hard and fast charge of 1.25 cents per level. That means you don’t want to fret about blackout dates or discovering award area; you’ll at all times have the choice to e book journey utilizing your factors. As lengthy as there’s a seat on the market on the flight you need, or a lodge room obtainable to order with money, you’ll be capable to pay for it together with your factors.
Just be aware that lodge reservations booked by way of third-party websites (together with Chase Travel) usually will not earn factors and will not rely towards elite standing qualification.
Transfer to Chase journey companions
It’s attainable to obtain way more than 1.25 cents per level in worth by transferring rewards to Chase airline and lodge companions.
Some of one of the best Chase switch companions embrace Hyatt, United, British Airways and Singapore Airlines for fancy lodges or aircraft seats.
Pay Yourself Back
If you need to use the factors out of your Sapphire Preferred at a hard and fast worth for one thing aside from journey, contemplate Chase’s Pay Yourself Back choice. Cardholders can use factors for a price of 1.25 cents apiece to cowl donations to pick charities (by way of Dec. 31, 2023) or a price of 1 cent per level for fuel station and grocery purchases (by way of March 31, 2023).
Related: How to donate factors and miles to assist Ukraine
Which playing cards compete with the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
There are many worthwhile mid-tier journey bank cards, however the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is the one which goes toe-to-toe with the Sapphire Preferred. The card at the moment affords the next:
*Benefits solely obtainable to accounts accepted for the Visa Signature card. Terms apply.
If making an attempt to resolve between these two playing cards, take into consideration which one’s incomes method fits your spending behavior, and which one’s switch companions you’re extra prone to maximize.
Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Capital One Venture Card
Another various choice could be a cobranded card with a selected airline or lodge program. These aren’t almost as versatile because the Sapphire Preferred, however if you happen to’re flying predominantly with one airline or staying incessantly at properties below a selected lodge umbrella, these perks could come in useful.
Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred well worth the annual charge?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is value opening if:
- You can obtain the 60,000-point sign-up bonus.
- You’re searching for precious journey protections.
- You at the moment maintain the Chase Freedom Unlimited and/or Chase Freedom Flex card.
When you carry the Sapphire Preferred together with considered one of these playing cards, you’ll be able to freely transfer factors from one account to a different, successfully augmenting the worth of your Freedom earnings by translating them from cash-back rewards into totally transferable Ultimate Rewards factors.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred continues to symbolize a stable worth proposition for a large swath of the general public. So lengthy as you’re utilizing the cardboard incessantly sufficient to get greater than $95 in worth from the rewards earned and advantages utilized, this card is unquestionably well worth the annual price.
Bottom line
If you’re prepared to maneuver past cash-back or fixed-value journey rewards bank cards, there is no such thing as a higher place to begin than with the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
After its debut a decade in the past, it’s nonetheless thought to be one of many finest rewards bank cards. It earns among the most dear factors round, and it’s versatile sufficient to satisfy the journey rewards wants of virtually each factors and miles talent degree. It additionally comes with a low sufficient price ticket for a lot of to have the ability to give it a attempt.
Apply right here for the Chase Sapphire Preferred with a 60,000-point bonus.
Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox, Chris Dong, Stella Shon, Jennifer Yellin, Joseph Hostetler and Eric Rosen.