Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
The Sapphire Preferred is ideal for travelers who want strong long-term value without taking on the high annual fee and “coupon book” style benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve. With a $95 annual fee, it offers solid everyday earning categories, a $50 annual hotel credit, and the ability to transfer points to Chase’s full set of airline and hotel partners. The 75,000 point signup bonus is also strong relative to the low annual fee, making this one of the best strategic entry points into the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem for beginners and casual travelers alike.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great choice for:
- Travelers who want transferable points without paying the high annual fee on the Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Couples playing the “two-player game,” where one person gets the Reserve and refers the other to the Preferred
- Anyone looking for a low annual fee card with strong long-term rewards potential
The card also includes a $50 annual hotel credit when booking through the Chase Travel portal, helping offset the $95 annual fee.
Additional perks include:
- 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel and Lyft rides
- 2x points on all other travel purchases
- 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
- Complimentary DashPass membership, strong travel protections, cell phone coverage, and extended warranty benefits
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
This card might not be the best choice if you qualify for the Reserve and prefer more robust travel perks.
What to Know About Chase Ultimate Rewards
Chase Ultimate Rewards is our most valued point system.
- These points are the most flexible of any credit card points. You can transfer points to their partners (the most valuable way to redeem)
- Or you can book travel directly through the Chase portal, including cruise, car rental, or specialty hotels.
- The quality of their transfer partners (Hyatt, United & Southwest) is unmatched. As is the value you can get when you transfer.
- You can get a “multiplier effect” on your Chase Ultimate Rewards points when you have either of Chase’s Sapphire cards by taking advantage of Points Boost.
- We view Ultimate Rewards as the points “savings account” to top off a partner reward system for a flight or hotel. Or to book travel items directly through the Chase travel portal.
How The Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card Fits In The Chase Ultimate Rewards Ecosystem
The Sapphire Preferred sits one tier below the Sapphire Reserve and offers strong long-term value at a much lower annual fee.
If you’re considering the Chase Sapphire Reserve instead, here are some of the major differences:
- $795 annual fee compared to the Preferred’s much lower $95 annual fee
- 125,000 point welcome offer
- $300 annual travel credit valid on nearly any travel purchase
- Priority Pass and Sapphire Lounge access for the cardholder and up to two guests
- Up to $1,890 in additional annual statement and travel credits
The Sapphire Preferred also fits extremely well into the broader Chase ecosystem:
- Two-player strategy: One partner can hold the Reserve while the other holds the Preferred, and Chase allows household point transfers between accounts.
- Business card pairing: Cards like the Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited earn Ultimate Rewards points but cannot transfer directly to airline or hotel partners.
- Transfer partner access: The Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Reserve Business, and Ink Business Preferred all unlock transfer partner access.
If you eventually decide the Preferred is no longer worth the annual fee, you can downgrade to a no annual fee card like the Chase Freedom Flex or Chase Freedom Unlimited. Just remember that Freedom cards cannot transfer directly to airline or hotel partners unless paired with an eligible Sapphire or Chase business card.
My Experience, No Filter
In our two-player household, my wife holds the Sapphire Reserve while I carry the Sapphire Preferred. It’s a great balance. We each earned a bonus, we can share points, and we’ve maximized the perks that matter most to us. When I applied, the offer was elevated to 75,000 points, which was a big part of my decision. If you’re not in a rush, it’s often worth waiting for a higher bonus.
If I were doing this solo and could qualify for the Reserve, I’d go for that one instead. The benefits are stronger and the higher fee is easily offset if you travel often. But for starting out, or if you’re splitting strategy across multiple cards and players, the Sapphire Preferred is a fantastic foundation.
Card Information
Differentiating Perks
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Historical Card Offers
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Chase Sapphire Preferred Application Rules
You may be ineligible to earn a signup bonus on a Sapphire card if you received a new cardmember bonus for the same card any time in the past
Chase applications will be declined if 5 new cards have been added to your personal credit report in the past 24 months.
You'll be declined if you apply for a third Chase card of any kind within 30 days
Chase will decline your application you apply for a 5th Chase card (personal or BUSINESS) in 6 months
Best for Series
Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:
