Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
The Sapphire Preferred is our most recommended low annual fee card. It's 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 low $95 annual fee, it offers solid everyday earning categories, a $100 annual hotel credit that can offset the fee on its own, and the ability to transfer points to Chase's travel partners. One drawback is that Hyatt transfers now occur at a reduced 4:3 ratio instead of the 1:1 ratio available with the Sapphire Reserve. The 75,000 (current special 100,000) point signup bonus is also strong relative to the low annual fee, making this one of the best 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 and strong travel rewards without paying the high annual fee on the Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Hyatt has historically offered some of the best Chase redemptions, but transfers from the Sapphire Preferred occur at a reduced 4:3 ratio compared to 1:1 on the Sapphire Reserve.
- Couples playing the two-player game, where one person gets this card and the other gets the Sapphire Reserve, allowing the household to retain 1:1 Hyatt transfers.
- Anyone looking for a low annual fee card with strong long-term rewards potential.
The card includes a $100 annual hotel credit when booking through the Chase Travel portal, essentially offsetting the $95 annual fee. Additional benefits and perks include:
- 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel, Lyft rides, and Peloton equipment (on purchases over $150)
- 3x points on vacation rentals, including Airbnb and VRBO
- 2x points on all other travel purchases
- 3x points on dining, gas and EV charging stations, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
- $120 credit for Global Entry, TSA Precheck, or NEXUS every four years
- Apple TV subscription for one year when you activate by December 31, 2026
- Complimentary DashPass membership, the best travel protections for a low annual fee card, 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
- You prioritize Hyatt transfers and want points to transfer at 1:1
What to Know About Chase Ultimate Rewards
Chase Ultimate Rewards offers versatility, flexible redemption options, and a strong lineup of travel partners.
- Transferring to Chase's airline and hotel partners is the option we most recommend to get the best value from your Ultimate Rewards points.
- Hyatt, United, Southwest, and Air Canada are among Chase's most valuable transfer partners.
- You can also book travel directly through Chase Travel, including flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, and more.
- If you have one of Chase's Sapphire Reserve cards, you can take advantage of Points Boost for better redemptions through the portal.
- While Ultimate Rewards remain highly valuable, Chase now limits how often you can earn welcome bonuses on many of its most popular cards.
How The Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card Fits In The Chase Ultimate Rewards Ecosystem
The Sapphire Preferred sits one big tier below the Sapphire Reserve but still offers strong long-term value at a much lower annual fee. If you don't prioritize Hyatt transfers, the Sapphire Preferred is an easy long-term keeper card. Even if you do value Hyatt, the card can still play an important role in a broader Chase strategy.
Here are the biggest differences between the two cards:
- $795 annual fee compared to the Preferred’s much lower $95 annual fee
- 100,000 point welcome offer with the Reserve vs. 75,000 (current special 100,000) point welcome offer with the Preferred
- Full 1:1 Hyatt transfers with the Reserve compared to 4:3 with the Preferred
- $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, but offered as "coupons"
- These credits can provide significant value and offset much of the annual fee, but their usefulness depends heavily on your travel habits, where you live, and how much effort you're willing to put into maximizing benefits.
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. Chase allows household point transfers between accounts, enabling the household to retain full 1:1 Hyatt transfer capabilities.
- 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, so you'll need a Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, Sapphire Reserve Business, or Ink Business Preferred to transfer points to airline and hotel partners.
- Transfer partner access: The Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Reserve Business, and Ink Business Preferred all unlock Chase's transfer partners. However, the two Sapphire Reserve cards are now the only cards that transfer to Hyatt at a full 1:1 ratio. The Sapphire Preferred and Ink Business Preferred transfer to Hyatt at 4:3 and all other Chase partners at 1:1.
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:
