Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card review: Full details

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is without doubt one of the best-known travel rewards credit cards, incomes 5 factors per greenback spent on journey booked by way of Chase Journey℠ and Lyft purchases, 3 factors per greenback spent on eating, choose streaming providers, and on-line grocery retailer purchases (excluding Goal®, Walmart® and wholesale golf equipment), 2 factors per greenback spent on all different journey purchases and 1 level per greenback spent on all the pieces else. These beneficial factors will be transferred to airline and resort companions or redeemed immediately for journey at a fee of 1.25 cents per level by way of Chase Journey. Card ranking*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

*Card rating relies on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.

At TPG, some of the widespread questions we get requested is, “which journey bank card ought to I begin with?”

We nearly universally advocate the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card as a result of it earns one in every of our favourite rewards currencies and comes with beneficial perks for a low annual price. In reality, many people started our journey into factors and miles with this card.

Due to this — and a lot extra — the Chase Sapphire Most popular stays a prime choose amongst TPG staffers yr after yr. Whether or not you are planning to e-book journey through Chase Journey or redeem your hard-earned factors for airfare or resort stays by transferring to airline and resort companions, the Sapphire Most popular offers excellent worth.

Designed for frequent and informal vacationers and with a $95 annual price, it is an particularly good selection for novices.

TPG recommends candidates have a credit score of at the very least 670 to qualify for the Sapphire Preferred, nevertheless it’s not exceptional for somebody to be accepted with a decrease rating.

Here is what that you must know in regards to the Sapphire Most popular if you happen to’re eager about including it to your pockets.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred includes a welcome supply of 60,000 Chase Final Rewards factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

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This haul of factors is price a minimal of $750 when redeemed for journey by way of the Chase portal, however you may maximize worth by using Chase’s switch companions. In keeping with TPG’s December 2024 valuations, Chase Final Rewards factors are price 2.05 cents every, making this bonus price $1,230.

Associated: How to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards for maximum value

Along with the welcome bonus, there are various interesting perks to being a Sapphire Preferred cardholder.

You will obtain a press release credit score of as much as $50 on resort stays bought by way of Chase Travel upon opening the cardboard and on every account anniversary. It is routinely utilized to your account annually once you make an eligible cost. Be aware, nonetheless, that the $50 credit score doesn’t earn Chase Final Rewards factors.

I at all times use this resort credit score when I’m abroad in a small metropolis with no chain motels the place I will not earn any elite nights or loyalty factors since reserving by way of an OTA like Chase Journey usually would not qualify you for elite standing advantages at motels.

Cardholders additionally get pleasure from a 10% anniversary points bonus annually. This 10% bonus relies in your whole spending throughout the account anniversary yr at a fee of 1 level for every $10 spent. If, for instance, you spend $100,000 in your Sapphire Most popular throughout your cardmember yr, you will obtain 10,000 bonus factors on the finish of the yr.

Nonetheless, this 10% bonus is calculated from the {dollars} you spent relatively than the factors you earned, that means you will not obtain further factors by leveraging the cardboard’s bonus classes.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred additionally contains at the very least one yr of complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership, which incorporates perks like free supply and lowered service charges on eligible purchases (activate by Dec. 31, 2027). There’s a cost associated with using food delivery services equivalent to DoorDash, however this could be a beneficial profit if you happen to already use the service.

Lastly, the Sapphire Most popular is a perfect alternative for journey bookings equivalent to automotive leases, cruises, aircraft tickets, and motels as a result of it comes with complete journey and buy protections. Amongst them, cardholders can count on the next:

You may learn extra in regards to the Chase Sapphire Most popular procuring and journey advantages here.

Associated: 7 Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits you might not know about

The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a simple earning structure that’s simple to maximise:

• Earn 5 factors per greenback spent on journey booked by way of Chase Travel
• Earn 5 factors per greenback spent on Lyft purchases (by way of March 2025)
• Earn 5 factors per greenback spent on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more (by way of March 2025, with a restrict of 25,000 bonus factors)
• Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on eating, choose streaming providers, and on-line grocery retailer purchases (excludes Goal, Walmart, and wholesale golf equipment)
• Earn 2 factors per greenback spent on all journey not booked by way of Chase Journey
• Earn 1 level per greenback spent on all the pieces else

These are among the finest earnings charges within the recreation, notably when you think about you are incomes beneficial Chase Final Rewards factors.

Associated: Why you’ll want to pay the $95 annual fee on the Chase Sapphire Preferred

Whenever you’re able to redeem the factors you’ve got earned with the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you will perceive why the cardboard shines.

You should use your factors to buy airfare, reserve resort rooms, and even lease a automotive by way of Chase Journey — all at a set fee of 1.25 cents per level.

Meaning you need not fear about blackout dates or discovering award house; you will at all times have the choice to e-book journey utilizing your factors. So long as a seat on the market on the flight you need or a resort room is on the market to order with money, you may pay for it along with your factors.

Be aware that resort reservations booked by way of third-party websites usually don’t earn factors or rely towards elite standing qualification.

You even have the choice to redeem your points for cash-back or present playing cards at a fee of 1 cent per level or for a barely greater worth once you reap the benefits of Chase’s Pay Yourself Back choice. Nonetheless, these redemption choices are much less beneficial than transferring your factors to Chase’s journey companions, so we advocate avoiding them each time potential.

Associated: 6 Chase Ultimate Rewards sweet spots

You may obtain greater than 1.25 cents per level in worth by transferring rewards to Chase’s 14 airline and hotel partners. Among the finest Chase switch companions embrace World of Hyatt, United, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines for luxurious resort stays and comfortable aircraft seats.

Using these switch companions can internet you phenomenal worth. Chase ceaselessly runs switch bonus promotions the place you may rise up to 30% extra factors or miles once you switch Final Rewards to a switch associate.

For instance, TPG bank cards author Chris Nelson frequently transfers factors to Hyatt and has gotten rooms throughout peak season in Europe for as little as 4,000 factors an evening. Hyatt has loads of nice candy spot redemptions, making it an particularly beneficial switch associate.

One TPG reader leveraged Final Rewards factors earned with the Sapphire Preferred for his first business-class flight:

“I used to be in a position to make my first redemption in enterprise class (Dublin to Boston on Aer Lingus for 50k).” — Alejandro P via X

Be aware: Reader-submitted responses haven’t been edited, reviewed or accepted by the issuers nor replicate TPG’s opinions of those playing cards.

Using switch companions for aspirational journey is a stable approach to maximize your Ultimate Rewards points and get worth in your spending with the Sapphire Most popular.

Associated: The complete guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners

Many worthwhile mid-tier journey bank cards exist, however just a few can go toe-to-toe with the Sapphire Preferred. When you’re making an attempt to resolve which is finest for you, contemplate which card’s incomes energy fits your spending habits and which switch companions you are extra more likely to maximize.

For extra choices, try our full list of the best starter credit cards.

The data for the American Categorical Inexperienced Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.

*Be aware: Efficient Jan. 13, 2025, the $100 LoungeBuddy Credit score profit will now not be obtainable.

Learn extra: Chase Sapphire showdown: Sapphire Preferred vs. Sapphire Reserve

When you’re prepared to maneuver past cash-back or fixed-value travel rewards bank cards, there isn’t any higher place to start out than with the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

After its debut over a decade in the past, it is nonetheless thought to be one of many best rewards credit cards. It earns among the most valuable points and is versatile sufficient to satisfy the reward wants of frequent and beginner vacationers alike. As lengthy you are utilizing the cardboard ceaselessly sufficient to get greater than $95 in worth from it, this card is unquestionably definitely worth the annual value.

Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Preferred