If you're building a credit card rewards strategy for travel, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is almost always the right place to start. Its $95 annual fee is low relative to the value it delivers, its welcome bonus is substantial, and — most importantly — it unlocks Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners. Those partners are what separate Sapphire points from ordinary cash back.

Here's a complete breakdown of what the card offers and how to make the most of it.

Card Details

Annual fee: $95

Welcome offer: 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months

What makes it compelling: The offer is unusually large for a $95 annual-fee card, but it is only a win if you can meet the $5,000 requirement without carrying a balance or forcing purchases.

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Earning Rates

  • 5x on Chase Travel purchases
  • 3x on dining
  • 3x on gas stations and EV charging
  • 3x on qualifying vacation rentals, including Airbnb and Vrbo
  • 3x on online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs)
  • 3x on select streaming services
  • 2x on all other travel
  • 1x on everything else

New applicants should not count on the former 10% anniversary-points bonus. Chase discontinued it for applicants approved on or after June 15, 2026.

Credits and Benefits

$100 annual Chase Travel hotel credit

Chase applies up to $100 in credit toward eligible hotel bookings made through Chase Travel each account anniversary year. Used naturally, that can offset the $95 annual fee; do not book a worse hotel rate merely to use it.

DoorDash and DashPass

Cardmembers can activate at least 12 months of complimentary DashPass by December 31, 2027. Current benefits also include up to $10 off monthly on eligible DoorDash grocery, daily-essentials, and similar orders; terms and eligible orders apply.

If food delivery is a real spending category for you, compare it against the dedicated rankings in our best card for DoorDash guide and the live DoorDash merchant comparison.

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance

Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for non-refundable travel expenses if your trip is canceled for a covered reason. This is meaningfully better coverage than most standalone travel insurance policies for short trips.

Primary rental car insurance

When you decline the rental agency's collision coverage and pay with the card, Chase provides primary coverage up to the actual cash value of the rental. Primary means it applies without going through your personal auto insurance first.

No foreign transaction fees

Purchase protection: 120 days, up to $500 per claim

Extended warranty: Adds one year to manufacturer warranties of 3 years or less

Transfer Partners

This is where the card earns its keep. Unlike cash back cards, Sapphire Preferred points can transfer 1:1 to:

Airlines: United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards, British Airways Avios, Iberia Plus, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Air Canada Aeroplan, Emirates Skywards, JetBlue TrueBlue, Aer Lingus AerClub

Hotels: World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, IHG One Rewards

Most transfer partners remain useful at 1:1, but Hyatt is no longer a simple 1:1 transfer for new Preferred cardholders. Chase now transfers 1,000 Ultimate Rewards points to 750 World of Hyatt points; cardholders approved before June 15, 2026 keep the prior 1:1 rate through September 30, 2026. That makes a specific Hyatt award worth checking carefully rather than assuming it is the automatic best redemption.

United is the other natural pairing for domestic and international economy awards.

Chase Travel and Points Boost

Chase now highlights Points Boost offers on select flights and hotels in Chase Travel instead of relying on one fixed portal value. Compare the cash price, the points price, and a transferable-points alternative before booking. The easy portal option can still be sensible, but it is not automatically the best value.

Building a Chase Stack Around It

The Sapphire Preferred is most valuable as the transfer-unlocking card in a larger Chase setup:

  • Ink Business Cash (free) earns 5x on office supply stores and telecom — pool those points into Sapphire
  • Freedom Flex (free) earns 5x on quarterly rotating categories — pool those too
  • Freedom Unlimited (free) earns 1.5x on everything — fills the gaps

All three no-fee cards pool their points into your Sapphire account and gain transfer partner access. You're building one large pool of flexible points across multiple earning channels, with a single low-fee card unlocking all the redemption options.

Sapphire Preferred vs. Sapphire Reserve

The Reserve has a $795 annual fee and earns more on travel categories. The math favors the Reserve when you travel frequently, use the $300 travel credit, and value Priority Pass lounge access. For most people starting out, the Preferred is the right card — lower commitment, still full access to transfer partners, and a straightforward annual fee that's easy to justify.

You can upgrade to Reserve later if your travel patterns change. See the full Preferred vs Reserve comparison →

How the Preferred stacks up against other travel cards:

Who Should Apply

The Sapphire Preferred is well-suited for:

  • Anyone who dines out or orders delivery frequently (3x)
  • People who grocery shop online (3x)
  • Travelers who want access to Hyatt or United awards
  • Anyone building a Chase card portfolio who needs the transfer partner unlock

It's less compelling for people who prefer pure cash back without the complexity of transfer partners, or for very frequent travelers who would get more from the Reserve's premium benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred worth the $95 annual fee?

It can be, especially while the 100,000-point offer is available. The $100 Chase Travel hotel credit can offset the fee if you would otherwise book an eligible hotel through Chase Travel. The card is a weaker fit if you want uncomplicated cash back or will not use the travel benefits.

What credit score do you need for the Chase Sapphire Preferred?

Chase typically approves applicants with a good to excellent credit score (670+). A score above 720 gives the best approval odds. Chase also applies a 5/24 rule — if you've opened 5 or more credit cards in the last 24 months from any issuer, your application will likely be declined regardless of score.

Can I transfer Chase Sapphire Preferred points to airline miles?

Yes. Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers to airline and hotel partners, but the Hyatt transfer rate is now 4:3 for new Preferred cardholders. Check the live rate and the specific award you want before transferring, because transfers cannot be reversed.

What's the difference between the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve?

The Reserve has a $795 annual fee and earns 3x on all travel (vs 2x on Preferred) plus Priority Pass lounge access. The Preferred is better for most people starting out — lower annual fee, same transfer partners, and a more straightforward credit structure. Upgrade to Reserve if you travel 10+ times per year and will use the $300 travel credit and lounge access.

Does the Chase Sapphire Preferred have foreign transaction fees?

No. The Sapphire Preferred charges no foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for international travel. It also provides primary rental car insurance and trip cancellation coverage abroad.

Bottom Line

The Sapphire Preferred is unusually compelling while the 100,000-point offer is available, particularly if the $5,000 spend fits your normal budget. Its new $100 hotel credit, gas and EV earning, and DashPass add value, but the Hyatt transfer cut means the card is no longer an automatic fit for every Hyatt-focused traveler. Confirm the current offer and terms directly with Chase before applying.

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