Chase Sapphire Preferred Review: The Best Travel Rewards Card for 2025
If you're searching for a credit card that provides exceptional travel rewards, premium amenities, and great value, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a strong choice. This mid-tier travel credit card is well-known for its rich rewards program, large sign-up bonus, and versatile redemption choices.
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In this detailed guide, we'll go over everything you need to know about the Chase Sapphire Preferred, including its pros and downsides, how it compares to competitors, and how to maximize your rewards.
What Is The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a travel rewards credit card offered by Chase as part of the Ultimate Rewards network. It's especially popular among travelers because of its rich rewards program, which provides 2X points on travel and dining and a hefty sign-up bonus worth hundreds of dollars.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a travel rewards credit card offered by Chase as part of the Ultimate Rewards network. It's especially popular among travelers because of its rich rewards program, which provides 2X points on travel and dining and a hefty sign-up bonus worth hundreds of dollars.
Key Advantages of the Chase Sapphire Preferred
1. Generous welcome bonus.
One of the primary reasons individuals sign up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the welcome bonus. Typically, the incentive is approximately 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending a specified amount within the first three months after account opening. These points are worth at least $750 when redeemed for travel with Chase Ultimate Rewards.
2. Excellent earnings rate
The card offers fantastic benefits for frequent travelers and culinary aficionados.
5X points on travel purchases made through Chase Ultimate Rewards
3x points for meals, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart and Target).
2X points for any other travel purchases.
1X points for all other purchases.
1. Generous welcome bonus.
One of the primary reasons individuals sign up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the welcome bonus. Typically, the incentive is approximately 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending a specified amount within the first three months after account opening. These points are worth at least $750 when redeemed for travel with Chase Ultimate Rewards.
2. Excellent earnings rate
The card offers fantastic benefits for frequent travelers and culinary aficionados.
5X points on travel purchases made through Chase Ultimate Rewards
3x points for meals, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart and Target).
2X points for any other travel purchases.
1X points for all other purchases.
3. Flexible Redemption Options
The Chase Sapphire Preferred stands out for its versatility in terms of redeeming points.
Travel with Chase Ultimate Rewards: Each point is worth 1.25 cents when used for travel booking.
Transfer to Travel Partners: Points can be transferred 1:1 to major travel programs like United Airlines, Southwest, Hyatt, Marriott, and others.
Cash Back and Gift Cards: Points can be redeemed for cash or gift cards at the usual 1 cent per point rate.
Pay Yourself Back: Chase occasionally gives the ability to redeem points at a higher value for specific categories.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred stands out for its versatility in terms of redeeming points.
Travel with Chase Ultimate Rewards: Each point is worth 1.25 cents when used for travel booking.
Transfer to Travel Partners: Points can be transferred 1:1 to major travel programs like United Airlines, Southwest, Hyatt, Marriott, and others.
Cash Back and Gift Cards: Points can be redeemed for cash or gift cards at the usual 1 cent per point rate.
Pay Yourself Back: Chase occasionally gives the ability to redeem points at a higher value for specific categories.
4. Travel and Purchase Protection
The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers superior travel protections, making it an ideal choice for frequent travelers:
Primary Rental Car Insurance: Covers theft and accident damage, allowing you to avoid paying for expensive rental car insurance.
Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Provides up to $10,000 per person reimbursement for planned, non-refundable charges if your trip is canceled for covered circumstances.
Baggage Delay Insurance: If your bag is delayed for more than 6 hours, you may be compensated for essentials up to $100 per day for five days.
Trip Delay Reimbursement: Covers expenses if your flight is delayed for more than 12 hours or necessitates an overnight stay.
Purchase Protection: Protects new purchases from damage or theft for up to 120 days.
Extended Warranty: Provides an additional year of warranty for eligible purchases.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers superior travel protections, making it an ideal choice for frequent travelers:
Primary Rental Car Insurance: Covers theft and accident damage, allowing you to avoid paying for expensive rental car insurance.
Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Provides up to $10,000 per person reimbursement for planned, non-refundable charges if your trip is canceled for covered circumstances.
Baggage Delay Insurance: If your bag is delayed for more than 6 hours, you may be compensated for essentials up to $100 per day for five days.
Trip Delay Reimbursement: Covers expenses if your flight is delayed for more than 12 hours or necessitates an overnight stay.
Purchase Protection: Protects new purchases from damage or theft for up to 120 days.
Extended Warranty: Provides an additional year of warranty for eligible purchases.
5. Reasonable annual fee.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred charges an annual fee of $95, which is quite inexpensive given the features and rewards it provides. Many cardholders discover that they can easily balance this cost with rewards and benefits.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred charges an annual fee of $95, which is quite inexpensive given the features and rewards it provides. Many cardholders discover that they can easily balance this cost with rewards and benefits.
6. 10% Anniversary Bonus.
Every year, cardholders earn a 10% point bonus on their overall spending. If you spend $25,000 per year, you will receive 2,500 additional points, enhancing your reward potential.
Every year, cardholders earn a 10% point bonus on their overall spending. If you spend $25,000 per year, you will receive 2,500 additional points, enhancing your reward potential.
Downsides of the Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great travel card, but it isn't ideal. Here are a few disadvantages to consider.
No Lounge Access: Unlike other premium travel cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, this card does not include Priority Pass lounge access.
Foreign transaction fees are waived, although other benefits are lacking. While the card does not charge foreign transaction fees, it does not feature luxury travel benefits such as airport lounge access or elite hotel status.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great travel card, but it isn't ideal. Here are a few disadvantages to consider.
No Lounge Access: Unlike other premium travel cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, this card does not include Priority Pass lounge access.
Foreign transaction fees are waived, although other benefits are lacking. While the card does not charge foreign transaction fees, it does not feature luxury travel benefits such as airport lounge access or elite hotel status.
High Redemption Value Only for Travel: If you prefer cash back, your points are only worth 1 cent each, making them less enticing than when used for travel.
No Introductory APR Offer: Unlike some other credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred does not provide a 0% introductory APR term.
No Introductory APR Offer: Unlike some other credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred does not provide a 0% introductory APR term.
Tips for Maximizing Your Chase Sapphire Preferred Rewards.
Spend Enough to Earn the Welcome Bonus - The welcome bonus is the most valuable feature of this card, so be sure you meet the spending requirements.
Use It for Dining and Travel - To optimize your points, use the card for dining, online groceries, and travel purchases.
Redeem for Travel with Chase - Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel with Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Transfer Partners - Transferring points to airlines and hotels can often provide better value than booking through Chase.
Spend Enough to Earn the Welcome Bonus - The welcome bonus is the most valuable feature of this card, so be sure you meet the spending requirements.
Use It for Dining and Travel - To optimize your points, use the card for dining, online groceries, and travel purchases.
Redeem for Travel with Chase - Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel with Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Transfer Partners - Transferring points to airlines and hotels can often provide better value than booking through Chase.
Take Advantage of Travel Protections - Use the card to book flights, hotels, and car rentals and receive built-in travel insurance.
Pair It with Other Chase Cards - Using the Chase Freedom Flex or Chase Freedom Unlimited in conjunction with this card allows you to earn even more rewards and transfer them to Ultimate Rewards for the best value.
Pair It with Other Chase Cards - Using the Chase Freedom Flex or Chase Freedom Unlimited in conjunction with this card allows you to earn even more rewards and transfer them to Ultimate Rewards for the best value.
Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred worth it?
For the majority of travelers, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is an excellent choice because to its robust rewards program, valuable travel benefits, and low annual fee. If you frequently eat out or travel, this card provides outstanding value and versatility. However, if you want premium advantages like airport lounge access, the Chase Sapphire Reserve may be worth considering.
For the majority of travelers, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is an excellent choice because to its robust rewards program, valuable travel benefits, and low annual fee. If you frequently eat out or travel, this card provides outstanding value and versatility. However, if you want premium advantages like airport lounge access, the Chase Sapphire Reserve may be worth considering.
Final Thoughts
The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card is great for both first-time and seasoned travelers. With a big welcome bonus, great earning potential, and valuable redemption possibilities, it offers exceptional value for a low yearly cost. If you enjoy traveling and dining out, this card can help you optimize your benefits and have a stress-free experience while experiencing the world.
Would you consider applying for the Chase Sapphire Preferred? Share your ideas in the comments!
The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card is great for both first-time and seasoned travelers. With a big welcome bonus, great earning potential, and valuable redemption possibilities, it offers exceptional value for a low yearly cost. If you enjoy traveling and dining out, this card can help you optimize your benefits and have a stress-free experience while experiencing the world.
Would you consider applying for the Chase Sapphire Preferred? Share your ideas in the comments!
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