PerkJolt
Chase Sapphire Preferred Review
Offer and benefit details checked on chase.com on October 9, 2026. Card terms change, so confirm the current offer on Chase’s page before you apply. See our advertiser disclosure.
The short version
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the card we’d hand most people starting out with points. The fee is $95, the earning covers dining, travel, gas and streaming, and Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to airlines like United and Southwest and to World of Hyatt, one of the best hotel partners in the hobby. It also carries strong travel insurance for a mid-tier card.
- Annual fee: $95
- Welcome offer: 75,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
- Best for: beginners and anyone who wants one strong travel card without a premium fee
- Skip it if: you want lounge access. If you have or recently had another Sapphire card, check Chase’s bonus eligibility terms first
How you earn
- 5X on travel booked through Chase Travel
- 3X on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery
- 3X at gas stations and EV charging, and on vacation homes at top brands
- 3X on top streaming services and online grocery (exclusions apply)
- 2X on all other travel
- 1X on everything else
Limited-time extras listed by Chase include 5X on Lyft rides through September 30, 2027, and 5X total on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $150 through December 31, 2027.
Credits and perks
- Up to $100 Chase Travel hotel credit each account anniversary year, for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel
- Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS credit once every four years
- DoorDash: complimentary DashPass for 12 months, plus a $10 monthly promo
- Apple TV: a complimentary year if activated by December 31, 2026
- No foreign transaction fees
Use the $100 hotel credit once a year and the card already pays for itself.
Travel protection
This is where the Preferred beats most $95 cards. Chase lists trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay and lost luggage coverage, auto rental coverage, travel accident insurance, emergency evacuation, roadside assistance, purchase protection and extended warranty. Pay for the trip with the card to be covered, and read Chase’s Guide to Benefits for limits.
Using the points
Chase lists airline partners including Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, United MileagePlus and Southwest Rapid Rewards, and hotel partners including World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, IHG and Wyndham. Hyatt transfers are a favorite because Hyatt award nights often cost far fewer points than the cash price suggests. Our Chase Ultimate Rewards guide walks through it, and the transfer partners chart lists every option. Find award space first, then transfer.
Pros and cons
- Pro: $95 fee, easily offset by the $100 hotel credit
- Pro: transfers to United, Southwest and World of Hyatt
- Pro: strong trip and rental car protections
- Con: no lounge access
- Con: the 5X and hotel credit require booking through Chase Travel
- Con: 1X on everyday purchases outside the bonus categories
Who should get it
If you’re new to points, start here. If you travel a lot and want lounges, compare the Sapphire Reserve. See all our picks in best travel credit cards.
Sources
- Chase Sapphire Preferred (official page) — checked 2026-10-09