The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card is one of the most rewarding and flexible travel cards on the market. Designed for travelers who want premium perks without an exorbitant annual fee, it offers a solid rewards platform and value through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, especially through its airline and hotel partners.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® credit card acts like a premium card through its rewards and its metal design. However, it's versatile enough to earn a high-ranking spot in our overview of the best Catch-All Credit Cards.
Pros
- High point value rewards program
- Substantial welcome bonus
- Travel protections and trip interruption insurance included
- Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Some exclusions in bonus rewards categories
- Requires excellent credit for approval
- No introductory 0% APR offer
InsightsThe Sapphire Preferred card is one of Chase's flagship travel card products, alongside the Sapphire Reserve and Freedom Unlimited. This card appears on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau website as available to those with excellent credit and living anywhere in the U.S., with a median APR of 25.49%. |
Features and Benefits
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns 2x to 5x points, depending on category and purchase specifics. It offers excellent value for both travel and everyday purchases.
5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
3x points on dining, streaming, and online grocery purchases (with exclusions)
2x points on other travel purchases
1x on any other spending
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Primary auto rental coverage
No foreign transaction fees
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Reviews: Editorial Rating
Trusted Company Reviews Trust Rating Score for Chase Sapphire Preferred®: 8.9
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® stands out for its combination of long-term value, elite-level travel perks, and flexible redemption options. While it carries a $95 annual fee, the travel benefits and redemption multiplier through Chase Ultimate Rewards® more than justify the cost for most users, especially those familiar with typical premium card yearly fees.
Pricing | Features | Credit Score Needed for Good Approval Odds |
$95 Annual Fee $0 Foreign Transaction Fee Balance Transfer Fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. | 5x points on travel through Chase, 3X points on dining, streaming, groceries, 2x on other travel expenses, 1x on everything else, up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠ , and flexible points redemptions. | Excellent |
Why We Like It
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is ideal for those who travel frequently and want a single, versatile rewards card. The card's 5x travel rewards, 1:1 transfer partners, and bonus categories make it easy to earn and redeem points and maximize its value.
What We Don’t Like
The annual fee, while modest among premium cards, may be lost on occasional travelers who won't fully leverage the card’s benefits. We'd also be more impressed if the card offered an intro APR period.
Why Trust Our RatingsEvery rating we publish reflects independent research and hands-on analysis from our editorial team. Clarity, accuracy, and transparency matter as much as the numbers themselves. How We Calculate Our Trust Rating ScoreWe base our Trust Rating Scores on independent research, verified user experiences, and key data points that identify the most valuable and reliable credit card options available today.
All terms, conditions, rates, and data are accurate at the time of publishing and subject to change without notice. |
What Do Customers Think About the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card?
Based on verified reviews from Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and other leading review platforms, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card carries a strong reputation among travelers and everyday cardholders alike.
The card averages 4.4 out of 5 stars nationwide, and users praise its valuable rewards, 1:1 point transfers, and multiple points redemption options, noting that the best value comes from spending points within the Chase Travel℠ platform.
Many reviewers highlight the simplicity of earning points and miles while enjoying strong customer service and top-tier travel protections. Frequent travelers note consistent satisfaction with hotel stays purchased through Chase, fraud protection, and extra perks.
Most negative reviews mention annual fees and credit-limit adjustments, though these are in the minority by a wide margin.
Who Is Chase Sapphire Preferred® Best For?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card is best for travelers. However, as an all-around card, everyday users who want high-value rewards and excellent travel benefits without paying high-level fees can also maximize the card's benefits.
Amex® Gold vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred®
The American Express Gold Card® (Amex Gold) and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card both target consumers seeking top-tier rewards for everyday spending and travel. While both earn valuable points, they differ in structure, redemption value, and flexibility.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® leans toward travel enthusiasts, while the Amex Gold is geared more toward rewarding dining and grocery purchases. The Amex Gold features more earning categories. However, it also features a hefty $325 annual fee.
Rewards | 5x points on travel through Chase Travel℠; 3x on dining, streaming, online groceries; 2x on other travel, 1x on all other purchases. | Earn 4x Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. Terms apply. |
Annual Fee | $95 | $325 |
Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% | 0% |
Typical APR (subject to change) | 20.49% – 27.49% | 19.49% to 28.49% (American Express) |
Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Still Worth It?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card is one of the most balanced and flexible travel cards available, and it can function well as an all-around card if you enjoy travel perks.
Its rewards structure, equal-point-value transfer partners, and flexible redemption options make it a solid choice among the best catch-all credit cards.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Alternatives
If the Chase Sapphire Preferred® doesn't fit your needs, is a bit much as an all-around card, or you wish to avoid an annual fee, these other top cards in our Best Catch All Credit Cards review are likely a better fit:
Wells Fargo Active Cash®: A simple, flat-rate card that earns 2% cash rewards on qualified purchases.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Also a top pick in our overview of the best Credit Cards for Gas and Groceries
Citi Simplicity®: Also a top pick in our overview of the best Balance Transfer Cards
Chase Ink Business Unlimited®: Ideal for small business owners seeking flat-rate rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card offers powerful travel rewards. However, it's flexible enough to use as an everyday card that also rewards and encourages travel spending. Those qualities earn it a spot in our Best Catch-All Credit Cards review. You may also find other cards to fit your lifestyle in our overviews of the Best Catch-All Credit Cards review. You may also find other cards to fit your lifestyle in our overviews of the Best Credit Card for Gas and Groceries and Balance Transfer Credit Cards for Average Credit.
About Author
Deane Biermeier
Deane Biermeier is a certified financial educator through the University of Minnesota and a respected authority in financial research, writing, and editing, renowned for his in-depth analyses and expert advice. With a distinguished career that previously spanned home improvement, real estate, and finance topics, Deane's role at Trusted Company Reviews focuses exclusively on finance. Deane has contributed to leading publications such as Forbes Home, US News and World Report, Newsweek Vault, and others. Since joining TrustedCompanyReviews.com in 2023, he has solidified his reputation as a crucial resource for clear, factual financial guidance.