Chase Sapphire Preferred: Points, Benefits, and Travel Rewards Strategy
Chase Sapphire Preferred is the right choice if you’re looking to turn spending into travel and real value. Here’s how to make the most of it.
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Earn More with Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is built for people who want more from their credit card.
It turns your everyday purchases—especially in categories like dining and travel—into powerful points that can be redeemed for incredible experiences.
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a dream vacation, this card helps you get there faster.
- 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel.
- 3x points on dining, including delivery services.
- 3x points on select streaming services.
- 2x points on all other travel purchases.
- 1x point on everything else you buy.
To top it off, new cardholders can earn a 60,000-point welcome bonus after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months.
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That’s worth $750 in travel when redeemed through Chase Travel. It’s one of the best sign-up offers available in this tier.
Built-In Travel Benefits and Protections
Chase Sapphire Preferred doesn’t just reward you for travel—it protects you while you’re on the move.
These travel perks make a real difference, especially when plans go wrong or delays arise.
Unlike some other travel cards, you don’t have to enroll separately or pay extra for these protections.
- $50 annual hotel credit for bookings made through Chase Travel.
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip.
- Trip delay reimbursement: Up to $500 per ticket if your travel is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay.
- Primary rental car insurance: Covers damage due to theft or collision when you pay with your card.
- Baggage delay insurance: Up to $100 per day for 5 days if your luggage is delayed.
- Travel and emergency assistance services are available 24/7 worldwide.
These protections can save you hundreds of dollars and reduce the stress of unexpected travel issues.
They’re automatically applied when you use the card for your travel purchases.
Smart and Flexible Redemption Options
One of the best reasons to choose Chase Sapphire Preferred is its flexible rewards system.
Points are easy to redeem—and they go further when used the right way.
- Travel via Chase Travel: Points are worth 25% more when you redeem through Chase’s portal.
- 1:1 point transfers: Move points to popular airline and hotel partners like United, Southwest, JetBlue, Hyatt, and Marriott.
- Cash back and gift cards: Use points for cash, statement credits, or major brand gift cards.
- Pay Yourself Back®: Temporarily boost your point value on select purchases outside of travel.
Transferring points to travel partners can often unlock higher redemption value—especially for international flights or luxury hotel stays.
If you prefer simplicity, the Chase Travel portal makes it easy to book flights, hotels, and more using your points directly.
No Foreign Transaction Fees and Competitive Terms
If you travel internationally, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a solid companion. Unlike some cards that charge 3% on foreign transactions, this card waives those fees entirely—saving you money every time you swipe overseas.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Annual fee: $95.
- Variable APR: 20.49%–27.49%, based on creditworthiness.
- No foreign transaction fees.
With responsible use, the rewards and benefits can far outweigh the annual fee.
If you travel at least once a year or frequently dine out, you’ll find this card delivers consistent value.
Compare Chase Sapphire Preferred to Other Cards
In the world of travel rewards, it’s important to compare before you commit.
Cards like the Capital One Venture or Citi Premier offer similar rewards, but they may lack key protections or have less flexible transfer options.
Here’s why Sapphire Preferred continues to rank highly:
- Strong travel insurance—automatically included.
- Highly valuable bonus categories.
- More than a dozen 1:1 transfer partners.
- Access to Pay Yourself Back® and Chase Offers.
While some premium travel cards offer airport lounge access and higher point value, they often come with annual fees of $395 or more.
Chase Sapphire Preferred strikes a balance—delivering robust benefits at a fraction of the cost.
Strategies to Maximize Chase Sapphire Preferred
To truly unlock the power of this card, it’s important to use it strategically.
Here are proven ways to get the most out of every dollar:
- Use it for all travel and dining: These categories offer higher earning potential.
- Book hotels through Chase Travel: Get the $50 credit annually.
- Transfer points strategically: Look for deals with Chase’s airline and hotel partners.
- Combine with Chase Freedom cards: Pool points into your Sapphire account for more value.
- Track rotating offers: Use Chase Offers and Pay Yourself Back® to enhance redemption.
By consistently using the card in its top-earning categories and redeeming points wisely, you can easily exceed the value of the annual fee year after year.
Is Chase Sapphire Preferred Worth It?
Chase Sapphire Preferred continues to be one of the top travel cards for people who want valuable rewards without paying premium card prices.
It gives you real benefits, flexible redemption, and strong protections without the $395+ price tag many other cards demand.
If you’re starting to travel more, looking for a powerful points system, or want a card that works just as well for takeout and streaming, this card delivers.
It’s also a great stepping stone if you ever choose to upgrade to the Sapphire Reserve later.
With the current welcome bonus, travel perks, and long-term value, this is a solid card to carry whether you fly monthly or just want to make your everyday spending go further.
To apply, visit the official Chase site and check if you prequalify today.
