Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred worth it for you?

Calculate here or read about the card below

Overview

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card stands out for travelers looking to earn rewards on everyday spending while maintaining a low annual fee. With a $95 fee, the card offers 3x points on dining and online purchases, and 2x points on travel and other categories. It also enhances point value by 25% when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards, providing excellent value for those who want to maximize their rewards.

This card is particularly suitable for travelers who spend significantly on dining and online purchases but also want to earn rewards on travel expenses. It’s a great choice for those who prioritize practical rewards and flexibility. However, if you’re looking for premium travel perks or extensive luxury benefits, this card may fall short compared to higher-tier options.

Welcome Offer :

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card currently offers a welcome bonus of 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months. These points can be worth $750 when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards or more if transferred to travel partners. This welcome offer provides ample value for budget-conscious travelers, potentially covering a significant portion of your next trip, whether it’s a domestic getaway or an international adventure.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• 3x Points on Dining and Online Purchases: Earn rewards on popular spending categories.

• 2x Points on Travel and Other Purchases: Earn additional rewards on travel and various other purchases.

• 25% More Value on Travel Redemptions: Points are worth 25% more when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

• Low Annual Fee: At $95, the annual fee is relatively low compared to premium cards.

• Flexible Redemption Options: Points can be transferred to over 13 airline and hotel partners or used to book travel directly.

Cons:

• No Premium Travel Perks: Lacks benefits like airport lounge access or high-end travel credits.

• Higher Spending Requirement for Welcome Bonus: The $4,000 spending requirement may be challenging.

• Limited Purchase Protections: Offers fewer protections compared to premium cards.

Benefits:

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card provides 3x points on dining and online grocery, and 2x points on travel and other categories, with a 25% boost in value when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers valuable benefits tailored to budget-conscious travelers:

• 3x Points on Dining and Online Purchases: Earn 3x points on dining out and online shopping. For example, spending $300 a month on dining and $100 on online purchases would earn you 18,000 points annually.

• 2x Points on Travel: Earn 2x points on travel purchases, including budget flights and public transportation. For instance, spending $300 a month on travel would earn you 7,200 points annually.

• $50 Annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit: Use this credit to reduce the cost of hotel bookings made through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

• Primary Rental Car Insurance: Coverage for rental cars provides protection and can help you avoid purchasing additional insurance from rental agencies.

• Flexible Point Redemptions: Points can be used to book travel directly through Chase Ultimate Rewards or transferred to travel partners like Hyatt or United Airlines for high-value redemptions.

Earning Points:

With the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you earn 3x points on dining and online purchases, and 2x points on travel and other categories. For example, spending $300 a month on dining and $200 on travel would earn you 9,600 points annually. All other purchases earn 2x points, making it easy to accumulate rewards on everyday expenses.

Redeeming Points:

Redeeming points from the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers significant value:

• Transfer to Airline and Hotel Partners: Transfer 20,000 points to United MileagePlus and cover a round-trip domestic flight worth $250. Alternatively, transfer 30,000 points to Hyatt to book a two-night stay at a mid-range hotel that could cost around $300 if paid in cash.

• Book Travel Through Chase Ultimate Rewards: Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 30,000 points could cover a $375 hotel stay, maximizing the value of your rewards.

• Gift Cards and Shopping: Redeem points for gift cards or shopping through Chase’s online portal. For instance, 10,000 points might get you a $100 gift card to a popular retailer, saving on everyday purchases.

Transfer Partners:

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers valuable transfer options with numerous airline and hotel partners:

• Airline Partners:

  • United MileagePlus

  • Southwest Rapid Rewards

  • British Airways Executive Club

  • Aer Lingus AerClub

  • Air Canada Aeroplan

  • Air France-KLM Flying Blue

  • Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

  • Delta SkyMiles

  • Emirates Skywards

  • Iberia Plus

  • JetBlue TrueBlue

  • Qantas Frequent Flyer

  • Singapore Airlines KrisFly

  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

• Hotel Partners:

  • World of Hyatt

  • Marriott Bonvoy

  • IHG Rewards

For budget travelers, leveraging Chase Ultimate Rewards can unlock exceptional value. Transferring points to domestic airline partners like United MileagePlus or hotel chains like Hyatt or Marriott allows you to book affordable economy flights within the U.S. or secure a stay at a mid-range hotel in destinations such as Thailand, Bali, or India. This flexibility makes it easy to stretch your travel budget and enjoy memorable trips without overspending.

Competing Cards:

When comparing the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, consider other options in its category:

• American Express Green Card:

  • Annual Fee: $150

  • Key Benefits: 3x points on travel, transit, and dining; $100 LoungeBuddy credit; $189 CLEAR® credit; no foreign transaction fees.

  • Who It’s For: Ideal for frequent travelers who want to earn rewards on essential spending categories and value practical benefits like lounge access and security fast-tracking.

  • Limitations: No premium travel perks like airport lounge access or extensive travel credits; limited purchase protections compared to higher-tier cards.

• Hyatt Credit Card (World of Hyatt):

  • Annual Fee: $95

  • Key Benefits: 4x points on Hyatt stays; 2x points on dining, airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, and fitness club and gym memberships; 1x points on other purchases; automatic Discoverist status; annual free night after your cardmember anniversary.

  • Who It’s For: Best for frequent Hyatt guests who want to earn significant rewards on their stays and enjoy perks like automatic elite status and an annual free night certificate.

  • Limitations: Limited to Hyatt properties; fewer travel benefits beyond hotel stays compared to cards with broader rewards categories.

• United Explorer Card:

  • Annual Fee: $95

  • Key Benefits: 2x miles on United purchases, dining, and hotels; 25% off in-flight purchases; priority boarding; first checked bag free on United flights; two annual United Club one-time passes worth $59 each.

  • Who It’s For: Great for frequent United Airlines flyers who want to earn miles on their United purchases and enjoy travel perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and lounge access.

  • Limitations: Limited to United Airlines benefits; no premium travel credits beyond the airline-specific perks

Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Right for You?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is ideal for travelers who want to earn valuable rewards on dining, online purchases, and travel while keeping the annual fee low. It’s perfect for those who appreciate flexible redemptions and maximizing point value through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

However, if you seek luxury benefits like lounge access or extensive travel credits, this card may not meet your needs. For those wanting more premium perks, consider higher-tier cards.

Overall, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card provides practical and rewarding options for everyday and travel spending, making it a solid choice for budget-friendly adventures.