Overview
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has been the gold standard entry-level travel card for over a decade. While the Sapphire Reserve gets more attention, the Preferred quietly delivers exceptional value at a fraction of the cost — and for travelers who don't need airport lounge access or a $300 travel credit, it may actually be the smarter card.
At $95 per year, the Preferred earns 5x on Chase Travel, 3x on dining, streaming, and online groceries, and 2x on all other travel. These rates are competitive with cards charging three to six times the annual fee.
The key advantage is access to Chase Ultimate Rewards — one of the best travel point currencies in the world. Points transfer 1:1 to United, Southwest, Hyatt, Marriott, British Airways, and 11 other partners. A 60,000 point sign-up bonus transferred to Hyatt could get you multiple free nights at top-tier properties worth hundreds of dollars each.
Pros and Cons
Welcome Bonus
New cardholders earn 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. That's worth $750 redeemed through Chase Travel at 1.25¢ per point — or potentially much more transferred to airline partners.
60,000 points transferred to World of Hyatt could cover 3-4 nights at a Category 4 property — rooms that might cost $200-$300 per night in cash. Transferred to United, it could cover domestic round-trip business class flights.
Pro tip: Start with the Sapphire Preferred to earn the sign-up bonus and access the transfer ecosystem. After a year, you can often product-change to the Sapphire Reserve without a new application or hard inquiry — bypassing the one-Sapphire-at-a-time rule.
Key Benefits and Perks
Sapphire Preferred vs. Sapphire Reserve — Which Should You Get?
| Feature | Preferred ($95) | Reserve ($550) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $550 |
| Travel credit | $50 hotel credit | $300 travel credit |
| Point value | 1.25¢/point | 1.5¢/point |
| Travel earn rate | 3x travel | 3x travel |
| Lounge access | None | Priority Pass |
| Global Entry credit | None | $100 every 4 years |
| Effective fee (after credits) | $45 | $250 |
Get the Preferred if: You fly less than 4 times per year, don't need lounge access, and want maximum value at a low annual fee. The Preferred is also the right starting card if you're new to travel rewards.
Get the Reserve if: You fly frequently, want lounge access, spend $3,000+/month on the card, and will actually use the $300 travel credit. The Reserve's higher point value and travel credit make it worthwhile at higher spend levels.
Ready to Apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Earn 60,000 points after $4,000 spend in 3 months — worth $750 in travel.
Apply Now on Chase.com →Best for: Travel rewards beginners, moderate travelers who fly 1-4 times per year, and anyone who wants access to Chase's transfer partners without paying premium card fees.