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Chase Sapphire Preferred Review: Why I've Stuck With It for 5 Years

Review Updated
Brooklyn Sprunger
Author: Brooklyn Sprunger
Brooklyn Sprunger
Brooklyn Sprunger

Brooklyn leads the content team behind product reviews and ratings at Motley Fool Money, ensuring readers get well-researched, expert-backed insights to make smarter financial decisions. With nearly seven years working full-time in financial content -- four of them at The Motley Fool -- she has developed a deep passion for personal finance, from investing strategies to everyday money management. Her financial goals include buying a house and planning as many trips as her budget allows. In her free time, you’ll likely find her listening to a pop culture podcast or telling anyone who will listen to get a high-yield savings account.

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Nathan Alderman
Fact Checked: Nathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman
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Nathan Alderman has been a full-time Motley Fool employee since 2005, making errors his arch-enemies in a variety of roles including a six-year stint as the dedicated fact-checker for The Motley Fool's premium newsletter services. As Motley Fool Money's Compliance Lead, he makes sure that all the site's information is accurate and up to date, which ensures we always steer readers right and keeps various financial partners happy. A graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Nathan spends his spare time volunteering for civic causes, writing and podcasting for fun, adoring his wife, and wrangling his two very large young children.

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Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) was my very first credit card five years ago, and I haven't regretted it for a second. Since then, it's been my trusty sidekick on adventures near and far, helping me score at least three free flights -- plus an almost entirely free Hawaiian honeymoon. Safe to say, I'm a fan.

If you love to travel, but tend to stick to a budget, this card can turn your everyday spending into serious travel rewards, easily making the annual fee worth it. But is it the right fit for you? Let's dive into the pros, cons, and my personal experience to find out.

Ratings Methodology
Award Icon 2025 Award Winner

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

On Chase's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
= Good
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= Poor
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

On Chase's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR Circle with letter I in it. N/A

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

19.99% - 28.24% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.

5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases

Annual Fee

$95

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 bonus points

  • This card easily justifies the (very reasonable) annual fee with benefits that deliver real value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months, which we estimate is worth $750 in Chase Travel℠ value. Plus, enjoy bonus travel and dining rewards, a $50 annual hotel credit, and 25% more value when booking through Chase Travel. With added travel protections like rental car insurance and trip reimbursement, we think this card is a game-changer for any traveler.

    • Big sign-up bonus
    • Travel rewards
    • Dining rewards
    • Flexible travel points
    • Consumer and travel protections
    • Annual fee
    • Limited-time perks
    • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
    • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
    • Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
    • 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
    • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
    • Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
    • Member FDIC

At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates and 0% intro APR offers, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and purchase protections.

Our highest-rated credit cards have:

  • ​​High value through rewards or 0% intro APR offers
  • Attainable welcome bonuses that make up for any annual fees
  • Low annual fees or a balance transfer fee of 3%
  • Top perks such as purchase and travel protections, no foreign transaction fees, travel credits, and status upgrades

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.

Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.

At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates and 0% intro APR offers, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and purchase protections.

Our highest-rated credit cards have:

  • ​​High value through rewards or 0% intro APR offers
  • Attainable welcome bonuses that make up for any annual fees
  • Low annual fees or a balance transfer fee of 3%
  • Top perks such as purchase and travel protections, no foreign transaction fees, travel credits, and status upgrades

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.

Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.

What I like about Chase Sapphire Preferred

Solid rewards categories on everyday spending

This is one of our favorite travel cards. It gives you:

  • 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
  • 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
  • 2X points on all other travel
  • 1X points on other purchases

What makes this card even more appealing is that points are worth 1.25x their value when redeemed in the Chase Travel portal. So, 10,000 points equals $125 in travel -- maximizing your points when booking travel.

The 1.25x point value in the Chase portal is solid, and that's usually how I spend my points. But there's an even better way to squeeze all the value out of these points -- transferring to a Chase transfer partner.

Chase has over a dozen airline and hotel partners, and the transfer ratio is 1:1 with each one (sometimes even with bonus points). Once transferred, you can use points to book flights or hotel stays, giving you even more flexibility with your rewards.

Annual $50 hotel credit

This perk surprises me every year -- I go to the Chase Travel portal, book my hotels (thinking I'm just earning more points through there), and then bam! A $50 credit into my account. This is an annual perk that you can miss if you don't pay attention, but it's a nice little boost each year. Book a hotel through the portal and you'll automatically get the $50 credited back to your account -- it's that easy.

Annual hotel credit shown on account

Downsides you should consider

No luxury perks

While the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a solid travel card, it doesn't offer the exclusive luxury perks like airport lounge access that come with its older sibling, Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees). If you're looking for things like lounge access or higher-end benefits, you'll want to consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve instead. See how it compares and apply today.

High credit score requirements

This card requires you to have a good to excellent credit score (typically 670 or higher). In fact, that's the case for all the top Chase cards. That's not doable for everyone, making it hard to obtain if you don't already have good credit.

If that's the case for you, try a credit card for lower credit and build your score by paying off your balance on time, then try for this card later down the road. Be mindful of Chase's 5/24 rule, stating you can't get a Chase card if you've applied for more than five cards in the last 24 months. Pick one and stick to it, and then come back for this card when you can get approved.

No 0% introductory APR period

This card doesn't offer a 0% introductory APR period on purchases or balance transfers, which means it's not ideal if you're looking to pay off debt without paying interest for a few months. While this isn't uncommon for travel cards, it's something to keep in mind if you were hoping for a balance transfer option.

Who should consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred card?

If you love to travel, but keep a close eye on your budget, the Chase Sapphire Preferred could be your perfect match. It's not the ultra-premium Chase Sapphire Reserve® -- which caters to luxury seekers and frequent jet-setters -- but it's a solid, reliable travel companion that delivers great value without the hefty price tag.

This card is ideal for travelers who want to earn rewards on everyday spending, enjoy occasional perks, and don't mind paying a reasonable annual fee in exchange for big travel benefits. If that sounds like you, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is definitely worth considering.

Is it worth the annual fee?

In my experience, the $95 annual fee is absolutely worth it. Here's a simple way to look at it: the $50 hotel credit alone effectively brings the cost down to just $45. That means you only need 3,600 Chase points to break even (since 3,600 points at a 1.25x value in the Chase Travel portal equals $45).

That said, if an annual fee doesn't fit your budget, there are solid no-fee alternatives. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees), for example, is a fantastic cash back option that still keeps you in the Chase ecosystem -- just without the yearly cost. See how it compares and apply today.

How to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card

Applying for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a straightforward process, but there are a few things to keep in mind to maximize your qualifications:

1. Check your credit score

Before applying, make sure your credit score is at least 670, which is the minimum for most Chase cards. If your score is lower, you may want to focus on improving it first with other cards.

2. Gather your information

You'll need some basic personal and financial details, including:

  • Your Social Security number
  • Annual income
  • Employment status
  • Monthly housing payment (rent or mortgage)

3. Fill out the application

Click here to complete the online form. Be honest and accurate when providing your details to avoid any delays or issues with approval.

4. Wait for approval

Once you submit your application, Chase will review it. If you're approved, you should receive your card in the mail within seven to 10 business days. If you're not approved immediately, don't panic -- you may receive a decision in the form of a letter or be asked to provide additional documentation.

And that's it! Once you've got your Chase Sapphire Preferred in hand, you'll be ready to start earning travel rewards and enjoying all the perks the card has to offer.

Final thoughts

If you love to travel and want to get real value from your everyday spending, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is an excellent choice. For me, it's been a go-to card for years, and I'm confident I'll continue to use it for many more -- earning more free flights and travel rewards along the way.

Does this sound like the right fit for you? If so, apply today and start putting your everyday spending to work for your next adventure.

FAQs

  • Points are worth 1.25x their value when redeemed through the Chase Travel portal, so 10,000 points are equivalent to $125 in travel credits.

  • Yes, it's excellent for everyday purchases, offering 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries, plus 2X points on all other travel not purchased via Chase Travel.

  • No, the Chase Sapphire Preferred does not offer an introductory 0% APR on purchases or balance transfers, so it's not ideal for carrying a balance.