Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers strong travel and dining rewards, a large welcome bonus, flexible point redemptions, and solid travel protections for a reasonable annual fee.
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Generous Welcome Bonus
Earn a substantial number of bonus points after meeting the minimum spending requirement in the first 3 months.
Premium Travel and Dining Rewards
Earn high points per dollar spent on travel and dining purchases, especially when booking through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Flexible Point Redemption
Points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.
Comprehensive Travel Protections
Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary rental car insurance, and no foreign transaction fees.
Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Stands Out
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card is a go-to option for frequent travelers and foodies alike. With an impressive sign-up bonus—often upwards of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months—you’re essentially unlocking hundreds of dollars in travel value right off the bat. Those points are worth 25% more when redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, making your bonus even more powerful. Cardholders earn 2x points on travel and dining purchases, and an even higher rate—up to 5x points—on specific travel categories when booked through the Chase portal. This is a major draw for anyone who regularly dines out, books flights, stays in hotels, or rents cars. Chase’s point transfer program is also stellar. You can transfer your points to over a dozen airline and hotel loyalty programs at a 1:1 ratio, including United, Southwest, Hyatt, and Marriott. This flexibility allows savvy travelers to squeeze even more value out of their rewards. Other perks include built-in travel protections such as trip cancellation insurance, baggage delay reimbursement, and primary auto rental coverage. There’s also no foreign transaction fee, making this card ideal for international use. With an annual fee of just $95, the value proposition is clear: the benefits far outweigh the cost for most users.
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What credit score do I need to get approved for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card?
You typically need a credit score of at least 690 to be approved, though applicants with scores above 720 have the best chances. Other factors such as income, credit utilization, and overall credit history are also considered.
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How much is the welcome bonus worth?
The welcome bonus is often 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. When redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, that’s worth $750 toward travel. The exact value can increase even more if you transfer points to airline or hotel partners.
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Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® worth the $95 annual fee?
Yes, for most users. The travel and dining rewards, sign-up bonus, travel protections, and point redemption flexibility typically provide value well beyond the $95 annual fee—especially for frequent travelers and those who dine out often.
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Can I have both the Chase Sapphire Preferred® and Chase Sapphire Reserve®?
No, Chase does not allow cardholders to hold both Sapphire Preferred® and Sapphire Reserve® simultaneously. You must choose one or the other, though you can product-change between the two after holding one for a year.
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How do I redeem my points for the best value?
For maximum value, redeem your points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal where points are worth 25% more. Alternatively, transferring your points to Chase’s travel partners—such as United, Hyatt, or Southwest—can often yield even higher returns when booking award travel.
How to Apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card
Applying for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card is a straightforward process, but there are a few key things to know before you begin. First, it’s important to have a good to excellent credit score—typically 690 or higher—to be approved. Chase also considers your income, existing debt levels, and recent credit activity. You can apply online through Chase’s official website. The application requires basic personal information, including your Social Security number, address, and income. Chase will conduct a hard credit pull to evaluate your creditworthiness, which may temporarily affect your credit score. One important rule to consider is Chase’s 5/24 rule. If you’ve opened five or more personal credit cards (from any issuer) in the past 24 months, your application will likely be denied. Be sure to review your credit history and make sure you're under this threshold before applying. After submitting your application, most users receive an instant decision. If additional review is needed, you may be notified by mail or email within a few days. Once approved, you’ll typically receive your card in 7–10 business days. To maximize your chances of approval, ensure your credit profile is clean, avoid multiple recent inquiries, and pay down existing credit balances. Once you receive your card, make a plan to meet the sign-up bonus requirement without overspending—using the card for everyday purchases like groceries, dining, and bills is an effective way to do this.