Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Why this is your pick
Ten consecutive years as the most-recommended travel card isn't a coincidence. 14 transfer partners at 1:1, 3x on dining, 2x on all travel, a 60,000-point sign-up bonus worth $750–1,800 depending on how you use it, and zero foreign transaction fees. No other card in this fee tier comes close.
Pros
- 14 airline/hotel transfer partners at 1:1 ratio
- 60,000-point sign-up bonus worth $750–$1,800+
- 3x points on dining, 2x on all travel
- No foreign transaction fees
- $50 annual hotel credit offsets most of the fee
- Best-in-class trip delay and cancellation insurance
Cons
- $95 annual fee (though easily justified)
- Chase 5/24 rule can block approval
- Lounge access requires expensive Reserve upgrade
Frequently asked questions
How much is 60,000 Chase Sapphire Preferred points actually worth?
It depends on how you use them. At minimum: $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel portal (1.25 cents/point). Transferred to United Airlines: potentially worth $900–1,200 for domestic round trips. Transferred to World of Hyatt: commonly worth $1,200–1,800 in hotel stays. Experienced travelers regularly get 2–3 cents per point, making the bonus worth $1,200–1,800 in free travel.
What are the most valuable Chase transfer partners?
United Airlines (domestic and international flights), World of Hyatt (luxury hotel stays — often the highest value), Southwest Airlines (domestic), British Airways Avios (short-haul international), and Air Canada Aeroplan (often has partner award availability when United doesn't). All transfer at 1:1 ratio.
Is the $95 annual fee worth it?
For most travelers, easily yes. The $50 annual Chase Travel hotel credit reduces the effective fee to $45. The 10% points bonus on your cardmember anniversary adds back roughly $60–80 in value depending on spending. Net effective fee: often negative for moderate spenders.
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Reserve — which should I get?
For most people, the Preferred. The Reserve's $550 annual fee offers more perks (lounge access, $300 travel credit, Priority Pass) but requires heavy travel spending to justify the cost. The Preferred is the better starting point — you can upgrade to Reserve once you're earning 100K+ points annually.
Can I get the sign-up bonus if I've had a Chase card before?
You must not have received a bonus for Chase Sapphire Preferred OR Reserve in the previous 48 months. Also, the Chase 5/24 rule applies — if you've opened 5+ new credit card accounts in the past 24 months, Chase will typically deny the application regardless of credit score.