THIS IS WHY I LOVE THE CHASE SAPPHIRE PREFERRED
- Jun 30
- 2 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
I've carried a lot of cards over the years, but the Chase Sapphire Preferred is still the one I recommend first to anyone getting serious about points and travel. Here's why it earns a permanent spot in my wallet.
The fee is low, the bonus is huge. The Preferred carries a $95 annual fee, genuinely one of the smallest asks in the premium travel card world, and right now new cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months. That's the biggest welcome offer this card has had in years, and it alone is worth several hundred dollars in travel when redeemed right.
Everyday spending actually earns real rewards. You get 3x points on dining, online groceries, select streaming services, and now gas, EV charging, and vacation home rentals (think Airbnb and Vrbo) too. Plus 5x on travel booked through Chase Travel. This isn't a card you have to plan around; it just rewards the spending you're already doing.
The perks quietly pay for themselves. Every account anniversary you get a $100 Chase Travel Hotel Credit (recently doubled from $50), plus up to $120 in credit toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS every four years. Chase also threw in a complimentary one-year Apple TV+ subscription if you activate by the end of 2026. Stack those up and the $95 fee practically disappears.
Points that transfer to real travel. Ultimate Rewards points transfer to airline and hotel partners like United, Southwest, Hyatt, and more, or you can redeem through Chase Travel for 25% more value. That flexibility is the whole reason serious points people start here.
One thing worth flagging: Chase recently dropped the 10% anniversary points bonus for new cardholders and adjusted the Hyatt transfer ratio, so it's not a completely uncomplicated story, but for a $95 card, the Preferred is still, in my opinion, the best entry point into the points and travel world.
Disclosure: I may earn a commission if you apply through a link on this site. All opinions are my own.
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