Card image for illustration only
| Annual Fee | $95 (not waived first year) |
| Purchase APR | 20.99%–27.99% variable |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None |
| Balance Transfer Fee | 5% or $5 minimum, whichever is greater |
| Cash Advance Fee | 5% or $10 minimum, whichever is greater |
* APR is variable and subject to change with the Prime Rate. Rates shown reflect current range as of June 16, 2026. Verify current terms at Chase.com before applying.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has held its position as the benchmark mid-tier travel card for a decade — and it still earns that title. The 60,000-point welcome bonus is straightforward: spend $4,000 in three months and collect points worth $750 through Chase Travel, or potentially more if you leverage transfer partners strategically. For a $95 annual fee, that's an immediate, substantial return.
The earning structure is genuinely useful. Three points per dollar on dining and streaming isn't a narrow, forgettable category — it's where most people actually spend money. Pair that with 5x on Chase portal travel and 2x on everything else travel-related, and you have a card that builds points across your real life, not just a theoretical ideal spending day. The 10% anniversary bonus is a quiet but meaningful perk that doesn't get enough attention: it rewards loyalty in a concrete, compounding way.
Where the Preferred falls short relative to premium competitors is in hard-dollar benefits. There's no lounge access, no annual travel credit, and no Global Entry fee reimbursement. These aren't surprises at $95 — but they're worth naming, particularly for travelers who've grown accustomed to the credit ecosystem on the Reserve. The insurance suite (trip cancellation, auto rental collision, baggage delay) is genuinely solid and delivers real value when you need it.
At $95 a year with a 60,000-point bonus and one of the strongest transfer partner networks in the US, the Chase Sapphire Preferred remains the best entry point into premium travel rewards — and the card most people should get first.
Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points 1:1 to these airline and hotel partners.