Chase Sapphire Preferred: A Travel Credit Card

When it comes to credit cards, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by flashy advertisements Chase , sky-high annual fees, and confusing points systems.

But amid all the noise, one card has consistently stood out as a solid choice for both beginners and seasoned travelers: the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

This card doesn’t try to dazzle you with elite perks or lounge access.

Instead, it focuses on value, simplicity, and flexibility.

For many, it’s the first step into the world of travel rewards—and for good reason.

With its well-balanced benefits, reasonable annual fee, and strong points-earning potential, it remains one of the most recommended cards in the travel credit card world.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at why the Chase Sapphire Preferred continues to shine, who it’s best for, and how to get the most out of it.

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A Strong Foundation: The Basics of the Chase Sapphire Preferred

Let’s start with what the card offers at a glance:

• Points earning through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Bonus categories like travel, dining, and online grocery purchases
• Travel protection that adds real value
• A modest annual fee of $95
• One of the best sign-up bonuses in the industry

These features make it one of the most well-rounded travel cards on the market.

It’s not trying to be everything to everyone—but what it does, it does very well.

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Earning Points: Everyday Spending That Actually Rewards You

One of the best things about the Chase Sapphire Preferred is its generous earning structure.

Here’s how you rack up points:

• 5x points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• 3x points on dining (including delivery services), streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs)
• 2x points on all other travel purchases
• 1x point on everything else

These categories align with real life. If you enjoy dining out, ordering takeout, or traveling (even just once or twice a year), your spending will quickly translate into valuable points.

You don’t need to memorize a dozen rotating categories or activate anything each quarter.

It’s straightforward.

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The Welcome Bonus: A Head Start for Your Travel Goals

One of the highlights of the Chase Sapphire Preferred is its generous sign-up bonus.

While the exact offer can vary, it typically gives you a large number of points after you spend a certain amount in the first few months.

This bonus alone can be worth several hundred dollars in travel—more than enough to cover a round-trip domestic flight or several nights in a hotel.

It’s a powerful way to get value early on and see the potential of the Ultimate Rewards program.

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Redeeming Points: Flexibility Is King

Points are only as good as your ability to use them.

That’s where Chase Ultimate Rewards shines.

When you redeem your points for travel through the Chase travel portal, your points are worth 25% more.

That means 60,000 points become $750 toward travel—a straightforward, easy-to-understand boost in value.

But the real magic happens when you transfer your points to one of Chase’s many travel partners.

These include popular airline and hotel programs like United, Southwest, Hyatt, and more.

When you transfer points strategically, you can often get even more value—sometimes 2 cents per point or more.

For example, transferring 25,000 points to Hyatt might get you two nights at a four-star hotel.

The same number of points might barely cover a single night at the same property if booked with cash.

That’s why so many savvy travelers choose Chase.

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Built-In Travel Protections Chase: Real Perks, Not Just Marketing

A lot of credit cards throw around the term “travel benefits,” but Chase backs it up with actual protections that can save you money and hassle.

Here’s what you get:

• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance (up to $10,000 per person)
• Auto rental collision damage waiver (primary coverage)
• Baggage delay insurance
• Trip delay reimbursement
• Travel accident insurance

These aren’t perks you use every day, but when something goes wrong on a trip—delayed flights, canceled plans, lost bags—they can make a huge difference.

You don’t have to pay extra or opt in. These protections are just part of being a cardholder.

Travel and Beyond Chase: Everyday Value

Even if you’re not traveling every month, the Chase Sapphire Preferred holds its value through everyday spending.

Dining, streaming, and online groceries are part of daily life for many people—and earning bonus points in these areas means your points build steadily over time.

Plus, there’s a $50 annual credit for hotel bookings made through Chase’s travel portal.

This small perk effectively reduces your annual fee, especially if you book even just one night per year through the platform.

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