Chase Sapphire Preferred Review (2026): Full Benefits, Credits, Points, Protections & Best Uses

credit card review

Jan 3

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is one of the strongest “first real travel card” options because it combines:

A low annual fee
Flexible points you can use in multiple ways
Unusually good travel protections for a mid-tier card.

It’s also the card that unlocks the best version of Chase points: the ability to transfer your points to airline and hotel programs at a 1:1 rate, which is what makes “cheap business class” redemptions actually possible.

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Quick Facts

Annual fee: $95
Foreign transaction fees: None (so it’s great for international travel).
Current welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months. (Offers can change, but this is what Chase is publicly advertising right now.)
Key annual perk: Up to $50 Annual Chase Travel℠ Hotel Credit (statement credits on hotel bookings made through Chase Travel).

View the current welcome bonus for the Chase Sapphire Preferred here:

👉 Chase Sapphire Preferred Offer

Who This Card Is Best For

This card is a great fit if you want:

• One “anchor” travel card that works long-term (not a one-hit wonder).
• The ability to redeem points for travel or transfer to airlines/hotels for outsized value.
• Solid travel protection benefits without paying a premium-card annual fee.
• A simple setup that still has real upside.

This card may NOT be the best fit if:

• You want airport lounge access included (this card doesn’t have it).
• You only ever redeem points as cash back (you can, but you’ll usually get better value using points for travel).
• You’re deep into a different points ecosystem already and won’t use Chase transfer partners.

How You Earn Points (Full Breakdown)

Here’s what you earn with the Sapphire Preferred:

5X points

5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
Important: hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit do not earn points.

3X points

3x points on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services)
3x points on online grocery purchases
Chase explicitly excludes Target®, Walmart®, and wholesale clubs from “online grocery.”
3x points on select streaming services

2X points

2x points on all other travel purchases (travel not booked through Chase Travel).

1X point

1x point on everything else.

The Built-In Annual Boost: 10% Anniversary Points Bonus

Every account anniversary, Chase gives you bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases from the previous year (calculated at 1 point per $1 spent, then you get 10% of that back).

Example:
If you spend $25,000 total on the card in a year, you’ll earn an extra 2,500 points at your anniversary.

This is one of those benefits people forget exists, but it meaningfully adds to your return over time.

The $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit

Chase gives you up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel.

Key details that matter:
• The credit applies to hotel purchases made through Chase Travel, not hotels booked directly with the hotel.
• The first $50 of qualifying hotel purchases each year is essentially “rebated,” and Chase’s own terms indicate purchases that qualify for that credit don’t earn points.
• Expect the statement credit to post after the purchase posts.

Bottom line: If you use this credit once per year, it effectively drops the net annual fee for many people.

Points Boost (Chase Travel Portal Value Isn’t a Simple “1.25x” Anymore)

Historically, Chase had a simple “fixed uplift” concept (like 1.25¢/point in the portal on the Preferred). In 2025, Chase rolled out Points Boost, a newer portal feature where boosted value can vary based on the booking and the card that you have.

My practical advice:
If you’re booking simple domestic economy flights or basic hotels, it’s still smart to compare portal points price vs. transferring points to a partner vs. paying cash.

This is exactly how you avoid mediocre redemptions.

Transfer Partners

Chase Ultimate rewards points transfer 1:1 to several different airline and hotel programs.

Hotel partners (1:1)

• World of Hyatt
• Marriott Bonvoy
• IHG Rewards Club

Partner Benefits

DoorDash DashPass + monthly promo (through 12/31/2027)

When you hold the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you are eligible for a complimentary DashPass membership (at least 12 months when activated by 12/31/2027).

While enrolled in DashPass, you also get a $10 promo each month (up to $120 annually) that can be used on groceries, retail orders, and more through 12/31/2027.

Lyft (through 9/30/2027)

Earn 5x total points on qualifying Lyft rides booked through the Lyft app through 09/30/2027.

Peloton (through 12/31/2027)

Earn 5x total points on eligible Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $150, on up to $5,000 in purchases, through 12/31/2027.

If you’d like to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can view the current welcome offer and apply here.

👉 Chase Sapphire Preferred Application

Travel Protections (This Is a Huge Reason People Keep This Card)

Chase includes a strong set of protections on the Sapphire Preferred. Here are the key ones:

Trip Cancellation / Trip Interruption Insurance

If your trip is canceled or cut short by covered reasons (like sickness or severe weather), Chase lists reimbursement up to:

$10,000 per covered traveler
$20,000 per trip
for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses like fares, tours, and hotels.

Trip Delay Reimbursement

If your common carrier is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, you can be reimbursed for reasonable expenses (meals, lodging, toiletries, medication).

Up to $500 per covered traveler per trip
Covered reasons include things like equipment failure, inclement weather, strike, or hijacking/skyjacking.

Baggage Delay Insurance

If your baggage is delayed more than 6 hours, you can be reimbursed for essentials like toiletries and clothes.

Up to $100 per day for up to 5 days

Lost Luggage Reimbursement

If checked or carry-on baggage is lost, damaged, or stolen, this benefit reimburses you for the difference between actual cash value and any carrier reimbursement.

Up to $3,000 per covered traveler per trip

Primary Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

If you decline the rental company’s collision coverage and charge the rental to the card:

Coverage is primary and provides reimbursement up to $60,000 for theft and collision damage for most vehicles with MSRP $125,000 or less.

Travel Accident Insurance

This is separate from trip delay/cancellation and covers certain losses from an accident while traveling.

24-hour travel accident: $100,000 maximum benefit
Common carrier travel accident: $500,000 maximum benefit

Travel & Emergency Assistance Services

Provides medical/legal referrals and other assistance services while traveling (you pay for the goods/services, but access and coordination can be valuable in a pinch).

Purchase Protections (Not Travel, But Still Valuable)

Purchase Protection

Eligible new purchases are covered for 120 days against damage or theft:

Up to $500 per item (Full exclusions and claim requirements apply)

Pros and Cons

What I love

Low annual fee for the value provided.
Strong travel protections for a mid-tier card (trip delay, primary rental coverage, baggage protections).
Transfer partners are excellent, especially the hotel side.
Easy-to-use credits and partner perks that can offset the annual fee if you actually activate them.

Downsides to know

No lounge access.
The best “portal value” isn’t a simple fixed math equation anymore (Points Boost varies by booking).
Online grocery is “online orders,” not every grocery purchase, and major merchants are excluded.

My Recommendation

If you want a card that can take you from “I just want free travel” to “I want to book real award flights and hotel stays,” the Sapphire Preferred is one of the most beginner-friendly ways to start without paying premium-card pricing.

If you think the Chase Sapphire Preferred might be a good fit, you can view the current welcome offer and apply here.