Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Review 2026

Who is this card for?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is ideally suited for consumers who travel occasionally (1-3 trips per year), dine out frequently, and want to learn the ropes of flexible travel rewards without committing to a massive annual fee. It strikes an excellent balance between premium point-transfer capabilities and a highly accessible $95 price point.

Pros

Earn 3x points on dining, select streaming, and online groceries
Earn 2x points on all travel purchases
Points are worth 25% more when redeemed through the Chase portal
$50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit
Incredible travel delay and baggage insurance

Cons

No premium perks like airport lounge access
$95 annual fee is not waived the first year
Subject strictly to Chase's 5/24 rule for approval

The Estimated Annual Value Breakdown

If you spend an average of $500 monthly on groceries (ordered online) and dining, plus $2,000 annually on travel, you'll earn roughly 22,000 points per year natively. Added to the $50 hotel credit, you hit around $325 in baseline value. Subtract the $95 fee, and you clear $230 in net value—and that completely ignores the massive sign-up bonus.

Common Questions

Yes, it is often considered the gold standard for travel rewards beginners due to its reasonable $95 annual fee, highly flexible Ultimate Rewards points, and straightforward multipliers.

You typically need a Good to Excellent credit score (generally 670+). Chase is also strict about the 5/24 rule.