Are you looking for a credit card that gives you excellent travel rewards, dining perks, and flexible points? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular travel cards in the U.S., offering benefits that can make your trips more affordable and enjoyable. In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about this card in simple English.

What Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a travel rewards credit card issued by JPMorgan Chase. It’s designed for travelers, diners, and anyone who wants to earn points they can redeem for trips, hotels, flights, and experiences.

Why it’s popular in 2026:

• Mid-tier annual fee compared to premium cards
• Flexible points system for travel or cash back
• No foreign transaction fees for international travelers

Annual Fee & Costs

• Annual fee: $95
• APR: Variable (avoid paying interest by clearing balance monthly)
• Foreign transaction fees: None

The $95 annual fee can be easily offset by travel rewards, points, and annual perks.

Welcome Bonus

Start your journey with a huge points boost:

• Earn 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months.
• These points can cover a round-trip flight, hotel stays, or other travel experiences.

How You Earn Points

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card helps you earn points on every purchase:

Tip: Use your card for big travel and dining expenses to maximize points.

Redeeming Points

You can redeem points in several ways:

1. Travel Through Chase Portal

• Points can be worth 1.5x more on flights and hotels booked via Chase Travel℠

2. Transfer to Travel Partners

• Transfer points 1:1 to airlines & hotels like United MileagePlus®, World of Hyatt®
• Often gives more value than using points directly

3. Cash Back & Gift Cards

• Redeem for cash back, statement credits, Amazon purchases, or gift cards
• Usually lower value than travel redemptions

Annual Bonus & Perks

• Anniversary points: Earn 10% of your yearly purchases in bonus points
• Hotel statement credit: Up to $50 each year on hotel bookings via Chase Travel
• Travel protections: Trip cancellation, lost luggage, primary rental coverage, trip delay reimbursement, purchase protection

These perks help you travel smarter and safer.

Pros of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

• Large welcome bonus (75,000 points)
• High points for travel and dining
• Flexible redemption options
• Travel and purchase protections
• Low annual fee for a travel card
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons to Consider

• 1 point per $1 on non-bonus purchases
• Points Boost only applies to select bookings
• No airport lounge access
• No TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit

Tips to Maximize Value

1. Pay your balance in full every month
2. Use for travel, dining, and streaming purchases
3. Transfer points to airline and hotel partners for best value
4. Look for Points Boost deals in the Chase Travel portal
5. Use annual hotel credit to offset fees

Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Worth It?

If you travel frequently or dine out regularly, this card is a great choice. Even if you travel occasionally, the welcome bonus and travel protections make it worthwhile.

For people who rarely travel, a simple cash-back card may be a better option. The key is to match the card to your spending habits.

Conclusion

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card continues to be a top choice for travelers and rewards seekers in 2026. With a low annual fee, high-value points, travel protections, and flexible redemption options, it offers real value for both casual and frequent travelers.