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Review · Terms verified 2026-10-22

Chase Sapphire Preferred review

Verified Oct 22, 2026

The classic travel-rewards card: transferable points, strong travel multipliers, and annual credits offsetting the $95 fee.

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Unpack Money score: 88/100

Chase Sapphire Preferred card art

The Sapphire Preferred remains the default recommendation in travel cards: a 75,000-point welcome bonus after $5,000 in 3 months, transferable Ultimate Rewards points, 5X on Chase Travel and 3X on dining — for a $95 annual fee with no foreign transaction fees.

What keeps it on top isn't any single feature, it's the absence of traps. The $100 annual Chase Travel hotel credit is easy to use, the points transfer to a deep bench of airline and hotel partners, and the fee is low enough that moderate travelers come out ahead. Against the Reserve's $795, this is the card for people who travel several times a year rather than monthly.

It won't impress lounge rats (no lounge access) and the 3X dining rate now trails the Amex Gold's 4X. But as an all-rounder that most travelers will actually profit from, it's the safest pick on this page.

What we like

  • 75,000-point welcome bonus
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • $100 hotel credit + $120 Global Entry credit

Watch out for

  • $95 annual fee
  • No intro APR
  • High APR range if you carry a balance

FAQs

What rewards does it earn?
5x on Chase Travel purchases; 3x on dining, gas and EV charging, vacation homes, online groceries, and streaming; and 2x on other travel, per Chase's official card page.
What is the annual fee?
$95, verified on Chase's official Sapphire page.
What is the current welcome offer?
At verification: 75,000 points after $5,000 in purchases in the first 3 months, plus a $100 annual Chase Travel hotel credit and a $120 Global Entry/PreCheck/nexus credit. Welcome offers change — confirm the current one on Chase's site before applying.

Sources

Every term on this page was verified against the provider's official website on 2026-10-22. We never use aggregator sites as sources.

View current terms on the official site

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