The ultimate guide to the chase sapphire preferred card

Chase Sapphire Preferred Annual Fee, Requirements,Benefits & Sign Up Bonus Info

everything you need to know about the chase sapphire preferred card in 2025

Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of THE best starter credit cards, and it's a great way to start earning rewards while continuing to build up your credit score. Whether you're looking for cash back or to earn points and later redeem them for cheaper travel, Chase does a phenomenal job making this card easy to use and well worth the annual fee. Ready to learn more about if this card is right for you? Below I've put together a comprehensive guide so you can make an informed decision when it comes to getting the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and using it the right way.

What Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a personal travel rewards credit card that offers points on purchases like dining and travel, as well as numerous other great benefits. While it is not considered a premium card like its counterpart the Chase Sapphire Reserve, it is an exceptional credit card for those who are looking to start earning real rewards on their purchases. It's also considered to be more of an entry level card so it's perfect for people who want to start getting into the world of points without making it too complicated.

What Is the Annual Fee for the chase sapphire preferred car?

The current annual fee for the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card is $95 per year. This annual fee is billed around your cardmember anniversary date, which is usually the same month that you card was opened. The fee is added to your purchase balance and is included on your monthly statement, so you'll be able to see it when looking at your purchase history in the app or on your paper monthly statement.

WHO IS THE CHASE SAPPHIRE PREFERRED CARD GOOD FOR?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is best for travelers or anyone looking to get started with points and miles. If you love exploring new places—whether that’s a weekend getaway in Connecticut or a big trip to Italy, Bali, or Turkey—this card gives you bonus points on travel, dining, and more. It's also a great choice if you want to start earning points but you aren't ready to pay a hefty fee that cards like the Capitol One Venture X, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Amex Platinum charge.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS FOR GETTING THE CHASE SAPPHIRE PREFERRED CARD

To be eligible for the Chase Sapphire Preferred, applicants typically need to meet the following requirements:

Be at least 18 years old 

Have a valid U.S. mailing address.

Provide a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

Hold a good to excellent credit score (usually 700+).

Fall under Chase’s 5/24 rule (fewer than 5 new personal credit cards opened in the past 24 months).

Not currently hold a Chase Sapphire Reserve® card or have received a new cardmember bonus for any Sapphire card within the last 48 months.

How Does the chase sapphire preferred card work?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred works by rewarding you with Chase Ultimate Rewards® points every time you use it. You’ll earn bonus points on travel, dining, online groceries, and select streaming services, while everyday purchases earn 1 point per dollar. Those points can then be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, or—most valuable—transferred to airline and hotel partners for free flights and stays. By paying off your balance in full each month, you avoid high interest charges (which are typically between 24.99% to 29.99% on credit cards like these) and can then maximize your point rewards.

what is the current sign-up bonus for the chase sapphire preferred?

The current sign-up bonus in 2025 is 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on the card within the first three months of opening up your account. You may be targeted in your email or your home mail box with higher targeted offers but this is the best current online offer. It's also helpful to know that Chase hazs never offered more than 100,000 points as a sign up bonus for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, and in the last five years Chase has only offered that specific offer in 2021 and for a short time in early 2025. To sign up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and get the current 75,000 offer, click here.

the best ways to earn points with the chase sapphire preferred card

The best way to earn as many Ultimate Reward points using your Chase Sapphire Preferred card is to use it for travel purchases, which earn 2x points, and dining, which also earns 3x points at restaurants, cafés, and eligible delivery services. You can also take advantage of bonus categories like online groceries and select streaming services, which earn 2x points. Beyond everyday purchases, you can boost your balance by shopping through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® shopping portal, referring friends for extra points (usually 10k to 15k per referred friend), and adding an authorized user to earn rewards on their spending too. By combining these strategies, you can quickly grow your points balance and turn everyday purchases into flights, hotel stays, and once-in-a-lifetime trips.

airline & hotel transfer partners for chase sapphire preferred

One of the most unique things about the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is its travel partners. Travel partners are significant when it comes to maximizing this card because the Chase card often has transfer deals where the cardholder can transfer their points to a partner reward program and earn even more. Below outlines each of the current airline and hotel partners that work with Chase Sapphire Preferred:

Aer Lingus 

Air Canada 

British Airways

Emirates

Air France KLM 

Iberia Club 

Jet Blue

Singapore Airlines

Southwest

United Airlines

Virgin Atlantic

IHG Hotels & Resorts

Marriott Bonvoy®

Hyatt

ALTERNATIVES TO THE CHASE SAPPHIRE PREFERRED CARD

While there are countless credit cards out there that offer great benefits, some cards that are considered comparable to the Chase Sapphire Preferred's reward system and annual fee include:

Capitol One Venture

Citi Strata Premier

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

TIPS FOR USING THE CHASE SAPPHIRE PREFERRED CARD

If you want to get the most out of your Chase Sapphire Preferred, a few simple strategies can really boost your rewards and savings right from the start:

Hit the sign-up bonus early → Plan a big purchase or pay regular bills with the card soon after approval to reach the minimum spend and unlock the welcome bonus. You can even just put a lot of dinners with your friend group or outings on your card and have everyone Venmo you, so then you're meeting the spending limit without spending thousands yourself. 

Prioritize bonus categories → Always use your Sapphire Preferred when paying for travel bookings, dining, and eligible streaming services because they earn extra points compared to everyday spending categories. 

Use transfer partners strategically → Transferring points to airlines like United, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, or to hotels like Hyatt can unlock outsized value, especially if done during transfer bonuses.

Stack rewards when possible → Pair your Sapphire Preferred with cards like Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Chase Freedom Flex℠ to combine points, then move them into your Sapphire account for better redemption rates.

Keep your account in good standing → Always pay on time and pay your monthly statement balance in full to avoid high interest charges.

Don’t forget the annual $50 hotel credit → As of 2025, you’ll automatically earn statement credits for hotel stays booked through the Chase Travel portal.

Ready to Travel Smarter? Subscribe & Explore More

As someone who’s explored 17 countries and shared those experiences on The Traveling Twin, I can honestly say that the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most useful tools for turning everyday spending into unforgettable adventures. From booking flights to Europe with points, to saving on New England getaways, this card makes travel more affordable and exciting. I’ll be sharing my favorite credit card hacks, destination guides, and weekly video diaries in my newsletter—so if you want insider tips and fresh travel inspiration in your inbox every Thursday, be sure to subscribe below. And don’t forget to scroll down for more of my latest credit card and travel blog posts!

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You Ask & I Answer

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits changing?

    Per current official information, no major benefits have changed in 2025. Chase occasionally adjusts bonus categories or partner rates, so it's worth checking their website each year.

  • Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred card metal?

    No, the card uses a durable plastic design—not metal like the Sapphire Reserve.

  • Can Chase Sapphire Preferred be upgraded to the Sapphire Reserve?

    Yes, you can request an upgrade from Chase. Be aware that this may disallow a new sign-up bonus for the Reserve.

  • When does the Chase Sapphire Preferred 100k bonus end?

    Chase does not typically publish official end dates for its bonus offers. Currently though, the 100k offer ended on May 15, 2025 and there is no telling when it will be back. The last time this offer was available before the 2025 stint was in 2021. 

  • Why is the Chase Sapphire Preferred so popular?

    Because it strikes an ideal balance: substantial points value, no foreign transaction fees, flexible redemption, travel protections, and a manageable fee.

  • Which streaming services come with the Chase Sapphire Preferred?

    No streaming services "come with" the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. The 2× points category though does includes participating streaming services—but not all are automatically enrolled. Eligible ones can change; check Chase’s site “bonus categories” list for current options.

  • Will Chase Sapphire Preferred increase their annual fee?

    Possibly—but any increase will be announced well ahead of time. Historically, the card has remained at $95 for several years.