Chase Sapphire Preferred Review (2025): Benefits, Rewards & Value
A mid-tier travel card with excellent transfer partners and valuable travel protections.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Guide
A mid-tier travel card with excellent transfer partners and valuable travel protections.
ANNUAL FEE
$95
WELCOME BONUS
60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in 3 months
POINTS VALUE
1.25¢ per point through Chase Travel Portal
TRANSFER PARTNERS
14
Transfer Partners
| Transfer Partner | Transfer Ratio | Transfer Time | Transfer Bonuses |
|---|---|---|---|
| United MileagePlus | 1:1 | Instant | Rare transfer bonuses |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards | 1:1 | Instant | No recent transfer bonuses |
| British Airways Executive Club | 1:1 | Instant | Occasional 30% transfer bonuses |
| Air France-KLM Flying Blue | 1:1 | Instant | Rare transfer bonuses |
| World of Hyatt | 1:1 | Instant | No recent transfer bonuses |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 1:1 | Instant | No recent transfer bonuses |
Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Worth the $95 Annual Fee?
Ideal For:
- Travel enthusiasts looking for flexible rewards
- Diners who want to maximize points on restaurant spending
- Those seeking travel insurance and protections
- People who value transferring points to airline and hotel partners
- Travelers who want premium benefits without a high annual fee
Not Ideal For:
- High-volume travelers who would benefit from lounge access
- People who rarely travel internationally
- Those who prefer simple cash back with no annual fee
- Very frequent travelers who might get more value from the Sapphire Reserve
Value Calculation Example
Here's a conservative estimate of annual value for a typical cardholder who uses most, but not all benefits:
| Benefit | Face Value | Realistic Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Bonus | $750 | $750 | When used for travel through Chase portal (1.25¢ per point) |
| Annual Hotel Credit | $50 | $50 | Easy to use on virtually any hotel booking through Chase Travel |
| 10% Anniversary Points Bonus | $30+ | $30 | Based on $20,000 annual spend (2,000 bonus points) |
| Primary Rental Car Insurance | $75+ | $75 | Savings on rental insurance for 1-2 rentals per year |
| Trip Delay/Cancellation Insurance | $100+ | $50 | Value depends on travel frequency and disruption likelihood |
| Enhanced Redemption Value | $50+ | $50 | 25% boost when redeeming through Chase Travel Portal |
| Annual Fee | -$95 | -$95 | Yearly cost |
| TOTAL VALUE | $1,055+ | $1,005 | +$910 over annual fee |
First year value includes the welcome bonus. Subsequent years would provide approximately $255 in value, still well above the $95 annual fee. Transfer partner redemptions can potentially provide even greater value than estimated here.
How to Earn Points
3X on Dining
Earn 3X points on dining worldwide, including restaurants, delivery services, and takeout.
3X on Online Groceries
Earn 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs).
2X on Travel
Earn 2X points on travel including flights, hotels, car rentals, trains, and more.
5X on Lyft
Earn 5X total points on Lyft rides through March 2025.
Sweet Spot Redemptions
| Route/Redemption | Points Required | Transfer Partner | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. to Hawaii in Economy | 24,000-30,000 points round-trip | Singapore KrisFlyer (for United flights) | Transfer UR points to Singapore KrisFlyer to book United flights to Hawaii for fewer points than booking directly through United. |
| Short-haul American Airlines flights | 7,500-13,000 points one-way | British Airways Avios | BA's distance-based award chart offers great value for short AA flights, often costing half what AA would charge. |
| Luxury Hyatt Stays | 5,000-40,000 points per night | World of Hyatt | One of the best uses of UR points, with top-tier properties starting at just 40,000 points per night. |
Advanced Tips & Tricks
Pro Insider Tips
Combine with Freedom Cards
Pair with the Chase Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited to earn more Ultimate Rewards points, then transfer them to your Sapphire Preferred for better redemption options.
Use Pay Yourself Back
Redeem points at 1.25¢ each toward statement credits for select categories with the Pay Yourself Back feature.
Maximize Travel Insurance
Book travel with this card to get trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary rental car coverage, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Chase Sapphire Preferred compare to the Reserve?
The Preferred has a lower annual fee ($95 vs $550) but offers fewer premium benefits. The Preferred offers 1.25¢ per point through the portal versus 1.5¢ with the Reserve. It's ideal for occasional travelers who want good value without a high annual fee.
Can I upgrade to the Sapphire Reserve later?
Yes, Chase allows upgrades between Sapphire cards after you've held the card for at least one year, subject to approval and credit limit requirements.
What's the 10% anniversary point bonus?
On each account anniversary, you'll receive bonus points equal to 10% of the total purchases you made in the previous year. For example, if you spent $20,000, you'll get 2,000 bonus points.
Ready to Apply?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers exceptional travel benefits and rewards that make it a valuable addition to your wallet. A mid-tier travel card with excellent transfer partners and valuable travel protections.