Chase Sapphire Preferred® Review 2026
Independent analysis. We compare products on rates, fees, and features — not who pays us more.
Rates current as of April 8, 2026. Always verify rates on the issuer’s website before applying.
Quick Answer
Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best entry-level travel rewards card for most people in 2026. Annual fee: $95. Sign-up bonus: 75,000 points after $5,000 spend in 3 months ($937.50 toward Chase Travel). Rewards: 5x Chase Travel, 3x dining/streaming/online groceries, 2x other travel. APR: 19.24%–27.49% Variable. Best for: travelers who want transferable points (United, Hyatt, Southwest, British Airways, and 10+ others) with a reasonable annual fee. Not ideal for: cash-back-only users or non-travelers who won’t use points.
Apply Now →At a Glance
| # | Card / Product | Award | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | APR Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Best Overall | $95 | 5x Chase Travel; 3x dining, streaming, online groceries; 2x other travel; 1x everywhere else | 19.24%–27.49% Variable | Apply → |
| 2 | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Also Excellent | $795 ($495 effective after $300 travel credit; increased from $550 in 2025) | 10x Chase Travel hotels/car rentals; 5x Chase Travel flights; 3x dining and other travel; 1x everywhere else | 21.49%–28.49% Variable (verify at chase.com) | Apply → |
| 3 | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | Best Value | $395 (~-$5 effective after $300 travel credit + $100 anniversary miles) | 10x hotels/cars via Capital One Travel; 5x flights/vacation rentals via Capital One Travel; 2x on everything else | 19.49%–28.49% Variable | Apply → |
| 4 | American Express® Gold Card | Worth Considering | $325 | 4x at restaurants worldwide (up to $50k/year); 4x at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25k/year); 3x on direct airline bookings; 1x everywhere else | See rates at americanexpress.com | Apply → |
Our Top Pick
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
$95
Annual Fee
5x Chase Travel; 3x dining, streaming, online groceries; 2x other travel; 1x eve
Rewards Rate
“5x Chase Travel, 3x dining/streaming/online grocery, 75K bonus, $95 annual fee, primary rental car coverage — best $95 travel card.”
APR Range19.24%–27.49% Variable
Credit ScoreGood to Excellent (690+)
Sign-Up Bonus: 75,000 points after $5,000 in purchases in first 3 months. Worth $937.50 toward Chase Travel. Terms apply. (Terms apply)
What we like
- $95 annual fee — $300 less than Venture X gross fee ($395)
- 1:1 transfer to Hyatt (best hotel points program), United, and Southwest — not available via Capital One
- 3x on dining and online groceries — strong everyday earning for non-travel spend
- 75,000-point bonus ($937.50 toward Chase Travel) after $5,000 spend in 3 months
Watch out for
- No lounge access (major Venture X advantage for frequent flyers)
- 1x on general purchases (vs. Venture X’s 2x) — earns half as many miles on non-bonus spending
- 5x only on Chase Travel bookings (direct bookings earn 2x)
5x Chase Travel, 3x dining/streaming/online grocery, 75K bonus, $95 annual fee, primary rental car coverage — best $95 travel card.
Apply Now →
Rates as of April 8, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
Also Excellent
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
$795 ($495 effective after $300 travel credit; increased from $550 in 2025)
Annual Fee
10x Chase Travel hotels/car rentals; 5x Chase Travel flights; 3x dining and othe
Rewards Rate
“$795 fee minus $300 travel credit = $495 effective (fee increased 2026), Priority Pass lounges, 1.5cpp redemption, 10x hotels/cars via Chase Travel.”
APR Range21.49%–28.49% Variable (verify at chase.com)
Credit ScoreExcellent (720+)
Sign-Up Bonus: Verify current offer at creditcards.chase.com. Terms apply. (Terms apply)
What we like
- 1:1 to Hyatt, United, Southwest — strongest domestic travel transfer network
- 1.5 cents/point through Chase Travel (vs. 1.25 for Sapphire Preferred)
- Priority Pass Select with 2 free guests (Venture X now charges $35/guest)
- $2,700+ in claimed annual cardmember value through expanded credit suite (verify at chase.com)
Watch out for
- $795 annual fee — highest of any mainstream personal travel card; increased from $550 in 2025
- Effective fee $495 after $300 travel credit — $500 more than Venture X’s effective ~-$5
- Requires maximizing many credits to justify premium over Venture X
$795 fee minus $300 travel credit = $495 effective (fee increased 2026), Priority Pass lounges, 1.5cpp redemption, 10x hotels/cars via Chase Travel.
Apply Now →
Rates as of April 8, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
Best Budget
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
$395 (~-$5 effective after $300 travel credit + $100 anniversary miles)
Annual Fee
10x hotels/cars via Capital One Travel; 5x flights/vacation rentals via Capital
Rewards Rate
“$395 fee minus $300 travel credit minus $100 anniversary miles = -$5 effective, 2x everywhere, Priority Pass + Capital One Lounges.”
APR Range19.49%–28.49% Variable
Credit ScoreExcellent (720+)
Sign-Up Bonus: 75,000 miles after $4,000 in purchases in first 3 months. Worth $750 toward travel. Terms apply. (Terms apply)
What we like
- 2x miles on every purchase with no caps — the highest flat rate among major premium travel cards
- $300 Capital One Travel credit + $100 anniversary miles = $400/year against $395 fee (~-$5 effective)
- Capital One Lounges (DFW, IAD, DEN, LAS) plus Priority Pass access for 1,300+ lounges worldwide
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit up to $120
- 75,000-mile welcome bonus ($750 toward travel) after $4,000 spend in 3 months
Watch out for
- Guest lounge access changed February 2026 — now $35/guest (was free); reduces value for couples
- Authorized users now cost $125/year each (previously free for up to 4)
- $300 credit locked to Capital One Travel bookings — not usable on direct airline/hotel purchases
- Transfer partners lack United, Southwest, Hyatt, and Marriott — key Chase Ultimate Rewards partners
$395 fee minus $300 travel credit minus $100 anniversary miles = -$5 effective, 2x everywhere, Priority Pass + Capital One Lounges.
Apply Now →
Rates as of April 8, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
Worth Considering
American Express® Gold Card
$325
Annual Fee
4x at restaurants worldwide (up to $50k/year); 4x at U.S. supermarkets (up to $2
Rewards Rate
“4x restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, $424 annual credits, $325 fee — choose over CSP if dining dominates your spending.”
APR RangeSee rates at americanexpress.com
Credit ScoreGood to Excellent (690+)
Sign-Up Bonus: Verify current offer at americanexpress.com. Offer may vary. Terms apply. (Terms apply)
What we like
- 4x at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets — one tier above Sapphire Preferred's 3x
- $424 in annual credits if you use all four ($120 dining, $120 Uber, $100 Resy, $84 Dunkin’)
- Membership Rewards transfer to Delta, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, and 15+ partners
- No foreign transaction fees
Watch out for
- $325 annual fee requires disciplined use of all four fragmented credits
- Travel earning only 3x on directly-booked flights (no 5x like Sapphire through Chase Travel)
- Pay-over-time APR card — not a traditional revolving credit card
4x restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, $424 annual credits, $325 fee — choose over CSP if dining dominates your spending.
Apply Now →
Rates as of April 8, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Review Buying Guide
Photo by Ramaz Bluashvili / PexelsQuick Verdict: Our top pick is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Our Top Pick) — 5x Chase Travel, 3x dining/streaming/online grocery, 75K bonus, $95 annual fee, primary rental car coverage — best $9....
Is the $95 fee worth it? In year 1, easily yes: the 75,000-point bonus alone is worth $937.50 through Chase Travel, dwarfing the $95 fee. In subsequent years, the value depends on your travel habits. The $50 annual hotel credit covers half the fee for Chase Travel hotel bookers. The 10% anniversary bonus adds points equal to 10% of your prior-year spend — on $20,000 in annual spend, that's 2,000 bonus points ($25). If you transfer points to United or Hyatt for premium redemptions, the per-point value often exceeds 1.5–2 cents, which more than justifies the fee.
Earning Structure: Where to Maximize Your Points
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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
See Full Review →Travel Protections and Insurance Benefits
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Sapphire Preferred vs. Reserve: Which Is Right for You?
Should you upgrade to Sapphire Reserve? The Reserve charges $550/year but offers $300 in annual travel credits (making the effective fee $250), 1.5 cents/point redemption value (vs. 1.25 for Preferred), 10x on hotels/car rentals through Chase Travel, Priority Pass lounge access, and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. If you travel frequently, spend $2,000+ on dining annually, and will use the $300 credit, the Reserve likely beats the Preferred on value. Run the math for your specific spending pattern.
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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
See Full Review →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chase Sapphire Preferred sign-up bonus in 2026?
As of March 2026, the current offer is 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Worth $937.50 toward travel booked through Chase Travel, or $750 as cash back. Offers change frequently — verify the current bonus at creditcards.chase.com before applying. Terms apply.
What is the Chase Sapphire Preferred APR in 2026?
The variable APR is 19.24%–27.49% based on creditworthiness at time of application. There is no 0% intro APR on purchases or balance transfers. To avoid interest charges, pay your balance in full each month. This information was verified at chase.com as of March 2026.
Can I transfer Chase Sapphire Preferred points to airline miles?
Yes — Ultimate Rewards points transfer 1:1 to 11 airline partners including United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards, British Airways Avios, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, and Emirates Skywards. Transfers are generally instant and irreversible. Hotel partners include Hyatt (the best-value transfer), Marriott, and IHG.
How does the Chase Sapphire Preferred compare to the Sapphire Reserve?
The Reserve costs $550/year vs. $95 for the Preferred, but includes a $300 annual travel credit (netting to $250 effective fee), 1.5 cents/point redemption value (vs. 1.25), Priority Pass lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, and 10x on hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel. The Reserve is worth more for frequent travelers who spend $3,000+/year on dining and travel. For occasional travelers, the Preferred wins on fee-to-value ratio.
Does Chase Sapphire Preferred have foreign transaction fees?
No. There are no foreign transaction fees on the Chase Sapphire Preferred, making it an excellent card for international travel. It also includes primary rental car coverage internationally — an important distinction from cards with secondary coverage.
Will applying for Chase Sapphire Preferred hurt my credit score?
Applying triggers a hard inquiry, which may temporarily lower your score 5–10 points. Note: Chase's 5/24 rule means you cannot be approved if you've opened 5 or more new credit card accounts in the past 24 months across all issuers. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.
How We Evaluate Financial Products
We compare financial products based on objective criteria: annual fees, APR ranges, rewards rates, sign-up bonuses, and key perks. We do not factor in issuer relationships or compensation when determining rankings. Products are ranked based on overall value for the target use case described on this page.
Rates and terms change frequently. We update these pages regularly, but always verify current rates directly on the issuer’s website before applying. APR ranges shown reflect the full possible range — your actual rate depends on your creditworthiness.
This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. We compare products; we do not advise on which product is right for your personal financial situation. Read our full methodology →
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