Chase Sapphire Preferred® Review 2026
Chase Sapphire Preferred ($95/year) is the best entry-level travel card for 2026 — 75,000-point sign-up bonus, 5x on Chase Travel, 3x dining/streaming, and transferable points to United, Hyatt, Southwest, and 10+ partners. APR 19.24%–27.49% variable. Terms apply.
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| # | 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 → |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Review Buying Guide
Photo by Ramaz Bluashvili / PexelsHow we evaluated these. We analyzed the Chase Sapphire Preferred across points earning rate (travel, dining, other), annual fee ($95) value vs. benefits (travel credit, hotel upgrades, transfer partners), sign-up bonus value, and APR range, cross-referencing NerdWallet, The Points Guy, and verified cardholder reviews. Rates as of April 2026. Terms apply.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred ($95/year) earned its position as the most-recommended entry-level travel card by combining a 75,000-point sign-up bonus worth $937.50 through Chase Travel with 3x on dining, 3x on streaming, 2x on travel, and primary rental car coverage — benefits that together exceed the annual fee several times over in year one. Whether it earns its keep in year two depends on your travel frequency and the $50 annual hotel credit usage.
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Quick 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 Annual Fee Worth It?
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
Earning structure in detail: 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel (a significant carve-out — direct airline or hotel bookings only earn 2x). 3x on dining globally, on select streaming services, and on online grocery purchases (not including Target, Walmart, or wholesale clubs). 2x on all other travel. 1x everywhere else. The 3x on online groceries is a hidden gem — Instacart, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods pickup, and grocery delivery apps all qualify.Transfer Partners: Airlines and Hotels at 1:1
Transfer partners (1:1 ratio): United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards, British Airways Avios, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Aer Lingus AerClub, Iberia Plus, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Air Canada Aeroplan, JetBlue TrueBlue, Emirates Skywards. Hotel partners: Hyatt World of Hyatt (best redemption value), Marriott Bonvoy, IHG Rewards. A single night at a Hyatt Category 1 property can be booked for as few as 3,500 points — with points worth $43.75 at face value. At a Category 7 top-tier Hyatt, 45,000 points worth $562.50 books a night that might cost $800+ cash.Travel Protections and Insurance Benefits
Travel protections: Trip cancellation/interruption insurance (up to $10,000/person, $20,000/trip for covered reasons). Trip delay reimbursement ($500/ticket for delays over 12 hours). Baggage delay insurance ($100/day up to 5 days after 6-hour delay). Primary auto rental collision damage waiver (covers you before your personal insurance — major advantage vs. cards with secondary coverage). Emergency evacuation and transportation. DashPass and Lyft: DashPass (DoorDash subscription, $0 delivery on eligible orders) included through December 31, 2027 with activation. Lyft earns 5x points (through September 30, 2027).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.Related Guides
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This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Consult a licensed financial advisor for guidance specific to your situation.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
“5x Chase Travel, 3x dining/streaming/online grocery, 75K bonus, $95 annual fee, primary rental car coverage — best $95 travel card.”
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)
Rates as of April 16, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
“$795 fee minus $300 travel credit = $495 effective (fee increased 2026), Priority Pass lounges, 1.5cpp redemption, 10x hotels/cars via Chase Travel.”
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
Rates as of April 16, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
“$395 fee minus $300 travel credit minus $100 anniversary miles = -$5 effective, 2x everywhere, Priority Pass + Capital One Lounges.”
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
Rates as of April 16, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
American Express® Gold Card
“4x restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, $424 annual credits, $325 fee — choose over CSP if dining dominates your spending.”
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
Rates as of April 16, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chase Sapphire Preferred sign-up bonus in 2026?
What is the Chase Sapphire Preferred APR in 2026?
Can I transfer Chase Sapphire Preferred points to airline miles?
How does the Chase Sapphire Preferred compare to the Sapphire Reserve?
Does Chase Sapphire Preferred have foreign transaction fees?
Will applying for Chase Sapphire Preferred hurt my credit score?
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 →