Chase Sapphire Preferred
First-time travel-rewards card, sweet-spot earn rates
External link to Chase’s own application page.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred costs $95 a year. It earns 5% on travel and 1% on everything else. Forex markup is 0%. These figures are from our catalog and have not yet been re-verified against the issuer.
5-year value calculator
How much Chase Sapphire Preferred actually pays you over time, net of annual fees.
Includes 40% in this card's boost category, 60% general spend.
Estimates use the card's published rates and a 40/60 boost-vs-general split. Real returns vary with how tightly your spend matches each card's boost categories.
What does the Chase Sapphire Preferred earn?
What you earn back, by category.
60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in first 3 months (~$750 in travel)
What do you get with the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
- 5x points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3x on dining (incl. takeout & delivery)
- 2x on all other travel
- 25% more value when redeeming for travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- No foreign transaction fees
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary auto rental coverage
Who qualifies for the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
These are guidelines, not hard cutoffs. Banks frequently approve below the listed income if your credit is healthy.
What 1 Chase Sapphire Preferred point is actually worth
Same points, wildly different values depending on redemption. Most cardholders default to the boring option and never see the upside. Here's the full ladder for Chase Sapphire Preferred:
Hyatt transferBest
1:1 to World of Hyatt. Cat 4 hotels = 12K points = ~$300 room.
United / Singapore Air transfer
1:1. Best for premium cabin sweet spots.
Chase Travel portal (1.25x)
Worth 1.25 cents/point booking flights/hotels via Chase.
Statement credit
Welcome bonus, the under-priced lever
60K Ultimate Rewards on $4K spend in 3 months (~$1,200 via transfer, $750 via portal).
Sweet spots & gotchas
- ✓Best entry-tier US travel card. $95 annual fee. ITIN-friendly for Indian founders with US presence.
- ✓Sweet spot: 27K Hyatt points → 2 nights at Hyatt Regency Goa (~₹50K cash).
Chase Sapphire Preferred FAQ
›What is the Chase Sapphire Preferred annual fee?
The annual fee is $95 (joining fee $0).
›What does the Chase Sapphire Preferred earn?
It earns 5% on travel and 1% on everything else.
›What is the Chase Sapphire Preferred forex markup?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred charges 0% forex markup on foreign-currency spends.
›What income do you need for the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Chase publishes no minimum income requirement for this card; approval rests on your credit profile.
›What is the Chase Sapphire Preferred welcome bonus?
60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in first 3 months (~$750 in travel).
›Are these Chase Sapphire Preferred figures verified?
These figures are from our catalog and have not yet been re-verified against the issuer.
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