And Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which you can earn from the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, consistently come out on top as being worth the most in NerdWallet’s comprehensive, data-driven analysis.
While other flashy credit cards come and go in an ever-changing landscape, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card gets better over time. Here’s why it remains a jewel in Chase’s crown, and why right now is the best time to add it to your wallet.
At a time when many premium travel cards periodically raise their annual fees to increasingly shocking levels, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card costs the same per year that it did back in 2009. It has a modest annual fee of $95. You can’t even lock down the price of eggs right now, so this is a refreshing break from inflation.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers a lot the first year you carry it, thanks to its generous welcome bonus. Here’s the current one, available only for a limited time: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
That’s worth at least $1,000 in value if you redeem points for travel through Chase, which is incredible for a card with a comparatively modest annual fee.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has gotten more rewarding over time
Boosted earnings rates
When the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card first launched, it earned 2 points per $1 on air travel and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
Two years later, in a rare move among cards, it became more rewarding on certain purchases. It moved to earning 2 points per $1 on other travel in addition to airfare (including hotels, rental cars, taxis, trains and more), plus 2 points per $1 on dining.
In August 2021, Chase upped the ante even more by boosting rewards earned. And now, in 2026, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has gotten even more rewarding once again. Here’s what cardmembers will now earn:
-
3 points per $1 spent on gas/electric vehicle charging. [NEW]
-
3 points per $1 spent on vacation homes booked through top brands like AirBnb, Vrbo and more. [NEW]
-
5 points per $1 spent through Chase Travel.
-
2 points per $1 spent on all other travel purchases.
-
3 points per $1 spent on dining.
-
3 points per $1 spent on top streaming services.
-
3 points per $1 spent on online grocery purchases (not including Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).
-
5 points per $1 spent on Lyft.
-
5 points per $1 spent on Peloton.
-
1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Value-added benefits
As of June 2026, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has added a slew of credits and partner benefits that add real value to the equation. The first benefit alone in the list below could more than offset the card’s annual fee if used well:
-
$100 Chase Travel Hotel Credit (increased from $50).
-
$120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fee credit (every four years). [NEW]
-
Complimentary 1-year Apple TV subscription ($99 value, activate by 12/31/26). [NEW]
-
$120 DashPass Membership.
-
$10 per month DoorDash credits (non-restaurant, through 12/21/37).
You’re not getting airport lounge access with this card, but the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card remains a stand-out travel card because you can optimize your rewards in a few ways:
📈 High point values: When redeemed for travel through Chase, your points could be worth more than the standard 1 cent each. With other travel cards, it’s more typical for points to be worth just one cent each.
That’s because of Chase’s Points Boost option, which allows you to redeem your Ultimate Rewards® points on select airline tickets and hotel stays at an elevated rate through Chase’s travel portal. Points Boost-eligible bookings will make your points worth up to 1.5 cents each.
Plus, when you use your points to book travel through Chase, you can also add your hotel and airline loyalty numbers on select bookings for more convenience and flexibility.
There’s also a built-in flexibility for Ultimate Rewards® points to retain their value, even if you decide to use your rewards for something other than travel. Want cash back instead? You can redeem your points for 1:1 cash back value, something that is not true of all other travel cards.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
When you book a hotel through Chase Travel, you can use a combination of Chase Ultimate Rewards® points and cash to utilize the new $100 annual hotel credit.
➕ Points can be combined to maximize their worth: Several of Chase’s cash-back cards, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Chase Freedom Flex® actually also earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. Since you can transfer those points to your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, it’s like rolling three sign-up bonuses into one rewards program. Plus, you can combine points with another member of your household, further adding to your pool of points.
🔁 Points can also be transferred to airline and hotel partners: This ability could help you unlock even higher value for your points. This option gives you even more travel-booking flexibility, allowing you to book directly with the airline or hotel brand. Chase partners with arguably the best array of travel partners of any card issuer.
Consistent travel protections (and boosted coverage)
With the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card you also get the most comprehensive suite of travel protections in its class in case your trip is interrupted or canceled for covered reasons, you face a substantial travel delay, your baggage gets delayed.*
And as of June 2026, that protection got even better. Cardmembers will now be covered for Emergency Evacuation and Transportation costs, which, if ever needed, could add up quickly.
🏆 The car insurance that comes with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a popular benefit. If you pay for your rental car with your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , or with Chase Ultimate Rewards® points earned with your card, you’ll be covered for theft and collision damage up to the cash value of the car.
This coverage is for most rental cars in the U.S. and most countries abroad. The coverage is primary, and you’ll need to decline the rental company’s collision insurance. This can mean big savings if things go wrong with your rental car.**
Bottom line: Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card worth it?
Yes, even casual travelers can find excellent value from the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. The card offers a host of valuable benefits to cardmembers, particularly those who use the card to purchase travel or who use it on dining.
The rewards earned from the card are among the highest on the market, and are easily combined with points earned from some other Chase cards (including from someone else in your household).
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card still stands the test of time, but the current welcome bonus is available for a limited-time only: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
*Travel and Purchase Protection: These benefits are available when you use your card. Restrictions, limitations and exclusions apply. Most benefits are provided by unaffiliated companies who are solely responsible for the administration and claims. There are specific time limits and documentation requirements. For full coverage details, cardmembers can refer to their Guide to Benefits, provided after account opening, or call the number on the back of their card for assistance.
**Specific limitations apply to New York residents: inside the United States coverage is secondary to your personal automobile insurance.
