Chase Sapphire Preferred Should I Keep It or Cancel

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a popular choice for many travelers, but it's essential to consider whether it's right for you. The card's 60,000-point bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months can be a great incentive, but it's not the only factor to consider.

To make the most of the card, you'll want to take advantage of its 2X points on travel and dining purchases, which can add up quickly. For example, if you spend $1,000 on dining, you'll earn 2,000 points.

The card's annual fee of $95 is relatively low compared to other travel rewards cards, but it's still something to consider. You'll want to weigh the benefits of the card against the cost to ensure it's worth keeping.

Benefits and Features

The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a wide range of benefits that make it worth considering, especially for frequent travelers. You can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months, which is a great starting point.

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The card provides 5 points per dollar spent on travel booked through Chase, and 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases. Additionally, you'll get 3 points per dollar on online grocery purchases, excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs, and 3 points per dollar on dining.

Here are some of the key benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred:

  • Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Annual $50 in statement credits for hotels booked through Chase.
  • 5 points per dollar spent on travel booked through Chase and 2 points per dollar spent on all other travel purchases.
  • 3 points per dollar on online grocery purchases – excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs.
  • 3 points per dollar spent on dining.
  • Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance.
  • 10% anniversary bonus points.

The card also offers valuable travel protections like trip delay reimbursement and primary rental car insurance, making it a great option for those who value flexibility and peace of mind while traveling.

Benefits

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers a generous welcome offer valued at $750 when redeemed via Chase Travel. This is a great starting point for those who want to earn rewards on their travel expenses.

You can earn high rewards on dining and bookings via Chase Travel, making it a great option for frequent diners. Plus, you'll get 25% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase Travel.

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One of the standout benefits of this card is the annual statement credits for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel. You can receive up to $50 in annual credits, which can add up quickly.

Another valuable benefit is the travel protections offered by the card, including trip delay reimbursement and primary rental car insurance. This can provide peace of mind for travelers, especially during uncertain times.

Here are some of the key benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card:

  • Generous welcome offer valued at $750 when redeemed via Chase Travel
  • High rewards on dining and bookings via Chase Travel
  • 25% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase Travel
  • Up to $50 in annual statement credits for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel
  • Receive valuable travel protections like trip delay reimbursement and primary rental car insurance

Travel Benefits

The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a range of travel benefits that can make a big difference in your travel experience.

You'll get trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance, which can provide financial protection in case your trip is cancelled or interrupted.

The card also offers baggage delay insurance and primary rental car insurance, which can save you from filing a claim with your own insurance company when your rental car is damaged.

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In addition to these benefits, you'll receive up to $50 in annual statement credits for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel.

Here are the key travel benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred:

  • Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance
  • Baggage delay insurance
  • Primary rental car insurance
  • Up to $50 in annual statement credits for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel

With these benefits, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great choice for travelers who want to earn rewards and get protected on their trips.

No Foreign Transaction Fees for Overseas Purchases

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a travel credit card that doesn't penalize you for making purchases abroad. It has no foreign transaction fees, so you can spend freely without worrying about extra costs.

Traveling internationally can be expensive, and foreign transaction fees can add up quickly. But with the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can avoid these fees and save money on your purchases.

The card's benefits make it a great choice for travelers who frequently make purchases outside of the US. And with no foreign transaction fees, you can enjoy your travels without any added stress or expenses.

Should You Get the Card?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is definitely worth considering if you're looking to take your points and miles game to the next level.

You can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. This is a great opportunity to boost your points balance and get started with the card's benefits.

If you've already got a card with no annual fee and are looking to upgrade, the Sapphire Preferred is a great option. You can earn at least 1.25 cents of value per point when booking travel through the Chase Travel portal.

Here are some benefits that might make you want to get the card:

  • Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Annual $50 in statement credits for hotels booked through Chase.
  • 5 points per dollar spent on travel booked through Chase and 2 points per dollar spent on all other travel purchases.
  • 3 points per dollar on online grocery purchases – excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs.
  • 3 points per dollar spent on dining.
  • Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance.
  • 10% anniversary bonus points.

Who Should Get Sapphire Preferred

You're considering the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, and wondering if it's right for you. Many beginners think they need to completely avoid cards with annual fees, but if you've already started with one of our favorite cards without an annual fee and are ready to take your next step in the points and miles world, the Sapphire Preferred is a great option.

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The Sapphire Preferred offers a number of benefits that can make the annual fee well worth the cost. You'll get at least 1.25 cents of value per point when you book travel through the Chase Travel portal, and you can expand that even more by using one of the program's valuable transfer partners.

If you're able to comfortably earn the sign-up bonus, which is 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, it easily pays for the annual fee in the first year.

Here are some reasons you may want to add the Sapphire Preferred to your wallet:

  • You're a frequent traveler and can take advantage of the 5 points per dollar spent on travel booked through Chase.
  • You want to earn points faster and be able to transfer them to any of Chase's airline or hotel partners.
  • You're looking for a card with a relatively small price, as the Sapphire Preferred carries an annual fee of just $95.
  • You want to earn a sign-up bonus worth $750 when redeemed for travel through the Chase Travel portal.

Who Shouldn't Get Sapphire Preferred

If you're planning to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, there are some types of travelers who should think twice. Certain individuals may not benefit from the card due to its specific features and requirements.

Travelers with high credit card debt should reconsider applying for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. The card's rewards and benefits may not outweigh the costs of interest payments.

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Those who don't travel frequently may not get enough value from the card's travel-related perks. The card is best suited for travelers who make frequent trips.

Individuals with poor credit scores may struggle to get approved for the card. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card typically requires good credit for approval.

If you're not comfortable with a $95 annual fee, the card may not be for you. The fee is a necessary cost for accessing the card's rewards and benefits.

You Have the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

If you already have the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, there's a catch to consider. The credit card world was turned upside down when the Chase Sapphire Reserve was introduced in August 2016, with a much higher $550 annual fee and a slew of premium travel benefits.

You're not eligible for the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which is a shame because it's a great card in its own right. The Sapphire Reserve's premium features make it a unique offering in the credit card market.

Being affected by the Chase 5/24 rule is another reason to think twice about applying for the Sapphire Preferred. If you've opened five or more new credit cards in the last 24 months, Chase will likely deny your application.

Annual Fee and Value

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The annual fee on the Chase Sapphire Preferred is worth it if you pay for travel on your card, dine out or order delivery often, or know how to get the most value out of Chase's transfer partners.

You can earn up to 3 points per dollar spent on restaurants and get reimbursed up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip if your trip is canceled or cut short due to sickness, severe weather, or another qualifying reason.

The card's value lies in its travel and dining benefits, so if you don't spend frequently on these categories, it might not be worth it to pay the annual fee.

Here are some scenarios where the annual fee might not be worth it:

The Annual Fee Is Worth It If:

If you pay for travel on your card, the annual fee is worth it. You'll get trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance, which can reimburse you up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip if your trip is canceled or cut short due to sickness, severe weather, or another qualifying reason.

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If you dine out or order delivery often, the annual fee is worth it. You'll earn 3 points per dollar spent on restaurants, both for dining in and delivery.

With 14 transfer partners, including United Airlines, Emirates, and Hyatt, you can get a lot of value out of your Chase Ultimate Rewards points if you know how to use them. For example, you can transfer 70,000 points to Air Canada's Aeroplan and purchase a one-way business class ticket on Swiss Air Lines between Zurich and Los Angeles, which can cost over $7,500 if paid for in cash.

If you take advantage of travel and dining benefits, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is generally most valuable to you.

When the Annual Fee Isn't Worth It

If you regularly carry a balance each month, paying an annual fee on top of interest charges can add up quickly.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a travel rewards card, and if you don't spend frequently on travel and dining, it might not be worth paying $95 annually.

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Paying the annual fee for the Chase Sapphire Preferred likely isn't worth it if you don't make good use of the Ultimate Rewards redemptions, which is where much of this card's value lies.

If you don't plan to travel, choosing a cashback card is probably your best bet, as it can offer a more straightforward rewards structure.

Carrying a balance each month can make paying an annual fee feel like a luxury you can't afford.

Redemptions and Rewards

You can redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards points for travel through the Chase Travel portal, which offers great value, with each point worth 1.25 cents.

This means you can book a $200 airfare for 16,000 points, a much more valuable redemption option than just cash back.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred unlocks the ability to transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio to travel partners like Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt, and IHG Rewards Club, plus several airlines.

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These partners include Emirates, Southwest, United, and Virgin Atlantic, making it a great option for frequent travelers.

With the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can also earn points that can be transferred to other Chase credit cards, such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited, to unlock even more valuable redemption options.

The points you earn on your Chase Freedom Unlimited can be combined with your Chase Sapphire Preferred points, allowing you to unlock more valuable redemption options.

Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2025, each with its own strengths:

  • Flexibility, point transfers, and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
  • No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autographâ„  Card
  • Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
  • Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve
  • Luxury perks: The Platinum Card from American Express
  • Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a handful of protections that give you peace of mind during your travels, including trip cancellation insurance and an auto rental damage waiver.

Accepted Practically Everywhere

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is accepted almost everywhere, thanks to its Visa payment network. This means you'll have no problem using it at most merchants, both in the U.S. and abroad.

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While traveling outside the U.S., you'll find that Visa is more widely accepted internationally than other payment networks. This is a big advantage, especially if you're a frequent traveler.

The Sapphire Preferred's Visa network also helps you avoid potential issues with credit card acceptance abroad. With most merchants accepting Visa, you can focus on enjoying your trip without worrying about your credit card being declined.

One thing to keep in mind is that the Amex Gold Card, which earns 4 points per dollar at restaurants, may not be as widely accepted abroad. In contrast, the Sapphire Preferred earns 2 points per dollar on travel and 3 points per dollar on dining, making it a more reliable choice for international travel.

Alternatives and Final Thoughts

If you're considering alternatives to the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you might want to look into the Chase Freedom Unlimited, which can make no annual fee cards even better.

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

With the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can move points from no annual fee cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited to your Sapphire Preferred, allowing you to transfer them to airline or hotel partners.

This can give you more value for your points, especially if you use the Chase travel portal, where you can get a minimum of $125 in travel value for every $100 in cashback.

Making No Annual Fee Cards Better

If you have a no annual fee Chase card, you can make it even more valuable by pairing it with a card that has an annual fee, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

You can earn points faster with no annual fee cards, but they'll come in the form of cashback unless you have a card with an annual fee.

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited and other no annual fee Chase cards allow you to earn points that can be transferred to airline or hotel partners, increasing their value.

This can make your points worth more than cashback, especially when redeemed for travel through the Chase travel portal.

The Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card offers bonus cash back, but it's not the only way to make a no annual fee card better.

Final Thoughts

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is truly one of the most versatile cards on the market right now and definitely worth a permanent spot in your wallet.

Even with a higher annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve can be beat by this card, which offers many of the same top of the line benefits at a lower annual fee.

With a bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, this card is a great way to get started.

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You can earn 5x points on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal, making it a no-brainer for frequent travelers.

Earning 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries can add up quickly, especially if you spend a lot in these categories.

This card truly cannot be beat for getting started, with its high earning potential and generous bonus offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the disadvantages of Chase Sapphire Preferred?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred has some drawbacks, including a relatively high APR and an annual fee of $95. Additionally, it requires good credit for approval, which may not be feasible for those with lower credit scores.

What salary do you need for sapphire preferred?

To be eligible for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you'll need an annual income of at least $30,000. This income requirement helps ensure you can manage the card's rewards and benefits responsibly.

Timothy Gutkowski-Stoltenberg

Senior Writer

Timothy Gutkowski-Stoltenberg is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting engaging content. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he has established himself as a versatile and reliable voice in the industry. His writing portfolio showcases a breadth of expertise, with a particular focus on the freight market trends.

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