Last Updated on March 18, 2026
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**This post is in not financial advice. The opinions offered are that of the writer and are in no way endorsed by any card issuer or bank.
Like many folks in the points and miles game, the Chase Sapphire Preferred was my first travel credit card. The Chase Sapphire has been an incredibly popular card since its debut and has been part of my lineup for 10 years. With broad bonus categories, a low annual fee, and the versatility of Chase points it’s easy to see the appeal.
If you’re on the fence about applying for your own Chase Sapphire Reserve or are just starting to learn about the points and miles this guide is for you. We will break down the Chase Sapphire Preferred and highlight where it shines, its limitations, and why I think it’s the best starter travel card on the market today.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Annual Fee
At the time of publication, the annual fee for the Chase Sapphire is $95. It has been this same $95 since I first got mine 10 years ago (Though there have been rumors of a possible increase).
This is a about the industry standard for most for the first tier of cards past no fee cards. In fact, there kind of aren’t any no fee travel cards other then possibly one of the new Bilt cards.
This is an easy price point to stomach for those looking to get into points and miles. After all, this is a pay to play game and it’s only becoming more expensive. The annual fee for the Chase Sapphire Preferred feels like a good value considering some premium cards have a annual fee approaching $1000.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Bonus Categories
The two main bonus spending categories for the Chase Sapphire Preferred are dining and travel, each earning 3x and 2x points respectively.
Dining and Travel is where people with travel aspirations spend a large portion of the disposable income their money. So it’s functionally rewarding you for spending you’re probably already doing. These categories are very generously defined as well. Travel includes airfare, hotels, ride share, and even tolls. Dining includes restaurants and bars so this a a great card for you night out.
Unfortunately, gas is not included as part of travel. Bummer for sure, but this is common in the credit card world. It’s also important to remember that the categorization is based on the merchant code. This is set by the vendor and Chase has no control of this.
There is also a 3x points earning on online groceries but this is more of a niche bonus.
Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns Ultimate Rewards points, frequently just called a Chase Points, as its reward currency. These are considered one of the best awards currencies in the game, consistently rated high by experts such as The Points Guy. These points can be redeemed in the Chase Travel portal for a fixed amount of 1-1.25 cents per point, though sometimes there are boosts that’s make them with more.
What makes Chase Ultimate Rewards points so valuable is their transfer partners. While you can redeem your Chase points for a fixed value as mentioned earlier, you can also transfer them to 15 different loyalty programs (11 airlines and 4 hotels). This versatility to transfer your Chase points to different points ecosystems gives them the ability to be redeemed for some incredibly lucrative deals. Chase frequently runs transfer bonuses to these partners as well, making your points go even further.
One of the biggest transfer partners for Chase is Hyatt, being one of only two points currencies that transfer directly. Hyatt is known for having the ability to get outsized redemption value given its published award chart, though there are some changes coming to the Hyatt program coming in May 2026. Other popular transfer partners are KLM, Air France, United, and Virgin Atlantic. I have transferred points to Virgin Atlantic and Hyatt for some wonderful redemptions.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Primary Auto Rental Coverage
One the of benefits with Chase Sapphire Preferred that flies under the radar but rare to find, is primary insurance coverage on car rentals. While rental car coverage is not uncommon on travel credit cards, it is usually secondary. Meaning that your personal policy needs to pay out first, if at all, and then the coverage kicks in. This can leave you footing the bill or opting to pay for the extra coverage at the counter. If you pay for your car rental with your Chase Sapphire Preferred then you can waive the extra insurance and Chase will cover you in case of an accident. Not a very sexy benefit but one that can save you lots of money.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Protections
A travel credit should have travel insurance protections, and the Chase Sapphire Preferred is no exception. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card comes with trip cancellation, delay, and interruption coverage for the unexpected on your travels. It also has baggage delay and lost luggage insurance too. So if you arrive but not your bags you are covered. This will cover the majority of situations but it is always important to evaluate your own particular insurance needs.
There are also some emergency medical and evacuation coverages, though they aren’t as robust as some more premium cards.
Key Takeaway
If you want to get into the points and miles game without a big annual fee, then the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great choice. The low annual fee combined with points multipliers on common spending categories, makes for an excellent value proposition. The Chase Ultimate Rewards points are one of the valuable points currencies and they transfer partners make them easy to use. The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best starter travel card in our opinion, getting you in to the points game and rewarding spending you are already doing.
While it comes with basic travel insurance protections, they aren’t as robust as more premium cards. The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a an excellent starting place with great benefits for the annual fee. It is a great way to introduce yourself to points and miles and a card that will have a place in your wallet as you grow. Once you feel more comfortable you can think about adding a premium card to your lineup, you can read about why I love my AMEX Platinum Card in the meantime!
