The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – The Best Start

Do you picture yourself sipping champagne at 30,000 feet, reclining in a plush business class seat? This card can get you there!

In the world of travel rewards credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred stands out as a top contender and best place to start their credit card hacking journey. It offers a wealth of benefits that cater to both novice and seasoned travelers.

In this detailed review, we’ll dive deep into every aspect of the card, from its point accumulation and redemption options to its comprehensive travel benefits, and explain why it could be the best travel companion for your wallet.

Earning Potential and Rewards Structure

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is designed to maximize the rewards you earn on everyday spending, particularly in categories that appeal to frequent travelers and diners. Here’s a detailed look at its earning structure:

• Travel: When booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, you earn an impressive 5 points per dollar spent on travel, covering a wide range of expenses from airfare and hotels to cruises and toll plazas. Additionally, all other travel purchases still earn 2 points per dollar, making it beneficial for all your travel needs.
• Lyft Rides: In partnership with Lyft, the card offers 5 points per dollar spent on rides through March 2025, enhancing the earning rate for those who frequently use ride-sharing services.
• Dining: The card offers 3 points per dollar on dining worldwide, including everything from fast food to fine dining, as well as eligible delivery services, ensuring every meal earns you more.
• Streaming Services and Online Grocery Purchases: Earn 3 points per dollar on select streaming services and online grocery purchases, although it’s important to note exclusions such as purchases from Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs.
• All Other Purchases: All other purchases on the card earn 1 point per dollar, ensuring that every dollar you spend is converted into travel potential.

Redemption Options

The flexibility of the Chase Sapphire Preferred in redeeming points is one of its strongest features:

• Transfer Partners: Points can be transferred on a 1:1 basis to a variety of leading airline and hotel partners, including United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Marriott Bonvoy, and Hyatt. This flexibility allows you to maximize the value of your points by transferring them to partners for high-value redemptions such as business class flights or luxury hotel stays.
• Chase Ultimate Rewards: Points can also be redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, where they are worth 25% more when booking travel, equating to 1.25 cents per point. This direct redemption route is straightforward and eliminates the complexity of point transfers.

Travel Benefits and Protections

The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers an array of travel protections that add incredible value and peace of mind to your journeys:

• Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Comprehensive coverage that can reimburse you for pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses if your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather, or other covered situations.
• Baggage Delay Insurance: Compensation for the purchase of essential items if your baggage is delayed for over six hours, up to a covered limit.
• Travel Accident Insurance: Provides coverage against accidents while traveling on common carriers when the fare is charged to the card.
• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Primary coverage in case of damage or theft of a rental vehicle, when the rental is charged to the card.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international travelers, as it removes the extra cost incurred on transactions made outside the United States.

Annual Fee and Value Proposition

With an annual fee of $95, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers significant value, particularly for those who travel and dine out frequently. The array of benefits and high potential for reward accumulation can easily offset the annual cost for active users. Additional perks such as an annual hotel credit and anniversary bonus points further enhance its value proposition, making it an attractive option for those seeking a primary travel rewards card.

Ready to Go?

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler looking to maximize your travel rewards or a casual spender who enjoys dining out, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers an enticing array of benefits that can enhance your spending and travel experiences. With its robust points earning potential, flexible redemption options, and valuable travel protections, this card stands out as a top choice in the travel credit card market.

Ready to start your journey with Chase Sapphire Preferred®? Apply now and turn every expense into a travel opportunity!

Click here to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and unlock a world of travel rewards and opportunities. Bon voyage!

This in-depth review highlights the Chase Sapphire Preferred as not just a credit card, but a portal to luxurious, yet affordable travel adventures, ensuring that each purchase moves you closer to your next destination.

Thanks for reading! As you know, Brian and I have been traveling around the world the last few years and up to 62 countries later have learned a thing or two with good planning and learning from mistakes. This credit card hacking method became a reality in 2018 and it’s a ton of work the farther you get into it. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our own experiences as we keep going through this journey. Stay tuned for more on tips & tricks!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out! As some of you know, I work full-time as a travel advisor for a boutique luxury provider for an amazing company and I do it remote!