Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

This is an excellent all-around card for ALL travelers, and one that we consider to be the #1 card for beginners. By being able to transfer points to one of 14 travel partners or redeem points within the Chase Travel℠ portal, this is an extremely flexible card opening up many travel opportunities.

Important Update on Eligibility (June 2025): Chase has updated its application rules for the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Eligibility for the welcome bonus is now less predictable. Previously, you couldn’t get a Sapphire bonus if you had any Sapphire card (Preferred or Reserve) or received a bonus in the last 48 months. Now, while you still can’t get the bonus if you currently hold a Chase Sapphire Preferred, the old 48-month rule is gone, and the Sapphire Preferred and Reserve are no longer part of a “family.” Most importantly, Chase now uses language like “may not be available,” and many applicants are seeing different outcomes—even some who previously had the card or bonus. The good news: you’ll be told if you’re eligible for the bonus before any credit check happens.

At a minimum, this card's value is $750 where you can get even more value when using Points Boost in the Chase Travel℠ portal. However, when transferring points to travel partners such as British Airways, United, Hyatt or Marriott, we value Chase Ultimate Reward points at 1.8 cents per point — putting an even higher value on the current welcome offer.

And if this wasn’t enough, the card includes 3x points on dining, select streaming services and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs), 2x on travel (or 5x total points if purchased through Chase Travel) and a $50 hotel credit annually. The card also carries no foreign transaction fees and primary rental car coverage.

NOTE: As of June 23, 2025, Chase is phasing out the guaranteed 25% boost (1.25 cents per point) redemption rate on all travel booked through Chase Travel for the Chase Sapphire Preferred. They are replacing it with Points Boost, where you can get up to 1.5 cents per point on select flights and hotels (with up to 1.75 cents per point for premium cabin tickets on select airlines)—but for anything not covered, it drops to 1 cent per point.

Existing cardholders with accounts opened prior to June 23, 2025 can still use the 1.25x value for points earned before October 26, 2025, until October 26, 2027. In addition, existing cardholders will automatically get the best offer available, whether it’s Points Boost or 1.25x on Chase Travel for points earned before October 26, 2025, until October 26, 2027.