The
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best travel rewards credit card available right now. It is worth applying for the Sapphire Preferred Card if you have a credit score of
700 or higher, you like to travel and dine out, and you plan to charge $1,520 to $9,500 per year. The more you spend in the card’s bonus categories, the less you have to spend for the rewards to cancel out the annual fee.
Sapphire Preferred is especially good if you spend at least $1,334 per month, as you’ll qualify for the card’s big initial bonus. New cardholders must spend
$5,000+ in the first
3 months to qualify for the
75,000-point initial bonus. That’s the centerpiece of the offer, as the bonus alone will pay for several years of membership dues. Chase Sapphire Preferred’s annual fee is
$95.
Needless to say, there's little reason to pass on this deal if you're a frequent traveler with top-tier credit.Just be sure to pay the bill in full every month, so interest charges don’t ruin the rewards party.
What I Like About Chase Sapphire Preferred
Great initial bonus
Spending
$5,000 within
3 months of opening the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card will score you
75,000 points, which translate to
$750 when redeemed for cash, gift cards, and travel. That’s one of the biggest initial bonuses on the market. Need we say more?
Earn up to 5 points per $1 spent on travel
Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 5 points per $1 spent on travel booked through Chase Travel℠ and 2 points per $1 on all other travel.
Great everyday rewards
You will earn 3 points per $1 on dining (including eligible delivery services and takeout), select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs). That’s about triple the
average earning rate for a rewards card. Sapphire Preferred gives 1 point per $1 spent on most other purchases.
$2,000+ in 2-year rewards value
The average person could earn $2,000+ in net rewards value (with fees included) in two years with the Sapphire Preferred Card, according to WalletHub’s calculations. That’s a nice chunk of change. And it’s why Chase’s Preferred Sapphire Card is the preference of so many rewards-seekers.
What I Don’t Like About Chase Sapphire Preferred
Higher-than-average annual fee
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card’s annual fee is
$95 - about four times higher than the average annual fee. It is assessed upon account opening and then every 12 months after.
Not good for balance transfers or financing big purchases
The interest rate you’ll be assigned if you get approved for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is more than likely going to be higher than average for a credit card offer right now. The average APR is currently
22.73%, according to our database of 1,500+ credit card offers, while Chase Sapphire Preferred charges
19.99% - 28.24% (V). The specific rate you get from that range depends on your overall creditworthiness when you apply.
If you want Chase Sapphire Preferred to continue being worthwhile in the long run, you need to avoid interest charges by paying your bill in full every month.
Learn More About Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire Preferred minimum credit score
The minimum credit score needed for Chase Sapphire Preferred is
700, if you want good odds of approval. That is because the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card requires at least good credit for approval. You can check your latest credit score for free on WalletHub.
Chase Sapphire Preferred requirements
In addition to a good or excellent credit score and enough income to pay at least the minimum due each month, the main requirements for Chase Sapphire Preferred are being at least 18 years old (19 in Alabama and Nebraska; 21 in Puerto Rico) and having a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Furthermore, people who currently have any Chase Sapphire card or who earned a Chase Sapphire initial bonus in the past 48 months are not eligible for approval.
Chase Sapphire Preferred income
There is no specific Chase Sapphire Preferred income requirement. However, just like with other cards, you need enough income to afford monthly bill payments, along with your other financial obligations, in order to qualify.
Bottom Line: Is It Worth Getting the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?
Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of 2025’s best rewards cards for a reason. Its big initial bonus is the star of the show, saving you enough on travel that you’ll definitely need some suntan lotion. The ongoing rewards aren’t so hot if you don’t redeem your earnings for travel booked through Chase. But all in all, Sapphire Preferred is definitely worth the money.
Note: This review is not provided, commissioned or endorsed by any issuer. Opinions and ratings are our own.