Verdict · Updated April 2026
Chase Sapphire Preferred for Travel
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a solid pick for travel — ranked #13 of 54 eligible cards. It's a reasonable choice but not the category leader; check the alternatives below before committing.
Rank #13 of 5477th percentileSolid option — check alternatives
Reviewed by CardCompare Editorial Board
|Data-driven ranking|Updated April 2026
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase · $95 annual fee
The gold standard for beginner and intermediate travel rewards. Earn 3x on dining and 2x on travel, with best-in-class trip delay reimbursement, primary car rental coverage, and no foreign transaction fees. Points transfer to 14 airline and hotel partners or redeem at 1.25 cents each through Chase Travel.
Full card review
Earn math — Travel profile
Based on typical travel spending of $25,200/year across the categories below.
Annual rewards
$1,098
Annual fee
$95
Net value
$1,003
Transfer partnersLounge accessNo foreign transaction feeTrip protection
Where the Chase Sapphire Preferred wins for travel
- 5x on travel — top-tier earning for this use case
- No foreign transaction fee — saves 2-3% on every international purchase
- Trip cancellation and baggage protection often pay for the annual fee alone
Where it falls short
- No intro 0% APR and a high regular APR (28.49%) — carrying a balance is expensive
Top 3 alternatives for travel
Cards that rank higher than or close to the Chase Sapphire Preferred on our travel scoring model.
How the Chase Sapphire Preferred performs for other use cases
Frequently asked questions
Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred a good card for travel?⌄
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a solid pick for travel — ranked #13 of 54 eligible cards. It's a reasonable choice but not the category leader; check the alternatives below before committing.
How much can I earn with the Chase Sapphire Preferred on travel spending?⌄
At the typical travel spending profile of $25,200/year, this card earns approximately $1,098 in rewards — net $1,003 after the $95 annual fee.
What are better alternatives to the Chase Sapphire Preferred for travel?⌄
Our top 3 alternatives are IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, Citi Strata Premier Card, American Express Platinum. Each ranks higher on our use-case scoring model for travel.
What credit score do I need for the Chase Sapphire Preferred?⌄
The Chase Sapphire Preferred typically requires excellent credit. Approval also depends on income, existing debt, and application history — a score in the stated range doesn't guarantee approval.
Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred's annual fee worth it for this use case?⌄
The $95 annual fee breaks even when you earn $95 in rewards. At the typical travel profile ($25,200/year), this card earns $1,098 — net positive after the fee.
Want the full card review?
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