The Chase Sapphire Preferred has been the gold standard for mid-tier travel credit cards since its launch in 2009 — and in 2026 it still holds that title. Its combination of a generous sign-up bonus, 14 flexible transfer partners, strong dining rewards, and solid travel protections for a $95 annual fee is simply hard to beat at this price point.
Sign-Up Bonus: 75,000 Points
New cardholders earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. That's a significant spend requirement — $1,667 per month — so it's worth timing your application around a period of naturally higher spending.
| Redemption Method | Value per Point | 75,000 Points Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Cash back / statement credit | 1.0¢ | $750 |
| Chase Travel portal | 1.0¢–1.5¢ | $750–$1,125 |
| Chase Travel Points Boost | 1.75¢ | Up to $1,312 |
| Transfer to Hyatt (1–4 hotels) | 2.0¢–3.0¢ | $1,500–$2,250+ |
| Transfer to United, Air Canada | 1.5¢–2.0¢ | $1,125–$1,500+ |
Rewards Rates
| Category | Points Per $1 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Travel via Chase Travel℠ | 5x | Excludes purchases qualifying for $50 hotel credit |
| Lyft rides | 5x | Through September 30, 2027 |
| Dining worldwide | 3x | Restaurants, delivery, takeout, DoorDash, Uber Eats |
| Streaming services | 3x | Netflix, Spotify, Hulu, and others |
| Online groceries | 3x | Excludes Target, Walmart, wholesale clubs |
| All other travel (booked direct) | 2x | Airlines, hotels, car rentals |
| Anniversary bonus | 10% of prior year spend | Automatic — no action needed |
| Everything else | 1x | — |
Transfer Partners: 14 Programs at 1:1
This is the Sapphire Preferred's most powerful feature. Points transfer 1:1 to all 14 Chase travel partners — instantly and for free. This is what separates the Sapphire Preferred from basic cash back cards.
Best Transfer Partner: World of Hyatt
Category 1–4 Hyatt properties cost 5,000–15,000 points per night. With 75,000 Chase points transferred to Hyatt, you can book 5–15 free nights at mid-range hotels worldwide — easily worth 2–3 cents per point in value.
Benefits & Perks
$50 Annual Hotel Credit
Each account anniversary year, you receive up to $50 in statement credits for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel. This reduces the effective annual fee from $95 to $45 for anyone who books at least one hotel stay through Chase per year.
10% Anniversary Points Bonus
On your account anniversary each year, Chase automatically adds bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases from the prior year. Spend $20,000 and receive 2,000 bonus points automatically — no action required.
Primary Rental Car Insurance
Pay for your rental car with the Sapphire Preferred and decline the rental company's CDW. You're covered for theft and collision damage — primary coverage that pays before your personal auto insurance, saving $15–$30 per day.
Trip Delay & Cancellation Insurance
If your trip is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, you're reimbursed up to $500 per ticket for meals and lodging. Trip cancellation/interruption covers up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip.
Complimentary DashPass (through Dec 2027)
Free DashPass membership — $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible DoorDash orders. Activate the benefit to claim it. Worth approximately $120/year.
Is the $95 Annual Fee Worth It?
| Benefit | Annual Value |
|---|---|
| $50 hotel credit (used once) | $50 |
| DashPass membership | $120 |
| Primary rental car coverage (2 rentals) | $40+ |
| Anniversary bonus points (on $15K spend) | $18+ |
| Total estimated annual value | $228+ |
| Minus annual fee | −$95 |
| Net value before rewards | $133+ |
vs. The Competition
| Card | Annual Fee | Sign-Up Bonus | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® | $95 | 75,000 pts | Best overall mid-tier value |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | $795 | 125,000 pts | Lounge access + $300 travel credit |
| Amex Gold Card | $325 | Up to 100,000 pts | 4x dining & groceries |
| Capital One Venture X | $395 | 75,000 miles | Lounge access at lower premium fee |
| Capital One Venture | $95 | 75,000 miles | Simple flat-rate 2x miles |
Pros & Cons
What We Love
- 75,000-point bonus worth $937–$2,250+ depending on redemption
- 14 transfer partners at 1:1 — best in class at $95
- 3x on dining, streaming, and online groceries
- $50 annual hotel credit reduces net fee to $45
- 10% anniversary points bonus every year
- Primary rental car insurance (rare at this fee tier)
- Trip cancellation/delay coverage
- Free DashPass through Dec 2027
- No foreign transaction fees
What to Watch Out For
- $5,000 spend requirement is steep for 3 months
- No airport lounge access
- No TSA PreCheck / Global Entry credit
- Only 1x on non-bonus categories
- Best value requires Chase Travel booking
- Chase 5/24 rule — may be declined if you've opened 5+ cards in 24 months
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
75,000 points after $5,000 spend in 3 months · $95 annual fee · Good–Excellent credit
Apply Now →The Bottom Line
The Chase Sapphire Preferred remains the best mid-tier travel credit card in 2026. Its 75,000-point sign-up bonus is worth $937 at minimum and $1,500+ with the right transfer partners. The $95 annual fee is more than covered by the $50 hotel credit and DashPass benefit alone. And the 14 transfer partners — especially World of Hyatt — give you the potential to extract outsized value that no flat-rate cash back card can match.
If you're a traveler who dines out regularly and wants to build a points balance that funds real trips, this is still the first card we recommend.