Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Card When it comes to travel rewards credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Card has become one of the most talked-about options — especially for travelers who want strong rewards and real value without paying a premium price. If you’ve been considering this card, you’re likely asking:
Is it worth the hype? Does it actually deliver value beyond the fees?
In this in-depth 3000-word review, we’ll explore every angle — from reward rates and welcome offers to travel protections, real-world benefits, fees, alternatives, and who should (or shouldn’t) apply.
Let’s unpack what makes the Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Card stand out and whether it’s right for you.
What the Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Card Is
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Card is a rewards credit card focused on helping users earn and redeem points for travel and dining. It’s part of the broader Chase Sapphire family, known for flexible points and travel benefits that appeal to both beginner and experienced travelers.
Despite being more modest than ultra-premium cards, its modest annual fee paired with valuable rewards has earned it praise as one of the best introductory travel cards currently available.
Key Features of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Card
1. Generous Welcome Bonus
One of the most popular elements of the card is its welcome offer:
- Earn ~75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.
Depending on how you redeem these points — especially through Chase Travel℠ or transfer partners — this bonus alone can be worth many times the $95 annual fee. In fact, experts estimate the bonus alone can be worth roughly $750–$1,000 or more in travel value.
2. Reward Earning Rates
The card rewards everyday spending in categories travelers care about most:
- 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠*
- 3x points on dining — including delivery and takeout
- 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
- 2x points on other travel purchases
- 1x point per dollar on all other purchases
These rates make it easy to rack up points both on travel and everyday purchases like meals or groceries — giving you value even when you’re not on the road.
3. $50 Annual Hotel Credit
Each card anniversary year, you’ll receive up to $50 in statement credits for prepaid hotel stays booked through Chase Travel℠.
This credit directly offsets half the annual fee for many cardholders — meaning you almost pay nothing out of pocket just to hold the card.
4. Anniversary Bonus on Your Spending
The card awards a 10% bonus on total purchases each card anniversary year. This means your accumulated points naturally grow each year if you use the card regularly — a benefit not offered by many competitors.
5. No Foreign Transaction Fees
Traveling internationally? No worries — the Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Card does not charge foreign transaction fees, which can save you up to 3% every time you swipe abroad.
6. Flexible Redemption Options
Chase Ultimate Rewards® points earned with this card are highly flexible:
- Redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠ at an elevated value
- Transfer 1:1 to airline and hotel partners like United, Emirates, Hyatt, and more
- Use points for statement credits, gift cards, or experiences
This flexibility is one of the biggest reasons many travel enthusiasts recommend this card as a core travel rewards tool.
7. Travel Protection Benefits
Beyond rewards, the card offers travel protections that save money and stress:
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
- Primary rental car insurance (when you use the card to pay)
- Baggage delay insurance
- Travel accident insurance
These protections add real value — especially when unexpected travel issues arise.
Fees and Costs: What You Need to Know
One of the major advantages of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Card is that it manages to deliver travel-oriented perks without a high annual fee.
Annual Fee
- $95 per year — significantly lower than many premium travel cards.
Compared to premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, with fees in the hundreds, the Preferred card remains accessible to casual travelers and frequent road warriors alike.
APR and Carrying Balances
The card does not offer a 0% introductory APR — and carries a variable APR for purchases and balance transfers. It’s designed for those who pay balances in full every month rather than carry a balance, which would incur interest charges.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
One of the most practical perks for travelers is that Chase Sapphire Preferred doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, making it an excellent choice for international travel purchases.
Downsides and Limitations
No credit card is perfect — and it’s important to balance the benefits with the limitations on real-world use.
1. Not a Luxury Travel Card
Unlike its more expensive sibling, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, this card doesn’t offer airport lounge access, TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credits, or extensive luxury travel credits.
If you travel primarily for luxury perks rather than points, you may prefer a premium card — but that also comes with a much higher annual fee.
2. Welcome Bonus Spending Requirement
To get the full 75,000-point welcome bonus, you must spend $5,000 within the first 3 months — which may be a stretch for some.
3. Rewards Reliant on Chase Travel Portal
To earn the highest point rate (5x), you must book travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal. Travel booked outside the portal may earn fewer points.
4. Eligibility Requires Good Credit
Approval for this card typically requires a good to excellent credit score and a clean credit profile. Those with limited credit history may not be approved immediately.
Real-World Value: How Much Is It Worth?
Experts have calculated that the Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Card can easily deliver value far in excess of its $95 annual fee.
For example:
- Welcome bonus worth ~$750–$1,000+
- $50 annual hotel credit
- Points earned on everyday and travel spend
- Anniversary bonus adding even more points
This adds up to a total estimated value that can be 8 times the card fee or more for savvy users.
For many, this makes the card one of the best travel cards for beginners or intermediate travelers — a core reward engine that doesn’t cost a premium yet still unlocks travel savings.
Who Should Consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Card
This card is ideal for:
🧳 Frequent Travelers
Especially those who book flights, hotels, and experiences often — the points and travel protections stack up quickly.
🍽️ Food & Lifestyle Enthusiasts
Dining earns bonus points too, adding value even when you’re not actively traveling.
💳 Reward Beginners
If you’re new to travel reward cards, this card strikes a great balance between value and simplicity.
💡 Points Savvy Users
If you’re willing to learn about redeeming points and transferring to partner programs, you can unlock even more value.
Who Might Want a Different Card Instead
While strong, this card isn’t perfect for everyone.
👉 You might prefer another card if:
- You only want luxury perks like airport lounge access
- You carry balances rather than pay in full
- You travel very infrequently and won’t use the rewards
In those cases, a no-fee card or a premium travel card could be better — depending on your goals.
Tips to Maximize Your Value
To extract the most from the Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Card:
✅ Book travel through Chase Travel℠ to earn the highest points.
✅ Use your welcome bonus and plan how you’ll redeem points.
✅ Take advantage of the $50 hotel credit each year.
✅ Use it for dining and groceries to rack up extra points.
✅ Learn partner transfer strategies for premium flight redemptions.
Maximizing these elements is where the real advantage lies.
Final Verdict: Real Value in 2026
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Card stands out in 2026 because it continues to deliver meaningful rewards without the burden of a high annual fee. With strong points earning, flexible redemption options, valuable protections, and a compelling welcome bonus, this card remains relevant and worthwhile for most travelers and everyday spenders alike.
It isn’t a luxury card — but it is one of the best balanced travel rewards cards on the market, especially for those who want real value, flexibility, and ongoing travel benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Card?
It’s a rewards credit card focused on travel and dining rewards with flexible redemption options and valuable perks.
How much is the annual fee?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Card carries a $95 annual fee.
What rewards can I earn with it?
You can earn bonus points on travel, dining, groceries, and more — including 5x points on Chase Travel℠ purchases.
Is it worth paying the annual fee?
For many travelers who use the points and credits effectively, the value earned far outweighs the fee.
Do points expire?
Chase Ultimate Rewards® points do not expire as long as your account remains open.
Can I use the points for flights and hotels?
Yes. Points are redeemable through Chase Travel℠ and can be transferred to airline and hotel partners.
Also read this:
How to Become a Travel Agent in 2026: Skills, Tools, and Reality