Chase Sapphire Preferred Review: Still the Best Starter Travel Card in 2025?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has been the gold standard for beginner travel cards for over a decade. With a 60,000-point sign-up bonus, flexible transfer partners, and a reasonable $95 annual fee — does it still hold up in 2025?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has been the go-to starting card for travel rewards enthusiasts for over a decade — and for good reason. It hits the sweet spot between a manageable annual fee ($95) and genuine travel value that far exceeds what you pay.
The Sign-Up Bonus
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Right now the Sapphire Preferred is offering 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months. That is worth approximately $750 in travel when redeemed through Chase Travel, or potentially much more — up to $1,200+ — if you transfer to airline and hotel partners strategically.
Earning Rates
The Sapphire Preferred earns 3x points on dining, 3x on select streaming services, 2x on all travel, and 1x on everything else. For most people who eat out regularly and book any kind of travel, this is a strong everyday earner that quietly accumulates points across your normal spending.
Transfer Partners: The Real Value
Where the Sapphire Preferred truly shines is its transfer partner lineup. Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers 1:1 to United, Southwest, British Airways, Air France/KLM, Singapore Airlines, Hyatt, Marriott, and more. A strategically timed transfer to Hyatt or United can routinely get you 2-3 cents per point — 2-3x the value of the portal rate.
Is the $95 Annual Fee Worth It?
At $95 a year, the Sapphire Preferred is easy to justify. The card comes with a $50 annual hotel credit through Chase Travel, a 10% anniversary point bonus on all purchases from the prior year, and solid travel protections including trip cancellation insurance and primary rental car coverage. Most cardholders recoup the fee within their first few months.
Who Should Get This Card?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the ideal first or second travel card for anyone who wants to get serious about earning points without paying a premium annual fee. If you travel a few times a year, eat out regularly, and want access to a best-in-class transfer partner network, this card belongs in your wallet.