Chase Sapphire Preferred: A Closer Look at the Benefits

Information checked September 21, 2026. Dollar amounts are in USD.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® brings together Ultimate Rewards® points, selected travel credits and eligible purchase protections. Understanding the earning rules and ongoing costs makes it easier to compare the card with your existing spending habits.

How Eligible Purchases Earn Points

The following rates show the total points earned per $1 spent on qualifying purchases.

Category	Points per $1
Chase Travel	5x on eligible bookings
Dining	3x, including eligible takeout and delivery
Gas & EV Charging	3x on eligible transactions
Vacation Homes	3x at participating brands
Online Groceries	3x; merchant exclusions apply
Streaming	3x on eligible services
Other Travel	2x on qualifying purchases
Other Purchases	1x on eligible purchases

Rates depend on merchant classification and program rules. Transactions covered by the hotel credit do not earn points.

Online grocery exclusions include Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs. Grocery subscriptions, certain gift purchases and supermarket pharmacy transactions also have exclusions. EV charging equipment purchases are outside the charging-services category.

Travel Benefits Worth Understanding

Eligible hotel reservations through Chase Travel can receive up to $100 in statement credits per account anniversary year. The benefit follows the account’s anniversary schedule. Cancellations or changes may lead to credits being reversed.

The card also offers a credit of up to $120 every four years for one eligible Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS application fee paid with the card. The qualifying provider and payment requirements matter.

Everyday Spending Can Contribute

Restaurant spending, eligible subscriptions and qualifying grocery orders can generate points between trips. For example, $200 in eligible dining purchases at 3x earns 600 points before any returns or adjustments.

Check how purchases appear in your rewards activity. A business that sells food or fuel may use a merchant classification outside the expected bonus category.

Different Ways to Use Your Points

Available redemption options include travel, cash back and gift cards. Cash back generally values points at one cent each, so 10,000 points would equal $100 using that option.

Selected Chase Travel bookings offer Points Boost worth up to 1.5 times the standard redemption value. Availability varies by booking. Participating airline and hotel programs provide another way to redeem through transfers.

Transfer ratios require attention: World of Hyatt uses a 4:3 ratio for Sapphire Preferred accounts opened on or after June 15, 2026. Earlier accounts retain 1:1 through September 30, 2026, before moving to 4:3.

Protection Beyond Earning Points

Qualifying trips may have cancellation, interruption, baggage and delay coverage. For example, an eligible common-carrier delay exceeding 12 hours or requiring an overnight stay can provide reimbursement of up to $500 per covered traveler for qualifying expenses.

Rental-vehicle damage, eligible purchases and certain emergency evacuations also have protections. Each benefit has its own payment requirements, exclusions and claim deadlines. Keep receipts and review the Guide to Benefits before relying on coverage.

The card charges no foreign transaction fee on purchases abroad. Other card costs and merchant currency-conversion charges may still affect the total you pay.

What to Compare Before Applying

1. The annual cost: Compare the $95 annual fee with the benefits you realistically expect to use.
2. Your normal purchases: Estimate rewards from spending already in your budget.
3. Your repayment plan: Interest can reduce the value of rewards. Where a grace period applies, paying the full balance by the due date can avoid purchase interest.
4. The current offer: Welcome-bonus requirements, eligibility and available promotions can change.
5. Your application: The issuer assesses information such as credit history and income. Approval is not guaranteed.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use points without booking a trip?
   Yes. Cash back and gift cards are among the program’s available options.
2. Does every hotel reservation receive the credit?
   No. It applies to qualifying hotel purchases through Chase Travel, within the available annual allowance.
3. Is there an annual fee?
   Yes. Chase currently lists a $95 annual fee.
4. Are international purchases charged a foreign transaction fee?
   The card has no foreign transaction fee. Check any currency-conversion choices offered by the merchant.
5. Does applying guarantee a card?
   No. The issuer decides whether to approve the application and what credit limit to offer.
6. Will benefits always stay the same?
   No. Rates, partners, credits and promotional features can change under the applicable terms.

Important Information

Informational Content: This Yattaxi overview explains a third-party financial product for general education. It is not personalized financial or credit advice.

Rewards: Qualifying purchases, redemption values and transfers follow the issuer’s current program agreement.

Rates and Fees: Review the purchase APR, annual fee and transaction charges in the current pricing disclosure before applying.

Approval: Applications and account decisions are handled by the card issuer. Reading this page does not establish eligibility.

Benefits: Enrollment, purchase requirements, coverage limits and expiration dates vary by feature.

Official references: Card details and pricing · Rewards agreement · Category definitions · Benefits and transfers · Guide to Benefits · How credit-card interest works.