Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Travel Rewards Analysis

The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card is a top choice among many types of consumers, especially travelers who are interested in serious rewards and an annual fee that’s less than $100.

Chase Sapphire Credit CardFrom the start, you’ll find yourself earning points for everything from travel to dining (and that’s just the beginning). Along with this, once you’re ready to redeem your points, you gain access to a flexible reward program that’s considered one of the most advanced in the industry.

Chase Sapphire Preferred: Why Choose this Offer?

There are many differences between an average reward credit card and one that’s considered the cream of the crop. The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card is definitely one of the best, thanks to the following:

  • Earn two Chase Ultimate Rewards points for every dollar spent on dining and travel purchases.
  • Earn one point per dollar spent on everything else (gas, groceries, etc.).

With a variety of benefits, it’s only natural to expect a large annual fee. But that’s not what you get with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. There is no annual fee the first year, with this followed by a $95 fee in subsequent years. When compared to other travel cards – those with an annual fee that can reach $200 or more – this is a steal.

Here are two other interesting facts:

  • There are no foreign transaction fees, making it the perfect travel companion for globetrotters.
  • The card is made of metal, not the plastic that most credit card companies use.


You Win for Signing Up

There’s nothing better than a credit card that rewards you for doing nothing more than signing up. This is yet another perk of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, with the ability to earn 50,000 bonus points if you spend a minimum of $4,000 within 3 months of opening your account.

Note: when converted to dollars, these bonus points are good for $625 in travel.

In addition to the bonus points you can earn yourself, you’ll also gain an additional 5,000 if you add another user during the first 3 months (this person must make a purchase).

Redeem Your Points

It can be frustrating to sign up for a rewards credit card, just to find that you don’t have many options when it comes time to redeem your points.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card doesn’t put you in this position, as its redemption options suit the style of most travelers (among others).

For cash or gift cards, you earn at a rate of one cent per point. However, things get interesting when redeeming points for travel. When booked through Chase, you receive a 20 percent discount, meaning that the value increases to 1.25 cents per point.

Even better, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card makes it easy to find and book the travel arrangements that suit you best. Much the same as any travel portal, such as Expedia, you can choose your dates, times, departure, and arrival city. From there, it’s a breeze to compare airlines to find the best deal.

Airline partners include:

  • Virgin Atlantic
  • United
  • Southwest
  • Singapore KrisFlyer
  • Korean Air
  • British Airways
  • Air France/KLM


Hotel transfer partners are as follows:

  • Ritz-Carlton
  • Priority Club/InterContinental Hotels Group
  • Marriott
  • Hyatt

When compared to other credit cards, you gain access to a larger number of airline and hotel partners, ensuring that you’re satisfied with every aspect of your travel itinerary.

The Bonus Mall

If you’re not yet familiar with the Chase Ultimate Rewards Bonus Mall, you’ll want to learn more after sliding this credit card into your wallet or purse.

As an online shopper, you can earn rewards and obtain discounts by shopping through the bonus mall. This means earning points on purchases from many top brands, including but not limited to Nordstrom, Starbucks, and Apple.

Could it be the Wrong Choice?

For avid travelers, there aren’t many credit cards with more to offer than this one. However, it’s not the perfect fit for everyone.

You may want to consider another option if you fit into one of these two categories:

  • You don’t spent a lot of money on your credit card. In this case, you may not qualify for the bonus points. Plus, it may not be worth the $95 annual fee.
  • Seeking more flexibility when booking travel. Despite the many airline and hotel partners, this rewards program isn’t as flexible as some others. For example, there are other cards, such as the Barclaycard Arrival Plus Word Elite MasterCard, that allow you to redeem points for almost every type of travel.

 

Final Thoughts

The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card has almost everything a consumer could be looking for in a travel rewards offer. From the bonus points to the large network of partners, there’s a lot to like. When you combine this with the competitive annual fee and ability to earn two points for every dollar spent on dining and travel purchases, you have a winner.

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