Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Annual Fee Worth It?
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Written by
Dawn Allcot
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Edited by
Emily Gadd, CCC™
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Reviewed by
Jasmin Baron, CCC™
Amongst its assortment of rewards credit cards, Chase offers two cards tailored to frequent travelers: Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. While Sapphire Reserve is revered as the card of choice for many travel-savvy millennials who consider themselves big spenders on travel and dining, the Sapphire Preferred Card also offers extensive benefits with a much lower annual fee.
The Sapphire Preferred Card’s annual fee is $95, with free cards for authorized users on an account. Since the Sapphire Preferred Card is a Visa card issued by the country’s largest bank, it comes with tremendous benefits and high-value rewards, but at a low price.
Still, if most of the best credit cards in your wallet carry no annual fee, you may wonder if Sapphire Preferred is worth the price.
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Sapphire Preferred Card Benefits
Unlike American Express Platinum Card® (an advertising partner) and Sapphire Reserve, which carry annual fees over $700, the Sapphire Preferred Card offers a welcome bonus that will more than cover your $95 annual fee for the first year. Spend just $5,000 in purchases within the first three months after account opening, and you’ll earn 100,000 bonus Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. Your points are worth up to 75% more when you redeem them through Chase Travel℠, making this bonus worth up to $1,750. With this bonus, you’ve paid for the first seven years of card ownership.
As far as points you can earn:
- 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel (excluding purchases that qualify for the card’s annual $100 hotel credit)
- 3x points on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services)
- 3x points on gas and EV charging
- 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target®, Walmart® and wholesale clubs)
- 3x points on select streaming services
- 3x points on vacation homes with brands such as Airbnb and Vrbo
- 2x points on other eligible travel purchases
- 1x points on other purchases
The Sapphire Preferred Card also offers additional benefits that make it one of the best values you can find for frequent travelers.
Annual Hotel Credit
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card holders receive up to $100 in credits each year toward prepaid hotels booked through Chase Travel. This perk alone justifies the annual fee, as long as you book a hotel at least once a year.
TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS Credit
Every four years, cardholders receive up to $120 in statement credit toward the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS. These Trusted Traveler Programs can save you loads of time waiting in airport lines, and if you’re already a member, you can use your card to pay for someone else’s application fee and be reimbursed.
Apple TV
As a cardholder, you can enjoy a complimentary one-year Apple TV subscription when you activate by Dec. 31, 2026.
DoorDash Credits
Cardholders also receive a complimentary DashPass subscription (valid for orders on DoorDash and Caviar), valued at $120. With this membership, you’ll get $0 delivery fees and lower service fees, plus $10 a month off non-restaurant DoorDash orders. Activation is required by Dec. 31, 2027.
Additional Travel Benefits
Most travel rewards credit cards come with impressive travel benefits, including trip protection. The Sapphire Preferred Card offers strong travel insurance benefits, including:
- Auto rental coverage up to $60,000
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance up to $20,000 per trip
- Trip delay reimbursement up to $500
- Travel accident insurance up to $500,000 for accidental death or dismemberment
- Lost luggage reimbursement up to $3,000 per traveler
- Baggage delay insurance of up to $100 a day for five days
- Travel emergency assistance (costs may apply)
- Roadside assistance (service fees may apply)
- Emergency evacuation and transportation coverage up to $100,000
Shopping Benefits
The Sapphire Preferred Card includes purchase protection of up to $500 for 120 days from the date of purchase. If a product includes a manufacturer’s warranty, this card extends the warranty by one year on eligible warranties of three years or less.
Is the Fee Worth the Benefits?
For cardholders who fulfill the requirements for the welcome offer and plan to cash in rewards for travel through the Chase Portal, the Sapphire Preferred Card is virtually a no-brainer. You can earn 100,000 bonus points, worth up to $1,750 in travel, which will cover your annual fee for over seven years. Plus, additional cards for authorized users are free, making this the ideal card for couples or families with adult children.
This card may not be for you if you don’t travel a lot, although other benefits, such as the annual hotel credit and Apple TV subscription, also justify the annual fee and then some. Plus, 3x points on dining, gas/EV charging, grocery delivery, vacation homes and streaming can help homebodies maximize their rewards. To learn more, read about Sapphire Preferred Card benefits.
The information related to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® was collected by CardCritics™ and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardCritics™ does not receive a commission for this product.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Chase Sapphire Preferred Annual Fee
Can you get the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card annual fee waived?
Chase does not waive the annual fee for the Sapphire Preferred Card. However, if you meet the requirements and spend $5,000 in qualified purchases within the first three months after opening the account, you can earn 100,000 in bonus points, worth up to $1,750 if redeemed as rewards through Chase Travel.
Does the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card have an annual fee?
The Sapphire Preferred Card has an annual fee of $95.
Is it worth getting the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?
For frequent travelers with excellent credit looking for a high-value travel rewards credit card with a relatively low annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is well worth it. The annual fee is just $95, easily justified by the welcome bonus of 100,000 points, worth up to $1,750 in travel rewards when you spend $5,000 within the first three months.
How do I avoid the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card fee?
The Sapphire Preferred Card has a $95 annual fee that can’t be avoided. However, you can cover the fee with the generous welcome bonus and valuable perks such as the annual hotel credit, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS application fee credit, complimentary Apple TV subscription, and the DashPass subscription, which can be worth hundreds of dollars a year.
