I did not expect to have strong feelings about a credit card, but after a couple of very busy years of flights, train rides, Airbnbs, chain hotels, and the occasional aspirational business class ticket, the Chase Sapphire Preferred has become something I think about almost every time I travel.
I have run the numbers, fought with bonus categories that did not track properly, redeemed points for dream trips that would have hurt my wallet in cash, and also had a few redemptions that felt underwhelming. What follows is my honest, experience-based take on whether the Chase Sapphire Preferred is actually worth it for travelers today, and under what conditions it earns its place in a very crowded wallet.
How I Use the Card and What I Actually Pay
My relationship with the Sapphire Preferred started with the sign-up bonus. I applied because the welcome offer looked generous compared with the relatively modest annual fee. In practice, I did hit the minimum spend through a mix of flights, a small home project, and a couple of group dinners I put on my card and got reimbursed for. Earning that bonus was the most obvious, immediate value I got, and it set a high bar that regular, ongoing use has not always matched.
The annual fee is not trivial, but it is not outrageous either, especially when I compare it with premium cards that charge several times more. In recent years, Chase has added a fixed dollar travel credit that automatically applies to travel purchases each cardmember year. That effectively reduces the net annual fee for me, because I always spend at least that much on travel without trying. I did not have to activate anything or jump through hoops, which I appreciated. Still, I am very aware that if I stopped traveling, the fee would quickly feel like dead weight.
The category bonuses on travel and dining are the next meaningful piece of value for me. I eat out and order in more than I probably should, and I fly enough that those multipliers add up. However, the base rate on non-bonus spending is unremarkable. Any time I put general purchases like utilities or random retail on this card, I know I am missing out on better flat-rate cash back opportunities elsewhere. Over time, I have learned to be disciplined and use the Sapphire Preferred almost exclusively when it earns extra.
Foreign transaction fees are a dealbreaker for me on a travel card, and the Sapphire Preferred does not charge them. That alone has made it a default choice abroad. Using it in Europe and Asia felt seamless, and I appreciated not needing a separate “no FX fee” card. That said, I have become more aware of dynamic currency conversion tricks from some merchants, and the card does not protect you from that. I still have to watch terminals carefully and insist on being charged in local currency.
Earning Points: Where the Card Shines and Where It Stumbles
The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, and that currency is the real reason the card is discussed so much in travel circles. In my experience, the points are flexible and relatively easy to use, especially if you are willing to learn a bit about transfer partners. For everyday travel and dining, the points post reliably, and I have not had issues with missing rewards for standard spending.
I have, however, run into frustration with the more niche bonus categories and rotating offers. Limited-time promotions like extra points on certain merchants or boosted rewards for using Chase’s own travel portal sound great but sometimes feel more like marketing than real, lasting value. I have activated offers, then forgotten to steer spending toward them, or found that the extra effort to track them did not translate into enough additional points to matter. If you are not the type of person who enjoys optimizing every purchase, a lot of these little bonuses can easily go underutilized.
One thing that did surprise me in a good way is that many travel expenses still code as “travel” even when they are not obvious airlines or hotels. I have received bonus points for things like airport shuttle services, certain parking facilities, and even some local transportation. That made the rewards feel more generous and aligned with how travel actually looks, not just glossy brochure travel. On the flip side, there have been a few edge cases, like tour companies or third-party booking platforms, that did not trigger the travel multiplier when I expected them to, and I had to accept that the system is imperfect.
Compared with pure cash-back cards, there are times when holding the Sapphire Preferred feels like a choice to prioritize aspirational value over guaranteed simplicity. Earning 2 or more points per dollar on key categories can be very powerful if you eventually redeem them well. But if you are going to cash out for simple statement credits, the earnings structure no longer looks special. I have had to remind myself that the card only makes sense if I commit to using the points strategically.
Redeeming Points: From Dream Redemptions to Questionable Deals
Redemption is where my experience with the Sapphire Preferred has been the most emotionally charged. At its best, booking travel with points has given me flights and hotel stays that felt wildly outsized compared with what I spent on the card. At its worst, I have used points through the portal for mediocre value just because I was impatient or trying to salvage small leftovers.
The Chase travel portal offers a modest boost when you redeem points toward bookings. The interface feels familiar if you regularly use online travel agencies, and I have successfully booked flights, hotels, and rental cars there. For simple itineraries, this has been smooth. For more complicated trips, such as multi-city routes or when I needed to combine a cash ticket with a points ticket, the portal felt clunky. Customer service through the portal is also a layer removed from the airline or hotel, which led to headaches when one of my flights got rescheduled and I had to negotiate changes through Chase instead of directly with the carrier.
My best experiences came when I transferred points to airline and hotel partners. Once I took a long-haul business class flight that I would never have paid for in cash. Another time, I used a mix of points and cash at a partner hotel in a high-demand city and felt like I had “beaten the system.” In both cases, the cents-per-point value was far beyond what I would have received by simply redeeming through the portal. However, these redemptions required planning, flexibility in dates, and the willingness to learn each program’s quirks. Award availability can be stingy, and there were multiple nights where I pored over calendars and routing options only to realize that my ideal dates were blacked out or required too many points to justify.
Not every redemption can be glamorous. I have also used points for mundane domestic economy flights where the math barely beat a basic cash-back redemption. Sometimes I did this knowing it was not a “great” deal but valuing the feeling of not paying out of pocket in that moment. Over time, I have recognized that the emotional satisfaction of using points can trick me into accepting subpar value. The card does not prevent this; it is completely up to the cardholder to resist the urge to burn points just because they are there.
On-the-Road Benefits: Insurance, Protections, and What Actually Helps
One of the quieter strengths of the Sapphire Preferred is its suite of travel protections. I did not think much about these at first, but after a few disrupted trips they have become a non-negotiable feature for me. I have filed a claim for a delayed baggage situation where my checked bag did not arrive until two days into a trip. The process was not effortless, but it was far more humane than dealing solely with the airline. I was reimbursed for essential clothing and toiletries up to the stated limit, and the payout arrived in a reasonable timeframe.
I have also relied on the card’s trip cancellation and interruption coverage when a family issue forced me to cancel a domestic flight and nonrefundable hotel. This was the moment the card justified its annual fee all over again. Documentation requirements were strict, and I had to submit multiple rounds of paperwork, but ultimately I was reimbursed for a significant portion of my losses. Without the card, I would have simply eaten the cost.
On the other hand, not every touted benefit has made a difference in real travel situations. For rental cars, the primary collision damage waiver sounds impressive, and it is genuinely useful, but it comes with exclusions and conditions that require careful reading. At one overseas location, the local agency insisted on selling me their own coverage anyway, and I decided to pay it rather than argue across a language barrier about the finer points of my credit card insurance. In moments like that, the theoretical benefit of the card felt less valuable than the path of least resistance at the counter.
Overall, I have come to see the insurance and protections as quiet backup plans rather than daily perks. They do not make trips more glamorous or comfortable on the surface, but when something goes wrong, knowing I have recourse makes me more willing to book boldly and avoid paying extra for overlapping protections sold by airlines or travel agencies. If you never experience disruptions, this might all feel theoretical; if you travel enough, sooner or later it probably will not.
Customer Service, Practical Frictions, and Everyday Reality
Customer service has been a mixed bag. In routine situations, like requesting a credit line increase or asking questions about how a charge coded, phone support has been relatively quick and competent. Representatives seemed familiar with the travel-specific aspects of the card, and I felt like I was talking to people who understood how travelers think. Security alerts when I used the card in new countries were generally reasonable and easy to clear after a brief call or text confirmation.
In more complex situations, especially those involving the travel portal or insurance claims, the experience has been slower and more bureaucratic. I have spent long stretches on hold when flights were canceled and the entire world seemed to be calling at once. Having to coordinate three parties at the same time me, Chase, and the airline or hotel led to frustrating loops where each side suggested I talk to the others. During one particularly messy rebooking, I genuinely wondered if booking through the portal had been worth the small redemption bonus compared with reserving directly.
Another practical friction is that while the card has become more common, not every merchant setup is equally smooth. In some countries, chip-and-PIN is still preferred, and this card uses chip-and-signature or contactless. I have had a handful of small shops hesitate when the terminal asked for a signature slip instead of a PIN, though I have always been able to pay in the end. At unattended kiosks like certain train ticket machines and gas stations abroad, the card occasionally failed where a true chip-and-PIN card would have succeeded, forcing me to use backup payment methods.
On a day-to-day basis at home, the card feels like a solid workhorse rather than a luxury object. The physical design is understated, the weight is moderately premium but not flashy, and merchants in the United States are used to seeing it. No one has ever upgraded my seat or treated me differently just because I used this card. Whatever status or perks you enjoy on the road will mostly come from your airline and hotel programs, not from quietly handing over a Sapphire Preferred at checkout.
The Value Equation: Who Actually Comes Out Ahead
After a few years of carrying the Sapphire Preferred, I have a clearer sense of who it really suits. This card makes the most sense if you travel at least a few times a year, care about maximizing the value of your spending, and are willing to learn basic points strategy. You do not need to become a full-time hobbyist, but you should be comfortable comparing redemption options and occasionally transferring points to partners to get the best deals.
If your lifestyle is heavily weighted toward dining out, ride shares, flights, hotels, and similar categories, the card’s multipliers are meaningful. In my case, using it for those expenses has generated a steady stream of points that periodically fund a “free” trip. Even when the trips are not glamorous, there is something satisfying about booking travel founder on points earned from my normal habits. When paired with the travel and shopping protections, it feels like a well-rounded package for a frequent but not necessarily elite traveler.
On the other hand, if you rarely travel, do most of your spending at supermarkets and warehouse clubs, or simply prefer the mental simplicity of cash back, this card is harder to justify. The annual fee and the mental overhead of learning how to use points well might not be worth it. I know people who proudly use a single no-annual-fee cash-back card for everything and never think twice about category bonuses or transfer partners. In their shoes, I would not choose the Sapphire Preferred as my primary card.
It is also important to recognize that the welcome bonus is a one-time event, while the annual fee recurs. The first year can feel like an easy win, especially if you hit the bonus early and redeem strategically. The real test is whether, in the second and third years, your normal spending and redemptions still provide enough ongoing value. For me, the answer so far has been yes, but I review it each renewal and run simple math to confirm. I am not sentimental about keeping a card that no longer earns its place.
The Takeaway
Looking back at how the Chase Sapphire Preferred has fit into my actual travels, not just the theoretical ones in marketing materials, I would describe it as a very capable middleweight card. It will not magically turn every trip into business class and five-star suites, but it does provide a solid combination of rewards, flexibility, and protection that has repeatedly saved me money and stress. The high points of my experience have been those memorable redemptions on partner airlines and hotels, and the times travel insurance stepped in when plans fell apart.
The low points have involved clunky portal bookings, long hold times during disruptions, and the nagging feeling that I sometimes redeemed points for mediocre value just to be done with it. I have also learned that not everyone wants to worry about whether a purchase codes as travel or whether transferring points to a foreign airline program will yield better value. For some travelers, the mental bandwidth cost is real.
If I were starting over today, I would still sign up for the Sapphire Preferred, but I would tweak how I use it. I would be more disciplined about focusing spending on the strong bonus categories and less eager to burn small point balances on poor-value redemptions. I would also be more thoughtful about when I book through the portal versus directly with airlines and hotels, especially for itineraries that are likely to change.
In the end, I think the card is worth it for travelers who fly or stay in hotels at least a few times a year, appreciate the idea of turning everyday spending into meaningful trips, and are willing to learn enough about points to avoid the worst redemption traps. If that sounds like you, the Chase Sapphire Preferred can be a powerful tool in your travel kit. If you want absolute simplicity and never want to think about optimization, a straightforward cash-back card might quietly serve you better, even if it never earns you a business class seat to somewhere far away.
FAQ
Q1: Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred worth paying the annual fee if I only travel once or twice a year?
For just one or two short trips a year, the card can still be worthwhile if you spend heavily on dining and other bonus categories, but you are more likely to break even than come out far ahead. In that situation, you need to be comfortable using transfer partners or the portal efficiently, or the annual fee may feel unnecessary.
Q2: How difficult is it to use airline and hotel transfer partners in real life?
Using transfer partners involves a learning curve. You need to understand each program’s award chart or dynamic pricing and be flexible with dates and routes. Once you get used to it, the process is manageable, but it is not as simple as booking a cash ticket, and it may not appeal to travelers who dislike extra planning.
Q3: Do the travel protections actually work when something goes wrong?
In my experience, the travel protections do work, but they require patience and documentation. Claims for trip delays, cancellations, or lost baggage involve paperwork and sometimes multiple follow-ups, yet I have been reimbursed in cases that would otherwise have left me out of pocket.
Q4: Is booking through the Chase travel portal better than booking directly with airlines or hotels?
Booking through the portal can be convenient and can increase the value of your points, but it adds a middleman to any changes or disruptions. For simple, fixed itineraries, it works fine. For complicated trips or situations likely to change, booking directly with airlines or hotels can be less frustrating.
Q5: How does the card perform for everyday non-travel spending?
For everyday non-travel and non-dining spending, the card is adequate but not exceptional. The base earning rate is similar to many other cards, and pure cash-back options often provide better straightforward value for groceries, gas, and general purchases.
Q6: Will this card help me get airline or hotel elite status?
The card itself does not directly grant airline or hotel elite status. It helps indirectly by making flights and stays more affordable with points, but your actual status will still depend on your paid travel and the specific loyalty programs you participate in.
Q7: How reliable is the no foreign transaction fee benefit when traveling abroad?
The no foreign transaction fee benefit has been completely reliable for me, and I have never been charged extra for using the card abroad. However, I still have to watch out for dynamic currency conversion at terminals and always choose to be billed in local currency to avoid hidden markups.
Q8: Does the card’s chip and contactless setup work smoothly outside the United States?
Most of the time, yes. The card works with chip and contactless terminals in many countries, but at some unattended kiosks or in regions that insist on chip-and-PIN, I have encountered occasional issues and needed a backup payment method.
Q9: How often do I actually redeem points for high-value “aspirational” trips versus simple economy flights?
In my case, the majority of redemptions are for practical economy flights and midrange hotels, with an occasional high-value aspirational trip when timing and availability line up. Those special redemptions are memorable, but they are not the everyday norm.
Q10: Would I recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred as a first travel card?
Yes, with caveats. I would recommend it as a first travel card for someone who is eager to learn how points and transfer partners work and who expects to travel regularly. For someone who values complete simplicity or travels very infrequently, I would suggest starting with a solid no-annual-fee cash-back card instead.