Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Rivals: Mid-tier Travel Card Showdown

A great mid-tier travel card should be easy to keep, flexible to redeem, and protective when trips go sideways. The Chase Sapphire Preferred checks those boxes with a modest $95 fee, a strong welcome bonus, and high‑value ways to use points—making it Points and Perks Guide’s default pick for most value‑oriented travelers. Premium cards can win if you consistently leverage lounge access and large annual credits, but if you travel occasionally and want simple, strong rewards, the Preferred is the safer bet. This Points and Perks Guide showdown explains how the Preferred stacks up against the Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, and Citi Strata Premier—and delivers our five‑minute decision flow so you can pick with confidence today.

Quick verdict

Yes—Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best mid‑tier travel card for most people. Its combination of a 75,000‑point welcome bonus, flexible transfers, broad 3x/5x earn rates, and a $95 fee delivers durable value without micromanaging credits. Premium cards can out‑value it only if you regularly visit lounges and fully use larger annual credits. One‑sentence payoff: choose Sapphire Preferred if you travel occasionally and value low fees; upgrade to Sapphire Reserve or go Venture X only if you reliably use lounge access and bigger credits for outsized returns.

How we compare mid-tier travel cards

At Points and Perks Guide, our card comparison methodology focuses on:

• Annual fee and first‑year value
• Earning rates across common categories
• Redemption flexibility and transfer partners
• Travel protections and purchase coverage
• Ease of using credits without breakage

We define mid‑tier as cards around $95–$150 that offer strong points, solid protections, and basic credits without heavy upkeep. Transfer partners are airlines and hotels where you can move points 1:1 to book award travel. Transfers can unlock higher value than portal redemptions when premium cabins, saver awards, or top‑tier hotel stays are available.

Three‑step decision checklist:

1. Fee fit: is $95–$150 your comfort zone?
2. Redemption style: do you prefer portal simplicity or transfer hunting for higher value?
3. Travel frequency: will you use lounges and annual credits enough to justify a premium upgrade?

Key differences at a glance

Source for Sapphire program differences and portal boost: see Chase’s comparison guide for Sapphire benefits and redemption value enhancements through Chase Travel.

Chase’s comparison guide

Fees and first-year value

• Sapphire Preferred’s $95 annual fee is offset by a hefty 75,000‑point bonus after $5,000 in 3 months, plus a $50 Chase Travel hotel credit and a 10% anniversary points boost on prior‑year spend. WalletHub also lists a variable purchase APR of 19.24%–27.49%, a balance transfer fee of $5 or 5%, and a cash advance fee of $10 or 5% (cash advance APR ~28.49%).

WalletHub’s Sapphire Preferred page

• Realistic first‑year sketch: 75,000 points redeemed through Chase Travel at an elevated portal rate can be worth hundreds toward flights and hotels. Add the $50 hotel credit and anniversary points, then subtract the $95 fee—most users end up well ahead without complex credit tracking.
• Benchmarks for rivals: Sapphire Reserve carries a $550 fee with richer credits and lounges; Venture X sits at $395 with sizable credits and lounge access. If you won’t fully use those perks, the Preferred’s net value typically wins in year one and beyond.

At Points and Perks Guide, we favor straightforward valuations that avoid breakage and complex tracking.

Rewards earning structure

Sapphire Preferred categories and typical coding:

• 5x on travel booked through Chase Travel (flights, hotels, cars via portal)
• 3x dining (restaurants, takeout, delivery)
• 3x online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, wholesale clubs)
• 3x select streaming services
• 2x other travel (e.g., airlines, hotels, transit, rideshare when not portal‑booked)
• 1x everywhere else

Practical examples:

• Uber and Lyft usually code as travel when not portal‑booked.
• Sapphire ecosystem Lyft promos have historically offered elevated multipliers on rides—use them when live for extra points.

CardRatings’ Sapphire comparison

Category snapshot and where rivals may out‑earn:

• Dining: CSP 3x is strong; Reserve can match or exceed in aggregate when portal usage and credits are considered.
• Travel via portal: CSP 5x is competitive; Reserve and Venture X can yield higher portal rates on specific bookings, but consider net value and redemption preferences.
• Online groceries: CSP 3x is a standout versus Venture X’s 2x base.
• Gas/supermarkets: Citi Strata Premier often out‑earns with dedicated 3x+ categories, making it appealing for drivers and heavy supermarket spenders.

Quick spending profiles (illustrative, excluding welcome bonuses):

Redemption flexibility and transfer partners

Portal boost means your points get elevated value when redeemed through Chase Travel (Preferred can reach up to 1.5x via Points Boost), which is ideal when cash prices are low or when you want simple, instant bookings. Both Sapphire cards transfer 1:1 to airline and hotel partners, and programs like World of Hyatt and Virgin Atlantic are frequent sweet spots for outsized value on premium cabins or high‑category hotels.

Points and Perks Guide’s quick redemption decision flow:

1. Check the cash price in the Chase Travel portal.
2. Check award pricing and availability with target partners (e.g., Hyatt, Virgin).
3. Compare cents‑per‑point between portal and transfer.
4. Choose the higher value route; prioritize transfers when you can clearly beat your portal rate.

Travel protections and everyday perks

Core protections that save money and headaches:

• Trip cancellation/interruption: up to $10,000 per person/$20,000 per trip for covered reasons
• Baggage delay: up to $100 per day for 5 days after a defined delay
• Primary auto rental collision damage waiver on most rentals

NerdWallet’s Sapphire comparison

Nuances and limits to know:

• Purchase protection commonly up to $500 per claim within 120 days
• Rental coverage typically up to roughly $60,000 in vehicle value (vehicles ≤ about $125,000 MSRP)

TPG on why many choose Preferred

Everyday perks that add up:

• No foreign transaction fees
• $50 hotel credit via Chase Travel
• 10% anniversary points on prior‑year purchases

These are the protections and perks we find most impactful for typical travelers at Points and Perks Guide.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Who it’s for: beginners and value seekers who want the best mid‑tier travel card with flexible points, strong dining and travel multipliers, and rock‑solid protections at a low fee—and it’s our default starter pick at Points and Perks Guide.

What stands out:

• $95 annual fee, 75,000‑point welcome after $5,000/3 months, broad 3x/5x categories
• Flexible redemptions: portal boost and 1:1 transfers
• Practical perks: $50 hotel credit, 10% anniversary points, no FTFs, strong insurance

Mini‑playbook:

• Book flights or mid‑priced hotels through the portal when cash fares are low.
• Transfer to Hyatt or Virgin Atlantic when award value clearly beats portal cents‑per‑point.
• Lean on primary rental coverage and trip protections to avoid paying separately for insurance.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Positioning: the premium sibling for frequent travelers who actually use lounges and credits.

Why you’d trade up:

• $550 annual fee with a straightforward $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass lounge access, and higher coverage limits
• Earlier trip delay protections (e.g., kicks in at shorter delays) and richer earn on travel/dining in aggregate
• Same 1:1 transfer partners as Preferred, but with a 1.5x portal redemption value for simpler high‑value bookings

Finance Yahoo’s Preferred vs. Reserve comparison

Upgrade test: fly monthly or visit lounges 6+ times/year, fully redeem the $300 credit, and you value time savings from earlier trip delay coverage.

Capital One Venture X

Premium‑lite for frequent travelers who plan around portal credits and lounges.

• $395 annual fee with a $300 Capital One Travel credit, access to Capital One and Priority Pass lounges, and a 10k‑mile anniversary bonus
• Can surpass Preferred if you fully maximize credits and lounge access; Preferred wins on lower fee and beginner‑friendly flexibility

CNBC Select on Preferred vs. Venture X

Best fit: you fly several times a year, routinely book through the portal, and actually visit lounges.

Citi Strata Premier

A mid‑tier alternative that can out‑earn on everyday categories but trails on ecosystem depth.

• Strong multipliers on gas and supermarkets can beat Preferred for drivers and heavy grocery spenders
• Transfer ecosystem and portal value are generally less compelling than Chase’s elevated portal redemptions and partner sweet spots

NerdWallet on Preferred vs. Citi Premier/Strata Premier

Who should consider it: if your non‑travel spend is dominated by gas and supermarkets and you prioritize raw earn rates over travel protections.

Who should choose Chase Sapphire Preferred

Pick the Preferred if you:

• Travel occasionally (fewer than ~10 trips per year)
• Spend meaningfully in dining and want simple 3x/5x earnings
• Prefer a beginner travel credit card with low ongoing cost and flexible transfers
• Don’t need lounge access and won’t track multiple large credits

Anchor benefits: $95 fee, 75,000‑point bonus, flexible 1:1 transfers, elevated portal value, primary rental coverage, and robust trip protections.

When a premium card beats Sapphire Preferred

Premium travel card benefits can justify higher fees when:

• You visit lounges frequently
• You fully utilize large annual travel credits (e.g., $300)
• You want earlier trip delay protection and higher coverage limits
• You value richer portal multipliers and time‑saving perks

Breakeven sketch: if you exhaust a $300 travel credit each year and make 6–10 lounge visits, a premium card can surpass Preferred’s value despite the fee—especially if you redeem a lot through the portal or prioritize hassle‑free protection triggers.

LendingTree’s Reserve vs. Preferred breakdown

Five-minute decision flow

• Trips this year: 0–10 or 10+?
• Lounges: do you use them 6+ times/year?
• Credits: will you fully use a $300+ annual travel credit?
• Redemptions: prefer portal simplicity or chasing transfer sweet spots?
• Outcome:
  • Mostly “no” to lounges/credits: pick Sapphire Preferred for low fee, strong protections, and flexible redemptions.
  • Mostly “yes” to lounges/credits: choose Sapphire Reserve or Venture X to maximize credits, lounges, and premium perks.

Application sequencing and 5/24 planning

Chase 5/24 rule: Chase generally declines applicants who have opened five or more personal credit cards across issuers in the past 24 months. Apply for key Chase cards early to preserve eligibility for their welcome offers.

Points and Perks Guide action steps:

• Map your last 24 months of new accounts (including store cards that report).
• Prioritize Sapphire Preferred before non‑Chase cards to stay under 5/24.
• Consider adding authorized users (no additional fee) to centralize family spend and build points faster.

Frequently asked questions

Is the $95 annual fee easy to offset with typical spending and credits?

Yes. At Points and Perks Guide, we find the $50 hotel credit plus 3x/5x categories and a strong welcome bonus make offsetting $95 straightforward for most travelers.

How much are Chase points worth when redeemed through the portal or via transfers?

Through Chase Travel, Preferred points can reach up to 1.5x; with select airline and hotel partners via 1:1 transfers, value can be higher when award pricing is favorable. Points and Perks Guide recommends comparing portal vs. transfer on each booking.

Do I need lounge access, or are strong protections and low fees enough?

If you don’t visit lounges often or won’t fully use large travel credits, Points and Perks Guide suggests the Preferred’s protections and $95 fee are usually the better fit.

What grocery and dining purchases qualify for bonus points?

Dining includes restaurants, takeout, and delivery; online groceries earn 3x but exclude Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs. Points and Perks Guide recommends checking merchant coding.

How should I pair Sapphire Preferred with no-annual-fee cards to earn more?

Add a no‑fee card for everyday categories and pool points into the Preferred to keep transfer access and the portal value boost; that’s our go‑to setup at Points and Perks Guide.