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Chase Sapphire Preferred
Giorgio Sarro
The Rich Grad Student
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Secure Application
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Learn moreQuick Info
Points Program: Chase Ultimate Rewards
Spend Requirement: $5000 in 3 months
Why we opened it!
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is widely considered the best entry level travel credit card. It unlocks essential travel insurance protections and the ability to transfer points to valuable partners such as Hyatt, United, and Virgin. Excellent customer service and robust benefits that outweigh the modest annual fee.
You can also transfer points from other Chase cards, like the Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited, to this card to maximize their value. Since Chase frequently offers transfer bonuses, your points can often be worth significantly more than their face value.
RGS Value Table
| Category | Points | Value (2cpp)Base travel value | Max Value (7cpp)Optimized redemption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signup Bonus | 75,000+ pointsgreat | N/A | N/A |
| Annual Fee | $95 | N/A | N/A |
| Annual Credits | $100 | N/A | N/A |
| Net Annual Fee | $-5great | N/A | N/A |
| Travel | 5x (on travel portal)great | 10% | 35% |
| Grocery | 1xpoor | 2% | 7% |
| Gas | 3xrgs wallet | 6% | 21% |
| Dining | 3xrgs wallet | 6% | 21% |
| Pharmacy | 1xpoor | 2% | 7% |
| Other Purchases | 1xpoor | 2% | 7% |
| Lounge Benefits | Nonepoor | N/A | N/A |
| Partner Benefits | Global entry credit + Free Dashpass + $120 off non-restaurant orders + 5x back on Lyft & Pelotonrgs wallet | N/A | N/A |
| Misc Benefits | 3x on Online Grocery + 3x on streaming + 3x on vacation homesrgs wallet | N/A | N/A |
Signup Bonus
Key MetricAnnual Fee
Annual Credits
Net Annual Fee
Key MetricTravel
Key MetricGrocery
Gas
Dining
Key MetricPharmacy
Other Purchases
Lounge Benefits
Partner Benefits
Misc Benefits
Table Key:
*Point valuations shown are example redemptions; actual values vary by route, dates, and availability. Results not typical or guaranteed.
Additional Information
This is a foundational card for any traveler. Comprehensive trip protections have saved me thousands of dollars in recent years.
The primary rental car insurance has provided significant savings by allowing me to decline expensive Collision Damage Waivers (CDW) globally. The card also offers protection against unfavorable merchant experiences. If you encounter a significant issue with a service or product, the dispute process provides a reliable safety net for your funds.
Personal advice only. We are not a bank, lender, or financial advisor. Offers change, and banks do not endorse this content. Always read your cardmember agreement and fee schedule before applying or using any card. Use these recommendations at your own risk. You must be 21 years or older, and this website is not intended for undergraduate students. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, which may influence how or where these products appear. We only recommend products we genuinely believe benefit graduate students and decline offers that do not align with that goal.
