The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the card that launched a thousand points obsession. It's been my #1 recommendation for first-time travel card seekers for six years — and in 2026, it still holds the crown.
Annual fee: $95
Welcome bonus: 60,000 points ($750+ in travel)
Best earn: 3x dining, 2x travel
The Welcome Bonus: Is It Still Worth It?
60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. That's $750 redeemed through Chase Travel — or significantly more if you transfer to airline/hotel partners. United miles, Hyatt points, British Airways Avios — UR transfers at 1:1 to 14 partners.
At $4,000 spend in 90 days, you're looking at roughly $1,333/month in spending. That's a normal grocery + dining + utilities load for most households.
Earning Rates
3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases. 2x points on all travel. 1x on everything else. The 5x on travel booked through Chase Travel is fine if you're locked in — but for flexibility, book direct and take the 2x.
The $95 Annual Fee Math
$50 annual hotel credit (through Chase Travel). $10/month DoorDash subscription credit. Chase Lounge access pilot. If you use the hotel credit once, the real annual fee is $45. That's a no-brainer.
Transfer Partners: The Real Value
This is where UR points separate themselves. Hyatt is the crown jewel: Park Hyatt Tokyo for 25,000 points per night. United domestic economy for as little as 5,000 miles one-way. Korean Air Skypass for business class steals to Asia. The flexibility is unmatched at this fee tier.
Who Should Apply
You: new to travel points, spend $500+/month on dining and travel, want flexibility over max value. You'll use it as your daily driver, hit the bonus, and have a war chest for a meaningful trip within 12 months.
Who Should Skip It
If you already have a CSP or CSR, the welcome bonus is off-limits (48-month rule). Chase 5/24 kills your chances if you've opened 5+ cards in the last 24 months. In those cases, look at Amex Gold instead.
