If you want a credit card that makes travel and dining more rewarding without feeling complicated, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of the most popular choices in 2025. Issued by Chase and running on the Visa network, it combines strong earning rates in everyday categories with flexible points that can be redeemed for cash back or travel.
Whether you’re building a smarter travel routine or just looking for a more valuable everyday card, understanding how the Sapphire Preferred works helps you get real benefits instead of leaving points on the table.
How the Chase Sapphire Preferred works in practice
The card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points every time you spend. You pay like a normal Visa credit card, and points show up in your Chase account, usually within a billing cycle. From there, you can redeem them in several ways: as statement credits, deposits to eligible bank accounts, gift cards, or travel booked through Chase Trave.
A practical perk is that the rewards structure matches how many people already spend: restaurants, takeout, streaming, online groceries, and travel. So the points add up naturally, even if you’re not a frequent flyer.
There are two main Sapphire versions you’ll see in Chase’s lineup:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred®, the mid-tier option focused on high value for a moderate annual fee.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®, a premium sibling with more luxury perks and a much higher annual fee.
Both earn Ultimate Rewards points and work worldwide anywhere Visa is accepted. The biggest differences are the annual fee, the number of built-in credits, and how aggressively each card rewards travel. In 2025, most everyday users still find the Preferred the “sweet spot” between cost and benefits.
Starting credit limit
Chase doesn’t publish a fixed opening limit for Sapphire Preferred. Your initial credit line is determined by your credit score, income, existing debt, and overall financial profile. People with strong credit histories and stable income often start with a higher limit, while newer borrowers may get a smaller line at first.
Chase may increase your limit over time if you use the card responsibly. Making on-time payments, keeping utilization low, and showing steady spending patterns can put you in line for an increase within the first several months. The card is designed to grow with you—especially if you stay consistent.
Rewards and benefits
In 2025, the core earning structure looks like this:
- 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠
- 3x points on dining, including takeout and delivery
- 3x points on select streaming services
- 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding big-box/warehouse stores)
- 2x points on other travel purchases
- 1x point on all other eligible spending
New cardmembers typically receive a welcome bonus after meeting a minimum-spend requirement. The exact offer changes over time, but Sapphire Preferred bonuses in 2025 are often positioned as one of the best entry points into Chase’s travel ecosystem.
Fees, interest, and the Ultimate Rewards connection
Sapphire Preferred charges a $95 annual fee. In return, the card gives you access to Ultimate Rewards transfers and travel redemption tools that aren’t available on basic cash-back cards. APR is variable and depends on your creditworthiness, so carrying a balance can get expensive.
The Ultimate Rewards connection is the real differentiator. Even if you start by redeeming points for cash back, the card keeps the door open to more advanced redemptions later—especially transfers to airlines and hotels.
How it compares to other credit cards
Compared with flat-rate cash-back cards like the Citi Double Cash or Capital One Quicksilver, Sapphire Preferred can produce higher value if you spend a decent amount on dining and travel, or if you redeem points for travel.
Against premium travel cards, Sapphire Preferred is cheaper to hold and easier to justify. You’re not paying for lounge access or luxury credits you might not use, but you still get strong travel insurance and flexible points.
How to acquire the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
You can apply online through Chase’s website, in the Chase mobile app, or in a branch. When you apply, you’ll provide income details, employment information, and basic identity verification. Chase may approve instantly, request more documents, or take a few days to review. If approved, you’ll receive your card by mail and can usually add it to a digital wallet right away.
Is it the right card for you?
If you want a straightforward way to earn valuable points on dining and travel—and you like the option to redeem for trips later—the Chase Sapphire Preferred is an excellent everyday travel card in 2025. It’s especially good for people who pay their balance in full, take at least a couple trips per year, or want to start building a transferable-points strategy without a high annual fee.
The card is less ideal if you rarely dine out, don’t travel, or prefer zero-fee cards only. But for a wide middle group of users, Sapphire Preferred hits a rare balance: easy to use, rewarding in real life, and powerful enough to grow with your goals.
