For over ten years, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has consistently ranked as one of the most valuable and well-rounded travel credit cards on the market. It offers a generous signup bonus, strong rewards on spending, flexible redemption options, and top-tier travel protections. It’s a card that remains easy to recommend for travelers of all levels.
Here at TheMilesAcademy, we’re breaking down nine compelling reasons why the Chase Sapphire Preferred is still a smart pick in 2025.
Let’s get into it!
1. Get 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points as a Signup Bonus
Right now, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is offering a welcome bonus of 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $5,000 in the first three months. That’s a notable bump from its usual 60,000-point offer—a 25% increase in value.
At TheMilesAcademy, we peg the value of Ultimate Rewards points at around 1.7 cents each, especially when transferred to airline and hotel partners. That makes this bonus worth about $1,275 in travel rewards—a massive return for a card with such a manageable spending requirement.
2. Still Just a $95 Annual Fee
While many premium credit cards have hiked up their fees, the Chase Sapphire Preferred continues to offer excellent value with an annual fee that holds steady at $95. That’s a refreshingly low cost considering the level of rewards and travel perks packed into the card.
Unlike some cards charging $400 or more, this fee hasn’t changed in years and still delivers an impressive return on investment.
3. Earn 2x to 5x Points in Bonus Categories
The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns elevated rewards in everyday and travel-related categories:
- 5x points on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal
- 3x points on dining purchases
- 3x points at online grocery retailers (excludes Target, Walmart, wholesale clubs)
- 3x points on select streaming subscriptions
- 2x points on other travel purchases not made through Chase Travel
- 1x point on everything else
Used strategically, these categories let you rack up Ultimate Rewards points quickly and efficiently.
4. 10% Bonus Points Every Card Anniversary
Each year on your account anniversary, you’ll get a 10% points bonus based on your total annual spending. Spend $25,000? That’s an extra 2,500 points, just for using the card.
This means you’re effectively earning over 3x points on dining and travel when factoring in this bonus—in some cases outpacing even the Chase Sapphire Reserve® on reward rate.
5. Transfer Points to Top Travel Partners at a 1:1 Ratio
Chase Ultimate Rewards points are among the most versatile travel currencies. With the Sapphire Preferred, you can transfer points 1:1 to top airline and hotel partners like:
- World of Hyatt
- United MileagePlus
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- British Airways Executive Club
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
This opens up opportunities for outsized redemptions, like booking premium cabin seats or luxury hotel stays.
For instance, transferring 40,000 points to Hyatt could land you a night at Ventana Big Sur—an all-inclusive resort that often runs $2,000+ per night. That’s over 4 cents of value per point.
6. The Power of No Annual Fee Chase Cards
One hidden strength of the Chase Sapphire Preferred is how it lets you pair it with no-annual-fee Chase cards to maximize rewards. These include:
Chase Freedom FlexSM
5x points in rotating quarterly categories, 3x at drugstores
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
1.5x points on all purchases
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
5x on office supplies and select utilities, 2x at gas stations and restaurants
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
1.5x on all purchases
These cards earn points that become fully transferable only when paired with a Sapphire Preferred. It’s a powerful combo for anyone serious about travel rewards.
7. Top-Notch Rental Car and Travel Coverage
Travel protection often gets overlooked—until you actually need it. The Sapphire Preferred offers some of the best protections in its class:
- Primary rental car insurance, so you can skip paying extra at the counter
- Trip delay and trip cancellation coverage
- Reimbursement for lost or delayed baggage
At TheMilesAcademy, we’ve seen first-hand how these benefits save travelers thousands when things go wrong. This coverage isn’t fluff—it’s real peace of mind.
8. Annual $50 Hotel Credit via Chase Travel Portal
Every card anniversary year, you can earn a $50 statement credit when booking a hotel stay through the Chase Travel Portal. No minimum spend required. Book a $50 room? You’re reimbursed $50.
That alone covers over half the card’s annual fee, making it even easier to justify keeping the card long-term.
9. More Affordable Alternative to Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve now charges a steep $795 annual fee. For many, the Sapphire Preferred is a more practical option that still delivers strong value:
- 2x points on all travel vs. Reserve’s limited 3x categories
- Free authorized users vs. the Reserve’s extra fees
- 10% anniversary bonus points that boost long-term earnings
While the Sapphire Reserve may suit high spenders and luxury travelers, the Preferred hits the sweet spot for everyday users looking to maximize value without overpaying.
Bottom Line
The Chase Sapphire Preferred remains one of the best travel credit cards available in 2025. With a solid signup bonus, strong earning potential, flexible redemptions, and top-tier travel protections, it’s the ultimate starter card—and still a keeper for seasoned points pros.
At TheMilesAcademy, we still recommend it without hesitation. If you’re looking to get serious about travel rewards, this is the card to start with.
Want to level up even more? Join our free Points and Miles community at TheMilesAcademy, where we share strategies, hot deals, and expert tips to help you unlock maximum value from every point you earn.
Now’s the time. Stack your rewards. Book that dream trip. And let TheMilesAcademy show you how.
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