Points · Visa · $95 annual fee
Last verified 2026-09-09. Review issuer source

The Sapphire Preferred is the card most people should start with if they want points that transfer to airlines and hotels. The $95 fee is low for what it unlocks: 3x on dining and streaming, 3x on online grocery orders, 2x on travel you book anywhere, and transfer partners that include Hyatt and United. The 5x rate is portal-only, so treat it as a bonus rather than the reason to apply.
The catch is the base rate. Everything outside those categories earns 1x, so a flat 2% card beats it on plain spending. The math works when dining plus travel plus streaming is a real share of your budget, or when the sign-up bonus is the point: 75,000 points after $5,000 in three months is $750 in cash and often more toward travel.
Two protections are worth more than they look. Rental collision coverage is primary, so a claim never touches your own auto policy, and trip cancellation covers up to $10,000 a person. Both come from Chase, not from Visa, which is why they are better than what the same Visa Signature tier gives a no-fee card.
Earn 5x points on Chase Travel
Earn 3x points on dining
Earn 3x points on gas stations and EV charging
Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides with your Chase Sapphire Preferred card through September 30, 2027.
Earn 3x points on top streaming services
Earn 2x on travel purchases
Earn 3x points on vacation homes at top brands
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel.
Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $156.
Decline the rental company's collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your card. Coverage is primary and provides reimbursement up to $60,000 for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles with an MSRP of $125,000 or less.
Reimburses you up to $100 a day for up to 5 days for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing when baggage is delayed over 6 hours.
Get a complimentary DashPass membership, a $120 value for 12 months. Enjoy $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible DoorDash orders when you activate by December 31, 2027. Plus, DashPass members get a $10 promo each month ($120 annually) to save on groceries, retail orders, and more through December 31, 2027.
If you or a covered traveler are injured or become sick during a trip 100 miles or more from home that results in an emergency evacuation, you can be covered for medical services and transportation up to $100,000.
Extends the time period of the manufacturer's U.S. warranty by an additional year, on eligible warranties of three years or less, up to four years from the date of purchase.
Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card.*
Provides reimbursement up to $3,000 per covered traveler for the cost to repair or replace checked or carry-on baggage that is lost, damaged or stolen during a covered trip.
Covers your eligible new purchases for 120 days from the date of purchase against damage or theft up to $500 per item.
If you have a roadside emergency, call the service provider to dispatch the help you need.
When you pay for your air, bus, train or cruise transportation with your card, you are eligible to receive up to $500,000 in accidental death or dismemberment coverage.
If you run into a problem while traveling away from home, this benefit provides legal and medical referrals and access to other travel and emergency assistance services. (You will be responsible for the cost of any goods or services obtained.)
If your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather or other covered situations, you can be reimbursed up to $10,000 per covered traveler and $20,000 per trip for your pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses, including passenger fares, tours, and hotels.
If your common carrier travel is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, you are covered for unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging, up to $500 per covered traveler.
These come from Visa, not from Chase. Every card on the Visa Signature tier carries them, so they should not decide between two cards.
Get free access to Dovly Uplift. Dovly helps you raise your credit score and get more for your money. While Dovly's platform is designed to remove inaccuracies from your credit report, every case is different, and not everyone will achieve the same results.
Enjoy automatic Silver Status when you sign up for Troon Rewards®, for 10% savings on golf fees, merchandise and lessons at over 150 golf courses across the United States and the world.
Eligible Visa cardholders can enjoy special events access to the hottest dining events on OpenTable. Restrictions apply.
This is a pay-per-use roadside assistance program available 24x7. Roadside Dispatch will ask for your location, find out what the problem is, and will remain on the phone with you while arranging a dispatch to a reliable tow operator or locksmith. You pay a set price per service call.
Enjoy a free ticket per show with the purchase of one or more tickets, plus you can access 7-day Visa Exclusive Presale opportunities.
Eligible Visa cardholders can now use the GigSky app to access complimentary or discounted global mobile data, in 175+ countries and destinations worldwide as well as on over 200 of the world’s top cruise ships.
Get exciting benefits at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort when you pay with your Visa Signature® or Visa Infinite® card.
Get assistance with travel planning, entertainment tickets and more.
Enjoy special guest status at 900+ Visa Signature Luxury Hotel properties worldwide.
Book your next road trip with your Visa Signature card to receive up to 25% off base rates on qualifying rentals from Avis and Budget. Your card can also unlock complimentary upgrades (when available), waived Additional Driver Fee and 10% saving on XM Satellite radio during rental.
Benefit descriptions are the issuer’s and network’s own wording, trimmed for length. Limits and exclusions are in the guide to benefits.
| Card | Annual fee | Rewards earned | Net after fee | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit CardThis card · 3x on dining | $95 | $510 | +$415 | 450th of 1,291 |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit CardSame points with no fee and a 1.5x base; most people should hold both · 3% on dining | None | $528 | +$528 | 276th of 1,291 |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit CardSame family with lounges and credits, at $795 · 4x on airfare | $795 | $528 | −$267 | 1274th of 1,291 |
| Venture Rewards2x on everything for the same $95, and simpler · 2x on everything | $95 | $582 | +$487 | 294th of 1,291 |
Reference budget: groceries $6,000, dining and restaurants $3,600, gas and ev charging $2,400, travel and transit $3,000, online shopping $2,400, entertainment and streaming $1,200, everything else $6,000. Points are valued at 1¢ unless the program is worth less; statement credits, welcome bonuses, and perks are left out. Run it with your own spending.