Sapphire Preferred Review 2026
EDITOR'S PICKUpdated Feb 16, 2026·CardStack Data Team
Quick Answer
The Sapphire Preferred earns 5.0X on travel_portal, 3.0X on dining, 3.0X on online_grocery, 3.0X on streaming, 2.0X on travel, 1.0X on base with a $95 annual fee. The current signup bonus is 75,000 points (worth $938 at portal rates) after $4,000 spend. Points transfer 1:1 to airline and hotel partners.
4.6/5
Overall
4.8/5
Rewards
4.5/5
Benefits
4.7/5
Value
CompareSapphire Preferred vs Delta SkyMiles Blue·Sapphire Preferred vs Blue Business Cash·Sapphire Preferred vs Blue Business Plus·Sapphire Preferred vs Blue Cash Everyday·Sapphire Preferred vs Cash Magnet
Rewards Structure
| Category | Rate | Effective ¢/$ | MCCs |
|---|---|---|---|
| travel_portal | 5X pts/$ | 6.25¢ | Varies |
| dining | 3X pts/$ | 3.75¢ | 581258135814 |
| online_grocery | 3X pts/$ | 3.75¢ | 5411 |
| streaming | 3X pts/$ | 3.75¢ | 4899 |
| travel | 2X pts/$ | 2.50¢ | 3000-399945117011 |
| base | 1X pts/$ | 1.25¢ | Varies |
| Everything Else | 1X pts/$ | 1.25¢ | All |
Check MCCMCC Lookup Tool
Signup Bonus Value
75,000 points Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Spend $4,000 in first 3 months
Cash / statement credit$938
Portal redemption (1.25¢/pt)$1,172
Transfer average (2.0¢/pt consensus)$1,922
Maximum value$1,922
Benefits
Trip Cancellation Insurance
$10,000
$10,000 per person, per trip
Trip Delay Reimbursement
$500
$500 per ticket
Baggage Delay Insurance
$500/yr
$100/day, 5 days max
Rental Car Collision Damage Waiver
Primary
Primary (international)
Purchase Protection
$50,000/yr
$500 per claim, 120 days
Extended Warranty Protection
$10,000
Up to $10,000
Effective Annual Fee
Annual fee–$95
Complimentary DashPass+$120
Annual Hotel Credit+$50
Net annual cost+$75 (you come out ahead)
Financial disclaimer: CardStack is not a financial advisor. Credit card terms, APRs, and fees are set by CHASE and subject to change. Verify all information on the issuer's website before applying.
How This Card Has Changed
Feb 2026
DashPass extended through December 2027 Previously set to expire mid-2026 Improvement
Sep 2025
$50 annual hotel credit added for portal bookings No spend requirement. Offsets more than half the fee Improvement
Jan 2024
3X online grocery added Previously only dining and streaming earned 3X Improvement
Aug 2023
Signup bonus reduced from 80,000 to 75,000 points Spend requirement unchanged at $4,000 in 3 months Devaluation
Sep 2021
Major refresh: 5X portal travel, 3X streaming, DashPass included Annual fee held at $95. Increased portal rate from 1.25x Improvement
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Signup bonus worth up to $1,922
- 5X top earn rate on bonus categories
- 1:1 transfer to airline and hotel partners
- No foreign transaction fees
- Low annual fee with strong return on value
Weaknesses
- $95 annual fee
- 1X base rate on non-bonus spending
Who This Card Is For
Point Maximizers
Transfer partners unlock premium redemption value
Foodies & Diners
Bonus earning on restaurants and delivery
International Travelers
No foreign transaction fees
Value Seekers
Strong rewards relative to $95 fee
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Sapphire Preferred worth $95/year?
For moderate spenders, generally yes. The Sapphire Preferred offers rewards and benefits that typically exceed the $95 annual fee for anyone who uses the bonus categories regularly.
What credit score is needed for the Sapphire Preferred?
Most successful applicants have a credit score of 670 or higher. Higher scores significantly improve approval odds.
What is the current signup bonus for the Sapphire Preferred?
The current signup bonus is 75,000 points. Check the issuer's website for the latest offer details and spending requirements.
Methodology
This review draws on data from 35+ independent sources including official product pages, the CFPB Credit Card Agreements Database, community approval datapoints, expert point valuation sources, and our proprietary MCC verification database. Rankings are data-driven with no affiliate influence on placement. Card terms were last verified on February 16, 2026. Full methodology: cardstack.co/methodology.