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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred worth the annual fee in 2026? I say yes
Augusta Stone is a credit cards writer for TPG. She joined the TPG team in 2023 and is excited to take points and miles beginners with her on a journey toward maximizing rewards.
July 28, 2026 • 8 min read
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Quick summary
A popular travel rewards card offers valuable perks and credits that can offset its modest annual fee.
Recent updates have enhanced earning opportunities at hotels, restaurants, streaming services and more, plus new statement credits for travel-related expenses.
Flexible points can be redeemed with a range of airline and hotel partners or through the issuer's travel portal, often at a strong value per TPG's July 2026 valuations.
Comprehensive travel protections and purchase benefits add further value, especially for frequent travelers.
What to consider
Maximizing the annual hotel credit can fully offset the card's yearly cost if booked through the issuer's travel portal.
New statement credits include reimbursement for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fees every four years, and a complimentary Apple TV subscription when activated by Dec. 31.
Certain bonus categories and transfer partner ratios have changed, so review eligibility and terms for optimal value.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of how to leverage credits, transfer partners and protections to consistently exceed the card's annual cost.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
But with a $95 annual fee, you may ask, is the Sapphire Preferred worth it?
The Sapphire Preferred was my first transferable rewards card and my first one with an annual fee. After holding the card for a couple of years, I still strongly affirm that I’ve received significantly more value from the card than I’ve paid in annual fees.
(This is double the value of the previous $50 hotel credit. And, if you already have the card and used your $50 credit, you'll receive an additional $50 to spend this year.)
All you have to do is log into Chase Travel, select your Sapphire Preferred (if you have multiple Chase cards), search for hotels and book your stay.
If you maximize this credit by booking a hotel through Chase Travel, you'll completely offset the Sapphire Preferred's $95 annual fee — and net $5 in value.
†Effective immediately for new cardholders who applied on or after June 15; effective Oct. 1 for cardholders who applied before June 15.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Maximizing your redemptions can easily generate more than $95 in value — the cost of the Sapphire Preferred’s annual fee.
If leveraging transfer partners isn’t your thing, you’ll still get good value when you book through Chase Travel. That’s because Sapphire Preferred cardholders get up to 1.75 cents per point redeemed through the portal (depending on the specific redemption; see your rewards program agreement for full details).
So if you wanted to book a $500 American Airlines flight, you could use 40,000 Chase points to purchase it through the Chase Travel portal. Plus, you’ll earn AAdvantage miles on this flight.
Sapphire Preferred adds new card statement credits in 2026
The Sapphire Preferred's refresh included two new statement credits to provide more ongoing value to cardholders.
The first is a statement credit of up to $120 every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fees charged to the card. Since the credit is worth up to $120 every four years, it can more than offset a year's annual fee when used.
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Plus, Sapphire Preferred cardholders now receive a complimentary one-time Apple TV subscription (when activated by Dec. 31).
Sure, you might not apply for a card simply to get travel insurance or purchase protection.
However, if the time comes that you need to leverage one of these perks, the Sapphire Preferred's suite of benefits is likely to have you covered. And, in many instances, just one successful claim would net you more in returns than you paid in the annual fee.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Let’s say the airline loses your bag for five days on a trip to Europe. If you purchased your flight with your Sapphire Preferred card, you’ll be reimbursed for essential purchases like clothing and toiletries.
Chase will cover up to $100 a day for five days, giving you up to $500 — more than five times the card’s annual fee. Just make sure to keep all your receipts.
Plus, the Sapphire Preferred's refresh has added emergency evacuation and transportation coverage to these perks. With this benefit, if a covered traveler is injured or becomes sick during a trip 100 miles or more from home that results in emergency evacuation, they can be covered for medical services and transportation (up to $100,000).
The Sapphire Preferred is worth holding year after year. Even if you only maximize the $100 annual credit for hotels booked through Chase Travel, you offset the $95 annual fee entirely each year. When you add in the high earning rates and valuable redemption options, this card continues to pay for itself.
Bottom line
Once you redeem the Sapphire Preferred's $100 annual hotel credit, you've already recouped the card's $95 annual fee and come out $5 ahead.
Between the card’s valuable perks and useful protections, it should be easy for most cardholders to get meaningful additional value out of the rest of the card each year.
Of course, you should consider your wallet’s existing cards and personal travel preferences before applying. But for most travelers, the Sapphire Preferred is worth it.
Apply now: Chase Sapphire Preferred - earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
