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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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Why I chose the Chase Sapphire Preferred as my next credit card
Olivia Mittak is a credit cards editor at TPG. She specializes in maximizing earn for points and miles, finding the best welcome bonuses and choosing the right credit cards for your wallet.
May 23, 2024 • 7 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
A comparison between two popular travel rewards cards highlights why one was chosen for its well-rounded benefits and earning potential.
Key factors include a substantial introductory offer, flexible travel and dining benefits and a statement credit for hotel bookings through a specific travel portal.
The card provides additional value through a complimentary food delivery subscription (activation required by Dec. 31, 2027) and elevated rewards at select merchants such as ride-hailing and streaming services.
Combining rewards from multiple cards can enhance the overall value and maximize points across various spending categories.
What to consider
Some benefits, such as elevated rewards for ride-hailing, have expiration dates (e.g., through Sept. 30, 2027).
Hotel statement credits apply only to bookings made through the card's designated travel portal, which may not earn points with hotel loyalty programs.
Certain offers mentioned in the article are no longer available.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of how to integrate multiple rewards cards for optimal value based on spending habits and lifestyle needs.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Choosing your next credit card can be a challenge. When I decided to open my fifth credit card, it came down to a showdown between the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) and the Bilt Mastercard®. While the rewards and benefits of the Bilt card are appealing, I chose to go with the Sapphire Preferred.
There are many compelling reasons to have the Sapphire Preferred have it in your wallet. Here are the factors that swayed my decision in its favor.
The information for the Bilt Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Sapphire Preferred has a very appealing welcome offer: Earn 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. TPG values this welcome bonus at $1,538.
It's hard to say no to an offer like this. I hold the Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees) and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees); by combining my earnings on those cards with the Sapphire Preferred, I can obtain even more Ultimate Rewards points. I'm hoping to take my first international trip next year. These points will allow me to make a flight or a hotel redemption through Chase's transfer partners, lowering the overall out-of-pocket cost for my trip.
This card offers up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel℠. I don't plan to book hotels through Chase Travel too often; I'll usually get better value by booking directly with the hotel.
That's because if I use Chase Travel to book a stay with a major hotel brand, I won't earn points with that brand's loyalty program. Since I often stay with Hilton, booking directly with them to earn Hilton Honors points makes more sense.
OMNI LA MANSION DEL RIO
I'll still pay for that charge with my Sapphire Preferred, ensuring I'll get bonus Ultimate Rewards points on top of hotel points. However, if I'm booking a hotel that doesn't have a loyalty program, I will book through Chase Travel. That's where the Sapphire Preferred's hotel statement credit comes into play.
It's nice to know that I'll still get some kind of benefit when booking with a boutique hotel. The statement credit can reduce the overall cost of my stay, helping me save money for experiences and dining. It makes bookings at nonbranded hotels much more appealing — especially on short trips when the cost of my stay isn't high.
As a young professional living in a city, I use DoorDash frequently. Delivery fees and other fees on every order can add up, so DashPass is an important membership for me.
With the Sapphire Preferred, I'll get a complimentary DashPass subscription for at least one year (activate by Dec. 31, 2027). Since an annual DashPass subscription is valued at $96, this benefit alone pays for the Sapphire Preferred's $95 annual fee.
DOORDASH
Solid earning rates
As a prospective traveler, I love that the Sapphire Preferred earns 2 points per dollar in spending on travel purchases made outside of Chase Travel. If I book through Chase Travel, I'll earn 5 points per dollar on my purchase. Chase's definition of travel for this card is broad. It includes some purchases you may not expect, like campgrounds, toll bridges and highways, travel agencies and parking garages.
I'm a big fan of the outdoors, so earning bonus points on camping reservations is part of what makes this card so appealing. Regardless of how or where I travel, I know I can rely on the Sapphire Preferred to earn me bonus points.
Since I'll be using the Sapphire Preferred to pay for all my DoorDash orders, it's nice to know that it earns a lot in the dining category. I'll earn 3 points per dollar on dining. My American Express® Gold Card is my go-to card when I dine at restaurants worldwide, but the Sapphire Preferred is still useful at restaurants that don't accept American Express. The Sapphire Preferred doesn't have a foreign transaction fee, so I can also use it as my dining card abroad.
As a city dweller, I don't have a car. I often use ride-hailing apps whenever I need to travel somewhere that's too far to reach on foot. With the Sapphire Preferred, I'll earn 5 points per dollar in spending on Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027).
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Finally, I love that the Sapphire Preferred earns 3 points per dollar on streaming. Streaming isn't close to my biggest spending category each month, but I want to maximize the points I earn whenever and wherever possible. Earning extra points on my streaming services, like Spotify and ESPN+, greatly benefits me. Since TPG values Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents per point, I'll receive over 6% back on all my streaming purchases.
As mentioned, I can combine my rewards from the Freedom Flex, Freedom Unlimited and Sapphire Preferred to get greater value. This trio of cards isn't the only way the Sapphire Preferred fits into my bigger points and miles strategy.
I want to optimize my wallet across as many spending categories as possible. Since the Sapphire Preferred has such strong earnings on travel and streaming, I'll use it for all those purchases going forward.
I'll still use my Amex Gold at U.S. supermarkets and as my primary card for restaurants worldwide. I'll use my Freedom Unlimited for all other spending. My Freedom Flex earns bonus points on rotating quarterly categories, such as Amazon and fitness clubs, further strengthening my wallet (activation required).
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With my travel, dining, streaming and grocery spending well covered, I can start thinking about other spending categories I want to earn bonus points on. Even though I chose the Sapphire Preferred this time, I still intend to apply for the Bilt Mastercard in the future. That card will allow me to earn points on rent — my largest spending category each month (on up to 100,000 points per calendar year; cardholders must use the card five times each statement period to earn points).
I also want cards with benefits that fit my lifestyle. Since I use food delivery and ride-hailing services a lot, I want cards that offer perks connected to these services. The Sapphire Preferred helps serve this with its complimentary DashPass membership (activate by Dec. 31, 2027) and 5 points per dollar on Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027). This card is a great step toward having a well-rounded and powerful wallet.
The Sapphire Preferred offers great earning categories and useful benefits for an annual fee of just $95. By taking advantage of the complimentary DashPass subscription and hotel statement credit, I can easily get positive value out of this card. The Sapphire Preferred will have a prominent place in my wallet for a long time.
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.
