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CHASE · GUIDE

Is Sapphire Preferred worth the annual fee?

Evaluate recurring travel value separately from the first-year welcome bonus.

The short answer

Evaluate recurring travel value separately from the first-year welcome bonus.

For readers comparing U.S. credit card costs and rewards

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Based on official sources, with AI-assisted writing. Examples are illustrative, not first-hand reviews or personalized advice. Original source-review dates are retained; translating a page does not reverify an offer.

Compare the key conditions

Is Sapphire Preferred worth the annual fee? · Key considerations
TopicWhat to check
Count savings you will actually useThe original source review lists a $95 annual fee. Compare rewards and actual savings against that fee and any extra spending needed to use benefits. A credit that changes your purchasing behavior is not automatically worth its face value.
Check the booking conditionsHotel credits, transfer options and travel protections have separate conditions. Compare the total price and cancellation terms for the same trip. Read points transfers before moving rewards to a partner.
Make a second-year decisionWould you keep the card without another welcome bonus? If you rarely travel or do not want to manage redemption rules, compare a no-annual-fee card. Keep a record of the final offer and eligible spending deadline.

Read the full conditions and original review date. A summary does not establish eligibility or guarantee benefits.

Count savings you will actually use

The original source review lists a $95 annual fee. Compare rewards and actual savings against that fee and any extra spending needed to use benefits. A credit that changes your purchasing behavior is not automatically worth its face value.

Check the booking conditions

Hotel credits, transfer options and travel protections have separate conditions. Compare the total price and cancellation terms for the same trip. Read points transfers before moving rewards to a partner.

Make a second-year decision

Would you keep the card without another welcome bonus? If you rarely travel or do not want to manage redemption rules, compare a no-annual-fee card. Keep a record of the final offer and eligible spending deadline.

Illustration: compare a no-fee alternative

$60 in real savings + $80 in incremental rewards − $20 in extra booking costs − a $95 fee = $25 in incremental annual value.

If usable savings were $0 instead, the result would be −$35. These assumed values exclude the welcome bonus, interest and other fees.

Frequently asked questions

Does the hotel credit automatically offset the fee?

Only count savings on an eligible booking you would otherwise make. Subtract any higher booking price.

Do points always have the same value?

No. Use the redemption method you actually plan to use and state your assumptions.

Sources and update history

Official sources reviewed:

Official source 1 · creditcards.chase.com (opens in a new tab)

· English editorial edition prepared September 28, 2026. Review the current provider terms before applying or ordering.

Check the final terms when applying or ordering. Corrections policy

Sapphire Preferred: review the current terms

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