Best ways to use Chase Sapphire Preferred points
The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Here's how to use them well — transfer partners, sweet spots, and when it's worth holding the card.
Card snapshot
Issuer
Chase
Program
Chase Ultimate Rewards
Annual fee
$95
Earning rates
- 5× on travel booked through Chase Travel
- 3× on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery)
- 3× on select streaming services
- 3× on online grocery (excluding Walmart, Target)
- 2× on all other travel
- 1× on everything else
Top benefits
- 25% bonus when redeeming through Chase Travel portal (makes points worth 1.25¢)
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance up to $10,000 per person
- Primary rental car collision damage waiver
- No foreign transaction fees
- $50 annual Chase Travel hotel credit
Best ways to use the points
- Transfer 1:1 to Virgin Atlantic for Delta One and ANA sweet spots
- Transfer to United for Polaris business class to Europe
- Transfer to Iberia Plus for off-peak Madrid business class (34K one-way)
- Transfer to Hyatt for outsized hotel value
- Pair with Freedom cards to earn 5× on rotating categories and funnel points here
Transfer partners
Chase Sapphire Preferred points transfer to:
Drawbacks
- Only 1× on non-bonus categories — not great as a daily-spend card
- Travel portal redemption value (1.25¢) is fine but transfers are where the real value lives
Our verdict
The Sapphire Preferred is the best starter points card in the market. $95 annual fee, 60K–80K sign-up bonus that routinely translates to $1,500+ in premium cabin travel, and access to Chase's transfer partners. If you only have one award travel card, make it this one.
Find award availability before you transfer
Points transfers are almost always non-reversible. Use AwardLocker to confirm saver space first, then move your Chase Ultimate Rewards points only when you're ready to book.
Check availability →