How to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Eligibility rules, the application and benefits to activate after approval

By Luzia Martins
Advertisement
Advertisement

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card is a $95-a-year travel rewards card issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. This guide covers who the card suits, the eligibility rules to check before applying, how the application works and which benefits you need to activate once you’re approved.

The card at a glance

  • Annual fee: $95
  • Welcome bonus: 75,000 points after $5,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
  • Rewards: 5x on Chase Travel; 3x on dining, gas and EV charging, select streaming, online grocery and vacation homes at top brands; 2x on other travel; 1x on everything else
  • Annual hotel credit: up to $100 for hotels booked through Chase Travel
  • Purchase APR: 19.24% to 27.49% variable
  • Foreign transaction fee: none

Terms checked in September 2026. Chase notes that offers may vary depending on where you apply and can change over time, so confirm the current terms on Chase’s official website before you apply.

Who the card suits

The Sapphire Preferred suits people who travel a few times a year, eat out regularly and want points they can use for travel or transfer to airline and hotel programs. It’s also a good match for anyone who values travel insurance, since it includes primary rental car coverage and trip cancellation, delay and baggage protections.

It’s less suitable if you rarely travel, want simple cash back without comparing redemption options, or tend to carry a balance, since there’s no intro APR.

Before you apply: eligibility rules

Chase has three rules worth checking before you submit an application:

  • You can’t get the card if you currently have a Sapphire Preferred account open.
  • The welcome bonus may not be available if you’ve held this card before or already received its bonus.
  • Chase may consider how many credit cards you’ve opened and closed when deciding whether you qualify for the bonus.

The card is generally aimed at applicants with good to excellent credit. If you’ve opened several cards recently, it may be worth waiting before applying.

How to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

  1. Check for preapproved offers on Chase’s website. This is optional but helps you gauge your chances.
  2. On the card’s page, choose Sign in to apply faster if you already have a Chase account, or Apply as a guest if you don’t.
  3. Fill in your personal and financial information, including your Social Security number and income, and review the pricing and terms.
  4. Submit the application and wait for Chase’s decision. Approval is subject to credit review.

Submitting an application usually results in a hard inquiry on your credit report. Chase notes that the offer shown is tied to the method you apply through, so use the same page where you saw the bonus.

After you’re approved: activate your benefits

If you’re approved, you can add the card to Apple Pay®, Google Pay™ or Samsung Pay and start using it the same day. Several benefits need action on your part:

  • DashPass: add the card as your default payment method on DoorDash and activate the membership by December 31, 2027.
  • Apple TV: activate the complimentary subscription on chase.com or in the Chase Mobile® app by December 31, 2026.
  • Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS: pay the application fee with the card, directly through the official program sites, to get up to $120 back every four years.
  • Hotel credit: book hotel stays through Chase Travel with the card. The first $100 each account anniversary year is credited automatically.

Also remember that the travel protections only apply to trips and rentals you pay for with the card. For rental car coverage, decline the rental company’s collision insurance and charge the entire rental to the card.

Frequently asked questions

Do my points expire?
No, as long as your account stays open. You lose your points if the account is closed for program misuse, fraud or other reasons in the rewards terms.
How much are my points worth?
It depends on how you use them. Chase says redemption values vary between cash, gift cards, travel and other options. Transferring points to airline and hotel partners can give more value, but it requires comparing award prices.
Which airlines and hotels can I transfer points to?
Airline partners include Aer Lingus, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, Flying Blue (Air France KLM), Iberia, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, Southwest, United and Virgin Atlantic. Hotel partners are IHG, Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt and Wyndham.
Does the card charge foreign transaction fees?
No. You can use it for purchases outside the United States without foreign transaction fees.
Can I pay off a large purchase over time?
If you’re eligible, Chase Pay Over Time lets you split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly payments over 3 to 24 months, with a fixed monthly fee instead of interest. Access isn’t guaranteed and depends on your creditworthiness, credit limit and account history.

How to contact Chase

Cardmembers have 24/7 access to a customer service specialist. Call the number on the back of your card, or send a secure message through chase.com or the Chase Mobile® app.

Our take on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers strong value for its price if you travel and dine out regularly and take the time to activate its benefits. Check the eligibility rules first, make sure the $5,000 bonus requirement fits your normal spending, and plan to pay your balance in full each month.

The button below takes you to Chase’s official website, where you can review the card and apply.

GO TO OFFICIAL WEBSITE

*You will be redirected to Chase’s website*

Editorial Notice: All content published on this website is completely independent and aims to provide clear, useful, and up-to-date information about personal finance. We have no ties to banks, financial institutions or credit card companies. We are not affiliates and do not receive commissions or payments to promote products or services. Our website is monetized exclusively through the advertisements displayed on our pages. This content is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

Hi, I’m Luzia, part of the content team at Finvyu. I specialize in providing clear and accessible financial information to help people of all ages manage their money more effectively in everyday life.
Also read