Why I like my Chase Sapphire Most popular card — and can at all times maintain it in my pockets

Being a factors and miles fanatic means I’ve a drawer of bank cards. Selecting which playing cards to hold in my pockets is usually a daunting process at instances. Nonetheless, one card will at all times have a slot in my pockets: the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.

The Sapphire Most popular was topped the Best Travel Rewards Credit Card on the 2023 TPG Awards for the sixth 12 months in a row. So, it is no marvel TPG staffers rank this as one in every of their favourite bank cards.

Here is why the Sapphire Preferred will at all times keep in my pockets.

Essentially the most attractive function of the Sapphire Preferred for me is its excessive earnings charges in a large number of classes:

• 5 factors per greenback on motels and automobile leases booked by way of Chase Travel
• 5 factors per greenback on eligible Lyft rides (till March 2025)
• 3 factors per greenback on worldwide eating
• 2 factors per greenback on journey

Eating is the largest spending class on my playing cards. The American Express® Gold Card is my go-to card for eating at restaurant purchases due to its 4 factors per greenback incomes price. Nonetheless, as a global foodie, I typically discover myself at many hole-in-the-wall eating places that do not settle for Amex. That’s the place my Sapphire Most popular is useful with its 3 factors per greenback incomes price on eating. The Sapphire Most popular is on the Visa community, so I by no means fear about acceptance.

Moreover, I like the two factors per greenback spent on journey. Chase defines journey very broadly, and the most typical journey purchases I make — equivalent to ride-hailing, parking and public transit — code as journey.

Lyft is my ride-hailing app of alternative. I take, on common, not less than 10 Lyfts per thirty days, so incomes 5 factors per greenback spent on rides with no cap helps me rack up Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Associated: The best cards for international travel

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One other main cause to hold the Sapphire Preferred is the flexibility to earn Ultimate Rewards points. Cardholders can redeem these factors by way of the Chase journey portal at 1.25 cents per level or switch them to one in every of 14 transfer partners. Personally, I do not redeem by way of the portal because the factors’ worth is considerably higher after I use switch companions.

Final summer season, I redeemed 12,000 Final Rewards factors by transferring them to World of Hyatt for a three-night keep at Resort Story Riddargatan in Stockholm over a busy peak summer season weekend.

Associated: How much are Chase Ultimate Rewards points worth?

The Sapphire Preferred comes with a helpful annual $50 resort credit score while you e book the Chase journey portal.

Now, 99.9% of the time, I’ll by no means advocate reserving a resort by way of an online travel agency like Chase Journey; relatively, reserving instantly with the resort is normally greatest. Nonetheless, 0.01% of the time, I can advocate it if you find yourself overseas in cities the place the motels should not a part of any main loyalty program.

Final 12 months, I used to be in a position to make use of the resort credit score for one evening at a small boutique resort in Andorra. This 12 months, I used the credit score for one evening on the Canzi Cataratas Resort close to Brazil’s Iguazu Falls. Neither of those motels was hooked up to a loyalty program, so I had no drawback reserving by way of the portal. These motels had been just a little greater than $50 an evening, so the annual credit score successfully netted me a free night every time.

Associated: 6 reasons why you should book directly with an airline or hotel

Chase sends focused affords to cardholders, which means these offers fluctuate relying on the cardholder. I typically see affords equivalent to additional factors or money again at retailers and eating places I frequent. These focused affords on the Sapphire Preferred are additionally stackable with the cardboard’s bonus earnings and with shopping portals.

Associated: Earn bonus miles with these airline portal promotions

The Sapphire Preferred contains many advantages that I exploit incessantly. These embrace a six-month complimentary Instacart+ and DoorDash DashPash membership (each valued at $9.99 a month).

Instacart+ has been very helpful to me on these lazy Sundays after I do not need to go away the home. I can get my groceries delivered to me from standard grocery shops and supermarkets with no supply charge.

The DashPash membership can be very worthwhile to me as I order meals not less than as soon as a month, and DashPass waives the supply charge.

Lastly, this card has no foreign transaction fee, which is crucial for me as a frequent worldwide traveler.

Associated: Instacart+ members now get a free Peacock subscription

Many playing cards with comparable advantages and earnings charges have excessive annual charges. The identical can’t be stated in regards to the Sapphire Preferred: It’s simply $95. The advantages, assertion credit and skill to earn Final Rewards factors simply outweigh the annual charge.

The Sapphire Preferred is a bank card that can at all times have a spot in my pockets. With its glorious incomes charges and no international transaction charge, it is the proper journey companion for an avid worldwide traveler like myself.

Most significantly, the Sapphire Most popular earns a versatile rewards foreign money within the type of Chase Final Rewards factors, which permits me to leverage transfer partners to maximise my redemption worth.

To study extra, learn our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card