On paper this looks like a $95 card with premium perks – here’s why that actually matters.
First, the fee hasn’t budged since the card launched in 2009. That alone makes the Sapphire Preferred a rarity in the credit‑card world, where annual fees tend to creep upward every few years. In 2026 the card still charges $95, yet it now dishes out benefits you’d normally expect on a $300‑plus product.
What’s new in 2026?
- 3x points on gas stations and EV charging. If you drive a hybrid or own an electric car, that’s a steady stream of points that can quickly offset the fee.
- 3x points on vacation rentals. Airbnb and Vrbo spend now earns the same rate as travel, so your next Airbnb stay could be worth a free night after a few bookings.
- $120 travel credit. Choose Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS and Chase writes a check for the full cost. Most travelers would spend that amount anyway, so it’s essentially a free upgrade.
The headline welcome bonus still shines: 100 k points after $5 k in three months. At Chase’s typical 1.25¢ valuation for travel redemptions, that’s $1,250 in value for a $95 outlay – a 1,215% return on the fee alone.
Is it worth keeping?
If you already have a higher‑fee card like the Sapphire Reserve, you might wonder whether the Preferred adds anything. The answer is yes, if you:
- Spend regularly at gas stations or on EV charging.
- Book a few vacation rentals each year.
- Don’t need the Reserve’s 3x on dining and travel, but still want a solid points‑earning base.
For newcomers to travel rewards, the Sapphire Preferred is often the “first‑step” card for a reason. The low fee means you can test the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem without the psychological sting of a $300 fee.
Bottom line
The Sapphire Preferred now packs premium‑level perks into a sub‑$100 package. As long as you can hit the $5 k spend for the welcome bonus and take advantage of the new 3x categories or the $120 travel credit, the card pays for itself within months. In other words, it’s still a solid buy – full stop.
