The Chase Sapphire Preferred has been one of the most popular travel rewards cards in America for over a decade, and its June 2026 refresh made it even more interesting. It now earns extra points on gas, EV charging and vacation rentals, and it added a yearly hotel credit and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit. If you want to start earning flexible travel points without paying a premium annual fee, this card is usually on the shortlist. In this guide we explain who qualifies, how the 5/24 rule works, and exactly how to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card online.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Issuer / network | Chase / Visa |
| Annual fee | $95 |
| Intro APR | None |
| Regular APR | 19.49%–29.99% (variable) |
| Welcome offer | Large points bonus after meeting a spending requirement in the first 3 months (amount varies — recently 75,000 points after $5,000) |
| Foreign transaction fee | None |
| Recommended credit | Good to excellent (670+) |
How the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Earns Rewards
The card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can be redeemed through Chase Travel or transferred to airline and hotel partners. The current earning structure is:
- 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel
- 3x points on dining, gas stations and EV charging, vacation rentals, select streaming services and online grocery purchases
- 2x points on other travel purchases
- 1x point on all other purchases
Key Benefits
- Up to $100 each year toward hotel stays booked through Chase Travel
- Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fee credit every four years
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary rental car coverage and baggage delay protection
- Points can transfer 1:1 to partners such as airline and hotel loyalty programs
Who Should Apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?
This card suits people who travel at least a few times a year and spend regularly on dining, groceries and gas. It is also a natural “anchor” card for anyone using a no-fee Chase Freedom card, because pairing them lets you move cash back into transferable points. If you never travel and dislike annual fees, a flat 2% cash back card may be simpler. If you travel often and use lounges, the higher-fee Sapphire Reserve may offer more value.
Eligibility Requirements
Card issuers in the United States do not publish one fixed approval formula, but most applicants who are approved for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card share a few things in common:
- Be at least 18 years old (21 in some cases unless you show independent income).
- Have a valid U.S. address and a Social Security Number or ITIN.
- A credit score in the good to excellent (670+) range, with no recent serious delinquencies.
- Enough income to support new credit — issuers review income against your monthly debts and housing cost.
- A reasonable number of recent applications and new accounts.
Chase Application Rules to Know
Chase is known for the unofficial 5/24 rule: if you have opened five or more personal credit cards from any bank in the last 24 months, Chase usually declines new card applications. Count your recent accounts before applying. Chase also limits how often you can earn a welcome bonus on the same card family, and the exact language appears in the offer terms on your application page.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The full application usually takes about 10 minutes online. Follow these steps to apply safely and improve your chances:
- Check your credit first. Pull your free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and check your score in your banking app. Fix any errors before applying.
- Use the prequalification tool. Chase offers a soft-pull “check for preapproved offers” page on its website. A soft check does not affect your credit score and shows whether you are likely to be approved.
- Gather your details. You will need your full name, date of birth, SSN or ITIN, home address, phone, email, annual income, employment status and monthly housing payment.
- Go to the official page yourself. Type the issuer address into your browser or use the official link at the end of this article. Never apply through links in unsolicited emails or texts.
- Fill in the application carefully. Enter income accurately — you can usually include income you can reasonably access, such as a spouse’s income if you are over 21.
- Read the terms and pricing table. Check the APR, fees and the exact bonus terms shown on your application screen.
- Submit and wait for a decision. Many applicants get an instant answer. Others see “pending” and receive a decision by email or mail within 7–10 business days.
What Happens After You Apply?
If you are approved, your card usually arrives in 7–10 business days. Activate it online or in the app, set up autopay for at least the minimum payment, and turn on transaction alerts. Track your progress toward the welcome offer spending requirement in the app.
If Your Application Is Pending or Denied
A pending decision often means the issuer needs to verify your identity or income. You may be asked to call or upload documents. If you are denied, you will receive an adverse action letter explaining the main reasons. You can call the reconsideration line to ask for a second review, or wait 3–6 months, improve the reason given, and try again. If the Sapphire Preferred is out of reach today, a no-annual-fee card such as Chase Freedom Unlimited can help you build a history with Chase first.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Flexible points with valuable transfer partners | $95 annual fee |
| Strong travel protections for a $95 card | 5/24 rule blocks many applicants |
| Hotel and Global Entry credits offset the fee | Bonus generally once per Sapphire card family |
| No foreign transaction fees | No intro APR on purchases |
Tips to Get the Most From the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
- Put dining, groceries, gas and streaming on this card to earn 3x.
- Pair it with a Chase Freedom card and combine points into your Sapphire account.
- Compare Chase Travel prices with transfer partner award charts before redeeming.
- Use the card for travel bookings to activate trip and rental car protections.
- Pay in full each month — at almost 20%+ APR, interest wipes out rewards quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score do I need for the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Most approved applicants have good to excellent credit, usually 670 or higher, but Chase considers income, existing debt and the 5/24 rule too.
Does applying hurt my credit score?
The prequalification check is a soft pull and does not affect your score. The full application is a hard inquiry, which may lower your score by a few points temporarily.
Can I have both Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve?
Chase generally does not allow you to hold both Sapphire cards at the same time. Check the current terms on the application page.
How long does approval take?
Many applicants get an instant decision. If it says pending, Chase may take up to 7–10 business days or ask you to verify details.
Final Thoughts
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a strong first travel card for people with good credit who are under 5/24. Check your credit, try the preapproval tool, and apply directly on the Chase website. Most importantly, use it like a debit card and pay the balance in full so the rewards actually put money back in your pocket.
Helpful Official Links
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Card official page
- Chase prequalification tool
- CFPB: Credit card basics
- Free credit reports – AnnualCreditReport.com
- More credit card guides on 123 SEO Tools
