06/16/2026
The Chase Sapphire Preferred currently has a 100,000 point welcome bonus, which is the highest public offer I've personally seen on this card.
If you're curious how everyday people like us end up flying business class, staying in nicer hotels, and taking trips they never thought they could afford, points and miles can make a huge difference.
For Matt and me, the Chase Sapphire Preferred was our first travel rewards card and the one that started our points journey. We have used Chase points for hotel stays, transferred points to airlines, and most recently used Chase points to help book two United Polaris business class seats home from Australia.
Why I recommend it as a starter travel card:
✅ 100,000 point welcome bonus ($1000 value minimum, but can be worth so much more!)
✅ $95 annual fee
✅ 3x points on dining, gas, online groceries, and streaming
✅ 2x points on travel
✅ 5x points when booking through Chase Travel
✅ $100 annual Chase Travel hotel credit
✅ $120 TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit every 4 years
✅ Free Apple TV+ for your first year (when activated by the program deadline)
✅ Excellent travel protections
✅ Ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners for even more value
For many people, this is the card that opens the door to the world of points and miles. If you're interested in learning more, here's my referral link, but make sure to apply for the Sapphire Preferred, not the Sapphire Reserve card: Earn 100,000 points with Sapphire Reserve® or 100,000 bonus points with Sapphire Preferred®. I can be rewarded if you apply here and are approved for either card.
https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19x/MWSQ3S4XQV
Teacher math: 100,000 bonus points + a $100 hotel credit + free Apple TV+ for a year + TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit = a pretty amazing offer for a card with a $95 annual fee. Matt Evans
**As always, never spend money you wouldn't normally spend just to earn points. The points game only works if you pay your balance in full every month.**
Click to learn more.
