WHY DOES THIS ONE REWARDS CARD ALWAYS TOP THE LIST?
If there's one question I've heard more than anything else, it's this: "What card should I open?" And let me tell you, if you’re deciding on your first or even just your next card…it can feel like a minefield of options out there!
People have probably given you all sorts of suggestions, from sticking to your favorite airline's card to going along with the latest flashy commercial you’ve seen.
But here's the thing – amidst all the well-meaning but misguided advice, there actually is one specific card that consistently stands above the rest. It’s the one that I always recommend as the single best starter card for travel rewards out there. In this article, I'm going to break down exactly why the Chase Sapphire Preferred is my top pick for anyone and everyone venturing out into the world of points and miles!
While this might not be the first time you’ve heard someone tell you about this card…I want to explain WHY the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the ultimate starter card for your points and miles journey!
Card Overview
First, lets take a quick look at the card benefits in case you are unfamiliar:
Access to Chase Travel Portal & Transfer Partners—
This card provides access to both the Chase Travel Portal and Chase’s Transfer Partners, giving you flexibility and options when it comes to redeeming your points.
Travel & Purchase Coverages—
Enjoy peace of mind with trip and baggage delay insurance, as well as auto rental CDW insurance.
$50 Hotel Credit Each Year—
You'll receive an annual $50 hotel credit, adding even more value to your card membership.
25% Bonus on Travel Portal Redemptions—
Get a 25% bonus when redeeming your points in the Chase Travel Portal.
In addition to these benefits, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a generous sign-up bonus (currently raised to 75,000 points!) that alone makes it worth considering. The card does come with a $95 annual fee, but don’t let that throw you. With all of the benefits you receive as well as the points, I promise you will have no trouble getting way more value out of it than the annual fee.
Now, let's talk about the specifics of what makes this card the best card for beginners.
IT Earns Flexible Points
The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns Ultimate Rewards (UR) points, which are one of the most versatile and valuable types of points in the travel rewards world. Now it’s important to know that not all points are created equal, I mean after all, a point is only as valuable as what it can get you, right? What sets Chase UR points apart is their flexibility.
With Chase Ultimate Rewards, there are two primary ways you can redeem your points: booking in the Chase Travel Portal which works like any other online travel site, or by transferring the points to any one of the 13 travel partners in Chase's network.
These partners include 10 leading airlines and 3 major hotel chains, all offering you the opportunity to transfer your Chase points at a 1:1 ratio. It's like having a universal currency that adapts to your travel needs, no matter where you're going!
Now, contrast this with earning points directly from an airline-specific co-branded credit card…sure, you may rack up points, but here's the catch—you’re locked into that airline's ecosystem, leaving you at the mercy of their pricing and availability. But when you opt to earn flexible points like Chase Ultimate Rewards, you gain the freedom to shop around for the best price and use your points wherever and however you need to.
Ability to Downgrade
Here's a little tip most people don’t know: Unlike some credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred actually allows you to switch to a no-annual-fee card after your first year, if you feel like the benefits aren't adding up for you anymore.
This means you're not stuck with a premium travel card if your travel plans change or if you decide points and miles aren't your thing. With a simple 'product change,' you can shift to one of Chase's no-annual-fee cards hassle-free. In this case you actually keep your line of credit, but simply move it to a different product.
Combine your points
Another perk of having the Chase Sapphire Preferred in your wallet is its role as a 'gateway' card. I call it a gateway card because to use your Chase Ultimate Rewards points for travel, you need a card that grants access to the Chase travel portal and its transfer partners—and this card does just that! Not only does it unlock access to Chase's array of travel partners, but it also allows you to pool your points from other Chase cards you may already have or plan to get.
This means you can consolidate points earned from cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited, as well as business cards like the Ink Unlimited, Ink Cash, or Ink Preferred cards, massively amplifying your earning potential! Plus, Chase also lets you combine points within your household, so you and your spouse can accumulate points even faster and enjoy travel experiences you might not have ever thought possible!
Low Annual Fee
Many beginners are wary of annual fees, and I completely understand. However, when you compare the Chase Sapphire Preferred's annual fee of $95 to those of other premium travel cards, which can range from $395 to a staggering $695, you'll realize just how accessible this card is for beginners. Rest assured, you won’t have to break a sweat to get your value out of this card year after year, thanks to its points potential and additional travel benefits.
And here's the truth: if you're really serious about using points & miles for travel, you're not going to be able to get around a few annual fees along the way. But here's the good news: you can make peace with this reality knowing that the benefits of the cards for travelers far exceed the annual fee, and if they ever don’t, well then you can (and should!) close or downgrade the card!
Easy to redeem
Redeeming the points you earn with the Chase Sapphire Preferred is about as straightforward and user-friendly as it gets. You can redeem points for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal (which works just like any other online travel booking site) and the Sapphire Preferred card gets you an additional 25% bonus value when you redeem in the portal.
Your other option is to transfer them to Chase's airline and hotel partners for potentially even greater value. All of Chase’s transfer partners transfer at a 1 to 1 ratio and almost all of them transfer instantly which makes things incredibly simple. If you want to see a list of Chase’s transfer partners you can grab my free Chase Transfer Partner Cheat Sheet right here!
Chase 5/24 Rule
The final reason I want to highlight this card as the ideal choice for beginners is because of Chase’s 5/24 rule. If you’re unfamiliar with this rule, it essentially dictates that if you've opened five or more credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months, you will not be approved for a new Chase-issued credit card. You can read more about the 5/24 rule here.
Think of it like having five “slots” that, once filled, prevent you from obtaining additional Chase cards. While other beginner cards from different issuers may seem enticing, opting for them would mean sacrificing the opportunity to fully benefit from Chase's ecosystem.
So, here's the crux: prioritizing the Chase Sapphire Preferred as your first card ensures you make the most of Chase's rewards system before exploring other options. It’s not about which card is superior; it’s about strategic sequencing and maximizing long-term value. The real question isn’t which card is better; it’s which one should I get first?"
Bottom Line
To wrap things up, it should be clear now why the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the ultimate starter card for your points and miles journey. Its flexibility, ease of use, and array of benefits make it my number-one choice for beginners ready to jump into the world of traveling on points and miles!
As always you can send any questions to info@artoftravelblog.com and I’ll be happy to help you along in your points and miles journey!
~ Matt Borsic