The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a popular travel rewards credit card that offers a variety of benefits, including bonus categories and the ability to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
One of the biggest draws of the card is its welcome bonus, which can vary over time.
In this article, we will take a look at the history of the welcome bonus for the Chase Sapphire Preferred, including past offers and trends, to help you understand what to expect from this popular credit card.
Full Card Review: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
Current Welcome Bonus for Sapphire Preferred
Let’s begin with one of the most attractive aspects of the Chase Sapphire Preferred: the welcome bonus. Currently, new cardholders can earn the following welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
Best Ever Bonus for Sapphire Preferred
The all-time high bonus for the Chase Sapphire Preferred was between June 2021 and October 2021 offering 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening.
Welcome Bonus History
Below is the history of the welcome bonuses for the Chase Sapphire Preferred before the current welcome bonus.
| Approximate Date | Welcome Bonus |
|---|---|
| October 2024 to November 2024 | Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months, plus up to $300 Chase Travel credit. |
| June 2024 to October 2024 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. |
| May 2024 to June 2024 | Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. |
| May 2023 to Present | Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. |
| April 2023 to May 2023 | Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. |
| June 2022 to April 2023 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. |
| April 2022 to May 2022 | Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. |
| October 2021 to April 2022 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. |
| June 2021 to October 2021 | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. |
| March 2021 to June 2021 | Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. Plus, earn a $50 statement credit on grocery store purchases |
| November 2020 to March 2021 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. |
| September 2020 to November 2020 | Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. |
| March 2019 to September 2020 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. |
| 2016 to March 2019 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. |
When to Apply for the Sapphire Preferred?
The best time to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred is when the welcome offer is at least 75,000 points, which typically happens for at least a few months each year.
Earning Points with the Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns Ultimate Rewards points and offers bonus points on spending in several categories:
Sapphire Preferred Benefits
The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers nice benefits, including: 10% Points Bonus: You will earn bonus points equivalent to 10% of your total spending in points earned with your Chase Sapphire Preferred Card during the past account anniversary year. For example, if you spent $10,000 during your cardmember year, you would receive an additional 1,000 points ($10,000 * 10% = 1,000 points). $50 Hotel Credit: The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers up to $50 in statement credits every account anniversary year if you book your hotel stays through Chase Travel. DashPass Membership: This card offers a one-year DashPass membership for free, which includes DoorDash and Caviar, offering unlimited deliveries with free delivery fees and reduced service fees for eligible purchases. The offer must be activated by December 31, 2027. Once the free membership is over, you will be automatically enrolled in DashPass at the prevailing monthly rate. Instacart Membership: Have your groceries delivered to your doorstep with a complimentary 6-month Instacart+ membership plus a $15 credit once every quarter. Enrollment is required by July 31, 2024. No Foreign Transaction Fees: You’ll save money on every purchase while traveling internationally since this card doesn’t add the typical 3% surcharge that many other cards impose. Primary Rental Car Insurance: When you rent a car and pay with this card, you’ll receive comprehensive coverage including damage and theft protection. Simply decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver and charge the entire rental to your card to activate coverage. This insurance covers damage, theft, and valid loss-of-use charges worldwide. Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance: This protection reimburses you for non-refundable, prepaid travel expenses if you need to cancel before departure or cut your trip short due to covered situations like severe illness or weather events. Coverage activates when you pay for your trip with the card, but it’s important to note that reimbursement only applies for specific covered reasons rather than any cancellation. Trip Delay Insurance: When your trip is significantly delayed due to covered reasons like equipment failures or severe weather, this protection reimburses you for reasonable expenses including lodging, meals, toiletries, and medication. The coverage activates when you pay for travel with your card and extends to family members on the same itinerary, though you’ll need to seek reimbursement from the travel carrier first. Lost Luggage Reimbursement: Your checked luggage gets extra protection against loss, theft, or damage beyond the basic compensation offered by carriers when you pay for travel with this card. Baggage Delay Insurance: Missing luggage doesn’t have to derail your trip – this coverage steps in to reimburse you for essential purchases when your checked bags are delayed by airlines, trains, or other carriers. You can grab the necessities you need, from a fresh outfit to personal care items, while waiting for your bags to arrive. 120-Day Purchase Protection: Get 120 days of protection against damage, theft, and even loss of your purchases – one of the longest windows available. This premium coverage automatically applies when you pay with your card. Extended Warranty Protection: Your purchases gain an extra year of warranty protection when bought with this card, extending manufacturer warranties of three years or less without the inflated prices of store warranty plans.
Travel Benefits
Purchase Benefits
Is the Sapphire Preferred Worth It?
While the Chase Sapphire Preferred has an annual fee of $95, its rewards program and benefits can make it worth it for frequent travelers.
The card offers a generous sign-up bonus, a strong rewards rate on travel and dining, and valuable travel benefits such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance.
Additionally, the card’s Ultimate Rewards program allows for flexible redemption options, making it easy to use your rewards for your next trip.
Overall, if you frequently pay for travel with your credit card and take advantage of the card’s benefits, the Chase Sapphire Preferred can be a valuable tool for earning rewards and saving money on travel expenses.