The most online-searched credit card in the world in 2025 is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a travel-focused credit card with an annual fee of $95 that’s easy to understand and use. When making everyday purchases like travel, dining, or even some streaming services and online groceries, people earn points called Chase Ultimate Rewards. These points are valuable because they can be turned into airline miles or hotel loyalty points with major travel partners, which often gives even more value than redeeming for cash or regular discounts.
The card also gives good protection when travelling, such as paying you back if a trip gets cancelled, reimbursing costs if your luggage is delayed, or covering rental car insurance so you don’t need to buy extra at the counter. Each year, there’s a bonus where you get extra points based on what you spent, and you can easily combine points from other Chase cards or share them with family. There are no foreign transaction fees, and you even get a $50 credit each year when you book hotels through Chase’s travel site, making it easier to offset the annual fee.
Simply put, the card gives great rewards for travel and dining, helps save money with strong protections, and the points are flexible for trips almost anywhere in the world
The card offers a welcome bonus of 75,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first three months. It has a $95 annual fee and provides up to a $50 statement credit for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel annually. Cardholders also receive a 10% point boost on total purchases each account anniversary year, and there are no foreign transaction fees.
Points are earned at the following rates:
- 5x points on travel through Chase Travel℠.
- 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries (exclusions apply).
- 2x points on other travel purchases.
- 1x point on all other purchases.
Points can be redeemed in several ways:
- Transfer to travel partners: Points transfer 1:1 to various airline and hotel programs, often providing the best value.
- Chase Travel℠ portal: Point value varies depending on when you became a cardholder. New cardholders (after June 23, 2025) get 1 cent per point with potential for 1.5 to 1.75 cents via “Points Boost”. Existing cardholders (before June 23, 2025) can redeem at 1.25 cents per point until October 26, 2027.
- Cash back: Points are worth 1 cent each, offering the lowest value.
- Pay Yourself Back: Redeem points for statement credits in rotating categories.
The card includes several insurance protections, such as primary auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection.
This card is suitable for those new to travel rewards, offering a low annual fee and flexible redemption options. Its point transferability to various travel partners is a key benefit.
Pros
- Earn elevated rewards in practical spending categories
- Transfer points to over a dozen partners at a rate of 1:1
- Top-of-the-line protections for travel and purchases
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- No introductory APR offer
- Must book through Chase Travel℠ for the best earning rate on travel
A little-known fact about the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is that it offers primary rental car insurance—meaning if a rented car is damaged or stolen, this card covers you first, so you don’t have to file a claim with your personal car insurance. Most credit cards only give secondary coverage, but Chase Sapphire Preferred covers rental cars comprehensively nearly everywhere you travel.
Other hidden perks include:
- A complimentary DashPass membership for free delivery and reduced fees with DoorDash, if activated by December 31, 2027.
- Extra point multipliers: For streaming and online groceries (excluding some major chains), the card earns elevated rewards, making it easy to rack up points faster in everyday life.
- Travel and purchase protections rarely advertised: It insures against baggage delays, trip cancellation, trip interruption, as well as providing extended warranty and purchase protection for damaged or stolen items.
These bonus features add significant value beyond travel rewards, and many users don’t realize how much they can benefit from these hidden card benefits.
