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For many young professionals in the U.S., a credit card isn’t just a way to pay for purchases — it’s a tool for building credit, earning rewards, and unlocking valuable perks. The Chase Sapphire credit card has become a standout option thanks to its combination of flexible rewards, strong travel benefits, and premium protections.
With its two main versions — Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve — this card family offers something for every lifestyle. Whether you’re traveling for work, dining out with friends, or shopping online, the Chase Sapphire credit card can provide points and benefits tailored to your habits.
If you’re a millennial looking to elevate your financial toolkit, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know. We’ll cover how the card works, how to apply, and how to make the most of its features — so keep reading to discover how the Chase Sapphire credit card can fit into your financial journey.
Understanding the Chase Sapphire Credit Card
The Chase Sapphire credit card family is designed for consumers who value travel rewards, dining perks, and premium benefits. Chase offers two primary versions:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – ideal for those starting with travel rewards; lower annual fee ($95), great value for points.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card – a premium option with higher annual fee ($550) but enhanced perks like Priority Pass lounge access, higher earning rates, and travel credits.
Both cards use Chase Ultimate Rewards®, a highly flexible points system. Points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards, or transferred to airline and hotel partners like United Airlines, Southwest, Hyatt, and Marriott.
FAQ – Chase Sapphire Credit Cards
Are Chase Sapphire cards worth it?
Yes, for frequent travelers and diners, Chase Sapphire cards can be highly valuable due to their strong rewards rates, flexible point transfers, and premium protections.
Are Chase Sapphire cards hard to get?
They require good to excellent credit (typically a score of 680 or higher) and adherence to Chase’s 5/24 rule, making approval harder if you’ve opened many credit accounts recently.
Does Chase Sapphire Preferred get you into airport lounges?
No, only the Chase Sapphire Reserve provides Priority Pass Select lounge access; the Preferred does not.
What are the benefits of the Chase Sapphire card?
Key benefits include high rewards on travel and dining, no foreign transaction fees, travel protections, purchase protections, and flexible points redemption through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
What are the cons of the Sapphire card?
Annual fees, high APRs if you carry a balance, and limited premium perks on the Preferred version compared to Reserve are the main drawbacks.
How do I waive the Chase Sapphire fee?
Chase does not typically waive annual fees, but you can offset them through travel credits (Reserve) or redeeming enough rewards to outweigh the cost.
How much income do I need for Chase Sapphire?
Chase does not disclose a specific income requirement, but stable and sufficient income to support your credit profile is expected, often above $40,000 annually.
What is the hardest credit card to get?
Generally, ultra-premium cards like the American Express Centurion (Black Card) or J.P. Morgan Reserve are considered harder to obtain than the Chase Sapphire.
Is Chase Sapphire a luxury card?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is often seen as a luxury travel card thanks to its high-end perks and premium annual fee.
Is the food at Chase Sapphire lounge free?
Yes, Priority Pass lounges accessible with the Reserve card typically include complimentary food and beverages.
What credit card is best?
The “best” card depends on your spending habits and goals. Chase Sapphire cards are top picks for travel and dining rewards due to flexible redemption options.
Do I get TSA PreCheck with Chase Sapphire Preferred?
No, only the Reserve provides a credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees.
How much do you need to spend for Chase Sapphire to be worth it?
You typically need to spend enough on travel and dining to offset the annual fee — for the Preferred, about $95 worth of value per year; for the Reserve, $550 but with a $300 travel credit.
Which Chase Sapphire card is best?
The Preferred is best for beginners or moderate travelers; the Reserve is best for frequent travelers who can maximize its premium benefits.
Who qualifies for Chase Sapphire?
Applicants with good to excellent credit scores, stable income, and fewer than five new credit accounts in the past 24 months generally qualify.
What is the limit on a Sapphire card?
Credit limits vary by individual, but reports show Chase Sapphire limits starting around $5,000 and going much higher for well-qualified applicants.
How to avoid sapphire checking fee?
Maintain the required balance or meet direct deposit criteria in your Sapphire banking account if applicable; this is separate from the credit card.
How much are 100k Chase points worth?
With the Chase Sapphire Preferred, 100k points are worth $1,250 in travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards; with the Reserve, $1,500 in travel.
Can you cancel Chase Sapphire?
Yes, you can cancel at any time, but consider downgrading to another Chase card to preserve your points.
Will cancelling hurt my credit score?
It can, as closing a card may affect your credit utilization and average account age. Plan ahead before canceling.
What is the annual fee for Chase Sapphire?
$95 for the Chase Sapphire Preferred and $550 for the Chase Sapphire Reserve.