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Chase Sapphire Preferred: The Ideal Card for Occasional Flyers

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. ferred-the-ideal-card-for-occasional-flyers.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Saturday, November 8th 2025 at 12:50 GMT by The Motley Fool
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The One Travel Card You Need if You Fly Only a Few Times a Year

For travelers who find themselves on a flight only a handful of times a year, a premium travel rewards program can feel like overkill. The recent analysis on The Motley Fool argues that a mid‑tier card can deliver most of the travel perks without the high annual fee and complex redemption options of top‑tier offerings. The recommended choice is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, a program that balances generous sign‑up bonuses, solid point‑earning rates, and a host of travel protections—all at a modest annual cost.

Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred Stands Out

1. Attractive Sign‑Up Bonus

When the card first launched, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offered a sign‑up bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. Although the bonus amount fluctuates with promotions, the card consistently provides a sizeable reward that can be redeemed for $750 of travel through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards portal. This makes it a compelling incentive for occasional flyers who want to get the most out of a one‑time investment.

2. Consistent Point Earnings

The card awards 2× points on travel and dining worldwide and 1× point on all other purchases. For someone who spends modestly on airfare and restaurant meals each year, the 2× multiplier can significantly boost overall rewards. Points earned are also more valuable when redeemed via the Chase portal, where they are worth 1.25¢ per point for travel bookings, effectively giving a 25% bonus on travel redemptions.

3. Low Annual Fee

Unlike the premium Chase Sapphire Reserve (which charges $550 annually) or the American Express Platinum (with a $695 annual fee), the Sapphire Preferred’s annual fee is only $95. That means even after accounting for the fee, the card’s rewards and benefits can produce a net positive value for a traveler who flies only a couple of times a year.

4. Travel Insurance and Protections

The Sapphire Preferred includes several essential travel protections: - Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: Reimburses up to $10,000 for pre‑paid, non‑refundable trip costs if you need to cancel or shorten a trip due to a covered reason. - Baggage Delay Insurance: Pays up to $500 for necessary items if your luggage is delayed more than six hours. - Travel Accident Insurance: Provides up to $5,000 in case of accidental death or dismemberment during travel.

These benefits are often overlooked but can be invaluable for a traveler whose itinerary might change unexpectedly.

5. No Foreign Transaction Fees

When you book a flight abroad or dine in a foreign country, you can rely on the Sapphire Preferred’s no foreign transaction fees policy. This keeps costs down and ensures you’re still earning points on every purchase.

Comparison With Other Popular Travel Cards

While the Sapphire Preferred is the card of choice for low‑volume travelers, the article briefly compares it with other popular cards:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve: The Reserve’s higher annual fee ($550) is justified by premium perks such as a $300 annual travel credit, lounge access, and higher redemption value (1.5¢ per point). For a traveler who flies only a few times a year, the additional fee rarely translates into commensurate benefits.

• Capital One Venture Rewards Card: Venture offers a flat 2× miles on every purchase and no foreign transaction fees. Its $95 annual fee is comparable to Sapphire Preferred’s, but the Venture’s sign‑up bonus (e.g., 75,000 miles) and the simplicity of redeeming miles for any travel expense via the Capital One portal give it a different appeal. However, the Sapphire Preferred’s 2× points on travel and dining may produce a slightly higher reward on those categories.

• American Express Gold Card: AmEx Gold’s dining and grocery bonus categories (4× points) can be attractive for certain spend patterns. Yet the card’s annual fee ($250) and limited travel benefits (e.g., no foreign transaction fees, limited travel insurance) make it a less efficient choice for occasional flyers.

• American Express Platinum: With a $695 annual fee, lounge access, and a plethora of travel benefits, the Platinum is best suited for frequent business travelers. The article notes that a traveler who flies a couple of times a year is unlikely to use the extensive lounge network and other high‑end perks to justify the cost.

How to Maximize Value From the Sapphire Preferred

1. Use the Card for All Travel and Dining: Maximize the 2× points on these categories.
2. Redeem via the Chase Portal: When booking flights, hotels, or car rentals through the portal, you receive a 25% boost on the value of your points.
3. Leverage the 1.5× Points on Travel Bookings: If you pay for travel directly with the card, you’ll earn 2× points plus an extra 0.5× on the same purchase—an extra 50% value on points earned.
4. Combine with Other Chase Products: If you also own a Chase Freedom Unlimited or a Chase Freedom Flex, you can transfer points between accounts, potentially increasing the value when booking large travel expenses.

Final Takeaway

For travelers whose flight frequency is limited to a handful of trips per year, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card delivers a compelling mix of rewards, low annual cost, and practical travel protections. It outpaces high‑fee premium cards in value for the low‑volume traveler and offers a robust platform for earning points that can be redeemed in a flexible, high‑value portal. By focusing on the card’s core strengths—generous sign‑up bonus, 2× points on travel and dining, and solid insurance coverage—occasional flyers can enjoy a rewarding travel experience without the heavy commitment associated with elite travel cards.