What the Chase Sapphire Preferred sign-up bonus is
The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a sign-up bonus of 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points when you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of opening the account. Those points are worth roughly $600 to $900 depending on how you redeem them — through Chase's travel portal, as a statement credit, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.
The bonus posts to your account after you meet the spending requirement. You do not need to do anything special to claim it; Chase tracks your purchases automatically and credits the points once the threshold is reached.
This bonus is one of the largest currently offered on premium travel cards. The card itself carries an annual fee of $95, which is charged in the first month and every year after that, so factor that into whether the bonus value makes sense for your situation.
Key Takeaways
- You earn 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points by spending $4,000 in the first three months; those points are typically worth $600 to $900 in redemption value.
- The bonus posts automatically after you meet the spending requirement — there is no separate claim process or code to enter.
- The card charges a $95 annual fee starting in month one, so the net value of the bonus is roughly $505 to $805 after the first year's fee.
- You can redeem points through the Chase travel portal, as a statement credit, or transfer them to airline and hotel partners at different point values.
- The spending requirement of $4,000 in three months is achievable if you put regular expenses on the card, but you should plan this before opening the account.
How to meet the $4,000 spending requirement
The three-month window starts the day your account opens. You need to charge $4,000 in purchases to the card — not pay it off, just charge it. Payments do not count toward the requirement; only new purchases do.
Common ways to reach $4,000 quickly: shift your regular monthly spending (groceries, gas, utilities, subscriptions) to the card for three months, or time a planned purchase like travel, furniture, or home repairs to fall within the window. If you have a business, business expenses count too.
Do not manufacture spending you would not otherwise make. The interest charges and fees from carrying a balance will erase the bonus value. If you cannot reach $4,000 in three months through normal spending, you may not be the right fit for this card right now.
When the bonus posts and how to use it
Chase posts the bonus within one to two billing cycles after you meet the $4,000 threshold. You can check your account online under "Rewards" or "Ultimate Rewards" to see your points balance. The points sit in your account indefinitely — they do not expire as long as your account remains open.
You have three main ways to redeem: through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal (where 1 point = 1 cent value on flights, hotels, and rental cars), as a statement credit (where 1 point = 1 cent), or transferred to airline and hotel partners like United, Southwest, Hyatt, and others (where point values vary). The travel portal and transfers typically give you the most value per point.
You can also combine your Sapphire Preferred points with points from other Chase cards you own, which can help you reach a redemption threshold faster or transfer a larger balance to a partner.
The annual fee and whether the bonus justifies it
The $95 annual fee is charged on the first statement and every anniversary after that. This means your net bonus value in year one is 60,000 points minus $95, or roughly $505 to $805 depending on redemption method.
To decide if this card makes sense long-term, look at what you would spend on travel and dining in a year. The Sapphire Preferred earns 2 points per dollar on travel and dining purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else. If you spend $3,000 or more annually on travel and dining, the card typically pays for itself through bonus earning alone, separate from the sign-up bonus.
If you do not travel or eat out much, the annual fee is harder to justify. You can downgrade to the no-annual-fee Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa Signature after the first year if the bonus does not align with your spending habits.
What happens after you meet the bonus
Once the bonus posts, you own the card outright. You can keep it open and use it for ongoing purchases, or close it after you have redeemed the points. There is no minimum time you must keep the account open, though closing it when ready after the bonus posts may affect your credit score slightly.
If you keep the card open, you will earn points on all purchases at the rates listed above (2 points on travel and dining, 1 point on everything else). You will also pay the $95 annual fee every year unless you downgrade or close the account.
Chase typically allows you to earn the sign-up bonus once every 24 months per card product. If you close the Sapphire Preferred and reopen it later, you must wait at least 24 months from when you received your last bonus before you are may be able to access for another one.
Common obstacles when meeting the spending requirement
The most common issue is underestimating how much you actually spend. Before you open the account, add up three months of your typical credit card charges to see if $4,000 is realistic. If your normal spending is $1,000 per month, you will need to find an extra $1,000 in spending to hit the target.
Another obstacle is forgetting to use the card. Set a reminder on your phone or calendar to charge regular expenses to the Sapphire Preferred for the first three months. It is straightforward to default to an old card out of habit.
Some merchants do not accept all card types — for example, some gas stations or small retailers may not take premium cards. If you hit a merchant that declines the card, use a different payment method and try the Sapphire Preferred elsewhere.
How the bonus compares to other travel cards
The 60,000-point bonus is competitive but not the largest available. The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 75,000 points but requires $5,000 in spending and carries a $550 annual fee. The American Express Platinum offers 150,000 Membership Rewards points but requires $6,000 in spending and costs $695 per year. The Citi Prestige offers 75,000 points for $5,000 in spending with a $495 annual fee.
The Sapphire Preferred's advantage is the lower annual fee and lower spending requirement. If you want a strong bonus without committing to a premium card's high annual cost, the Sapphire Preferred is a middle ground. If you travel frequently and can justify a higher annual fee, the Reserve or Amex Platinum may offer better long-term value.
Point values also differ by card. Chase Ultimate Rewards points are generally worth 1 to 1.5 cents each, while Amex Membership Rewards can be worth 1 to 2 cents depending on the redemption method. Compare the point value of the card you are considering, not just the number of points in the bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to spend exactly $4,000 or can I spend more?
You only need to spend $4,000 to trigger the bonus. If you spend $5,000 or $10,000, the bonus does not increase — it stays at 60,000 points. However, you will earn additional points on the extra spending at the card's standard earning rates (2 points per dollar on travel and dining, 1 point per dollar on other purchases).
What counts as a purchase toward the spending requirement?
Purchases include anything you charge to the card: groceries, gas, restaurants, flights, hotels, subscriptions, and retail shopping. Balance transfers, cash advances, fees, and interest charges do not count. Payments on the card do not count either — only new charges.
Can I transfer the bonus points to an airline or hotel right away?
Yes. Once the bonus posts to your account, you can transfer the points to any of Chase's partner airlines or hotels when ready. You do not have to wait or use the points in any particular way. Different partners offer different point values, so compare redemption rates before you transfer.
What if I close the card before the bonus posts?
If you close the account before meeting the $4,000 spending requirement, you will not receive the bonus. If you close it after the bonus has posted, you keep the points. However, closing the card shortly after opening it may lower your credit score slightly because it reduces your available credit and shortens your average account age.
Is there a sign-up bonus for existing Chase customers?
Chase typically offers the same sign-up bonus to all new cardholders, regardless of whether they bank with Chase or hold other Chase cards. However, you cannot earn the bonus if you have opened a Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve in the past 24 months. Check the current offer on Chase's website to confirm the exact terms before you open the account.