Is the Sapphire Preferred still worth $95 a year?
At renewal there's no welcome bonus left, just the fee against what the card earns and the credits you actually use. Here's that renewal year for three spending profiles, compared with downgrading or switching to a no-fee card. Terms verified Oct 5, 2026.
| Profile | Sapphire Preferred after fee | Best alternative | Pays | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday spender About $2,000 a month, mostly groceries and errands, one trip a year. | $545 | Wells Fargo Autograph | $535 | Close call |
| Balanced About $3,500 a month with a few trips a year and regular dining out. | $1,040 | Wells Fargo Autograph | $1,055 | Close call |
| Frequent traveler About $5,000 a month, heavy on flights, hotels and restaurants, some trips abroad. | $1,665 | Wells Fargo Autograph | $1,782 | Cancel or downgrade Keep only if Global Entry credit are worth over $117 a year to you. |
Profiles use typed totals, so merchant credits (rideshare, delivery, streaming) aren't counted here.Answer a few questions in the calculator below and the verdict updates.
The credits, and what it takes to use them
Up to $496 a year on paper. They only offset the fee to the extent you'd have spent that money anyway.
| Credit | How it works |
|---|---|
| $100 annual Chase Travel hotel credit | Prepaid hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel, up to $100 per account-anniversary year (doubled from $50 on 6/15/2026). The first $100 of Chase Travel hotel purchases each year earns no points. Counted when your own travel spend is at least the credit amount, on the assumption you'd book that much through the issuer's travel site. Book through the issuer's travel site. |
| $10 monthly DoorDash promo on a non-restaurant order | One $10-off promo per calendar month on a qualifying non-restaurant (grocery, retail) DoorDash order; requires card-activated DashPass. No rollover. Needs enrollment. Ends Dec 31, 2027. |
| Complimentary DashPass membership ($120 value) | At least 12 months free when activated with the card by 12/31/2027. Needs enrollment. Ends Dec 31, 2027. |
| Complimentary Apple TV for one year ($156 value) | Apple TV only (not Apple Music). Must be activated by 12/31/2026; at least 12 months from activation. Suspends an existing paid Apple TV subscription; Apple One subscribers get a $7.50 discount instead. endsOn is the activation deadline. Needs enrollment. Ends Dec 31, 2026. |
Run it on your own spending
The calculator needs JavaScript. The table above is precomputed.
The calculator needs JavaScript. The table above is precomputed.
Downgrade instead of closing: The issuer usually lets you product-change to the Freedom Unlimited or Freedom Flex, which keeps your account age and credit line. Ask before you cancel.
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