Chase Sapphire Preferred Card’s Annual Fee History: 2009 to 2026

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card is usually most people’s first travel credit card, and it’s an easy one to keep because of its reasonable $95 annual fee.

Let’s explore how the annual fee has changed since it launched in 2009 to today in 2026.

As of 2026

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card carries a $95 annual fee, even with its brand-new benefits for 2026. That’s not something we see often — the Chase Sapphire Preferred card got more valuable while maintaining an annual fee below $100.

For new applicants, this annual fee is charged within the first billing cycle of opening your account. Your cardmember anniversary, which is based on the date you opened the card, is when Chase charges the $95 annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card’s Annual Fee Changes

Since its launch in 2009, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card has remained relatively consistent, especially when it comes to its annual fee. Here’s its annual fee history:

For roughly the first decade after its launch, the card’s $95 annual fee was waived during the first year, giving new cardholders time to earn the welcome offer and decide whether the card was a good fit for their lifestyle. (Source: JPMorgan Chase & Co.)

Although the first-year annual fee is no longer waived for new cardholders, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card’s annual fee has barely budged in its lengthy history. However, that doesn’t mean the card hasn’t evolved over the years.

In the early days, programs like Korean Air SKYPASS and Amtrak Guest Rewards were once transfer partners. After the launch of the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® in 2016, Chase implemented its “1 Sapphire card” rule to prevent cardholders from holding both products simultaneously.

Coming out of the pandemic, we saw the largest changes to the Chase Sapphire Preferred card in 2021, including enhanced bonus points categories, an annual $50 hotel credit for Chase Travel bookings (now $100 annually), and more (Source: Chase).

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Authorized User Fee Changes

Unlike the higher-tier Chase Sapphire Reserve card, it has always cost $0 to add an authorized user to your Chase Sapphire Preferred card account. There have been no changes to these authorized user fees since the card launched in 2009.

In fact, you can add as many authorized users as you’d like, each receiving their own card. Their purchases earn rewards at the same rates, count toward the primary cardholder’s account, and are covered by the same travel and purchase protections.

That said, authorized users don’t receive a separate set of benefits or the ability to transfer or redeem points independently. For example, the $100 annual hotel credit is limited to 1 per account.

Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Worth It?

As of June 15, 2026, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers new benefits that make it even more well-rounded for travel and everyday purchases. Namely, cardholders can earn 3x points on gas and EV charging, as well as on vacation homes, such as Airbnb and Vrbo.

As such, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card has stayed true to what made it popular in the first place — all with the same $95 annual fee. It remains an approachable travel rewards card with practical and money-saving benefits, including a $100 Chase Travel hotel credit, important travel insurance and purchase protections, no foreign transaction fees, and the ability to transfer points to valuable airline and hotel loyalty programs.

The welcome offer is one of the best you can get from a card with a relatively low annual fee. Based on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card’s welcome offer history, this opportunity doesn’t come very often, so it’s a great time to apply:

BEST FIRST TRAVEL CARD

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

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Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,500

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.49 - 27.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), gas, EV charging, vacation home rentals with top brands, and streaming services.

It offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and strong travel insurance coverage, including primary car rental insurance. If you travel a few times a year and spend on dining, the card is likely to be a good choice, but it’s hard to justify if you don’t dine out or travel often.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via Chase Travel
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), gas, EV charging, vacation home rentals with top brands (such as Airbnb and Vrbo), and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• Subject to Chase’s 5/24 application restrictions

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Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes at top brands, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.
• Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Emergency Evacuation and Transportation, and more.
• Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $180.
• Complimentary DashPass membership, a $120 value for 12 months. Enjoy $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible DoorDash orders, plus exclusive Chase savings on grocery, everyday essentials, and more. Activate by 12/31/29.
• Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck^® or NEXUS application.
• Transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49 - 27.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

We value Ultimate Rewards points at 2 cents each because they transfer to more than a dozen airline and hotel loyalty programs. Some of the most valuable partners include Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, and World of Hyatt, making the current bonus offer worth approximately $1,500 in travel.

Final Thoughts

While many travel cards have undergone sweeping changes and devaluations over the years, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card has remained relatively consistent. Even with a few minor updates in 2026, the card’s annual fee has stayed at $95 — a price point it has maintained for more than 15 years.