Why Chase Sapphire Most well-liked is the highest card for graduates

To latest grads: Congratulations! Graduating from school is a big milestone, and your arduous work and efforts needs to be celebrated.

Whether or not you are leaping into your first job or embarking on a post-grad journey, it will probably really feel overwhelming to launch into maturity.

Do not fret — there are instruments to make this transition simpler. A big step into maturity is opening your first bank card. Maybe you are forward of the sport and have been a proud proprietor of a scholar card all through your 4 years as an undergrad. Or you could be buying round in your first “grownup” bank card.

Both approach, we firmly imagine the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card (see charges and costs) needs to be each graduate’s first bank card.

Here is why.

Excessive welcome bonus

For a card with a (cheap) $95 annual payment, you are taking a look at 100,000 Final Rewards factors after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. TPG’s April 2025 valuations put Final Rewards factors at 2.05 cents every, that means this welcome bonus is price $2,050.

However earlier than you get too excited, guarantee you possibly can handle the spending requirement to get the bonus. It really works out to about $1,667 in month-to-month spending in your first three months, which you’ll simply hit for those who’re about to spend a strong chunk on shifting bills and knowledgeable wardrobe in your launch into maturity.

Nonetheless, be sure to do not cost greater than you possibly can afford to repay, regardless of how good the bonus is.

Associated: Who’s eligible for the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked’s bonus?

Introduction to factors and miles

If you wish to be taught in regards to the world of factors and miles, you have come to the appropriate place. Right here at TPG, we have now a plethora of sources to get you began, together with our rookies information and our listing of the perfect first bank cards.

One of many belongings you’ll see in these guides is that Chase Sapphire Most well-liked is at all times on the prime of the listing. It is a beginner-friendly card that may ease you into “journey hacking” or studying find out how to use your bank card rewards to unlock free flights or resort stays.

There are various redemption choices with this card, however you will discover probably the most worth as a journey rewards card through the use of your factors for journey.

To interrupt it down in easy phrases, you’ve got two choices for reserving journey with this card.

First, you possibly can e book by Chase Journey℠ at a 25% factors bonus or a fee of 1.25 cents every. For instance, 10,000 factors interprets to a $125 worth in journey. You’ll be able to e book quite a lot of journey on this portal, together with flights, inns, automotive leases and cruises.

When you get comfy reserving journey by the portal, you possibly can dip your toes into transferring your factors to loyalty packages.

Chase permits you to transfer your factors at a 1:1 fee to its airline and resort companions, so your 100,000 Final Rewards factors can equal 100,000 factors within the loyalty program of your alternative.

In fact, some companions are higher than others, however a few of our high-value favorites embrace Air Canada Aeroplan and World of Hyatt. With these companions, getting far more than 1.25 cents of worth per level is feasible. We have even gotten as much as 4.5 cents in worth with a business-class ticket on Air France earlier than, so the sky is the restrict in the case of Chase’s switch companions.

Associated: New to journey rewards? Here is the proper newbie card combo

Beneficial card advantages

The Chase Sapphire Most well-liked is a well-liked card, particularly amongst Gen Z, because it comes with many helpful associate advantages that may assist you lower your expenses and reward you on the similar time.

Probably the most precious perks is a complimentary one-year membership to DoorDash DashPass (activate by Dec. 31, 2027). This membership will get you free supply charges and decreased service charges on eligible orders of $12 or extra. This subscription service normally prices $9.99 month-to-month, so this profit is efficacious sufficient to justify the cardboard’s $95 annual payment.

You will additionally get pleasure from 5 factors per greenback on Lyft rides (by Sept. 30, 2027). Relying on how typically you utilize Lyft, it is a unbelievable method to earn bonus factors on this rideshare service.

Lastly, it is price checking the Chase Presents in your card. They’re going to replace each week or so.

All of those associate gives may help you lower your expenses in your on a regular basis purchases.

Associated: 8 lesser-known methods your bank card can prevent cash

Journey and buy protections

Another reason you will love the Sapphire Most well-liked: No different card with a $95 annual payment comes with as many journey and buying protections.

Hopefully, you by no means have to make use of any of those advantages, however these coverages gives you peace of thoughts and prevent cash if an emergency arises:

• Journey cancellation and interruption insurance coverage: Reimburses you as much as $10,000 per particular person (or $20,000 per journey) in your pre-paid, nonrefundable journey bills attributable to lined causes, similar to illness, extreme climate and extra.
• Misplaced baggage reimbursement: Covers loss or injury to your baggage by a typical service (similar to an airline) for as much as $3,000 per passenger.
• Journey delay reimbursement: Reimburses you as much as $500 per ticket to buy meals or lodging for journey delays of 12 hours or extra (or requiring an in a single day keep).
• Buy safety: Covers injury or theft on new purchases, as much as $500 per declare and as much as $50,000 per account.
• Baggage delay insurance coverage: Reimburses you as much as $100 per day (for as much as 5 days) for bags delays greater than six hours to cowl the acquisition of important gadgets.
• Prolonged guarantee safety: Extends a U.S. producer’s guarantee by a further 12 months on warranties of three years or much less.
• Major automotive rental protection: Covers theft and injury as much as the precise money worth of the rental automotive on bookings of lower than 31 consecutive days. Observe that almost all bank cards solely provide secondary protection.
• Journey and emergency help: Obtain emergency help and referrals for those who encounter issues whereas touring.

For any of those to use, it’s essential to pay in your buy along with your Chase Sapphire Most well-liked. You’ll be able to file a declare by chasecardbenefits.com.

Associated: How my Chase Sapphire Most well-liked saved me almost $250 on a canceled journey

Backside line

When you’ve simply graduated, do your self a favor and add the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked to your pockets.

With its unbelievable welcome bonus, long-term incomes potential and helpful perks, you will love having this card alongside in your journey into the grownup world.

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Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Most well-liked with 100,000 Final Rewards factors after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

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