BECU Cash Back Credit Card vs Chase Sapphire Preferred
Both are well-respected travel cards. The BECU Cash Back Credit Card comes from BECU at $0/yr; the Chase Sapphire Preferred from Chase at $95/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
For most people the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,300 more in estimated value) than the BECU Cash Back Credit Card's. Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred first; revisit the BECU Cash Back Credit Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | BECU Cash Back Credit Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | $200 cash back after $2,000 spend in 3 months | 75,000 points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $200 | $1,500 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $2,000 in 3 mo | $5,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | BECU | Chase |
| Card category | cashback | travel |
| Best earning category (All_purchases) | 1.5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | chase-ur |
| Headline benefits |
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Editorial take: Chase Sapphire Preferred
The best starter travel card, period. Transferable points, solid bonus categories, and a low annual fee make this the card we recommend to almost everyone getting into the points game. Note: the 10% anniversary points bonus sunsets October 1, 2026.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, BECU Cash Back Credit Card or Chase Sapphire Preferred?
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred has the bigger bonus, 75,000 points, worth roughly $1,500, versus $200 cash back after $2,000 spend in 3 months (~$200) on the BECU Cash Back Credit Card.
- Is the BECU Cash Back Credit Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
- The BECU Cash Back Credit Card has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Chase Sapphire Preferred's $95 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Chase Sapphire Preferred's benefits to clear $95 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the BECU Cash Back Credit Card.
- Can I have both the BECU Cash Back Credit Card and Chase Sapphire Preferred?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (BECU and Chase) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the BECU Cash Back Credit Card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. BECU Cash Back Credit Card: $2,000 spend in 3 months. Chase Sapphire Preferred: $5,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.
