While there is no official score required, it is generally known that the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card requires a good credit score, which means 690 or higher. This is not a hard and fast rule, however, and those with credit scores lower than 690 could possibly get approved.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred (CSP) is considered a "mid-tier" travel card, making it more accessible than the luxury Sapphire Reserve but still requiring a Good to Excellent credit score. In 2026, successful applicants typically have a FICO score of 700 or higher. Beyond your score, the most significant hurdle is the "Chase 5/24 Rule," which is an unofficial policy where Chase will automatically decline your application if you have opened five or more new credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months. You also need a stable income to justify the minimum starting credit limit of $5,000, as this is a Visa Signature card. If you are a student or someone with a "thin" credit file, it may be hard to get approved without first building history with a basic card like the Chase Freedom Rise. However, if you have a year of credit history, a score in the low 700s, and haven't gone on a recent credit-card-opening spree, the CSP is relatively attainable. It remains a top choice in 2026 due to its 1:1 points transfer to partners like Hyatt and United, often offering a sign-up bonus of 60,000 to 75,000 points.