I've been writing about credit cards for more than five years. And whenever someone in my circle asks me what credit card they should get, I pretty much have a go-to response: the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees).

It's packed with a ton of travel perks, and most people end up thanking me after a few months of using it.

Right now, Chase is offering a crazy good deal for new users. You can earn 100,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months.

Here are all the deets, and how to qualify.

Why 100,000 bonus points is a big freakin' deal

First off: 100,000 bonus points is a lot.

When you redeem through Chase Travel, those points get a 25% boost -- turning into up to $1,250 in Chase Travel℠ value.

That's two round-trip tickets to Hawaii! Or a five-night Caribbean cruise for you and a friend!

Or, if you prefer cash back or gift cards instead, you're still looking at a cool $1,000 in cash value.

Chase points are crazy flexible. Another option is to transfer them 1:1 to airline and hotel partners like United, Hyatt, and Southwest. If you're the kind of traveler who likes squeezing even more value out of every point, go for it.

Are you eligible to get the 100,000 bonus points?

The welcome offer is only earned after meeting spending criteria. Plus the card itself has some eligibility criteria you need to check:

Here's your fast-pass checklist:

• No current Sapphire card: You can't currently hold a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve.
• No previous bonus in 48 months: If you've snagged a Sapphire sign-up bonus within the last four years, you're out (but if it's been longer -- game on).
• Meet the minimum spend: You'll need to spend $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months after opening your account to get the welcome bonus.
• Good to excellent credit: A FICO® Score of around 680 or higher usually means you could be qualified, but higher is better.
• Apply and get approved before the deadline: No dragging your feet -- Chase will remove this offer on May 15, so lock it in ASAP if you're interested.

Meeting all these qualifications doesn't guarantee approval for the card, but it can be a good indicator. Apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card right now (see rates and fees).

Beyond the bonus

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card isn't just a one-hit wonder -- it's packed with ongoing perks you'll use throughout the year.

Reward details:

• 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
• 2X points on all other travel
• $50 annual hotel credit when you book through Chase
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, lost luggage insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.

All that for just a $95 annual fee -- not $400, not nearly $700, like some "luxury" cards. Just $95. (And honestly, the value of the limited-time bonus alone is equivalent to more than 12 times the annual fee)

Hawaii, here you come!

If you've been waiting for a sign to jump on a killer credit card deal -- this is it.

And hey, if you need a travel buddy for that trip to Hawaii, I'm wide open most of September!

Apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card today (see rates and fees) and start stacking those points.