The world of travel credit cards can be overwhelming, with countless options promising amazing rewards and benefits. If you’re looking to elevate your travel experiences and maximize your spending, the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card is a strong contender. This card is consistently praised for its valuable rewards program, flexible redemption options, and travel-friendly perks, making it a favorite among both novice and seasoned travelers.
Let’s delve into the details of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card to see if it aligns with your travel goals and spending habits.
Earn a Generous Sign-Up Bonus
One of the most compelling aspects of the Chase Sapphire Preferred is its attractive sign-up bonus. New cardmembers can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. This substantial bonus can be a significant boost to your travel fund, redeemable for flights, hotels, and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
It’s important to note the eligibility requirements: this offer is not available to current or previous Sapphire cardholders who have received a new cardmember bonus within the past 48 months. If you’re a current Sapphire customer interested in this product, contacting Chase to explore product change options is recommended, though be aware that product changes typically do not qualify for new cardmember bonuses.
To earn the bonus points, ensure your spending within the first 3 months consists of eligible “purchases.” These exclude transactions like balance transfers, cash advances, and fees. Once you meet the spending requirement, allow 6 to 8 weeks for the bonus points to be credited to your account. Your account must be open and in good standing to receive the bonus.
Maximize Rewards with Bonus Categories
Beyond the initial bonus, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card shines in its everyday rewards earning structure. You’ll earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points on every purchase, with bonus points in key spending categories:
- 5X Points on Chase Travel Purchases: Earn 5 points per dollar spent on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards. This includes flights, hotels, car rentals, and cruises, offering a significant return on your travel spending. This consists of the base 2x points for travel plus an additional 3x points for booking via Chase Travel. Note that hotel purchases using the $50 annual hotel credit through Chase Travel do not earn points.
- 3X Points on Dining, Select Streaming Services, and Online Groceries: Earn 3 points per dollar at restaurants (including takeout and delivery), on popular streaming services, and at online grocery stores (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). These categories align with common spending, making it easy to rack up points on everyday expenses.
- 2X Points on Travel Purchases: Earn 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases not booked through Chase Travel. This broad travel category includes airfare, hotels, rental cars, taxis, ride-sharing services, and more.
- 1X Points on All Other Purchases: Earn 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Furthermore, cardmembers receive a 10% anniversary points bonus each year. This bonus is calculated as 10% of your total spending in points earned during the previous account anniversary year. This is a nice added perk that rewards consistent card usage.
Flexible Point Redemption Options
The value of travel rewards credit cards lies in how you can redeem the points you earn. Chase Ultimate Rewards offers a variety of redemption options, giving you flexibility to use your points in ways that best suit your travel style and preferences:
- Travel Redemption through Chase Ultimate Rewards: Redeem points for flights, hotels, car rentals, and cruises through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal. Points redeemed for travel through the portal are worth 1.25 cents each, providing a 25% bonus compared to cash redemption. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- Transfer Points to Travel Partners: One of the most valuable features of Chase Ultimate Rewards is the ability to transfer points to Chase’s airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio. This can unlock even greater value for your points, especially for premium cabin flights or luxury hotel stays. Chase transfer partners include popular airlines and hotel chains, offering a wide range of destinations and travel styles.
- Cash Back and Gift Cards: While generally offering less value than travel redemption, you can also redeem points for cash back or gift cards at a rate of 1 cent per point. This provides flexibility if you need cash or prefer gift cards.
- Pay with Points: Use points to pay for products and services offered through the Ultimate Rewards program or directly from third-party merchants. Redemption values may vary for these options.
Your points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. However, points will be forfeited if your account is closed due to misuse, fraudulent activity, or other reasons outlined in the Rewards Program Agreement.
Travel Perks and Benefits
Beyond rewards points, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card comes with several travel-related benefits that enhance your travel experience:
- $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit: Receive an automatic statement credit of up to $50 each year for hotel accommodation purchases made through Chase Ultimate Rewards. This annual credit helps offset the card’s annual fee.
- Complimentary DashPass Membership: Cardmembers and authorized users receive at least 12 months of complimentary DashPass membership for both DoorDash and Caviar when activated with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card by 12/31/2027. DashPass provides benefits like no delivery fees on eligible orders, saving you money on food delivery. Additionally, cardholders can earn $10 off monthly on DoorDash non-restaurant orders after activating the DashPass membership.
- Peloton and Lyft Bonus Points: Through 03/31/2025, earn 5X total points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $150 and 5X points on Lyft purchases. These limited-time offers add extra value to specific spending categories.
Chase Pay Over Time Feature
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers the Chase Pay Over Time feature to eligible cardmembers. This allows you to finance purchases over time. While this can be a useful tool for managing larger expenses, it’s important to use it responsibly and be aware of interest charges. Chase Pay Over Time is available for purchases of at least $100 and may be offered at checkout on Amazon.com for eligible items over $50.
NerdWallet and The Points Guy Endorsements
It’s worth noting that reputable financial websites like NerdWallet and The Points Guy receive compensation from Chase for credit card referrals. However, their opinions and reviews are independent, and these platforms consistently rank the Chase Sapphire Preferred as a top travel credit card due to its strong rewards and benefits.
Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Right for You?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card is a compelling option for individuals who:
- Travel at least a few times per year: The travel rewards and benefits are most valuable for frequent travelers.
- Want flexible and valuable travel rewards: The Chase Ultimate Rewards program offers diverse redemption options, including valuable point transfers.
- Spend on dining, streaming, and groceries: The 3X points categories align with common spending habits.
- Are comfortable with an annual fee: The card has an annual fee, but the rewards and benefits can outweigh the cost for many users.
If you’re seeking a travel credit card that provides a strong sign-up bonus, excellent rewards earning potential, flexible redemption options, and valuable travel perks, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is definitely worth considering. Explore the details and determine if it’s the right card to chase travel dreams and elevate your future adventures.
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