Your best bet is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card!
Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card should be your next Reward Travel Card
1. Amazing Standard Sign-Up Bonus:
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers an excellent standard sign-up bonus of 60,000 points, which is a lot, especially considering you can transfer these points to make them worth even more. By hitting the spending requirement within the first few months, you can earn so many points right out of the gate. This gives you a good head start!
2. Low Annual Fee:
This card has a low annual fee of just $95. Given its rewards and benefits, it’s a great option (especially for the first year of card ownership). You can always call to cancel or downgrade this card after 12 months. With this card, you get premium perks without the premium price tag, making it accessible and worthwhile.
3. Rewarding Points Earning Structure:
You earn 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x points on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services), streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart and Target, BUT you can make Walmart and Target orders through Instacart and get 3x the points), 2x points on all other travel purchases, and 1x points on everything else. This versatile earning structure means you’re constantly racking points, whether traveling, dining out, or shopping.
4. Valuable Travel Perks:
Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a host of travel perks, including primary rental car insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, and more. These benefits can save you money and hassle when things don’t go as planned.
5. Flexible Redemption Options:
You can redeem your points in various ways through Chase Travel℠ (the online travel portal accessible through your Chase account), but the real magic happens when you use your points for travel. Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, making your points go further.
6. No Foreign Transaction Fees:
Travel abroad without worry – the Sapphire Preferred has no foreign transaction fees, so you can use your card globally without incurring extra charges.
7. You Can Get The Welcome Bonus Every 48 Months
One thing that makes this card spectacular is that you can get the welcome bonus every 48 months. This is great if you want to rinse and repeat your reward travel strategy.
Here are Some of the Best Ways to Use Your Points
1. Travel Through Chase Ultimate Rewards:
When you book travel through Chase Travel℠ (the online travel portal accessible through your Chase account), your points are worth 25% more. This means your points stretch further, allowing you to book more flights, hotels, and other travel experiences.
2. Transfer to Travel Partners:
Chase Sapphire Preferred allows you to transfer your points to valued travel partners like Hyatt, Southwest, Virgin Atlantic, United, and more. By moving your points to these loyalty programs, you can often get more value per point, especially for premium cabin flights or luxury hotel stays.
3. Pay Yourself Back:
Chase’s “Pay Yourself Back” feature allows you to get a 25% bonus when you redeem points for statement credits against existing purchases in select categories. This adds more flexibility in using your points when you’re not traveling.
4. Everyday Expenses and Experiences:
If travel isn’t on your immediate agenda, you can still use your points for cash back, gift cards, or even unique experiences through Chase’s partnership with companies like Peloton. While travel redemptions offer the best value, it’s great to have other options. (Although, I’d argue it’s best to keep those points stashed up for travel because they go so far and can be worth so much!)
Wrapping It Up
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a powerhouse in the travel rewards card market. With its elevated sign-up bonus, versatile earning potential, valuable travel perks, and flexible redemption options, it’s designed to make your travel experiences richer and more affordable. Plus, with a reasonable $95 annual fee, you get so much value without breaking the bank.
Ready to dive into the world of travel rewards with the Chase Sapphire Preferred (the answer should be yes!)? Let’s get those points racked up and start planning your next adventure!
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