The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a powerhouse travel credit card that consistently ranks high on “best of” lists. It earns generous rewards, especially on dining and travel, and its Ultimate Rewards points are incredibly valuable when redeemed for travel or transferred to partner airlines and hotels. However, beyond the headline features, the Sapphire Preferred offers a suite of lesser-known benefits that can truly elevate your travel experience and save you money. As a seasoned travel credit card enthusiast, I’ve personally leveraged many of these perks, and I want to share my insights to help you maximize the value of this card.
1. Complimentary DoorDash DashPass: Food Delivery Made Easier (and Cheaper!)
First, let’s talk about food. The Chase Sapphire Preferred doesn’t traditionally offer extensive statement credits like some of its higher-end competitors. That’s understandable, given its moderate annual fee. But thanks to Chase’s partnership with DoorDash, you gain access to complimentary DashPass. This subscription typically costs $9.99 per month, which comes out to almost $100 a year. Therefore, having it free almost entirely offsets the card’s annual fee on its own!
DashPass gives you $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible orders over $12. As someone who occasionally enjoys the convenience of food delivery, I find this benefit incredibly useful, especially when I’m too busy to cook or simply craving something specific. This Chase partnership is valid through December 31, 2027, depending on your activation date, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the savings.
Pro-Tip: Remember to use your Chase Sapphire Preferred card as the payment method for all your DashPass orders to ensure you receive the full benefits.
2. Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: Travel with Peace of Mind
Unexpected events can disrupt even the most meticulously planned trips. Sickness, severe weather, or other unforeseen circumstances can force you to cancel or cut short your travel plans. Fortunately, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers trip cancellation and interruption insurance, which can reimburse you for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses, such as plane tickets, hotels, and tours.
This coverage extends to you and your immediate family members traveling with you, provided you paid for the trip expenses with your Sapphire Preferred card. The coverage limit is substantial, up to $10,000 per covered person and $20,000 per trip.
Personally, I haven’t had to use this benefit extensively, but it’s comforting to know that I’m protected against significant financial losses if a trip goes awry.
3. Baggage Delay Insurance: Minimizing the Impact of Delayed Luggage
There’s nothing quite as frustrating as arriving at your destination only to discover that your checked baggage hasn’t made it. Baggage delay insurance comes to the rescue in such situations. If your checked bag is delayed by more than six hours, the Chase Sapphire Preferred can reimburse you for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing, up to $100 per day for a maximum of five days.
I saw this in action when my mother’s suitcase didn’t arrive on her flight to Japan. We immediately contacted Chase and were advised to get a baggage delay report and keep receipts for essential purchases. Over the next four days, my mom was able to purchase clothes, shoes, and toiletries, all covered by the insurance. The process of filing a claim was relatively straightforward, and we received a check for $400 to cover her expenses.
4. Trip Delay Reimbursement: Staying Comfortable During Travel Disruptions
Delays are an unfortunate reality of travel. If your common carrier travel is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers trip delay reimbursement. This benefit covers you and your family for up to $500 per covered traveler for non-reimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging.
For example, imagine your last flight of the day gets canceled due to weather. Instead of scrambling for an overpriced airport hotel, the trip delay reimbursement can help you cover the cost of a comfortable stay and meals while you wait for your rescheduled flight. I value having this as a safety net.
5. Primary Car Rental Insurance: Skip the Rental Company’s Expensive Coverage
When renting a car, you’re often pressured to purchase additional insurance from the rental company. However, with the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can often confidently decline this coverage thanks to the card’s primary car rental insurance.
This coverage applies to rentals of up to 31 consecutive days that you pay for with your Sapphire Preferred card. It covers losses, including physical damage and theft of the rental vehicle, valid loss-of-use charges assessed by the rental company, and reasonable towing charges. Importantly, your coverage is up to the actual cash value of the rental car.
By utilizing this benefit, you can save significant money on your rental car expenses and avoid having to file a claim with your personal auto insurance policy in the event of an accident.
6. Purchase Protection: Peace of Mind for Your New Purchases
The Chase Sapphire Preferred also offers purchase protection, which covers eligible personal property purchased with your card in the event of theft, damage, or involuntary and accidental parting with property. This coverage extends for 120 days from the date of purchase, with a limit of $500 per claim.
While certain items are excluded (e.g., animals, antiques, items with engines), this benefit can provide peace of mind for everyday purchases. If you accidentally damage a new electronic gadget or it gets stolen shortly after purchase, the purchase protection can help you repair or replace it.
7. Extended Warranty Protection: Doubling the Coverage on Your Electronics
Finally, the Chase Sapphire Preferred provides extended warranty protection, which can save you money on repairs or replacements for eligible purchases. This benefit adds an additional year of coverage to eligible items with a manufacturer’s warranty of three years or less.
The most relevant story I have is when I bought a high end TV and the picture went out 3 years later. Chase was able to cover the cost of the TV and the repair fee.
Bottom Line: Maximizing the Value of Your Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is more than just a travel rewards credit card. It’s a valuable tool that can provide peace of mind and protection during your travels and in everyday life. By understanding and utilizing these lesser-known benefits, you can unlock the full potential of your card and maximize its value.
As always, make sure you carefully review the terms and conditions for each benefit to ensure you understand the coverage details and claim procedures. Filing claims with clearly defined and labeled documentation will make the process smooth and hassle-free.
The seven benefits I’ve highlighted are just a few of the many perks offered by the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Travel accident insurance, zero liability protection, and travel and emergency assistance services are additional features that can enhance your travel experience. So, the next time you reach for your Sapphire Preferred, remember that you’re not just paying with a credit card but also unlocking a world of valuable benefits.
