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The Chase Sapphire Preferred: My Go-To Card for Travel Rewards Newbies (and Savvy Spenders!)
Hey everyone, it’s your friendly neighborhood travel rewards guru back with another credit card deep dive. Today, I want to talk about a card that holds a special place in my heart: the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. This card isn’t just for beginners, but it’s a perfect entry point into the world of travel rewards and a fantastic option even for seasoned travelers who want to maximize value without breaking the bank. Let’s get into why I love this card and why you should consider adding it to your wallet.
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Why I Think the Chase Sapphire Preferred Is a Winner: Solid Rewards That Fit Your Lifestyle
First and foremost, let’s talk about earning rewards. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which are among the most versatile points in the travel rewards landscape. The current earning structure is:
5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®: This is a huge* benefit if you book your flights, hotels, and car rentals directly through the Chase portal. I frequently check the Chase portal first when planning trips, as I can snag some great deals while also racking up those bonus points. * 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services and takeout: This is one of the primary reasons I use this card for everyday spending. I love eating out, and the 3x points on dining really add up. I even use it for ordering takeout on those nights I don’t feel like cooking. * 3x points on select streaming services: In today’s world, most of us have multiple streaming subscriptions. I like that this card makes it easy to earn rewards on streaming services that I already use. * 2x points on all other travel purchases: For travel that I don’t book through the Chase portal, I still earn a solid 2x points. This includes things like train tickets, tolls, and ride-sharing services. * 1x point on all other purchases: Of course, you’ll also earn 1x point on everything else you buy with the card.
What I appreciate most about this earning structure is its balance. It rewards both travel and everyday spending, making it easy to accumulate points even if you’re not a frequent flyer. I find that I can easily earn enough points for a significant trip each year just by using this card for my regular purchases.
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The Magic of Chase Ultimate Rewards: Flexibility is Key
Earning points is only half the battle. The real magic of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card lies in how you can redeem those points. Chase Ultimate Rewards® offers several redemption options, each with its own value proposition:
* Travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®: When you redeem points for travel through the Chase portal, you get a 25% bonus in value. This means that 1,000 points are worth $12.50 towards flights, hotels, car rentals, and activities. I regularly use this option for booking flights because it’s so simple. Transferring to airline and hotel partners: This is where the real value lies for experienced travelers. Chase has a fantastic roster of transfer partners, including airlines like United, Southwest, and Hyatt. By transferring your points to these partners, you can often get far* more than $0.0125 per point in value, especially when redeeming for premium cabin flights or luxury hotels. I’ve personally used this option to book incredible business class flights to Europe and Asia for a fraction of the cost I would have paid if I’d booked directly. * Cash back: You can also redeem your points for cash back at a rate of 1 cent per point. While this isn’t the most lucrative option, it’s nice to have the flexibility if you need some extra cash. * Gift cards: Similar to cash back, you can redeem your points for gift cards at a rate of 1 cent per point. I rarely use this option, but it can be useful if you have a specific store or restaurant in mind.
The flexibility of Chase Ultimate Rewards® is a huge selling point for me. I can choose the redemption option that makes the most sense for my current travel goals and financial situation. Sometimes, booking through the Chase portal is the best option. Other times, transferring to a partner is the way to go. The choice is yours!
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Beyond the Points: Perks That Make a Difference
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card isn’t just about earning and redeeming points. It also comes with a suite of valuable travel and purchase protections that can save you money and hassle:
* Trip Delay Insurance: This is one of my favorite benefits! If your trip is delayed by more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, you can be reimbursed for reasonable expenses like meals, lodging, and transportation (up to $500 per person). I’ve personally used this benefit when a flight was delayed due to bad weather. It covered my hotel room and meals, which was a huge relief. * Baggage Delay Insurance: If your baggage is delayed, you can be reimbursed for essential items like clothing and toiletries (up to $100 per day for 5 days). While I haven’t had to use this benefit myself, I know people who have found it incredibly helpful when their luggage went missing. * Purchase Protection: This benefit covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft (up to $500 per claim). It gives me peace of mind knowing that my purchases are protected in case something happens. * Rental Car Insurance: When you pay for your rental car with your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you get primary coverage for damage or theft. This means you can skip the expensive insurance offered by the rental car company. I always use this benefit when renting cars. It has saved me a lot of money over the years. * No Foreign Transaction Fees: This is a must-have for any travel credit card. I always carry this card with me when I travel abroad because I know that I won’t be charged any extra fees for using it.
These perks might not seem like much on the surface, but they can really come in handy when things go wrong. I appreciate that the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers these protections, as they give me peace of mind when I’m traveling.
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The Annual Fee: A Reasonable Investment
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card does come with an annual fee, but I believe it’s well worth it for most people. The value you get from the rewards, redemption options, and perks far outweighs the cost of the fee.
I always tell people to do the math and see if the card makes sense for their spending habits. If you spend a significant amount on travel and dining, and if you take advantage of the transfer partners, you’ll likely come out ahead. Even if you don’t travel frequently, the 3x points on dining and the purchase protections can make the card worthwhile.
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Who Should Consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred? My Recommendation
In my opinion, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great option for:
* Travel rewards beginners: If you’re new to the world of travel rewards, this card is a perfect place to start. It’s easy to understand, offers valuable rewards, and comes with a reasonable annual fee. * Budget-conscious travelers: If you want to maximize value without paying a high annual fee, this card is a great choice. It offers solid rewards and perks without breaking the bank. * People who spend a lot on travel and dining: If you frequently travel and dine out, this card will help you rack up points quickly. * Anyone who wants flexible redemption options: If you want the flexibility to redeem your points for travel, cash back, or gift cards, this card is a great choice.
Who might want to look elsewhere?
* Frequent travelers who desire luxury perks: While the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers some travel perks, it doesn’t offer the same level of luxury benefits as some of the higher-end travel credit cards, such as airport lounge access. If you prioritize these perks, you might want to consider a different card. * Those who don’t travel or dine out often: If you don’t spend a lot on travel or dining, you might not earn enough rewards to justify the annual fee. In that case, a cash back credit card might be a better option.
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Final Thoughts: A Card That Delivers Value
Overall, I’m a big fan of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It’s a versatile card that offers valuable rewards, flexible redemption options, and useful perks. I personally find it to be a staple in my wallet. If you’re looking for a great travel rewards credit card, I highly recommend giving it a look! This card has opened up a world of travel possibilities for me, and I’m confident it can do the same for you. Remember to always spend responsibly and pay your bills on time to avoid interest charges and maximize the benefits of this card. Happy travels!
