WILMINGTON, DE — Chase has expanded rewards, travel credits and insurance benefits on its Sapphire Preferred credit card while keeping the annual fee at $95, a move that strengthens the issuer’s position in the increasingly competitive mid-tier travel card market.
The changes took effect June 15 for new and existing cardholders and add new bonus categories for gas, electric vehicle charging and vacation rental bookings while increasing travel-related credits and protections.
The largest financial enhancement is the doubling of the card’s annual Chase Travel hotel credit to $100 from $50. Chase also added a statement credit of up to $120 every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS enrollment.
Cardholders will now earn three points per dollar on gas and EV charging purchases and three points on vacation home bookings through providers including Airbnb and Vrbo. Existing bonus categories, including dining, online groceries, streaming services and travel booked through Chase Travel, remain in place.
The issuer also expanded travel insurance coverage to include emergency evacuation and transportation benefits, adding to a package of protections that already includes trip cancellation, baggage and rental car coverage.
To attract new customers, Chase is offering 100,000 bonus points to applicants who spend $5,000 within the first three months after opening an account.
The refresh comes as major card issuers continue to compete for travel-focused consumers through richer rewards programs, statement credits and premium travel benefits rather than fee increases.
Not all changes favor cardholders.
Chase is eliminating the Sapphire Preferred card’s 10% Anniversary Bonus benefit for customers applying on or after June 15. Existing cardholders will continue earning the bonus on eligible purchases through Oct. 1, with awards issued by Jan. 31, 2027.
The company is also reducing the value of one of its airline and hotel transfer partnerships.
Ultimate Rewards points transferred to World of Hyatt will move to a 4:3 transfer ratio rather than the previous one-to-one structure. The change is effective immediately for new Sapphire Preferred applicants and takes effect Oct. 1 for existing cardholders.
For Sapphire Preferred cardholders, points continue to be redeemable through Chase Travel, transferred to participating loyalty programs or used for cash back, gift cards and other redemption options.
The card carries no foreign transaction fees and includes complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership benefits. Chase is also offering one year of Apple TV service to cardholders who activate the benefit by Dec. 31, 2026.
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