How to maximize your rewards earning with the Chase Sapphire Preferred

We often say that the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) is the best first credit card for those learning about the points and miles hobby. That’s not because the card is a “beginner” card — quite the opposite. Many of us at TPG still have the Sapphire Preferred because it’s integral to our travel rewards strategy.

We highlight it for a few reasons:

• Chase Ultimate Rewards points are versatile and easy to use. Anyone getting started in credit card rewards will have no trouble saving a lot of money with them.
• The card has solid ongoing benefits that are not points-related.
• The card typically comes with a generous sign-up bonus.

In fact, right now, new applicants for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card can earn a bonus of 100,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. This is the best offer we have seen on the card in several years. The card comes with a $95 annual fee, but it’s relatively easy to cover it (and then some).

Let’s look at how you can maximize the Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits to ensure you’re saving the most money — and earning the most points — as organically possible. It’ll help you gauge whether the card is worth keeping year after year.

Overview of the Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits

Here are the notable benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred:

• A $50 annual credit on hotel stays purchased through the Chase Travel℠ portal
• A 10% points bonus each year based on your card spending (e.g., if you spend $10,000, you’ll receive 1,000 bonus points)
• Ability to earn 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft purchases (through Sept. 30, 2027) and travel booked through Chase Travel
• Ability to earn 5 points per dollar spent on each Peloton equipment and accessory purchase of $150 or more — with a limit of 25,000 points (through Dec. 31, 2027)

• At least 12 months of complimentary DashPass for use with both DoorDash and Caviar (when you activate by Dec. 31, 2027)
• Ability to earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining, select streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs)
• Ability to earn 2 points per dollar spent on all travel not booked through the Chase Travel portal
• Ability to earn 1 point per dollar spent on everything else
• Primary rental car insurance
• Trip delay insurance
• Baggage delay insurance
• Extended warranty protection
• No foreign transaction fees

You don’t have to be a points and miles enthusiast to appreciate the card. These perks make the Chase Sapphire Preferred a very practical card for anyone who vacations even just once or twice per year.

With a $95 annual fee, the travel protections alone make this card worth the price tag. And because the card quickly racks up rewards, you’ll have a small stockpile of Chase points by the time you’re confident enough to use them.

Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review: A top travel and dining card

Strategies for maximizing the Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred‘s current bonus is 100,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. According to TPG’s April 2025 valuations, the bonus is worth $2,050 — though you can get significantly more than that if you learn the Chase Ultimate Rewards sweet spots.

But once you’ve used the bonus, what’s the best way to maximize this card?

Use your Chase Sapphire Preferred to pay for airfare

The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 5 points per dollar spent on airfare booked through the Chase Travel portal and 2 points per dollar when booked through an online travel agency or directly with the airline. However, amassing points is not the primary motivator for using the card.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred will automatically give you two significant benefits (among others) when booking air travel:

• Trip delay insurance: You are covered for up to $500 per ticket when your flight is delayed at least 12 hours (or if your delay or cancellation results in an unexpected overnight stay).
• Baggage delay insurance: You and your immediate family are entitled to up to $100 per day in reimbursement (for up to five days) to cover the purchase of necessary expenses like clothes and toiletries. This benefit kicks in when your bags are delayed six hours or more.

These perks alone are enough for many to keep the card year after year.

Use your Chase Sapphire Preferred to pay for hotels via the Chase Travel portal

Each anniversary year, the Chase Sapphire Preferred comes with a $50 statement credit for a hotel stay booked via the Chase Travel portal. You’ll also receive 5 points per dollar for booking travel through Chase Travel (though the $50 credit won’t earn points). That’s a great pair of benefits capable of wooing anyone who normally books hotels via an online travel agency like Expedia or Priceline.

Just note that this may not be the best option if you’re booking a major chain that’s part of a hotel loyalty program like Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors. Chase is considered a third-party platform for these reservations, which means you likely won’t earn points on the stay (and you may not be able to enjoy any elite status perks either).

You could always call the individual property after booking (or try to add your loyalty number at check-in), but it may not work. Your best bet is to use this perk for nonchain hotels or boutique properties.

Use your Chase Sapphire Preferred to pay for rental cars

Here’s another stand-alone benefit that may justify the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s $95 annual fee for many travelers: When you pay for a rental car with the card, you can waive the in-house rental agency’s pricey collision damage waiver insurance, and you’ll still receive primary rental car insurance, courtesy of Chase.

Note that this covers damage and theft to the card without going through your personal insurance company. You’ll also earn 5 points per dollar if you book your rental through the Chase Travel portal. However, this doesn’t include liability insurance (damage to the car you crashed into, for example).

Use your Chase Sapphire Preferred to pay at restaurants

The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 3 points per dollar spent at restaurants, whether you’re ordering takeout or dining in. That’s a great benefit to stack with the card’s one complimentary year (at least) of DashPass membership with DoorDash (when you activate by Dec. 31, 2027). You’ll get free deliveries on orders totaling more than $12 and earn 3 points per dollar spent on your purchase. That equates to 6% back on your meal. Cardholders also receive one promo of up to $10 off each calendar month at checkout for one grocery, convenience store or other nonrestaurant order on DoorDash.

Related: Just got the Chase Sapphire Preferred? Do these 7 things next

When not to use the Chase Sapphire Preferred

Sometimes, your Chase Sapphire Preferred is best left in your wallet.

Don’t use your Chase Sapphire Preferred to pay for nonbonus purchases

The card earns 1 point per dollar spent on all expenses that don’t fall into a bonus category. That’s not a reasonable return rate. There are plenty of cards (some with $0 annual fees) that will better serve you for these transactions. If you want to stay focused on collecting Chase Ultimate Rewards points, swipe your Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) to earn a minimum of 1.5% cash back (1.5 points per dollar spent) on all purchases.

Don’t forfeit other card benefits by using your Chase Sapphire Preferred

If you have other credit cards that provide valuable benefits for specific purchases, don’t use the Chase Sapphire Preferred out of loyalty.

For example, you can receive a free checked bag with United Airlines when you use your qualifying United Airlines credit card to pay for your flight. That could save you $70 round-trip, justifying using your United card over your Sapphire Preferred.

Or, if you book the same hotel brand often and elite status is important to you, use the hotel’s cobranded credit card to pay for your stays instead of the Sapphire Preferred. You’ll earn more points that way. For instance:

Bottom line

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is well worth the $95 annual fee each year if you know how to maximize the card. The card packs a punch between its annual $50 hotel credit, its myriad travel insurances and its generous earning rates. And, considering the solid welcome bonus, applying right now is a no-brainer.

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Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

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