The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is undergoing significant changes, and it's time to dive into the details. This card, a staple in the travel rewards scene, is getting a makeover with new perks, bonus categories, and some unexpected twists. Let's explore what these changes mean for cardholders and whether the card is now stronger or weaker.
A Mixed Bag of Updates
The news is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, the card is gaining some impressive new features. On the other, there's a notable drawback for those who frequently transfer points to Hyatt.
New Perks and Bonus Categories
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is adding some exciting new bonus categories, which will likely be a welcome sight for many cardholders. Starting June 15, 2026, new and existing cardholders will earn 3 points per dollar on purchases at:
- Gas stations
- EV charging
- Vacation home rentals booked at Airbnb, Vrbo, Plum Guide, HomeAway, Homestay.com, and Vacasa
These everyday spending categories are practical and will likely be useful for many. They join the existing bonus categories, which remain intact and are already quite impressive. These include:
- 5 points per dollar for Chase Travel purchases
- 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery store purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
- 2 points per dollar on all other travel not booked through the Chase Travel portal
Hotel Statement Credit Boost
In a cardholder-friendly move, the annual Chase Travel hotel statement credit is increasing from $50 to $100, effective June 15, 2026. This change makes the benefit much more meaningful and even exceeds the annual fee. There's no minimum stay requirement or spending threshold, making it easy to use.
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry Credit
The card is also adding a new statement credit of up to $120 every four years to cover the application fee for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or Nexus. This is a valuable benefit, especially for frequent travelers, and it's now one of the lowest-annual-fee cards to offer this.
Enhanced Travel Protections
The Chase Sapphire Preferred already had strong travel protections, including trip cancellation coverage and trip delay reimbursement. Now, it's adding emergency evacuation and transportation protections, cementing its position as one of the strongest travel-protection cards in its annual fee range.
No Annual Fee Increase
Perhaps the most surprising part of the announcement is that the annual fee remains at $95, the same price it's had since launching in 2009. This is despite the addition of new credits and expanded travel protections.
Hyatt Transfer Devaluation
The most significant change is the devaluation of Hyatt point transfers for Sapphire Preferred cardholders. The transfer ratio is changing from 1:1 to 4:3, meaning transferring 40,000 Chase points to Hyatt will yield just 30,000 Hyatt points. This is a significant devaluation for those who regularly transfer points to Hyatt.
Impact on Travelers
For casual or semifrequent travelers, the Sapphire Preferred remains a strong choice due to its strong bonus categories, useful benefits, straightforward redemptions, and manageable annual fee. However, for those who rely heavily on Hyatt transfers, the changes are clearly negative, and some may consider switching to the Sapphire Reserve to retain the 1:1 transfer ratio.
Conclusion
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is now an even more compelling option for casual travelers, despite the change in transfer ratio. It offers a well-rounded set of benefits and is now one of the strongest travel-reward cards in its category. However, for those who frequently transfer points to Hyatt, the devaluation may be a significant setback.
In the end, the decision of whether the card is better or worse depends on individual travel habits and priorities. But one thing is clear: the Chase Sapphire Preferred is still a powerful tool in the hands of the right traveler.
