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The Chase Sapphire travel credit cards (the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card) have several recent benefit upgrades that can benefits applicants and existing cardholders. Here is a recap of the exciting Chase Sapphire updates, both some of the best Chase credit cards.
Chase Sapphire Updates
Here are some of the Chase Sapphire updates that have taken place.
Sapphire Bonus Offer
New Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Member FDIC
New Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
If you’re a previous Sapphire member, you can re-qualify for this bonus after meeting these two stipulations:
- Do not have another Sapphire card currently
- Have not earned any Sapphire signup bonus in the past 48 months
Sapphire Preferred Rewards Categories
The Chase Sapphire Preferred purchases previously earned up to 2x points on all dining and travel. Now, you can earn up to 5 points per $1.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns unlimited:
- 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® (excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Anniversary Hotel Credit)
- 3x points on dining (including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out)
- 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target®, Walmart®, and wholesale clubs)
- Also 3x points on select streaming services
- 2x points on all other travel purchases
- 1x point per $1 spent on all non-bonus purchases
This is the credit score you’ll need to get the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Sapphire Preferred Anniversary Points Bonus
The Sapphire Preferred now offers a 10% anniversary points bonus for your annual purchases.
For example, your bonus is 5,000 points if you earn 50,000 Ultimate Rewards from the 5-3-2-1 bonus categories.
Despite this anniversary bonus and the additional benefit introductions, the Sapphire Preferred annual fee remains $95 for the primary card and $0 for authorized users.
Related: Q&A: Is The Chase Sapphire Preferred Still Worth It?
Sapphire Preferred Hotel Night Credit
Another perk for the Sapphire Preferred is an annual $50 hotel night credit.
Your first $50 in hotel bookings through Chase Ultimate Rewards are reimbursed but do not earn 5x points (similar to the Sapphire Reserve $300 annual travel credit).
It comes in the form of a statement credit that will automatically be applied to your account when your card is used for hotel accommodation purchases made through the Ultimate Rewards program, up to an annual maximum accumulation of $50.
New card members receive this bonus at card opening. Current card members are eligible for this credit after their next card anniversary.
Here’s a guide to the Chase Sapphire application rules.
Sapphire Reserve Rewards Categories
Chase Sapphire Reserve® purchases now earn up to 10x Ultimate Rewards. Cardholders can earn unlimited:
- 10x total points on hotels and car rentals purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards (after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually)
- 10x total points on Chase Dining purchases with Ultimate Rewards
- 5x total points on flights when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards (after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually)
- 3x points on other travel worldwide (after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually)
- 3x points on other dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out
- 1x points for all remaining purchases
Previously, all travel and dining purchases earned 3x points.
You will not receive rewards points on your first $300 in annual travel purchases as the annual travel statement credit reimburses these purchases.
Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Sapphire Reserve Review
Sapphire Reserve Airport Lounge Benefits
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers will soon have access to a few more airport lounge locations.
The first locations for the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club network are:
- New York LaGuardia
- Boston Logan International
- Hong Kong
Tentative opening dates are currently unannounced.
You will also continue to get complimentary access to the Priority Pass airport lounge network.
Aeroplan Ultimate Rewards Point Transfers
One of the other Chase Sapphire updates to know about is another airline transfer partner. Air Canada is now a 1:1 Ultimate Rewards transfer partner. You can transfer Ultimate Rewards to Aeroplan in 1,000-point increments.
Aeroplan is the 14th Ultimate Rewards transfer partner. In addition to the Air Canada and Aeroplan award flights that offer flexible stopover award flights, you can book Star Alliance partner flights.
Both Chase Sapphire cards support point transfers.
Travel Protection Benefits
The travel protection benefits remain intact for both cards. Other banks have been reducing travel and purchase protection benefits recently to make room for benefits.
Your Sapphire Card can include these trip protection perks:
- Trip cancellation and interruption coverage
- Baggage delay insurance
- Trip delay reimbursement
- Primary auto rental collision damage waiver
- Emergency evacuation and transportation (Sapphire Reserve only)
The Sapphire Reserve has more extensive travel insurance benefits.
Related: Flight Canceled: Chase Sapphire Reserve Trip Delay Saved Me
Summary
Many of these exciting Chase Sapphire updates can help you earn more points when you book travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. The additional travel benefits and points opportunities continue to make either card one of the best travel credit cards for local and international travel.
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