The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is an exceptional starter card that offers transferrable Ultimate Rewards and pairs well with other Chase cards. Carrying this card alongside Chase’s cashback cards like the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom Unlimited®, or the business versions, Ink Business Cash® and Ink Business Unlimited®, allows you to combine the points into your Preferred account and transfer them into hotel and airline partners.
One of the standout features of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® is its transferrable Ultimate Rewards program. This means that the points you earn with this card can be transferred to various loyalty programs, including airline and hotel partners. This flexibility allows you to maximize the value of your points by redeeming them for travel or other rewards.
By combining the Chase Sapphire Preferred® with other Chase cards, you can earn even more points and take advantage of their unique benefits. For example, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers rotating quarterly bonus categories, where you can earn extra points on specific types of purchases. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® provides a flat cashback rate on all purchases, making it a great everyday card. The business versions, Ink Business Cash® and Ink Business Unlimited®, offer similar benefits for business owners.
One of the key advantages of carrying multiple Chase cards is the ability to combine points into your Chase Sapphire Preferred® account. This consolidation allows you to pool your points and maximize their value when transferring them to loyalty programs. For example, if you have 50,000 points on your Chase Freedom Flex℠ and 30,000 points on your Chase Sapphire Preferred®, you can combine them to have a total of 80,000 points in your Preferred account.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® also offers some valuable perks. Despite its low annual fee of $95, cardholders receive a 10% anniversary bonus on points earned throughout the year. This bonus can significantly boost your point balance and make your rewards go further. Additionally, the card provides a $50 hotel credit when booking through Chase’s travel portal, further enhancing the value of the card for travelers.
In terms of earning points, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® offers 2x points on dining and travel purchases, which includes a wide range of categories such as restaurants, airfare, hotels, and more. This makes it an excellent card for those who frequently spend on these categories. For all other purchases, the card earns 1x point per dollar spent. While not the highest earning rate, the ability to transfer points to loyalty programs often makes up for it in terms of value.
When it comes to redeeming points, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® offers several options. You can use your points to book travel through Chase’s portal at a rate of 1.25 cents per point, providing a decent value for your rewards. Alternatively, you can transfer your points to Chase’s airline and hotel partners, such as United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Hyatt, and Marriott, to name a few. This allows you to potentially get even more value out of your points by redeeming them for premium flights or luxury hotel stays.
In conclusion, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® is an exceptional starter card that offers transferrable Ultimate Rewards and pairs well with other Chase cards. By combining points from multiple cards into your Preferred account, you can maximize their value when transferring them to loyalty programs. With its low annual fee, anniversary bonus, and hotel credit, this card provides great value for those who enjoy traveling and want flexibility in their rewards.