The Chase Sapphire Preferred can be a strong starter travel card, especially if you know how to use its points and built-in benefits.
- Use the welcome bonus
New cardholders can currently earn 75,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first three months. That can provide a substantial head start toward flights or hotel stays. - Earn points on everyday spending
Use the card for categories where it earns bonus points, including dining, gas and EV charging, travel, online groceries and eligible vacation rentals. You don’t need a complicated strategy—consistent everyday spending can add up quickly. - Take advantage of travel protections
Benefits such as primary rental-car coverage, trip-delay reimbursement and baggage-delay insurance can save you significant money when travel doesn’t go according to plan. - Learn to transfer points
Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to airline and hotel partners at eligible ratios, including programs such as Air France-KLM Flying Blue, British Airways and United. Transfers can unlock more value than simply using points as cash. - Use the card’s credits and perks
The card offers an up to $100 annual hotel credit through Chase Travel, Points Boost on select bookings, DoorDash DashPass, and up to $120 every four years toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS.
The smarter take: You don’t need to become a points expert overnight. Start by earning points on spending you already do, use the card’s travel protections and credits, then learn point transfers when you’re ready to maximize your rewards.