Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included with the post.
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE:
Wayfaren is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. We appreciate it when you use our affiliate links as it supports our content at no cost to you!
Hi Im Abby
Your ‘always finding the best deal’ friend!
This guide will teach you all about loyalty points and how to score epic vacations for next to nothing.
Thank you so very much for using my links when you do apply for a new card, you’re supporting a family and small business instead of the big ole’ banks and we are SO grateful!
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is hands down (truly UNMATCHED) the #1 place to start if you want to take the best first step towards stressing less about those vacation costs.
Chase points are the most flexible, beginner friendly-points to earn for travel.
3x points offered on online groceries (Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs are excluded), restaurants, gas, AND VRBO’s/Airbnbs
BUILT IN travelinsurance (including new medical evacuation + transportation coverage)
BUILT IN primary rental car insurance
Up to $100 annual hotel creditbooked via Chase Travel (totally cancels out that already low annual fee)
NO foreign transaction fees
Strong earning categories and all the travel perks you care about most.This is HUGE.
Complimentary DashPass membership (Sign up through Dec. 31, 2027, along with a promo of up to $10 off each month on one grocery, convenience or other non-restaurant order on DoorDash!)
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit
Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026
Compared to other cards which offer just as many travel perks, is Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is $95 annual fee is VERY low.
→ Although, you CAN downgrade your card after that one year mark to a no annual fee Chase card option…I really recommend each home holding either the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® long term.
The ability to have a Chase homebase that allows you transfer out points to all the incredible airline and hotel partners is INVALUABLE.
Chase Transfer Partners
→ Transferring your points out to airline and hotel partners of your card can really explode the value of your points.
***Chase is the only major bank (besides BILT) that offers Hyatt as a transfer partner, so these points are GOLD for saving on hotel stays (whether it be a ton of nights at a lower tier property or splurging on just a few nights at really nice resort!).
Why the Chase Sapphire should be in your wallet
Beginner friendly, FLEXIBLE points
Amazing airline + hotel partners to transfer those points to
Great earning categories
Built in travel and rental car insurance
Unmatched low annual fee
…istruly is the most well rounded card out there (ESPECIALLY if you are just starting out with points)!
The Sapphire offers VALUE and SIMPLICITY — universally accepted, fantastic benefits, and has easy to understand (and USE!) points. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Cardchecks all the boxes.
What if I already earned the bonus on the Preferred before?
Unfortunately, in 2025 Chase added “lifetime language” to the Preferred and Reserve cards. (i.e. you can only earn the bonus on these cards one in a lifetime. In the credit card world, this can sometimes mean 7ish years…but time will tell as this is a new rule!)
What about this new lower Hyatt transfer rate?
Starting June 15th, 2026- the transfer rate to Hyatt with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card will be 4:3 (instead of the past 1:1). Although, this is a bummer- there is still so much value to be had moving your Chase points to Hyatt with this card.
Example: The Hyatt Regency Maui!
Book in Cash: $635/night
Use your points to “erase” your travel charge: 63,500 points/night
Can I combine my Sapphire points with my husband’s points?
YES! Chase allows you to combine points across ANY card with ANYONE in your household (even business cards!)
What’s the best way to use 100k Chase points?
We use most of our Chase points to transfer to Hyatt for $0 hotel stays! BUT you could also get
➡️ ~2 Round trip flights to Europe ➡
Transfer to Iberia, Air France, Virgin Atlantic, JetBlue and more!
➡️ ~5-6 $0 nights at Hyatt Houses or Places (rooms that hold 6 + free breakfast!!) ➡
Transfer to Hyatt
➡️ ~Almost1 RT business class flights to Europe or Asia ➡
Transfer to Air Canada
➡️ ~3+ nights at an all inclusive or condo-style property ➡
Transfer to Wyndham
Sooooo have I convinced you yet?! The Chase Sapphire Preferred really is (THE) one card to have in your wallet if you do any traveling at all….and like to saving money. CHECK AND CHECK.
Wayfaren is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites such as MileValue.com and Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. We appreciate it when you use our affiliate links as it supports our content at no cost to you!
EDITORIAL NOTE:
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included with the post.