Chase just gave one of the most popular travel credit cards in America a significant makeover, and the best part? The $95 annual fee didn’t change. The refreshed Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, updated as of June 15, 2026, comes loaded with new benefits — and right now there’s a limited-time sign-up bonus that makes this one of the most compelling credit card offers of the year.
The $100 Hotel Credit: Your Annual Fee Basically Pays for Itself
The headline upgrade for most cardholders will be the annual Chase Travel hotel credit, which has been doubled from $50 to $100. No registration is required — simply book and prepay for a hotel stay through Chase Travel. Since the card’s annual fee remains $95, using the full $100 hotel credit can offset the annual fee on paper. That’s right — one hotel booking through Chase Travel each year puts you ahead before you even factor in the points you’re earning.
Unlike many other cards, there’s no minimum stay requirement or spending threshold to use this credit. For example, you could book a one-night stay at a budget-friendly hotel for $125, and once the credit is applied, you’d effectively spend just $25 out of pocket.
A Record-High Sign-Up Bonus — For a Limited Time
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to apply, this is it. New cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. It’s only the third time in the card’s history that this bonus has been offered. Travel experts value 100,000 Chase points at over $2,000 when maximized with Chase’s 14 hotel and airline transfer partners.
This is a limited-time offer, and there’s no telling when Chase will pull it back.
New Earning Categories
- 5x points on Chase Travel purchases (flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, and activities)
- 3x points on dining
- 3x points on select streaming services
- 3x points on online groceries (excludes Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
- 3x points on gas and EV charging (new)
- 3x points on vacation rentals including Airbnb and Vrbo (new)
- 2x points on all other travel worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
New Travel Credits and Perks
Chase is also adding a $120 credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS every 4 years — a perk previously reserved for premium cards. Simply make an eligible payment with your card to trigger this benefit.
Cardholders who activate by December 31, 2026, will receive a complimentary one-year Apple TV+ subscription. And the card continues to include complimentary DashPass membership with $0 delivery fees and a $10 monthly promo credit on non-restaurant DoorDash orders when activated by December 31, 2027.
Travel Protections That Beat the Competition
The Chase Sapphire Preferred already had very strong built-in travel protections, such as trip cancellation coverage and trip delay reimbursement — and it is now adding emergency evacuation and transportation coverage. This likely cements the Sapphire Preferred as one of the strongest travel-protection cards in its annual fee range.
The full suite of protections includes primary rental car coverage, trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, and now emergency evacuation and transportation coverage. According to Chase, this gives the Preferred the “most comprehensive suite of built-in travel protections” for a $95 annual fee card.
The Bottom Line
The refreshed Chase Sapphire Preferred punches well above its weight at $95 per year. Between the $100 hotel credit that effectively wipes out the annual fee, a record-high 100,000-point welcome bonus, stronger earning categories, new travel credits, and an upgraded protection suite, this card is one of the best values in travel rewards right now.
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Have Questions? Ask MapTravler!
Not sure if the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the right fit for your travel style? Whether you’re a weekend road tripper, an occasional flyer, or someone just starting to explore the world of travel rewards, we’re here to help you figure out if this card makes sense for you. Just ask MapTravler — we love helping everyday travelers get more out of every trip. We are here to help!
Disclaimer: This post contains a referral link. I may receive compensation if you are approved for a card through this link. All opinions are my own. Please review all card terms and conditions before applying.
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