If you’re new to the world of travel rewards and looking for a way to make your trips more exciting and affordable, let me introduce you to the number one card I refer to my friends; the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It earns versatile points. It has great perks. It is even thick enough to scrape your windshield on a snowy day (Or so I hear. I live in Texas).

Here’s a simple breakdown of why this card is so amazing.

1. Earning Rewards

If you’re still using a debit card, I plead with you to STOP. Instead, treat the Sapphire Preferred as a debit card. Pay it off on time and in full each month while earning great rewards! You’ll earn 5x points on Chase Travel℠, 3x points on restaurants, select streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Note this also excludes in-store grocery purchases. You’ll receive 2x points on all travel purchased outside of Chase Travel℠ and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. These points are SO VALUABLE because they are so flexible. 

Let’s explore this more.

2. Redeeming Points and Transferring to Travel Partners

When you’re ready to use your points, you have some great options. You can redeem them through Chase Travel℠ at worth 1.25 cents per point. This is a great option, but we can do EVEN BETTER! 

I highly recommend that you transfer your points to travel partners. Chase, hands down, has some of my favorite transfer partners. They include: Southwest, Hyatt, Flying Blue, British Airways, United, and more. Transferring your points to travel partners will allow you to get much more value from your points. Additionally, I like to share points with my husband. Because we live in the same household, we can share points (be sure to call the bank the first time if you need to link your accounts).

To transfer your points, select the Ultimate Rewards® section of your account. Select “Transfer points to partners.” Then you will see all airline and hotel travel partners. Choose the partner you would like to transfer your points to, and follow the directions to transfer points in increments of 1,000. Note – you will need to create a loyalty account with your transfer partner before you can transfer your points. Transfers are usually instant, but it’s always a good idea to check the details with the specific partner.

3. Book Your Travel

After transferring your points, log in to your travel partner’s loyalty program to book your flight or hotel. You’ll be able to use the points as if they were directly earned with that program, often giving you access to better deals and rewards. Earning points with the Sapphire Preferred gives you SO MUCH MORE FLEXIBILITY than earning points through multiple brands of airlines and hotels. 

4. Welcome Offer

Be sure to check out the current welcome offer for the Sapphire Preferred. This is a simple way to earn a big chunk of those transferable points and can provide a huge boost to kickstart your rewards! If you’re spending money on life – you might as well be rewarded. 

5. Even More Perks

If you’ve never had an issue while traveling, well, you’re lucky. The Sapphire Preferred will give you peace of mind with trip cancellation and interruption insurance. You’ll gain primary rental car insurance when you book your rental car with the Sapphire. Additionally, there is no foreign transaction fee, so you won’t get extra charges when using your card overseas. These protections help make your travels smoother and less stressful.

Conclusion

In summary, if you’re looking to get the most out of your everyday spending, the Sapphire Preferred is a fantastic choice. In the last year alone, by utilizing transfer partners, we have used these points to fly Southwest to Washington, DC, stayed at the Hyatt Regency Amsterdam, and flown to Europe via Air France. The value we have received from points from this card is immeasurable! With its great rewards structure, generous welcome offer, and travel benefits, if I had to choose only one card to keep forever – it would be this one.

Let’s get you traveling (on points)!

XO – Amber