6 Ways to Maximize the Chase Sapphire Preferred as a Beginner

6 Ways to Maximize the Chase Sapphire Preferred as a Beginner: Essential Guide for Travelers in 2025

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

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• The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the best beginner-friendly travel credit cards available.
• With smart use, you can earn big rewards from everyday purchases—ideal for travelers planning their next trip.
• Learn 6 ways to maximize the Chase Sapphire Preferred as a beginner, from qualifying for the sign-up bonus to redeeming points for maximum value.
• Perfect for solo travelers, couples, or digital nomads looking to offset travel costs without complex strategies.
• We’ll also share smart planning tips and the right tools that real HopStrip travelers use to stretch every mile.

Table of Contents

• 1. Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred Is Perfect for Beginner Travelers
• 2. The 6 Ways to Maximize the Chase Sapphire Preferred as a Beginner
• Where Beginner Travelers Get the Most Value from Their Points
• How to Plan Your Trip the Smart Way
• HopStrip-Style Tips and Tools for This Trip

1. Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred Is Perfect for Beginner Travelers

If you’re new to travel rewards, the Sapphire Preferred offers a balance of simplicity and power. It earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points—a super flexible currency that unlocks free flights, hotel stays, and travel experiences.

Here’s what makes it beginner-friendly:

• A generous welcome bonus: Often 60,000 points or more if you meet the minimum spend (check the latest bonus offer here).
• 2x points on travel and dining—meaning your everyday spending adds up fast.
• Points can be redeemed directly through Chase or transferred at a 1:1 ratio to major partners like United, Hyatt, and Air France.
• No need to be an expert in award charts to get serious value.

This card is ideal for travelers who want to earn rewards without micromanaging every purchase. It’s a great entry point into travel hacking—even if you’ve never booked a ticket with points before.

2. The 6 Ways to Maximize the Chase Sapphire Preferred as a Beginner

Ready to squeeze the most value out of every swipe? Here are the top strategies for anyone starting out:

1. Nail the Sign-Up Bonus (Without Overspending)

This is where you get the most bang for your buck. The bonus — typically 60,000 points — is worth about $750 in travel if booked through Chase Travel. To earn it, you’ll usually need to spend $4,000 in the first 3 months.

HopStrip tip: Time your application around big expenses like holiday shopping, travel bookings, or tax payments to meet the spend naturally—without debt.

2. Use the Chase Travel Portal for 25% More Value

When you book flights, hotels, or rental cars through the Chase Travel portal using points, each point is worth 1.25 cents. That’s a 25% increase compared to straight cash redemptions.

Example: 20,000 points = $250 in travel through Chase, vs. just $200 if redeemed as cash.

Search and compare hotel rates with your points, or use them to cover part of a flight while still earning miles on the ticket.

3. Transfer Points to Airline and Hotel Partners for Even Bigger Value

Here’s where things get fun. Once you get comfortable, you can transfer your Chase points to programs like:

• World of Hyatt (great for high-value stays)
• United MileagePlus
• British Airways Executive Club
• Air Canada Aeroplan

Transfers are at a 1:1 ratio, and some deals can get you 2+ cents per point in value—especially during promotions. This technique unlocks luxury properties or business class flights at economy prices.

4. Maximize Bonus Categories and Promotions

Besides travel and dining (2x), you’ll also earn 3x on select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart and Target).

Newbies often leave points on the table by using debit cards or other credit cards for these categories. Set your Sapphire Preferred as your default payment on food delivery, travel bookings, ride-shares, or Netflix to stack up rewards effortlessly.

5. Don’t Forget Built-In Travel Protections

Even if your trip doesn’t involve points, booking it with this card gets you perks like:

• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Primary car rental insurance
• Baggage delay coverage

This gives beginners peace of mind—and might help you avoid doubling up on expensive travel insurance coverage (though it doesn’t replace full medical travel insurance—see below).

6. Shop Through Chase Offers and Pay Yourself Back

Chase periodically runs cashback-style promotions on travel, dining, or donations. You can also use the “Pay Yourself Back” feature to redeem points for statement credits on eligible spending—like Airbnb, or even groceries depending on promos.

New users should check the portal every couple of weeks for surprise value drops.

Where Beginner Travelers Get the Most Value from Their Points

Certain types of redemptions consistently offer better returns—and simpler booking.

Some of our favorite beginner-friendly options include:

• Hyatt Category 1-4 hotels: Often 12,000–15,000 points per night at properties that typically cost $250+
• Southwest domestic flights: No blackout dates, and you can freely cancel or change with no penalty
• United to Hawaii: Transfer points and book good availability, especially from the West Coast
• European short-haul flights with British Airways Avios: Great for hopping between cities like London, Paris, and Madrid

Need help choosing a destination to use your points? Start with the official Iceland tourism site or compare flight options for your ideal season.

How to Plan Your Trip the Smart Way

1. ✅ Apply for the card when you have big expenses coming up to meet the bonus spend effortlessly.
2. 🔎 Use the Chase Travel portal to research hotel and flight options using your welcome bonus.
3. ✈️ Compare transfer partner redemption options for maximum ROI on your points.
4. 📲 Enable Chase notifications and download the app to monitor spending categories and offers.
5. 🏨 Check hotel prices for your stay, then compare against point redemption options.
6. ⚠️ Add travel insurance only if your trip goes beyond Chase’s protections with coverage from this provider.

HopStrip-Style Tips and Tools for This Trip

At HopStrip, we believe in getting real-world value from your card—not just stacking points. When you travel, blend booking tools with common-sense comfort:

• Consider using Ultimate Rewards to cover flights, and pay cash for unique accommodations on vacation rental sites.
• Use this setup for digital nomad-friendly countries like Portugal or Thailand, where converting points to lodging gets you serious value.
• Plan for airport arrivals with a fixed-rate transfer for peace of mind—especially in unfamiliar countries.
• Want flexibility with tours or experiences? Spend points on your travel and splurge with local activity bookings through curated guided tours.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

FAQ: 6 Ways to Maximize the Chase Sapphire Preferred as a Beginner

• What’s the best way to earn the sign-up bonus?
  Time your application to align with large planned expenses (like a trip or school tuition) to meet the minimum $4,000 spend within 3 months without overspending.
• Is it better to redeem points through Chase Travel or transfer them?
  Both are great starting points. If you want simplicity, use Chase Travel for 25% more value. If you’re ready to dive deeper, transferring can unlock 2x–3x value on flights and hotels.
• Can I use my Sapphire Preferred points internationally?
  Absolutely. You can redeem points for flights and hotels worldwide, and the card has no foreign transaction fees—ideal for international trips.
• What should I avoid as a beginner?
  Avoid redeeming points for straight cash back or Amazon purchases. You’ll get much less value (0.8–1 cent per point) compared to 1.25–2+ cents via travel.
• Can I combine points with my spouse or travel partner?
  Yes! You can combine Ultimate Rewards points with one household member or a spouse who has their own Chase card to book trips together.