6 Ways to Maximize the Chase Sapphire Preferred as a Beginner: Practical Guide for Travelers in 2025
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!- The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the best beginner travel cards, especially for those new to travel hacking.
- These 6 ways to maximize the Chase Sapphire Preferred as a beginner include smart earning, strategic redemptions, and key partner perks.
- Pairing this card with travel loyalty programs can help you enjoy luxury experiences for less.
- Booking through the Chase travel portal offers enhanced redemption rates and trip protections.
- This guide is tailored for real travelers—whether you’re planning your first international trip, a family vacation, or long-term remote work travel.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Why Does It Matter for Travelers?
- Best 6 Ways to Maximize the Chase Sapphire Preferred as a Beginner
- How to Plan Your Travel Strategy the Smart Way
- HopStrip-Style Tips and Tools for Getting the Most from Your Card
- FAQ: 6 Ways to Maximize the Chase Sapphire Preferred as a Beginner
What Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Why Does It Matter for Travelers?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is a travel rewards credit card with a modest annual fee ($95 at time of writing) and a strong mix of benefits geared toward beginner-to-mid-level travelers. It’s consistently ranked as one of the best travel cards, especially for those who want flexibility over locking into one airline or hotel brand.
Key perks include:
- 2x points on travel and dining
- 60,000-point welcome bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months (equivalent to $750 in travel through the Chase portal)
- No foreign transaction fees
- Primary rental car insurance
- Travel protections (like trip delay and baggage loss insurance)
Because the card earns Chase Ultimate RewardsⓇ points—one of the most versatile currencies out there—it’s ideal for booking flights, hotels, rental cars, even experiences.
Whether you’re using it to book flexible flights or pairing points with hotel loyalty programs, this card grows with your travel style.
Best 6 Ways to Maximize the Chase Sapphire Preferred as a Beginner
Here are six easy, actionable ways travelers can start squeezing serious value from this card.
1. Use the Chase Travel Portal for 25% More Value
One of the newbie-friendly perks of the Sapphire Preferred is the Chase Travel Portal. When you redeem points via the portal, their value jumps by 25%—so 60,000 points become $750 worth of travel.
You can use it to:
- Book flights across major airlines
- Reserve hotels
- Secure rental cars
- Book tours and activities
Think of it like using Expedia, but with better rates when paying with points.
Pro Tip: Compare prices with outside platforms like Kiwi.com’s flight search to check if the Chase portal price is competitive. You still get the points boost either way.
2. Transfer Points to Chase Travel Partners for Luxury Value
Once you’re ready to dive deeper, transferring points to Chase’s airline and hotel partners can unlock outsized value.
Transfer partners include:
- Airlines: United, British Airways, Southwest, Air Canada Aeroplan, Emirates and more
- Hotels: World of Hyatt, IHG, Marriott Bonvoy
Here’s the power move: book a luxe hotel or flight that would normally cost $$$ for a fraction of the price in points. For example, transferring 15,000 points to Hyatt could get you a night at a high-end property worth $400+.
Why it works: The point value is sometimes 2–4x higher when transferred versus booking through portals or cash purchases.
3. Always Pay for Travel and Dining with This Card
To consistently build your Ultimate Rewards pool, make sure you’re using the Sapphire Preferred for the right purchases:
- Earn 2x points on any travel-related expense (flights, hotels, buses, etc.)
- Earn 3x points on dining, including restaurants, cafes, and delivery
Even local weekend getaways can rack up hundreds of points if you pay for gas, lodging, and meals using this card.
Bonus tip: Add it to mobile wallets for transit or rideshares—those usually code as travel too.
4. Protect Your Trips Automatically
One often-overlooked perk? Built-in travel protections that save you money in emergencies.
When you use your card to book travel, you’re covered for:
- Trip delays (up to $500 per ticket after a 12-hour delay)
- Baggage delays
- Lost luggage
- Primary rental car damage waiver
- Trip cancellation/interruption
That’s essentially free travel insurance—though for extended or international trips, it’s still smart to grab affordable supplementary travel coverage.
5. Stack with Loyalty Programs + Travel Deals
Here’s a HopStrip-approved hack: use your Chase Sapphire Preferred alongside airline and hotel loyalty programs to double-dip rewards.
Examples:
- Book a stay through the Chase portal with Marriott Bonvoy or Hyatt—earn points with both programs on the same reservation.
- Use points to subsidize a tour via the Chase portal or GetYourGuide and still enjoy rewards from the tour operator.
Some partner sites offer extra points or discounts for booking via specific links. Combine those with your Sapphire points and you’ve got a powerful stack.
6. Set Reminders for Bonus Categories and Offers
Don’t leave points on the table. Use Chase’s dashboard to activate rotating bonuses or seasonal offers.
Also consider:
- Linking your Sapphire with a no-fee Chase Freedom card for rotating 5% cashback
- Using Chase Offers (in the app) to score bonus points at featured merchants
- Monitoring your spend to ensure you hit the sign-up bonus requirements in the first 3 months
How to Plan Your Travel Strategy the Smart Way
Planning a trip around your Chase Sapphire Preferred? Here’s a 6-step roadmap:
- ✅ Activate your card early and track your spending to hit the welcome bonus.
- 🌍 Use it for all travel bookings—flights, trains, accommodations, tours.
- 🍽️ Always use it for dining (especially abroad with no foreign transaction fees).
- 🏨 Compare redemptions: Use the Chase portal for simplicity, or transfer to partners for maximum value.
- 🔄 Sync with loyalty accounts (Hyatt, United, etc.) before redeeming points.
- 🧳 Add travel protection where needed—combine Chase’s coverage with short-term travel insurance for peace of mind.
HopStrip-Style Tips and Tools for Getting the Most from Your Card
At HopStrip, we believe in traveling smart—not just cheap. This applies to how you use your Chase Sapphire Preferred too.
- Combine points with flexible travel tools: Use Kiwi’s flexible flight search to spot lesser-known route deals you can book with points.
- Stay off the beaten path: Trekking through Patagonia? Use points to lock in expensive one-way tickets that are hard to buy in cash.
- Book accommodations smartly: Use points for airfare, but pay cash for boutique hotels through Expedia and earn 2x rewards—plus your Expedia loyalty kicker.
- Use it with smart gear: If you’re going digital nomad, tools like VPNs, eSIMs, and reliable luggage make a difference. Check out our gear guides for packing efficiency.
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FAQ: 6 Ways to Maximize the Chase Sapphire Preferred as a Beginner
- Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred good for international travel?
- Can beginners really benefit from point transfers to partners?
- What’s the best way to redeem points without overcomplicating it?
- How soon after getting the card should I plan to use it?
- Are there any hidden fees?
Absolutely. No foreign transaction fees, robust trip protections, and the ability to earn on travel/dining make it ideal for trips abroad.
Yes! While slightly more advanced, even beginners can score huge value by transferring points—just start with Hyatt or United for easy redemptions.
Use the Chase Travel Portal and redeem points at 1.25x value—no calculations, just set your filters and go.
Right away. Use it for your initial trip bookings to help hit the sign-up bonus, and to activate travel protections.
The Sapphire Preferred has a $95 annual fee, but no foreign transaction fees and no additional fees for using travel protections (as long as you book with the card).
