How to Use the Chase Sapphire Preferred: 6 Ways to Maximize It as a Beginner Traveler in 2025
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!- The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a powerful travel tool, especially for beginners aiming to earn travel rewards fast.
- You’ll earn 2x points on travel and dining—ideal for frequent flyers, digital nomads, and food-focused travelers.
- Transfer points to airline and hotel partners to unlock real value from your rewards.
- One of the best ways to maximize the Chase Sapphire Preferred as a beginner is by redeeming points through Chase Ultimate Rewards for boosts up to 25%.
- Booking trips through trusted tools like HopStrip.com helps pair your card benefits with smart planning.
Table of Contents
- Why Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Great for Beginners?
- Best 6 Ways to Maximize the Chase Sapphire Preferred as a Beginner
- HopStrip-Style Tips and Tools for This Trip
- FAQ: 6 Ways to Maximize the Chase Sapphire Preferred as a Beginner
Why Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Great for Beginners?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is popular among new points travelers for good reason. Here’s why it tops so many 2025 “best travel credit cards” lists:
- ✅ You earn 2x points on travel (including hotels, flights, taxis, and more) and dining (including delivery services).
- ✅ Points are part of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, known for flexible, high-value redemptions.
- ✅ There’s a 25% redemption boost when you use points through the Chase portal (more on that soon).
- ✅ Want to fly Emirates first class or stay at a Bali resort? You can transfer points to top hotel and airline partners at a 1:1 ratio.
This card is especially useful for frequent travelers, digital nomads, and couples who prioritize food, city breaks, or international getaways. Even if you’re mainly taking short trips or road-tripping domestically, the value can add up faster than you think.
Best 6 Ways to Maximize the Chase Sapphire Preferred as a Beginner
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Unlock the Sign-Up Bonus Faster
One of the easiest and most powerful ways to maximize the Chase Sapphire Preferred as a beginner is to take full advantage of the sign-up bonus. New cardholders in 2025 typically need to spend $4,000 in the first three months to earn around 60,000–80,000 bonus points.
Travel Strategy: Plan your big trip purchases or expensive monthly expenses (think airfare, rental cars, travel insurance, or even Airbnb/VRBO stays) right after activation. This way, you reach the spending threshold naturally, without buying things you don’t need.
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Use Chase Ultimate Rewards for a 25% Boost
Every point you earn through the Sapphire Preferred is worth 1.25 cents when redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal. That means those 60,000 points? They’re actually worth $750 in travel credit.
Travel Strategy: Use the portal to compare flights for your dates, book hotels, rent cars, or book activities. You’ll instantly see the value of your points go further.
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Transfer Points to Airline and Hotel Partners
Feeling adventurous? Go beyond the Ultimate Rewards portal and transfer points 1:1 to Chase’s travel partners like United, Southwest, JetBlue, Marriott, or Hyatt. This is where the real travel hacking magic happens.
Real Example: 60,000 points could fund a one-way business class ticket to Europe through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (a Chase partner), which might otherwise cost thousands. Same points, better experience.
Tip: Transfers are best for luxury redemption—business class tickets or boutique resorts—where cash prices are high, but points stretch further.
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Always Use the Card for Travel & Dining Purchases
This card gives you 2x points per dollar spent on travel and dining, including delivery services, ride shares, and even public transport.
Travel Strategy: When traveling internationally or dining out, always reach for your Sapphire Preferred. Combine that with HopStrip-style planning—like using public transport or booking local experiences ahead of arrival—to stretch your travel budget further and earn faster.
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Pair With Other Chase Cards for a Points Boost
Want to level up? Consider pairing the Sapphire Preferred with a no-fee card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. You can earn 1.5% cash back (convertible to points) on everything else, then pool rewards into your Sapphire account for maximum redemptions.
Best For: Digital nomads or travelers with both large and everyday spending across many categories.
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Protect Your Trip Automatically
Many travelers don’t realize the Sapphire Preferred includes built-in travel protections: trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary rental car insurance, baggage delay insurance—even emergency evacuation coverage.
Travel Strategy: Use your card to rent cars, book flights, or prepay lodging to get the coverage benefits. Still want backup? Pair your booking with extra coverage from Ekta Travel Insurance for added peace of mind, especially for long or international trips.
How to Plan This Trip the Smart Way
Here’s how real travelers should approach planning with this card in mind:
- ✈ Start by comparing flights using this booking engine, and plan your credit card spending timing around your trip.
- 🧳 Use the Sapphire Preferred to prepay airfare, hotels, or vacation homes (use this link for vacation rentals) to earn points while inching toward your sign-up bonus.
- 🍜 Stick to 2x categories: Use the card for dining or transportation while on the road.
- 🔁 Explore point transfer options if you’re flexible on dates or airlines.
- 🧾 Use your points through Ultimate Rewards when the cash value is better than transfer options.
- 🛑 Always book refundable rates until plans are locked—especially if you’re maximizing with third-party tools.
FAQ: 6 Ways to Maximize the Chase Sapphire Preferred as a Beginner
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Q: What makes the Chase Sapphire Preferred better than other beginner travel cards?
A: It strikes the perfect balance between value and simplicity. With a modest annual fee (~$95), it offers 2x points in high-spend categories, flexible redemptions, premium perks, and powerful travel protection—without the complexity or cost of a premium card.
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Q: How do I decide when to transfer points vs. use the Ultimate Rewards portal?
A: Use the portal when you want flexibility and straightforward booking (especially for hotels or cars). Transfer points when cash prices are high but award availability is good—like flying business class or booking high-end hotels.
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Q: Can I use Sapphire Preferred abroad without fees?
A: Yes! This card has no foreign transaction fees, making it perfect for international travel. Just double-check your destination accepts Visa.
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Q: What’s the best way to meet the spending requirement for the sign-up bonus?
A: Plan key trip expenses—flight, lodging, tours—on the card. Avoid spending just to earn points; try timing major purchases with your card’s initial 3 months.
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Q: Is it hard to manage travel bookings through Chase’s portal?
A: Not at all. It works similarly to online travel sites like Expedia or Kayak. You can book flights, hotels, cars, and activities directly and see your points balance clearly.
Conclusion: Why These 6 Ways Matter More Now in 2025
Travel is bouncing back in a big way—and so is savvy travel planning. Whether you’re mapping out a dream honeymoon, going full nomad, or planning several short trips each year, knowing the 6 ways to maximize the Chase Sapphire Preferred as a beginner gives you a serious edge.
It’s not just about racking up points. It’s about using them better—avoiding full-price flights, unlocking hotel upgrades you didn’t know you could get, and even protecting your trip with built-in perks most cards skip.
Smart travelers in 2025 aren’t just going places—they’re doing it with intention. And tools like the Sapphire Preferred (when paired with HopStrip planning strategies and smart booking tactics) help make every journey smoother, safer, and more rewarding.
