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Chase Reveals Major Refresh for Sapphire Preferred Card
Nearly one year after revamping its flagship Sapphire Reserve card, Chase has now announced updates for the Sapphire Preferred.
About the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Updates:
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is getting a much-anticipated refresh. However, unlike its sibling card (the Sapphire Reserve), the annual fee is staying the same.
Among the new benefits of the Sapphire Preferred are some new rewards categories. Now, the card will earn 3x on gas and EV charging. Additionally, vacation home rentals from Airbnb, Vrbo, and others will also earn 3x. Meanwhile, the card’s other categories will remain intact, meaning cardmembers can still earn 5x on eligible Chase Travel purchases, 2x on all other travel purchases, 3x on dining, 3x on streaming services, and 3x on online grocery purchases.
Chase is also increasing the hotel credit that cardholders earn each anniversary year. Previously, this was a $50 credit that customers could use on Chase Travel hotel bookings after they renewed their card each each. That’s now being doubled to $100.
Another new credit joining the card is up to $120 for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS application fees. This credit is valid every four years.
Lastly, with this update, Chase is offering a one-year complimentary Apple TV subscription. This perk must be activated by December 31st, 2026.
In terms of what’s being removed from the card, the 10% Anniversary Bonus will be discontinued. Cardholders who apply for the card before June 15th will continue to earn this bonus on purchases through October 1st, and all bonuses will be paid out by January 31st, 2027. Another change is that transfers to World of Hyatt will go from the current 1:1 to 4:3. The current rate will remain available for current cardholders through October 1st, while new cardholders will see the updated rate immediately.
As mentioned, Chase is not increasing the Sapphire Preferred’s annual fee. The card continues to cost $95 per year. All of these new benefits will go into effect on June 15th, 2026.
What They’re Saying:
Announcing the refresh, Chase Sapphire GM Laura Picciano said, “Sapphire Preferred has always been a favorite for travelers and now we’ve made it even better, especially for those who want to earn valuable points quickly and prioritize simplicity and reliability. Whether it’s a nearby road trip or a bigger getaway worth saving for, Sapphire Preferred helps cardmembers turn their spending into travel memories while delivering value well beyond the annual fee.”
My Thoughts:
My wife and I opened the Chase Sapphire Preferred card at a time when it was offering its famed 100,000 point welcome offer. Since then, we’ve regularly talked about downgrading it… but never have. By happenstance, this refresh comes just as we’re due for renewal.
So are these updates enough to make us keep the card? At least for another year, yes. For one, the Apple TV benefit is perfect for us, seeing as we’ve been watching Widow’s Bay for our TV club. While this is a temporary benefit, it will be useful for now.
Also helpful is the increased Chase Travel Hotel Credit. The $50 credit was already a nice offset to the $95 annual fee — but a $100 credit now exceeds it (you like my quick math, there?). That will probably be good enough for me to hold onto the card, but we’ll see.
Meanwhile, we’re really not losing much. The 10% point bonus was pretty nominal, so I’m not heartbroken about it leaving. That said, I know a lot of people will be saddened by the Hyatt devaluation.
All in all, I think this is a positive refresh and one that I think will be far less controversial than the Sapphire Reserve one.
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