Chase has announced a massive update to the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, introducing new everyday rewards, elevated travel credits, and stronger insurance protections.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Best of all? The annual fee is staying at $95. The new benefits officially launch on June 15, 2026 for both new and existing cardholders.
The Upgrades: What You Gain
1. New 3x Rewards Categories
Chase is adding two highly requested categories to help you rack up Ultimate Rewards points faster:
- 3x on Gas & EV Charging: Includes pay-at-the-pump and inside gas stations for standard automobiles (excludes truck stops, boat marinas, and home heating companies).
- 3x on Vacation Rentals: Earn triple points on direct bookings with Airbnb, VRBO, Plum Guide, HomeAway, Homestay.com, and Vacasa. (Note: Booking rentals through Chase Travel still earns 5x).
2. Enhanced Annual Credits & Perks
- $100 Chase Travel Hotel Credit: The current $50 annual hotel credit is doubling to $100 per account anniversary year.
- Current Cardholders: If you already used your $50 credit this year, you’ll get an additional $50 starting June 15.
- TSA PreCheck / Global Entry / NEXUS: Up to a $120 statement credit every four years to cover application or renewal fees.
- Free Apple TV: Get a complimentary one-year subscription when you activate by December 31, 2026.
3. Premium Travel Protection
- Emergency Evacuation Coverage: If you fall ill or are injured more than 100 miles from home, you are now covered for up to $100,000 in emergency medical transportation and services.
The Downgrades: What You Lose
To balance out these new perks, Chase is removing one popular point-earning feature:
- The 10% Anniversary Bonus is Ending: The yearly bonus worth 10% of your total spending from the prior year (e.g., getting 1,000 bonus points after spending $10,000) is being phased out.
- New Cardholders: Will not receive this benefit if applying on or after June 15.
- Existing Cardholders: Purchases made through October 1, 2026 will still count toward your final anniversary bonus. After that, the perk officially expires.
Timeline & Next Steps
- June 15, 2026: All new 3x categories, the $100 hotel credit, and the TSA PreCheck credit go live for everyone.
- October 1, 2026: The 10% anniversary spending bonus officially ends for existing cardholders.
Summary
With the new $100 hotel credit alone completely wiping out the $95 annual fee, the Sapphire Preferred has effectively transitioned into a “keeper” card. If you use the TSA PreCheck credit and regularly buy gas or stay in Airbnbs, this card now offers significantly more everyday value than before.
Editing by- katie willimas
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