Chase is giving its Sapphire Preferred card one of its most important updates in years, adding new reward categories, bigger travel credits and stronger protections while keeping the annual fee at $95.
The refresh begins on June 15, 2026, when new and existing cardmembers will gain access to expanded benefits that push the card deeper into everyday spending and travel planning. The headline additions include 3x points on gas and EV charging, 3x points on vacation-home bookings through brands such as Airbnb and Vrbo, and a doubled $100 Chase Travel Hotel Credit.
For many travelers, the upgrade makes the Sapphire Preferred more useful beyond flights and restaurants. Gas, EV charging and short-term rental stays are now central parts of the rewards structure, giving cardmembers more ways to earn Ultimate Rewards points before their next trip.
Chase adds 3x gas rewards and a bigger hotel credit
The new rewards structure gives Sapphire Preferred cardmembers 3x points on gas and EV charging, a category that could appeal to road-trip travelers and commuters who want a travel card that also works for everyday mobility spending.
Chase is also adding 3x points on vacation homes booked directly through selected platforms, including Airbnb, Vrbo, Plum Guide, HomeAway, Homestay.com and Vacasa. Vacation-home bookings made through Chase Travel can earn 5x points, keeping the bank’s travel portal at the center of its highest earning categories.
The annual hotel credit is also being raised from $50 to $100. The credit applies each account anniversary year for eligible prepaid hotel stays booked through Chase Travel, making it one of the clearest ways for cardmembers to offset the card’s annual fee.
Chase says Sapphire Preferred cardmembers will continue to earn 5x points on Chase Travel purchases, 3x points on dining, 3x points on top streaming services, 3x points on online grocery purchases, 2x points on other travel and 1x points on all other purchases. The card also continues to carry no foreign transaction fees.
Key detail: The annual fee is not increasing. Chase is keeping Sapphire Preferred at $95, even as it adds the new gas, EV charging, vacation rental and travel-credit benefits.
New travel protections and Global Entry credit strengthen the card
The update also gives Sapphire Preferred a new travel-security benefit: a statement credit of up to $120 every four years toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS when the application fee is charged to the card.
That addition brings Sapphire Preferred closer to premium travel cards that already offer trusted-traveler program credits, but at a much lower annual fee. For frequent flyers, international travelers and cross-border travelers, the credit could become one of the card’s most practical new perks.
Chase is also adding Emergency Evacuation and Transportation coverage. The benefit can provide coverage of up to $100,000 for eligible medical services and transportation if a covered traveler becomes sick or injured during a trip at least 100 miles from home.
The card’s broader travel protection package continues to include benefits such as auto rental coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement and travel accident insurance. Full terms are available through the official Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits guide.
Hyatt transfer cut changes the value debate
The biggest drawback in the announcement is a major change to World of Hyatt transfers. Ultimate Rewards points from Sapphire Preferred will move to a 4:3 transfer rate for World of Hyatt, meaning 1,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points will become 750 Hyatt points.
That is a meaningful shift for points users because Hyatt has long been one of the most valuable Chase transfer partners. A reduced transfer rate weakens one of the card’s strongest redemption paths, especially for travelers who use Ultimate Rewards points for hotel stays rather than cash back or portal bookings.
For new Sapphire Preferred cardmembers who apply on or after June 15, 2026, the new Hyatt transfer rate applies immediately. Existing Sapphire Preferred cardmembers who applied before that date will see the change take effect on October 1, 2026.
The Hyatt transfer update will also affect Ink Business Preferred, Ink Plus and Corporate Flex cardmembers from October 1, 2026. Chase says Ultimate Rewards points will still not expire as long as accounts remain open, and cardmembers can continue using points through Chase Travel, Points Boost, Pay Yourself Back, gift cards and cash back.
The 2026 upgrade therefore cuts both ways. Sapphire Preferred is becoming stronger for everyday earn rates, vacation rentals and travel protections, but less attractive for cardmembers who primarily valued the card for Hyatt redemptions.
Chase is also discontinuing the 10% Anniversary Bonus Benefit. Cardmembers who apply on or after June 15, 2026, will not receive it. Existing cardmembers who applied before that date can still earn the bonus on eligible purchases made through October 1, 2026, with eligible bonuses awarded by January 31, 2027.
The card’s new Apple TV benefit adds another limited-time perk. Sapphire Preferred cardmembers can receive a complimentary one-year Apple TV subscription, but it must be activated by December 31, 2026 through Chase’s Benefits & Rewards section.
For travelers who spend across gas, EV charging, dining, streaming, online groceries and Chase Travel, the updated Sapphire Preferred may deliver stronger everyday value without a higher annual fee. For Hyatt loyalists, however, the reduced transfer rate changes the math and makes the card’s overall value more dependent on how points are earned and redeemed.
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