The Chase Sapphire Preferred Just Got a Major Refresh — Here's What You Need to Know

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred Just Got a Major Refresh — Here's What You Need to Know




The good news: more perks, same $95 annual fee. The not-so-great news: one change that Hyatt lovers are going to feel.

If the Chase Sapphire Preferred has been sitting in your wallet (or on your wish list), you're going to want to read this. Chase just announced a significant refresh to one of my all-time favorite beginner cards, and the changes go into effect June 15, 2026.

Let's break it all down — the wins, the losses, and what you should actually do about it.

First, a Quick Refresher on Why I Love This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred has been my go-to recommendation for beginners since day one. It's the card I point people to when they say, "I want to start earning points, but I don't want to overcomplicate things."

Here's why it's always made sense:

  • $95 annual fee — low enough to be a no-brainer
  • Flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards points — transfer to airlines and hotels, including Hyatt, Southwest, and United
  • Strong welcome bonus for a mid-tier fee card
  • Solid travel protections already built in

It's the card that started our family's travel hacking journey, and it's the card I still recommend first. So when Chase makes big changes, I pay attention — and so should you.

What's NEW (The Good Stuff)

3x Points on Gas and EV Charging

This one is long overdue. Gas is one of the most common everyday spending categories, and the Sapphire Preferred simply didn't reward it. Starting June 15th, that changes — you'll earn 3x points per dollar on gas and EV charging stations.

For a family that fills up regularly, this adds up fast.

3x Points on Vacation Rentals

Airbnb and Vrbo have basically taken over the travel world for families, and previously, these bookings only earned 2x points under the "other travel" category. Now they earn 3x, which makes a lot more sense given how most of us actually travel. The bonus applies to Airbnb, Vrbo, Plum Guide, HomeAway, Homestay.com, and Vacasa.

Hotel Credit Doubles to $100

The annual hotel credit through Chase Travel goes from $50 to $100 — and here's the really nice part: no registration required. The credit applies automatically to prepaid hotel bookings through Chase Travel. If you've already used your $50 credit this year, you can use another $50 after June 15th.

This is meaningful. At $100, the credit actually exceeds the annual fee, which means this card is technically paying for itself before you earn a single bonus point.

$120 Global Entry / TSA PreCheck / NEXUS Credit

This used to be a perk reserved for premium cards like the Sapphire Reserve. Starting June 15th, the Preferred gets a $120 credit every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS. Just pay for it with your card, and the credit kicks in automatically.

Emergency Evacuation Coverage (Up to $100,000)

This is a big deal that doesn't get talked about enough. Emergency evacuation can cost tens of thousands of dollars in a worst-case travel scenario. This coverage is now included — up to $100,000 for evacuation and an additional $15,000 for repatriation of remains. Always read the fine print on travel insurance to determine if it is sufficient to meet your needs or for your specific trip.

Complimentary Year of Apple TV+

A bonus perk — you'll get a free year of Apple TV+ when you activate it through your card by December 31, 2026. Link your Apple ID in the Benefits & Rewards section of your account. Not a game-changer, but if you are an Apple TV subscriber, this is a win.

What's CHANGING (The Part That Stings)

The Hyatt Transfer Ratio Is Being Cut

Okay, here's the one that hurts. Chase is changing the transfer ratio from Chase Ultimate Rewards to World of Hyatt from 1:1 to 4:3 for Sapphire Preferred (and Ink Preferred) cardholders.

In plain English: if you transfer 10,000 Chase points, you now get only 7,500 Hyatt points instead of 10,000. That's a 25% reduction in value every time you transfer.

Here's a real example of what that means:

  • A Category 4 Hyatt property costs 15,000 Hyatt points per night
  • Before: you needed 15,000 Chase points to get there
  • After: you'll need 20,000 Chase points for the same night

For families who have built their hotel strategy around Hyatt (it's one of the best hotel programs for families, and one I personally use and love), this is a real hit.

When does it take effect?

  • Applied on or after June 15, 2026 → the new 4:3 ratio applies immediately
  • Already have the card (or apply before June 15) → you keep the 1:1 ratio until October 1, 2026

That means existing cardholders have a window to transfer points to Hyatt at the better rate. If you've been sitting on Chase points and planning a Hyatt redemption, now is the time to move.

👉 Important tip: The Chase Sapphire Reserve (Personal or Business) is NOT affected by this change and will continue transferring to Hyatt at 1:1. If you hold the Reserve alongside a Preferred, you can move your points to the Reserve account first and transfer from there at the better ratio. And remember, you only need one of these Reserve cards per household to maintain that 1:1 Chase to Hyatt transfer ratio.

The 10% Anniversary Bonus Is Going Away

The Sapphire Preferred used to award a 10% bonus on points earned in the previous year — a nice little perk. That's being discontinued.

  • Applying June 15 or later? No anniversary bonus.
  • Already have the card? You'll earn the bonus on purchases through October 1, 2026, and points will be awarded by January 31, 2027.

Honestly, for most cardholders spending a reasonable amount on this card, the new 3x categories will more than make up the difference.

So... Is the Sapphire Preferred Still Worth It?

Yes. For most families — especially beginners — this card just got better.

The added bonus categories, doubled hotel credit, Global Entry perk, and emergency evacuation coverage are all genuinely valuable. The annual fee stays at $95. The core of what makes this card great (flexible Ultimate Rewards points, access to transfer partners, strong travel protections) hasn't changed.

The Hyatt devaluation stings, and I won't pretend otherwise. But it doesn't change the fact that this is still one of the best entry-level travel cards on the market. It just means we need to be a little more strategic about how we use our points when Hyatt is the goal.

What Should You Do Right Now?

If you already have the Sapphire Preferred: Transfer any Chase points you were planning to use at Hyatt before October 1, 2026 to lock in the 1:1 ratio while you still can.

If you've been thinking about applying: Apply before June 15th if Hyatt is central to your travel strategy and you want to preserve the 1:1 ratio until October. Otherwise, the new card is still a strong choice — the new benefits make it easy to justify.

If you're brand new to travel hacking: This is still the card I'd tell you to start with. The fundamentals are intact, and the new perks make it an even easier sell.

👉 All of my current card recommendations and referral links live at thewandermethod.com/full-card-list — I keep them updated so you're always seeing the best current offers. While you're there, check out my free tools, including the Transfer Bonus Calculator, Sapphire Reserve Value Calculator, and Credit Card Benefits Tracker, to help you get the most out of every point you earn.

As always, I truly appreciate it when you use my referral links — it's a small way to support this community at no cost to you, and it helps me keep the free content coming.

Happy travels! ✈️🌍

The Travel Savvy Family 

Wander More, Spend Less 

https://thewandermethod.com/


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