Chase Sapphire Preferred

APPLY HERE: Chase Sapphire Preferred – 50,000 points after $4,000 spent within the first 3 months

Choosing the right credit card is imperative as you travel money-wise and live life to maximize every dollar and every travel reward.

In fact, before I was even 24, I worked tirelessly to have a super high credit score so that I could apply and get approved for the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s talk about why I got a credit card in the first place and why maybe you should too.

Why Get The Chase Sapphire Preferred

For some, credit cards are a slippery slope into debt.  The ability to swipe, swipe, swipe, and not deplete your account is a high that can lead to an uncontrollable desire.

For others, credit cards are one of the many tools in their toolbox for financial success.

I fall into the latter; where are you?

Every week I do two things.  I fill up my Jeep with gas, and I go to the grocery store to get fresh food.

Every month, I pay my car insurance.

For those purchases that I have to do anyway, I always use my Chase Sapphire Preferred (CSP).  Why? Because I had to spend that money anyway, so why not get rewarded for it?

Then I take all the reward points, usually once a year, and go somewhere for free.  Additionally, all my vacation expenses go on my CSP so that I can earn rewards towards my next trip while on my current one.  That’s why!

Chase Sapphire Preferred Benefits

To begin with, the CSP is a visa signature card.  Visa Signature card benefits:

• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver – reimbursement for damage due to collision or theft  (subject to terms and agreements)
• Extended Warranty – Add a year to the manufacturer’s warranty for any items purchased with the visa signature card
• Lost luggage reimbursement up to $3,000
• Hotel theft protection
• Baggage delay reimbursement of up to $300
• Access to deals at 900 luxury hotels around the world. (Book through the Visa Signature website)
  • VIP Guest Access
  • Automatic room upgrade when available
  • Free breakfast
  • Free in-room internet

Chase Sapphire Preferred Specific Benefits:

50,000 points signup bonus!

It’s one of the biggest signup bonuses there are!  It’s bigger than the one I received when I signed up.  According to Chase, 50,000 points are equivalent to $625 towards travel through the Chase portal.

One reward point toward all purchases

No matter what the category is, you will receive one reward point for every dollar spent.

Double points toward dining and travel purchases

Travel According to Chase:

Merchants in the travel category include airlines, hotels, motels, timeshares, campgrounds, car rental agencies, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites, and operators of passenger trains, buses, taxis, limousines, ferries, toll bridges, and highways, and parking lots and garages.

No foreign transaction fees

This is a big one.  When you travel abroad, you don’t want to worry about conversion rates, having enough cash, and being charged more because you’re unfamiliar with the currency.  It’s also great to earn rewards for your next vacation by using your CSP.  This is one of my top three favorite perks of this card.

Phenomenal Customer Service

When you call the number on the back of your card, you go straight to a representative in the US.  There is no option for choosing.  The service they provide is outstanding. 

I traveled abroad recently, and I was calling to let Chase know (otherwise, they would think my card was stolen), and in passing, I told them I would be calling back when my trip was over to request a new card as mine had a tiny bit of damage on the corner. 

I was only bringing it up because I wanted to make sure I could keep the same card number. She immediately said she would UPS 1 day me a new card so I could have it before my trip.  Just like that!

Reward Partners

The Ultimate Rewards program is one of the most flexible and easy-to-use points programs.  When you have the ability to transfer your credit card points directly to an airline’s reward program, you can get more for your points.

For example, I once wanted to take a very last-minute trip to Disney and wanted to get my flights for free and not use more than 10,000 ultimate reward points. That’s equivalent to $125 on the Chase portal, and it just wasn’t enough for a round-trip flight to Orlando.

However, through Southwest, all I needed was 9,000 points for the round-trip flight.  Since Southwest Rapid Rewards is a Chase travel partner, I was able to transfer my points and be on my merry way.

Some Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Partners:

• Southwest Rapid Rewards
• Hyatt Gold Passport
• IHG Priority Club
• British Airways Executive Club (can be used for American Airlines)
• United Mileage Plus
• Marriot Rewards
• Amtrak Guest Rewards
• Korean Air Skypass
• Ritz-Carlton Rewards
• Air France Flying Blue (can be used for Delta Airlines)
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

Cool Metal Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is absolutely stunning.  You can be proud carrying around this beautiful sapphire colored card.  And it’s metal, just like the Black card by American Express, a new status of credit cards.

Redeeming Points

If it isn’t obvious yet, the best way to redeem Chase rewards or Ultimate Rewards is with travel.  Using the points on the Ultimate Rewards portal makes them worth 1.25 cents a piece.  To get the most out of your points, use the ability to transfer them.  I know someone who did a round trip flight to Hawaii for 25,000 points using one of the transfer partners.

Cash – you can redeem your points for cash at one cent per point.  This is probably the least value-added way to redeem your points but it’s nice to have the option

Amazon – You can use your points towards Amazon purchases.  Once you add your credit card to Amazon you will see the option.  When you do this they are worth 0.8 cents per point.

Whenever I meet someone during my travels, I always ask what’s in their wallet and why.  You will find that a lot of globetrotters find the right credit card to be imperative.  And it’s true.  The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the only card I use for personal purchases and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

APPLY HERE: Chase Sapphire Preferred – 50,000 points after $4,000 spent within the first 3 months