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* Suggested credit score ranges for credit cards are supplied by QuinStreet, not from the issuers, and are guidelines, not a guarantee of approval.
* Suggested credit score ranges for credit cards are supplied by QuinStreet, not from the issuers, and are guidelines, not a guarantee of approval.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is receiving its most significant update since August 2021, effective June 15, 2026. The $95 annual fee remains unchanged. The refresh brings six new or enhanced benefits — but also one notable drawback for cardholders who regularly transfer points to World of Hyatt.
New Card Design
The updated card moves everything except the Chase logo and card name to the back, resulting in a cleaner, more minimalist front face.
What’s New or Improved
1. 3X Points on Gas and EV Charging
The bonus earning rate has been increased to 3X at gas stations and EV charging stations — a category previously excluded from bonus earning.
2. 3X Points on Vacation Rentals
Bookings through Airbnb, Vrbo, Plum Guide, HomeAway, Homestay.com, and Vacasa now earn 3X points. Note: vacation rentals booked through Chase Travel℠ still earn the higher 5X rate.
3. $50 Hotel Credit Doubles to $100
The existing annual Chase Travel℠ hotel credit increases from $50 to $100. There is no opt-in required and no nightly minimum — simply book a prepaid hotel of $100 or more through the Chase Travel portal. The credit applies once per cardmember year.
4. Global Entry / TSA PreCheck / NEXUS Credit
Cardholders now receive up to $120 in reimbursement every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fees.
5. One Year of Complimentary Apple TV+
Cardmembers receive a complimentary Apple TV+ subscription for one year when activated by December 31, 2026. Activation must be completed through the Benefits & Rewards section on Chase.com or the mobile app to link an Apple ID. (Does not include Apple Music.)
6. Emergency Evacuation and Transportation Coverage
Trip protections have been expanded to include Emergency Evacuation and Transportation coverage. If a covered traveler is injured or becomes ill during a trip 100 miles or more from home requiring emergency evacuation, medical services and transportation are covered up to $100,000.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
(4.05) Our Review
- Earns valuable and highly flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards points
- Extensive travel protections — including lost luggage insurance, emergency evacuation, and a collision damage waiver on rental cars, primary in most states.
- 3X points on dining means you can rack up points quickly!
- Earns valuable and highly flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards points
- Extensive travel protections — including lost luggage insurance, emergency evacuation, and a collision damage waiver on rental cars, primary in most states.
- 3X points on dining means you can rack up points quickly!
Pros
- You can more than offset the annual fee by more than half with the $100 annual credit on hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel℠
- Earns valuable and highly flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
- Extensive travel protections — including lost luggage insurance, emergency evacuation, and a collision damage waiver on rental cars, primary in most states.
Cons
- A low earning rate of 1x point per dollar on other purchases keeps it from being an ideal everyday spending card.
- High credit scores required for account opening.
- Lack of additional travel benefits, though it now has a Global Entry application fee credit and Emergency Evacuation coverage.
-
3x
Dining Out / Food Delivery
-
3x
Streaming Services
-
3x
Gas Stations
-
3x
EV Charging
-
2x-5x
Airfare
-
2x
Transit
-
2x-5x
Car Rentals
-
2x-5x
Hotels
-
2x-3x
Cruises
-
1x
Everything Else
What’s Being Reduced or Removed
10% Anniversary Points Bonus — Ending October 1, 2026
The 10% anniversary bonus — which paid out bonus points equal to 10% of total spend — was already announced as ending. Points will continue to accrue through October 1, 2026, with payout in January 2027.
Hyatt Transfer Rate Reduced to 4:3 for Non-Reserve Cardholders
This is the most significant change in the refresh. Cardholders who hold the Chase Sapphire Preferred® (or Chase Ink Business Preferred, legacy Ink Plus, or Corporate Flex) without a Reserve-level card in their wallet will see the transfer ratio to World of Hyatt change from 1:1 to 4:3.
Timeline:
- Sapphire Preferred: Cardmembers who applied prior to June 15, 2026 — effective October 1, 2026. New applicants on or after June 15, 2026 — effective immediately.
- Ink Business Preferred: Effective October 1, 2026 for both existing and new cardmembers applying on or after that date.
- Ink Plus / Corporate Flex: Effective October 1, 2026.
Cardholders with a Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ maintain the 1:1 transfer ratio to Hyatt.
The Hyatt Math: What the 4:3 Rate Means in Practice
The change is meaningful in the context of recent Hyatt award inflation. Hyatt expanded its award chart from 3 to 5 pricing levels in 2026, and subsequent category shifts pushed peak award prices significantly higher. A Category 8 property at peak pricing moved from 45,000 to 75,000 points — a 67% increase.
Combined with the 4:3 transfer ratio, the effective cost of a Hyatt redemption via Ultimate Rewards points is now substantially higher for Sapphire Preferred cardholders.
For cardholders who rely on Hyatt as their primary transfer partner, the options are:
- Upgrade to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® ($795 annual fee) to retain 1:1 transfers.
- Shift spend to a World of Hyatt co-branded card to earn Hyatt points directly, along with Elite Qualifying Nights. However, the math is nuanced: earning 3X on dining via the Sapphire Preferred and transferring at 4:3 still yields 2.25 Hyatt points per dollar vs. 2X on dining with the World of Hyatt card — though the co-brand adds Elite Qualifying Nights, which have their own value for status seekers.
- Use Bilt Rewards, currently the only other transferable currency with a 1:1 ratio to Hyatt without requiring a high annual fee card.
Overall Assessment
For cardholders who do not transfer points to Hyatt, the 2026 refresh is a strong upgrade. The $100 hotel credit effectively reduces the net annual fee to negative $5 before any other benefits are considered. Adding 3X on gas and EV charging, 3X on vacation rentals, Global Entry/PreCheck coverage, free Apple TV+, and $100,000 in emergency evacuation coverage — all with no fee increase — represents meaningful added value.
For Hyatt-focused cardholders, the 4:3 transfer rate is a significant devaluation that warrants a reassessment of which cards to hold and where to direct spend.
Information current as of June 15, 2026. Terms apply. See our Chase Sapphire Preferred® page for full benefit details.
