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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Just got the Chase Sapphire Preferred? Do these 7 things next
Rachel Craft is a travel writer at TPG. She's excited about introducing more people to the world of points & miles and helping fellow travel newbies make the most of their points.
August 5, 2026 • 8 min read
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Quick summary
A popular travel rewards card offers valuable transferable points for purchases at travel, dining and select streaming merchants.
Cardholders can access statement credits for expedited traveler programs and annual hotel bookings through the issuer's travel portal.
Additional perks include complimentary memberships for food delivery services and streaming subscriptions, with activation deadlines.
Setting the card as the default payment method across travel, dining and streaming services helps maximize benefits.
What to consider
Statement credits for expedited traveler programs are available every four years and can be used for yourself or others.
Complimentary memberships for delivery and streaming services require activation by specific dates to qualify.
Linking loyalty accounts early can streamline future points transfers to airline and hotel partners.
What you'll miss from the article
Step-by-step guidance on activating benefits, maximizing statement credits and integrating the card with travel, dining and streaming platforms.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
If you just got your Chase Sapphire Preferred, there are a few things I'd do immediately. Some take less than a minute, and together they'll help you earn more points, activate valuable benefits and avoid forgetting perks you'll wish you'd used later.
Make it your default travel card, including vacation homes
First, it earns 3 points per dollar spent on vacation homes at these top brands: Airbnb, Vrbo, Plum Guide, HomeAway, Homestay.com and Vacasa. TPG credit cards writer Stephanie Stevens has stayed in over 60 Airbnbs, so this earning rate makes the Sapphire Preferred one of her go-to travel cards.
Plus, the Sapphire Preferred earns at least 2 points per dollar spent on all travel purchases. Chase defines travel very broadly, so it covers everything from airlines, hotels and timeshares to car rentals, cruises, travel agencies and campgrounds. It also includes more day-to-day transportation, such as buses, tolls and parking.
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It also comes with built-in travel protections, such as trip cancellation insurance and lost luggage reimbursement.
If you have any subscriptions that fall into this category, like a toll pass or monthly parking fees, set your new Sapphire Preferred as your default payment method.
The same goes for your rental car accounts, allowing you to take advantage of the card’s primary rental car coverage.
Plus, Lyft offers special benefits (through September 30, 2027) to Sapphire Preferred cardholders, so be sure to add your card to your Lyft account.
Your Chase Sapphire Preferred gives you access to Chase Travel℠, the issuer's online travel portal. You'll earn 5 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on things like hotels and car rentals booked through the portal, which is a return of over 10% based on TPG's August 2026 valuations.
Additionally, you receive a $100 hotel credit for hotel stays made through Chase Travel upon account opening and at each account anniversary.
No enrollment is required. Just use your card to book one or more hotel stays through Chase Travel; eligible purchases will automatically trigger the credit.
AUGUSTA STONE/THE POINTS GUY
You can apply this credit to save $100 on a longer stay, use it toward a couple of very inexpensive stays (if you can find hotels for that cheap) or have it practically cover a full stay. TPG credit cards writer Augusta Stone paid just $35 for a one-night staycation in the Atlanta area with this credit.
I've found this credit very handy for short stays at boutique and independent hotels; I'm using this year's credit for a weekend trip to a friend's wedding.
Add your card to delivery apps and dining programs
While the Chase Sapphire Preferred may be billed as a travel card, it's also a standout card for dining. It earns 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, dining out and online grocery orders (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs).
Plus, thanks to Chase's partnership with DoorDash, Sapphire Preferred cardholders can enroll to receive a complimentary DashPass membership for at least a year (activate by December 31, 2029).
I love this perk because I can save money on every order with DashPass — without paying the $96 annual DashPass fee.
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As soon as you have your Sapphire Preferred Card in hand (or get a virtual card number), set it as the default payment method on your DoorDash account and activate your complimentary DashPass membership. You should also add it to other takeout and delivery services and your online grocery accounts to maximize rewards on these purchases.
And if you participate in any dining rewards programs, be sure to add your Sapphire Preferred to these accounts. I love double-dipping on rewards this way — I can stack earning Chase points and airline or hotel points at the same time.
Set it to pay for your streaming services — and activate Apple TV
A lesser-known perk of the Chase Sapphire Preferred is that it earns 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on select streaming services.
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As a result, you'll want to set your new card as your default payment method for subscriptions with services such as Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, Peacock and Spotify. You can see which merchants qualify for bonus points at Chase's rewards category page.
Plus, you'll want to activate your one-year complimentary Apple TV subscription. This subscription costs either $14.99 per month or $119 per year. Just be sure you activate it by Dec. 31, 2026.
Most Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers happen almost instantly, but they can take longer if your partner loyalty account is relatively new.
That's why we recommend registering for loyalty accounts with Chase's partners and linking them to your Chase account now — even if you don't plan to transfer points anytime soon.
CHASE
For instance, since my home airport is a hub for United Airlines and Southwest Airlines, I knew I would eventually use these transfer partners. I clicked through Chase's site to transfer points and linked my loyalty account numbers. Now my account says "Enrolled," meaning I'm ready to transfer to these airlines.
Having an authorized user on your Sapphire Preferred account lets you earn points faster — and thus reach the welcome bonus sooner.
Your authorized user's purchases will count toward your welcome bonus, but being an authorized user won't preclude them from earning a welcome bonus on their own Sapphire Preferred in the future.
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Spouses and partners are obvious candidates for authorized users, but they're not the only ones to consider. TPG staffers have added parents and trusted friends as authorized users to reach welcome bonuses faster, and adding your child as an authorized user is a great way to help them build credit.
Just remember that when you add an authorized user, you're responsible for paying off any purchases they make on their card.
There's a reason why the Chase Sapphire Preferred remains a TPG favorite year after year. In short, it’s an excellent earner with tons of perks and a reasonable annual fee.
It's also one of those cards that's easy to start using, but surprisingly easy to underuse.
Taking a few minutes to activate your benefits, update your payment methods and link your loyalty accounts can help you earn more points and avoid overlooking perks you've already paid for through the annual fee.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
