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There’s no question that Chase Sapphire Preferred has historically been one of my all-around favorite credit cards. Before the Chase Sapphire Reserve launched, I used the Chase Sapphire Preferred for most of my purchases, thanks to the 2x points on all travel and dining, including expenses like Uber rides, tolls, Seamless and Postmates, in addition to the obvious restaurants and hotels. I consider Ultimate Rewards points to be incredibly valuable, so I’ve earned lots of points that I very often put to good use. This card also has a strong sign-up bonus of 50,000 points when you spend $4,000 within the first three months.
But as always, there are tricks to keep in mind in order to be a Chase Sapphire Preferred power user. Be sure to follow these steps to make the most of your card after it arrives in the mail:
1. Add an authorized user
You’ll earn an extra 5,000 bonus points, which are worth $105 based on my most recent point valuations in February 2018, when you add an authorized user and complete a purchase after first getting the Sapphire Preferred. You have three months from the date you apply to complete this process, but even though you have some time to get it done, there’s no reason to wait. It takes less than a minute to add an authorized user online, and there are a ton of ways to maximize Chase points.
2. Update your rental car profile
Adding your CSP info to your various rental car profiles lets you take advantage of Chase Sapphire Preferred’s primary rental car coverage, which will save you a bundle on each car rental. This gives you full coverage for many car rentals around the world. Plus, car rentals count under the 2x point travel bonus, so you’ll get double points and enhanced protection.
3. Set the CSP as your default for travel purchases
When you pay for travel with the Sapphire Preferred, you’ll earn 2 points for every dollar spent, even on expenses like E-ZPass and monthly parking. Of course, this is if you don’t have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which earns you 3 points per dollar on all the same purchases. Also add Sapphire to your Uber account so you get 2x points and no foreign transaction fees when using Uber abroad. Chase defines travel very broadly, counting “airlines, hotels, motels, timeshares, campgrounds, car rental agencies, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites, operators of passengers trains, buses, taxis, limos, ferries, tolls, bridges, highways, and parking lots and garages” as travel for 2x points on the CSP.
4. Add your card to online dining sites
By adding the Chase Sapphire Preferred to delivery services like Seamless, you’ll maximize your point earning ability since you get 2x points on all dining purchases. Again, this is only if you don’t have the Reserve, which will earn 3x points on dining. Unfortunately, there are reports of GrubHub and some other delivery outfits not always earning 2x points, but as of this writing, Seamless does get you bonus points on restaurant deliveries, and you can test other services to see whether they also code as dining. Also, be sure to add your card to dining rewards programs to earn bonus miles for eating at restaurants.
5. Complete the “Chase Trifecta”
By adding the Ink Business Preferred and Chase Freedom Unlimited cards, you’ll be able to build your Ultimate Rewards balance even more quickly. With Ink, for example, you can earn 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent annually on travel, shipping purchases, internet cable and phone services and advertising purchases made with social media sites. Meanwhile the Freedom Unlimited offers 1.5% cash back on every purchase, but that cash back comes in the form of Ultimate Rewards points that can be combined with the ones from your other “Chase trifecta” cards and transferred to valuable airline and hotel partners.
Note that Chase may not approve your application for Ultimate Rewards-earning cards if you’ve opened more than four credit cards (from any bank) in the last two years, so make sure you sign up for these three cards before adding others to your portfolio.
I love my Chase Sapphire Preferred card and you will too! Just be sure to follow the steps above to make sure you’re earning as many points as possible. Your hard work can definitely pay off.
Featured photo by Eric Helgas for The Points Guy
This cash back card has a focus on dining and entertainment where you can earn unlimited 4% cash back in those spending categories. You can also earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Earn a one-time $500 cash bonus after you spend $3000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to premium experiences in dining, entertainment and more
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 after that
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
