TPG credit card reader question: Can you pair the Chase Sapphire Preferred with an airline or hotel credit card?
Editor’s note: This article is part of a column to answer your toughest credit card questions. If you would like to ask us a question, tweet us at @thepointsguy, message us on Facebook or email us.
One of the first steps into the world of earning points and miles is getting a travel credit card. But once you have that first card and are ready to add another one to your wallet, it’s important to consider which cards will pair best strategically with what you already have.
[pullquote source="Matthew Hankins"]Can you pair the Sapphire Preferred Card with a specific airline/hotel credit card?
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The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is arguably one of the most easily pairable cards on the market right now. Because Chase allows you to transfer points between accounts, you can apply for other Chase Ultimate Rewards credit cards and pool your points for the best redemptions. The card’s list of ten airline and three hotel transfer partners gives you some great redemption options.
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Which card strategy is best for you depends on your goals, so we’ll dive into a few different options below.
Cards from a Chase transfer partner
One strategy is to pair your Chase Sapphire Preferred with a card from a brand that is also a Chase transfer partner. This is a great strategy because it means you can transfer Ultimate Rewards points over to your cobranded card’s connected loyalty account to top up your balance for amazing redemptions.
For example, one of Chase’s transfer partners is Hyatt. So if you get the World of Hyatt Credit Card, you could use your Ultimate Rewards points to top your Hyatt account when you need a little extra push to hit a redemption tier for a trip.
Other options could be a United credit card, such as the United Quest Card — which currently comes with a bonus of 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open. Or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card, offering 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Related: The 11 hotels where you’ll get the most out of your Hyatt reward night certificate
Diversifying your points and miles options
But there is also value in diversifying your points portfolio for maximum redemption options outside of Chase transfer partners.
For example, if you live near a Delta Air Lines hub and enjoy flying with the airline, having a Delta credit card in your wallet so you can earn Delta miles isn’t a bad idea. Chase doesn’t transfer directly to Delta, so you’d only be able to book Delta award flights through either SkyTeam alliance member FlyingBlue or mutual partner Virgin Atlantic.
While that doesn’t make it impossible to find Delta redemptions, it could be worth it to have a Delta credit card that earns SkyMiles directly. In fact, one of the cards I pair with my Chase Sapphire Preferred is the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card.
Related: Best Delta credit cards
Another card to consider is the Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card. It has limited time sign-up bonus of 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion; from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account. The airline has one of the most valuable loyalty programs in the U.S. because of its array of partners — both through the Oneworld alliance and standalone partnerships.
Alaska Airlines isn’t a direct transfer partner with Chase, so there’s value in having a card that earns miles for any redemptions you want to make through its Mileage Plan loyalty program.
Bottom line
If you’re looking for an easily pairable card, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better one than the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Right now, the card is offering 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Hopefully, for those of you who already have the card, this helps give you some insight into which cobranded airline and hotel cards make great pairing options!
Apply here for the Chase Sapphire Preferred with an 60,000-point bonus.
Updated on 1/18/23.
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How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro Offer
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.60,000 bonus pointsAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees