How to Maximize the Sapphire Preferred Hotel Credit
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular travel rewards cards, and for good reason. Not only does it offer a generous sign-up bonus and valuable points-earning categories, but it also comes with a $50 annual hotel credit that can help you save on your travel expenses. But I’ve talked to many of you who struggle to know the best way to use this credit. In this guide, I’ll explain how the credit works, how to use it, and some tips for maximizing its value.
- Visit my Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card guide to learn more!
- $50 hotel credit
- 5X on Chase Travel℠, 3X on select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 3X points on dining, and 2x on other travel purchases
- $95 annual fee
- All information about the Chase Sapphire Preferred card has been collected independently by Vacation Pointers. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
What Is the $50 Hotel Credit?
The $50 hotel credit is a perk for Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders, allowing you to receive up to $50 in statement credits each cardmember year for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel℠. This benefit resets every year on your card’s anniversary, making it an ongoing way to save on travel costs.
While I normally recommend NOT booking travel in the bank portal, there are exceptions and this is one of them.
Check out: Why You Should Transfer Your Chase Points to Hyatt
How to Use the $50 Hotel Credit
Here’s a step-by-step guide to using your $50 hotel credit combined with Ultimate Rewards points so that you spend the least amount possible out of pocket:
Log in to Chase Ultimate Rewards:
- Navigate to the Chase Ultimate Rewards page by logging into your Chase account online or through the app, clicking on the card that has points, and then clicking “Redeem” next to your point total.
Scroll down to “Discover ways to use points:
- Select the box that says “Travel” and then click “Book travel.”
Search for Hotels:
- Enter your destination into the search bar including your dates and number of travelers. Remember if you search for more than 4 it will significantly limit your search results since most hotel rooms only accommodate a maximum of 4 people. I like to search for 4 people even if I plan on sneaking a 3rd child into the room just to see what my options are.
Find a hotel:
- Select the hotel that fits your needs. Our family was going to be visiting Knoebels amusement park so we chose this Holiday Inn Express with good google reviews about 20 minutes away. You can see that if I were to pay cash it would cost $157.31 and if I were to use all points it would cost 12,584. You’ll see in a minute that we are going to use a combination of the two!
Continue to the checkout screen:
- Here you can see what your total would be if you chose to pay using ONLY points.
Adjust the number of points:
- To fully maximize the $50 credit and to pay as little out of pocket as possible, adjust your point total until you owe just over $50 in cash. In this scenario if I adjust the points to 8,500 I’ll owe just $51.06.
Click “Start Checkout” to see your final total:
- On the next screen you’ll see the final amount of points and cash you’ll be paying for this reservation. Then continue on to “Payment and review” where you’ll enter your credit card information. Here is where you will enter your Sapphire Preferred credit card number.
Watch for your statement credit:
- As long as you haven’t used your annual $50 hotel credit during your current cardholder year, you will receive a $50 statement credit just a few days after your purchase posts to your account!
Tips for Maximizing the $50 Hotel Credit
Here are some strategies to get the most value out of this benefit:
- Use It for Short Stays:
- Book a single night at a hotel or motel during a road trip or a quick weekend getaway.
- Combine It With Points:
- Use your Ultimate Rewards points to cover part of your booking and pay the rest with your Sapphire Preferred. The $50 credit applies to the cash portion of your booking. If you want to book the entire thing with cash you can absolutely do that. But combining with points minimizes your actual expenses.
- Book Early:
- Plan ahead and use the credit for trips you’ve already scheduled. This ensures you don’t forget to use the credit before it resets.
- Choose Properties With Extra Perks:
- Look for hotels offering free breakfast, parking, or other amenities to maximize the value of your stay beyond the $50 savings.
- Stack With Promotions:
- Keep an eye out for deals and promotions in the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. Pairing these with your credit can save even more. For example, during my most recent booking I used an additional $50 promo that I received by email for any booking made on Chase Travel. The deals stacked so I saved a total of $100.
Key Details to Remember
- Validity Period: The $50 credit resets every cardmember year, not calendar year, so mark your anniversary date to avoid missing out. If you don’t use it, you lose it.
- Eligible Bookings: The credit applies only to prepaid hotel bookings made through the Chase Travel.
- Automatic Application: There’s no need to manually request the credit. As long as your booking meets the criteria, and you pay with your Sapphire Preferred card, the credit will be applied automatically.
Why the $50 Hotel Credit Adds Value to the Chase Sapphire Preferred
This credit effectively reduces the card’s annual fee from $95 to just $45 if you use it fully each year. Combine this with other benefits—like 3x points on dining and 2x points on travel—and it’s clear why the Chase Sapphire Preferred remains at the top of my Best Travel Rewards Cards list.
Whether you’re booking a quick overnight stay or adding a little extra comfort to a longer trip, the $50 hotel credit is an easy way to save. Make sure to take advantage of this perk every year and put those savings toward your next adventure!
Need more tips on maximizing your travel rewards? Follow along on Instagram at @vacation_pointers or check out more guides on VacationPointers.com.
More on Our Families Free Travels!
Family vacations were a near impossibility for us not that long ago. But about 7 years ago we discovered credit card points and miles and now traveling several times a year is the norm for us! If you want to learn more about how our family travels for next to nothing, I would love for you to check out my Quick Start Guide to Traveling with Points and Miles. It is a hobby that has forever changed our lives and given us the opportunity to see the world!
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