After weeks of speculation, it’s now confirmed: changes are on the horizon for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, and some of these updates involve negative news for those transferring to Hyatt points.
While the Hyatt changes don’t sound great for certain travelers, most of the updates seem pretty positive overall. Interestingly, current cardholders will have a grace period before the new terms kick in.
There’s quite a bit to digest, so let’s break down what’s happening with the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Changes to the Sapphire Preferred Points Transfer Ratio to Hyatt
One of the big advantages of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program has been its transfer ratio, which used to be a straightforward 1:1 with 14 hotel and airline partners. That’s changing, though. Now, for Sapphire Preferred cardholders looking to transfer points to the World of Hyatt program, the ratio will shift from 1:1 to 4:3.
What does that mean? Essentially, if you transfer 40,000 Chase points to Hyatt, you’ll receive only 30,000 Hyatt points instead of the full 40,000. That’s quite a drop for anyone who frequently moves points from Sapphire Preferred to Hyatt.
On the upside, existing cardholders won’t be impacted by this change until October 1, 2026, while new cardholders who apply after June 15, 2026, will face the new ratios immediately.
This shift also affects other cards like the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, the traditional Chase Ink Plus, and the traditional Corporate Flex card.
No Changes for Sapphire Reserve Cardholders
If you’re one of those who often transfer Chase points to World of Hyatt, here’s some good news: the 1:1 ratio remains unchanged for Sapphire Reserve cardholders, including those with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Reserve℠ for Business cards.
Chase has stated, “At this time, there are no plans to make any changes to the transfer from the Sapphire Reserve.”
If this transfer modification feels particularly harsh for your travel habits, it might be worth considering switching to the Sapphire Reserve.
In fact, some recent changes mean that having a Sapphire Preferred card doesn’t automatically prevent you from qualifying for the Sapphire Reserve and its associated bonuses.
Travelers contemplating this switch will find the Sapphire Sanctuary currently offering the largest general welcome bonus ever—150,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first three months of account opening.
The 10% Anniversary Points Bonus is Ending
The Sapphire Preferred’s 10% Anniversary Points Bonus, which rewarded cardholders with an extra 10% on annual spending, will be discontinued. This change essentially reduces the value of points gained from this benefit.
For many, this may not feel like a massive loss; for instance, even if you spent $50,000 in a year, you’d only earn an additional 5,000 bonus points.
This change will take effect immediately for applicants post-June 15, 2026. However, if you apply before that, purchases made until October 1, 2026, will still count toward the final 10% Bonus granted by January 2027.
New Bonus Categories Added to Sapphire Preferred
Fortunately, the Sapphire Preferred will feature several new bonus categories starting June 15, 2026. Cardholders will earn 3 points per dollar on:
- Gas station purchases
- EV charging
- Vacation home rentals booked through Airbnb, Vrbo, Plum Guide, HomeAway, Homestay.com, and Vacasa
These categories cater to everyday spending, likely appealing to many cardholders and enhancing an already attractive card lineup.
Existing categories still remain—5 points per dollar on Chase Travel purchases, 3 points on shopping, dining, selected streaming services, and online groceries (excluding certain stores), and 2 points on other travel expenses not booked through Chase.
$100 Hotel Statement Credit with Sapphire Preferred Card
Chase is also enhancing its cardholder-friendly initiatives. Effective June 15, 2026, the hotel statement credit will increase from $50 to $100. This credit is easy to use as there are no required minimums or spending limits; you simply need to book through Chase Travel.
For example, if you book a one-night stay for $125, you would only end up paying $25 after applying the credit. Additionally, current cardholders can receive either their full $100 credit or an additional $50 if they’ve already used their $50 credit before this change.
New $120 Statement Credit for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or Nexus
Starting June 15, Sapphire Preferred will contribute up to $120 every four years to cover application fees for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or Nexus. This is a valuable perk often associated with premium cards but is being offered here at a lower annual fee.
(Here’s a tip: Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck and has added benefits for customs.) Cardholders can continue using credits for friends and family applications if they already possess one of these memberships.
New One-Year Apple TV Subscription
After June 15, 2026, Sapphire Preferred cardholders can activate a complimentary one-year Apple TV subscription. To do this, simply link your Apple ID via the Benefits section of your account before December 31, 2026.
Enhanced Travel Protection Features
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is already well-renowned for its travel protection features, and now it will include even more benefits like emergency evacuation and transportation coverage.
This enhancement solidifies its status as one of the most robust travel protection cards available within its fee range.
Annual Fee of $95 Remains Unchanged
Perhaps the most unexpected aspect of today’s announcement is that the annual fee hasn’t changed.
As additional credits are introduced and the travel coverage expands, it’s often anticipated that fees would rise. However, it’s notable that the Sapphire Preferred has kept its $95 annual fee since its inception in 2009.
With the increased hotel credit, this card appears to more than justify its annual fee.
Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Better or Worse Now?
The pressing question is whether the Chase Sapphire Preferred is stronger or weaker after all these announcements.
For those who frequently utilize Hyatt point transfers, these adjustments are undoubtedly unfriendly and might even prompt some to shift towards the Sapphire Reserve for its maintained ratio. But it’s essential to acknowledge that perks may not be as valuable as they used to be due to shifts in the World of Hyatt benefits chart.
While avid point transfer users might feel the sting, it’s important to remember that many Sapphire Preferred holders rarely transfer points at all.
For casual or occasional travelers, what they primarily look for are attractive bonus categories, easy benefits, and an acceptable annual fee. Viewed through that lens, the Sapphire Preferred remains appealing even with the transfer changes.
Amid rising costs and complications with many travel cards, it seems that the Sapphire Preferred has become an even better fit for casual travelers.
