Latest news with #UltimateRewards®
Forbes
4 days ago
- Forbes
Travel For Mental Wellness: Top Credit Cards To Make Your Next Vacation More Affordable
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. Picture yourself lounging on a crystal-clear beach, wearing sunglasses, sipping a cold margarita and soaking up the sun. For many, a getaway from home isn't just a change of scenery—it clears their minds. A recent survey from Talker Research found that about 67% of Americans feel mentally better after traveling. Whether it's a quick weekend trip or flying across the globe for an adventure, more people now use travel as a way to handle stress and recharge from their nine-to-five realities. But travel is pricey, especially with inflation driving up the cost of flights and hotels. Luckily, the right travel credit card can help offset the cost and make planning your next trip easier on your budget. The emotional benefits of travel include improved mood, sharper focus and a more positive outlook after taking time away. Many mental health experts view travel as a powerful form of self-care, especially when you're intentional about it. Whether you're discovering a new city or unwinding somewhere familiar, breaking out of your routine can ease that stuck, overwhelmed feeling. Being in a new environment naturally pulls you into the moment, which can quiet the overthinking that often fuels stress and anxiety. Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed. Of course, travel costs can be a significant barrier, even if you're planning a short trip. That's where credit cards can come to the rescue. The best travel credit cards earn you points or miles while offering perks and protections that reduce stress before, during and after your trip. Many travel credit cards offer welcome bonuses and ongoing reward points for everyday spending. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers 100,000 bonus points, plus a $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. It also earns elevated rewards on travel and dining, including 8 points per dollar on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠, 4 points per dollar on flights and hotels booked direct, 3 points per dollar on dining worldwide and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. If you use the Chase Sapphire Reserve® for everyday purchases, you can accumulate points over time, and potentially earn that welcome bonus just by spending as you normally would. When you redeem points for travel through Chase, Ultimate Rewards® points from your Chase Sapphire Reserve are worth 1.5 cents each. That means the welcome bonus—along with the points you earn while meeting the spending requirement—can deliver over $1,000 in value. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers standout perks, but it comes with a whopping $795 annual fee. If that fee is too overwhelming, there are other options, like the $95-annual fee Citi Strata Premier® Card . It offers a generous welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening. It also includes a $100 annual hotel credit on hotel stays of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees when booked via and you'll earn 10 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on 3 points per dollar on restaurants, supermarkets, gas & EV stations, air travel and other hotel purchases and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed. A trip does more than give you a break—it boosts your mental wellbeing and leaves you feeling recharged long after you return home. While travel isn't always cheap, it doesn't have to feel out of reach. The right travel credit cards can help you earn rewards, unlock valuable credits and perks and provide protections and insurance that make your next trip easier on your wallet and your mind.
Forbes
25-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Chase Sapphire Preferred Benefits: A Goldmine Of Travel Perks
Serious about travel? Then you need a card that's just as ambitious as you are. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card doesn't cut corners. You'll get generous travel perks, ultra-flexible points and a welcome bonus so big your head will spin. Factor in a wallet-friendly annual fee, and it's no wonder it consistently earns top marks. Let's unlock the treasure trove of travel benefits this card brings to the table. Up to 5x Reward Rate Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on allRead More 100,000 bonus points $95 19.99% - 28.24% Variable Excellent, Good (700 - 749) For a limited time, cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. That's the highest offer we've ever seen on the card and one you won't want to miss. While your bonus (and any other Chase Ultimate Rewards® you earn) can be redeemed as cash back, you'll get even more value by applying them toward travel. Redeem those points for bookings made with Chase Travel℠ and you'll receive $1,250 in value thanks to a 25% bonus—with no complicated redemption strategies, learning curves or blackout dates to worry about. Or transfer your points to partnering airlines and hotels and potentially save even more. In addition to its welcome offer, the Sapphire Preferred earns Ultimate Rewards® on every purchase: Cardholders get an annual boost, too. Each year after your card member anniversary, you'll receive a points bonus worth 10% of your total purchases for the year. That's like finding free money, and it's another easy way to get extra value from your Sapphire Preferred. The card's real magic lies in the redemption options. Points can be redeemed as a statement credit, for trips booked through the Chase Travel website with a 25% bonus or by transferring points to Chase's airline and hotel partners. The flexibility means the card will remain a good fit even as your travel preferences or lifestyle change. Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel Partners For travelers willing to take the extra step, transferring your points to travel partners can lead to exceptional rewards. With 100,000 Ultimate Rewards, you could take any one of these high-value trips for free and still have points left over. Chase hands over a $50 hotel credit each year to cardholders, which is one of the best Sapphire Preferred benefits. To earn your statement credit, you'll simply need to make one or more hotel bookings via Chase Travel and pay with your Sapphire Preferred credit card. There's no minimum purchase requirement and no restrictions on when or where you can use it. Anyone who travels even once per year should be able to make good use of this perk. Compared to other midrange travel rewards cards, the Sapphire Preferred outdoes itself with a selection of essential travel protections. Most trips paid for with your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card will be automatically covered under several forms of trip insurance: Though this benefit is standard among premium travel rewards cards, it shouldn't be overlooked. There are no foreign transaction fees on the Sapphire Preferred, which can save you serious cash throughout your cardholder relationship. Other cards charge up to 3% on every purchase made in other currencies, but you won't pay an extra dime when paying with the Sapphire Preferred. Find the best travel credit card for your travel needs. The Chase Sapphire Preferred strikes a winning balance between an accessible annual fee and valuable travel benefits that nearly anyone can use. Its flexible rewards, robust trip protections and easy-to-use Chase Travel Hotel Credit make it a popular package for travelers. With the limited-time 100,000-point bonus, it's even more exciting. Cardholders can enjoy an upfront prize while setting themselves up with the ongoing benefits of the Sapphire Preferred.
Forbes
21-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Today's 100,000-Point Sapphire Preferred Bonus Is 100% Worth It
I can't tell you how often I've missed out on a deal and lived with FOMO because I hesitated. That's why now that the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has dropped a six-figure bomb and is offering a welcome bonus of 100,000 bonus points, I'm practically shoving applications at my friends. Seriously, if I didn't already have it, I'd be applying faster than you can say 'free vacation!' Up to 5x Reward Rate Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on allRead More 100,000 bonus points $95 19.99% - 28.24% Variable Excellent, Good (700 - 749) Your eyebrows should raise as soon as you hear about the current offer on this legendary travel card. Mine certainly did. For a limited time, new cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. If you've been searching for the Sapphire Preferred's best bonus offer, congratulations! You found it. The perfect moment is here. But here's the catch: This increased welcome offer is only around for a limited time. Considering the bonus usually hovers around 60,000 points, waiting too long to apply would be an expensive form of regret. You're eligible for this bonus if you don't currently hold a Sapphire-branded credit card (including the Chase Sapphire Reserve®) and haven't received a welcome offer for any card in the Sapphire family for the past 48 months. For the best odds of approval, you'll need to have a good to excellent credit score and have opened fewer than five credit cards in the past 24 months. The rules for earning the 100,000-point bonus are straightforward, but it won't necessarily be a cakewalk. You'll have to meet the $5,000 minimum spending requirement in the first three months from account opening before Chase hands over your Ultimate Rewards® bonus. For some cardholders, this amount could be a challenging hurdle. But who doesn't like a challenge? Pull out your card to pay for literally every purchase you make: groceries, online shopping and even the $3 drinks you feel silly paying for by card. If it was me, I'd also look for ways to spend money sooner rather than later to meet the spending deadline. For example, I might book flights for fall vacation today instead of waiting for the last minute or finally take care of the window replacement I've been saving for anyway. Even if you're not yet familiar with the magnificence of Chase Ultimate Rewards, that round number speaks for itself: 100,000 points is big money. But these flexible points live up to their name, with a variety of ways you can redeem them to fit your lifestyle. When redeemed for cash back on your statement, that bonus is worth $1,000 (possibly the easiest $1,000 you've ever earned). But when redeemed toward travel, the bonus is worth even more. You can book trips through Chase Travel℠ with a 25% bonus with the Sapphire Preferred, meaning your 100,000-point bonus could fund $1,250 in travel expenses. The card's booking portal is as easy to use as any other online travel agency, like Expedia or Priceline, and has just as many options to choose from. But, if you're willing to put in a little more effort, you could transform that bonus into next-level travel experiences. Chase partners with over a dozen airlines and hotels, letting you convert your credit card points into frequent flyer miles. Combing through award charts and availability can be a bit of a bargain hunt—like searching for unexpected treasures at thrift stores—but if you know where to look, you can hit gold. Transfers to travel partners make this a travel card MVP. Among my favorite real-life redemptions were tickets in peak season to Jackson, WY that otherwise were out my budget, round-the-world business class flights with stops in Abu Dhabi and Thailand (among others) and a deluxe room with club access at the Hyatt Regency in Kathmandu, which was the perfect respite after a long day of travel. – Becky Pokora, Travel Rewards Expert The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the card that keeps on giving. Even long after the bonus has come and gone, this is a travel rewards favorite. You'll continue to earn points on every purchase, including some above-average rates: 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. Those numbers get even better when you factor in an oft-overlooked benefit of the Sapphire Preferred. Each year after renewal, cardholders receive a 10% points bonus. If you spend $25,000 on the card in a year, you'll get an extra 2,500 points for your loyalty. It's one of those things you forget about until the next year rolls around, and suddenly you see that extra deposit—like finding a $20 bill in your winter coat from last season. The card also comes with a delightful suite of travel benefits and protections, including no foreign transaction fees, trip delay reimbursement and rental car insurance. There's also an annual $50 hotel credit, valid toward bookings at Chase Travel, which is an easy way to offset the $95 annual fee. I'm telling everyone: The Sapphire Preferred's limited-time 100K welcome bonus is a must for anyone who wants to turn bonus points into a dream trip. This best-ever offer could end at any time, leaving you frustrated with a less valuable bonus if you don't act fast. Time is ticking, but the Sapphire Preferred is an investment toward adventure, so snag this offer while it's around. Find the best travel credit card for your travel needs.
Forbes
03-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Your Next Adventure Starts Here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Offering 100,000 Points To New Cardholders
New cardholders are eligible for the ultimate welcome with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. For a limited time, this fan-favorite card is offering a best-ever bonus of 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. The Sapphire Preferred's offer typically sits around 60,000 points, making this a monumental increase. Chase Ultimate Rewards® points can be redeemed as statement credits, toward gift cards, applied for reservations made through Chase Travel℠ with a 25% bonus or transferred to more than a dozen airline and hotel partners at 1:1 value. If you're new to the program, you'll find inspiration on how to spend Ultimate Rewards points to maximize their value. Depending on how you redeem your rewards, this six-figure points offer could yield you any of these options: But that's just the beginning. The Sapphire Preferred consistently holds one of the top spots of Forbes Advisor's best travel credit cards due to its rich rewards, array of perks and incredible versatility. The Sapphire Preferred has an annual fee of just $95 per year but comes with premium benefits. In addition to its one-time welcome offer, the card continually earns 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. Once a year, you'll also receive a 10% points bonus on your total spending from the previous year (so $25,000 in spending would earn a 2,500 points bonus). All cardholders can earn up to $50 per year in statement credits when booking a hotel stay through Chase Travel. Eligible trips will also be covered by some of the best trip protections available through a credit card including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance and primary rental car collision coverage all at no extra cost. There are also no foreign transaction fees on the Sapphire Preferred, making it a fantastic companion card to take with you when traveling internationally. The Sapphire Preferred typically requires good or better credit for approval. Chase doesn't list a specific credit score range, but typically a 670 or higher represents a good credit score on the FICO scale. Chase only allows one Sapphire card per person. So if you already have a Chase Sapphire Reserve®* or have received a new cardmember bonus for any Sapphire card in the last 48 months, you unfortunately won't be eligible to get a new Sapphire Preferred. Additionally, Chase has another limitation that could impact your eligibility for approval. The Chase 5/24 rule automatically disqualifies you if you've opened five or more credit cards in the past 24 months. Find the best Chase credit card for your needs. A 100,000-point offer is among the highest we've ever seen on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card—or any other flexible travel card with an annual fee under $100. If you've been considering the Sapphire Preferred, now is a great time to apply. Getting paid handsomely to spend is tempting for any traveler and the card's ongoing perks make it one to hold onto for the long haul.
