I'm on my way to JFK, and the traffic is — unsurprisingly — brutal.
So I figured I'd write up a rare Sunday send. (And just wait until you find out where I’m heading. It’s a fun one.)
I'm often asked what I consider the best deal in travel.
There are a bunch of contenders, but few have the same mass appeal as this one. (Which is why I've given it so much ink.)
When Chase debuted a 100,000-point welcome offer on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, I was impressed.
The card has a $95 annual fee, 100,000 points unlock some serious travel redemptions, and the minimum spend — $5,000 in three months — is manageable for most.
Typically, an offer that big only shows up on far pricier premium cards.
Chase just confirmed the offer is ending soon, so here's how it breaks down — and why it's worth a look before it's gone.
(Quick reminder: if you end up applying through my referral link, I'll earn a small commission that keeps this newsletter free. Appreciate your support.)
📋 In this edition
100,000 points before it’s too late
Here’s the offer: earn 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months.
If you’re wondering what you can do with 100,000 points, here are three ways to redeem them:
Transfer to one of Chase’s 14 airline and hotel partners
Just this week, I sent 45,000 Chase points to Air France and booked a $5,000 business-class ticket from Paris to New York for $560 in fees.
Book directly with Chase Travel℠
Book any flight or hotel — no capacity controls — directly with Chase. Points stretch up to 1.5x further on select flights and hotels via Points Boost.
Combine with a partner or household
Saving for a honeymoon or big trip? You can pool points with a partner or another household member for a bigger redemption down the road.
Pair it with the Reserve
Many of you already carry the pricier Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
The good news: you can add the Preferred to your wallet even if you already have the Reserve.
That's what I did. I've had the Reserve since launch, but I added the Preferred when this offer debuted.
The two cards complement each other nicely, and 100,000 extra points is the cherry on top.
My pick for most readers (and my brother)
When this offer launched, I told my younger brother — who only carries a cash-back card — to grab it.
The Preferred is one of the strongest starter cards for anyone getting more serious about points and miles.
He was just approved and is already asking how to use his points. (I told him to keep reading the newsletter.)
4 ways to maximize the offer
Here are four strategies to maximize this offer:
Prepay your big annual bills. Insurance renewals, HOA dues, property tax, tuition, quarterly estimated taxes. If it's a check you were going to write anyway, put it on the new card. (Often worth it even with a transaction fee.)
Double up with a partner. My wife already has the Preferred; otherwise, I would’ve gotten her the card too. Doubling up on the offer is a clear way to earn 200,000 bonus points.
Wait to book hotels. The card offers up to a $100 annual Chase Travel℠ hotel credit. After you're approved, book your hotel via the portal to get a $100 credit that more than offsets the annual fee.
Don't procrastinate. The offer is ending soon. We don't yet know the exact end date, but I wouldn't wait much longer.
The card, at a glance
Here’s everything you need to know about the Preferred card, aside from the offer itself.
Reasonable annual fee: Just $95 a year.
Ongoing value: No foreign transaction fees. Up to $500 trip delay protection (if travel is delayed by more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay). Up to $100,000 emergency evacuation and transportation coverage (during a trip 100 miles or more away from home).
Easy-to-use credits: Up to $100/year in Chase Travel℠ hotel credits. $120 credit every four years for Global Entry, TSA Precheck, or NEXUS. Complimentary year of Apple TV (must activate it by Dec. 31, 2026)
Points earning:
5x on Chase Travel
3x on dining worldwide
3x on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
3x on select streaming services
3x on gas, EV charging, and vacation homes (eligible brands: Airbnb, Vrbo, Plum Guide, HomeAway, Homestay.com, and Vacasa)
FAQs
Since the offer debuted, I've received a lot of questions. Here are answers to the ones I hear most.
What's the 5/24 rule, and does it apply here?
If you've opened five or more new credit cards across any issuer in the last 24 months, Chase will likely deny your application. This applies to nearly every Chase card, not just the Sapphire family.
If I just opened a new Chase Sapphire Reserve®, can I get this offer?
Ideally, you'd space out new cards. But with this offer ending soon, it's worth trying now.
Does being an authorized user on someone else's Sapphire Preferred affect my eligibility?
No. If your spouse or partner added you to their Preferred years ago, you're still eligible for this 100,000-point offer as a new primary cardholder.
Can I downgrade my Reserve and get the bonus?
No. The welcome bonus is only available for new accounts.
What did I miss?
If you have a question I haven't answered, hit reply.
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From the Tray Table is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites. This compensation may impact how and where links appear. Not all financial companies or all available offers are included. The opinions expressed are mine alone. Content is not reviewed or endorsed by an entity.