The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has recently rolled out an update, offering a new bonus category for vacation homes booked directly with select brands. This updated feature has garnered excitement among travelers, particularly those who prefer booking vacation homes for family and friend trips. The Sapphire Preferred now earns 3 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on bookings made with popular brands such as Airbnb and Vrbo.
The earning rate of 3 points per dollar spent on vacation homes booked directly with the six eligible brands is a significant addition to the Sapphire Preferred's benefits. This includes Airbnb, Vrbo, Plum Guide, HomeAway, Homestay.com, and Vacasa. The earning rate is only applicable for bookings made directly with these platforms, and not through the Chase Travel portal. However, booking through the Chase Travel portal earns a higher rate of 5 points per dollar spent.
Airbnb is one of the most popular vacation home platforms, both in the U.S. and abroad. The new earning rate on Airbnb purchases has been a welcome addition for many travelers. Stephanie Stephens, a TPG credit cards writer, has stayed in over 60 Airbnbs and has expressed her enthusiasm for the updated feature. She notes that the Sapphire Preferred has become her go-to travel card, thanks to the elevated rewards on vacation home rentals.
When booking vacation homes, travelers can also stack bonus points or miles across multiple airline programs by linking their accounts. This includes ANA Mileage Club, British Airways Club, Delta SkyMiles, and Qantas Frequent Flyer. However, some stays may not be eligible for stacking.
In addition to the Ultimate Rewards points earned on vacation home bookings, travelers can also earn rewards with some airline programs, such as Delta SkyMiles, JetBlue TrueBlue, and United MileagePlus. This can be done by booking through online shopping portals, such as the American AAdvantage eShopping portal and the Delta SkyMiles Shopping portal.
There are certain charges that are not eligible for the 3 points per dollar spent on the Sapphire Preferred. These include secondary cleaning fees and purchases made with merchants outside of the six eligible booking platforms. To maximize earnings, it is recommended to make reservations directly with one of the six brands listed above.
The Sapphire Preferred's bonus category for vacation homes compares favorably to competing cards. The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a 3 points per dollar earning rate on vacation homes booked directly with select brands, with a return on spending of 6.2%. This is a solid deal for a category not often found on many competing cards.
When weighing between a vacation home and a hotel, consider the earning rates on each option. Hotels and vacation homes booked through Chase Travel earn 5 points per dollar spent, which is the highest earning rate. However, booking directly with select brands earns a higher rate for vacation homes (3 points per dollar spent) than for hotels (2 points per dollar spent).
Overall, the Sapphire Preferred's bonus category for select vacation homes is a top benefit. With the high value of Ultimate Rewards points, travelers can get about 6.2% back on their spending.
