Earning with Chase Sapphire Preferred

Last reviewed: September 2026. Rewards categories, merchant eligibility, promotional offers and benefits may change. Review Chase's current Rewards Program Agreement for the latest terms.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card currently earns Ultimate Rewards® points across several travel and everyday spending categories.

Understanding which transactions qualify for the card's accelerated earning rates can help cardholders evaluate how the rewards structure aligns with their existing spending habits.

5X points through Chase Travel

Eligible purchases made through Chase Travel currently earn 5X points per dollar with the Sapphire Preferred Card.

Not every travel purchase earns 5X. Eligible travel booked outside Chase Travel generally falls under the card's 2X travel category unless another promotion applies.

3X points on dining

Sapphire Preferred currently earns 3X points on eligible dining purchases, including qualifying restaurant purchases, takeout and eligible delivery services.

The card should no longer be described as earning only 2X on dining, which reflects an older version of the rewards program.

3X on gas stations and EV charging

Beginning June 15, 2026, Sapphire Preferred added 3X points on eligible gas station and electric vehicle charging purchases.

Whether a transaction qualifies depends on how the merchant is categorized and processed.

3X on eligible vacation homes

The 2026 update also added 3X points on eligible vacation home bookings made with participating top brands.

Not every vacation rental platform or related fee necessarily qualifies for the accelerated rate. Cardholders should review Chase's current rewards category rules.

3X on online grocery and streaming

The card currently earns 3X points on eligible online grocery purchases. Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs are excluded from this category under current Chase terms.

Eligible top streaming services also currently earn 3X points.

2X on other travel

Travel purchases that qualify for Chase's travel category but are not eligible for the 5X Chase Travel rate generally earn 2X points.

This can include eligible purchases such as airfare, hotels and other transactions that meet the program's travel category rules.

1X on other eligible purchases

Eligible purchases that do not fall into one of the accelerated categories currently earn 1 point per dollar.

Consumers should not increase spending solely to earn additional points. Reward earning may have limited financial value if purchases result in interest charges or unnecessary expenses.

Merchant coding affects reward categories

Rewards categories are based in part on merchant category codes assigned by the merchant or payment processor.

A business may sell products that appear to fit a particular bonus category but still process under a different merchant code. In those cases, the purchase may not receive the expected accelerated rate.

Current new-cardmember bonus

As of September 2026, Chase is advertising 75,000 bonus points after an eligible new cardmember spends $5,000 on qualifying purchases within the first three months after account opening.

Welcome offers are temporary and eligibility restrictions apply. The offer displayed by Chase at the time of application should be used as the authoritative source.

Do not assume transfers always increase point value

Eligible Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to participating airline and hotel loyalty programs, but a transfer does not automatically produce greater value.

Award availability, loyalty program pricing, transfer ratios and taxes or fees can affect the final value obtained.

Most Chase transfer partners currently use a 1:1 ratio, but World of Hyatt is transitioning to a 4:3 ratio for Sapphire Preferred cardholders under the 2026 program changes.

Frequently asked questions

Does Sapphire Preferred still earn 2X on dining?

No. The current earning rate on eligible dining is 3X points.

Does all travel earn 5X?

No. Eligible Chase Travel purchases currently earn 5X, while other eligible travel generally earns 2X.

Does every grocery purchase earn 3X?

No. The accelerated grocery category applies to eligible online grocery purchases and currently excludes Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs.

Does every purchase earn points?

Qualifying purchases earn points, but transactions such as cash advances, balance transfers, certain cash-equivalent transactions, fees and other excluded activity do not earn points under the current program terms.

Final considerations

The current Sapphire Preferred earning structure extends beyond travel and dining, with additional 3X categories for gas, EV charging, eligible vacation homes, online grocery and streaming.

The usefulness of those categories depends on individual spending habits, merchant eligibility and how points are ultimately redeemed.

For current rewards categories and program rules, review the official Chase Sapphire Preferred information.

This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Rewards categories, bonus offers and transfer ratios may change.