Chase Sapphire Preferred Hotel Credit
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has many great benefits. However, there is one that often gets overlooked or forgotten: its annual hotel credit. The card's new refresh that rolled out this week included an upgrade for this perk, with the benefit increasing from $50 to $100. Many are confused by this perk, as it functions a little differently than the other credits. Let's look at the Chase Sapphire Preferred's hotel credit terms and how to use.
UPDATE 6/19/26: New changes to the Chase Sapphire Preferred card adds another $50 credit for this perk, bringing it to $100 total. More on the other changes here.
What Is The Hotel Credit Card Perk?
If you hold the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can book a hotel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. You will receive a credit up to the annual maximum of $100. People get confused by the “up to” at times. If you spend $75, then you still have $25 to use if you choose. The annual term is based on your account open date through the first statement date after your anniversary. In year 2 and beyond, it is the 12 monthly billing cycles after that each year.
How to Use The Sapphire Preferred Hotel Credit
You must book a hotel through the Chase Travel portal. You must charge at least $100 of that purchase to your Chase Sapphire Preferred card. This means you can use a mix of points and cash, if you choose. You may also just pay with cash and use no points. As long as you spend $100 on your Sapphire Preferred, you'll receive a $100 statement credit. Finally, one great way to maximize this is to use points to offset part of the cash price. If you leave just $100 to pay on the card, that will come back in a statement credit.
Sapphire Preferred Hotel Credit Warnings
We understand you have to use the portal for these types of benefits. It is important to note the portal is a third-party booking, similar to booking through Expedia or Priceline. This means you should not receive any status benefits, hotel points or qualifying nights for the hotel's loyalty program. I use the term “should” because there is always a report or two of members in our ToP Facebook group who received these benefits. Always ask to add your loyalty number to the reservation at check-in. However, loyalty programs' terms and conditions do not allow it and you should not expect it. We recommend using the Chase Sapphire hotel credit on a booking where you have no status, or a boutique/non-chain hotel. Finally, follow up with the hotel to make sure they have your reservation. This is a common issue with portal bookings, especially Chase.
When Will The Hotel Statement Credit Post?
Statement credits will post to your account within two days after your purchase posts to your Chase Sapphire Preferred and will appear on your monthly statement within 1-2 billing cycles. Many have reported the credits posting very quickly. There is a tracker of the credit in the benefits section of your account. The tracker also confirms the statement closing date that is the deadline for using your Chase Sapphire Preferred hotel credit.
Two things confuse many people:
- You have a $100 hotel credit to use immediately upon approval for a Chase Sapphire Preferred.
- You do NOT earn Chase Ultimate Rewards for the $100 statement credit for a hotel booking.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Hotel Credit: ToP Thoughts
The hotel credit often goes unused by many Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders. This is either because they forget about it or simply rarely book boutique/non-chain hotels or hotels where they are not interested in status. Regardless, using the Chase Sapphire Preferred hotel credit is a “free” $100 perk each year you hold the card. If you use it now, you cover more than your $95 annual fee. Are you using yours? Come over to our ToP Facebook group to discuss.
