Chase Sapphire Preferred Hotel Credit Benefits and Drawbacks

The Chase Sapphire Preferred hotel credit is a valuable perk for travelers. It offers a $25 credit per stay at hotels and resorts within the Marriott Bonvoy program.

With this credit, you can enjoy a free night or upgrade your stay at participating properties. This can be a game-changer for those who frequently stay at Marriott hotels.

However, it's essential to note that this credit is limited to a maximum of $25 per stay, and there's a limit of two credits per year.

The $50 hotel credit on the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a valuable benefit, especially considering it has virtually no restrictions - you just need to book on the Chase Travel portal. However, if you're loyal to a specific hotel chain or trying to achieve elite status, you may find the credit harder to use.

The credit doesn't roll over to the next year, so be sure to use it before your card anniversary. This is a good reminder to plan ahead and book your hotel stays strategically.

The credit essentially cuts the card's annual fee in half, making it a worthwhile perk. However, if you're considering the higher-end Chase Sapphire Reserve, note that it comes with a more flexible $300 annual travel credit.

The biggest knock against the $50 hotel credit is that you have to use it on a hotel booked through the Chase Travel Portal, which is powered by Expedia. This means you'll miss out on hotel elite perks for your stay.

You can still receive some of your elite status perks, such as upgrades, free breakfast, and late check-out, by calling or emailing the hotel ahead of time and asking them to add your loyalty number to your reservation.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred hotel credit is a valuable perk that can help you save on hotel bookings. You can apply the credit to multiple bookings, but keep in mind it's only worth $50, so you might not be able to split it across many reservations.

Booking travel with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers additional benefits, such as earning 5x points on all travel booked through Chase Travel, excluding the first $50 of your purchase. This can be a great way to rack up points quickly, especially if you're a frequent traveler.

The credit can be used to reduce the cost of a more expensive hotel reservation, which can be a huge help if you're booking a luxury stay. With the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you can book more than just flights or stays – you can also book rental cars, activities, cruises, and more.

One thing to note is that you won't earn any Chase points on the first $50 of your purchase, but for anything above that, you earn 5x points. This is effectively 10% back in value, according to Upgraded Points, which values Ultimate Rewards points at 2.0 cents per point.

To use the Chase Sapphire Preferred hotel credit, log into your Chase account and navigate to your Ultimate Rewards. Then, choose "travel" and select "book travel" from the drop-down menu.

You can also go directly to the Chase Travel website. Click on "hotels" and enter your destination and dates, along with the number of people staying in the room.

Change the search to list your options from lowest to highest price to show you options where your $50 credit may cover the entire cost. This will help you find hotels where your credit can be used.

You'll also have the option to pay with a combination of points and cash. If you'd like to do this, make sure to pay at least $50 in cash so that it triggers your annual Sapphire Preferred hotel credit.

After booking your hotel, the statement credit should automatically post to your account within two days of your purchase posting to your account. It should then appear on your monthly billing statement within 1 to 2 billing cycles.

In my experience, Chase has been pretty solid with posting credits quickly. However, if you don't see your credit after a week or two, you can always call the number on the back of your card and inquire about it.

You should be aware of the restrictions and limitations of the Chase Sapphire Preferred hotel credit. The main drawback is that booking through Chase Travel likely won't earn you hotel points, night credits, or elite status benefits.

If you need to change or cancel your reservation, you must do so through Chase, not the hotel directly. This can be inconvenient if you need to make last-minute changes.

The credit may not be worth it if you're booking a hotel that costs more than $50, as you may end up spending more money out of pocket by booking through the portal instead of directly with the hotel.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred hotel credit has its downsides, but it's essential to understand them to make the most of this benefit. If you book through the Chase travel portal, you won't earn any points toward another loyalty program.

You also won't be able to take advantage of any hotel status you may have, as the booking is considered a third-party transaction. This means you might miss out on loyalty benefits like room upgrades or free meals, even if you have elite status.

The hotel booking doesn't have to be in your name to redeem the credit, but you'll still be limited by the $50 credit amount. If you're spending more money out of pocket by booking through the portal instead of directly with the hotel, the credit won't be as valuable.

Chase Travel may not always offer the best rates, so be sure to do your research before deciding when to use the credit. If the price in Chase Travel is higher than booking directly with the hotel, the $50 credit is essentially useless.

Here are some potential downsides to consider:

If you're considering using the Chase Sapphire Preferred hotel credit, there are a few situations where it might not be the best option.

You likely won't earn hotel points or night credits if you book through Chase Travel℠. This means you'll miss out on potential rewards and benefits that come with booking directly with the hotel.

When booking through Chase Travel℠, you must change or cancel your reservation through Chase, not the hotel directly. This can be inconvenient if you need to make changes to your plans.

If you need to cancel a booking made with the Sapphire Preferred hotel credit, you must do it directly through Chase, not the hotel. This can be a hassle if you're traveling and need to make last-minute changes.

Here's a summary of the situations where you might not want to use the Chase Sapphire Preferred hotel credit:

If you're looking for alternative cards that offer hotel credits, there are several options to consider.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is not the only card around that offers hotel credits.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred hotel credit is a great perk for travelers. You can receive up to $50 back on hotel reservations each year, starting from your card opening anniversary.

To qualify for the credit, you must book your hotel through Chase Travel℠. This means making your reservation directly through Chase's travel platform.

The credit will automatically be applied to your reservation if you have any portion of the credit remaining. It will appear on your monthly statement within one to two billing cycles.

You don't need to enroll to receive the credit – it's applied automatically when you book a hotel through Chase Travel. This is a great benefit that can add up to $50 in savings each year.

Here are some key details to keep in mind:

The credit will apply automatically to the first $50 of qualifying hotel bookings each cardmember year. This means you can take advantage of the credit on multiple hotel bookings, as long as you stay within the annual limit.