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Summer is finally here and if you're already planning a big purchase, the new Chase Sapphire offer can help you save money on travel accommodations for those trips you've been debating. However, this offer won't last much longer.
If you act quickly, you can still earn a 75,000-point welcome bonus by applying for a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® and spending $4,000 within three months of account opening.
"This is a strong bonus on an excellent card," said Jason Steele, a credit card expert and CNET Expert Review Board member. "It's not the highest ever, but it's better than the standard offer on cards that should be in the wallets of anyone who wants to earn travel rewards."
There's no telling when this welcome bonus will end, but history tells us it won't last long. Here's everything to know about our favorite travel card before deciding if it's the right fit for your wallet.
How much is Chase's welcome bonus?
Starting now, earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year
"While we’ve seen slightly higher offers on the CSP in the past, there’s never a guarantee those will return, or if they do, when that will happen," said Mark Reese, a credit card expert and member of the CNET Money Expert Review Board. With summer vacation around the corner, this is a great opportunity to save hundreds on an upcoming trip.
To earn this bonus, you can pay your bills with your credit card to reach the bonus faster. Or you may be able to earn the bonus if you have a big purchase coming up that you already have the money set aside for, such as home renovations or travel.
Never overspend to earn a credit card welcome bonus. If you're not able to pay off your balance in full each month, the interest you accrue could quickly wipe out any value you earn in rewards. If you can't comfortably spend $1,334 per month, it's not worth trying for this bonus.
What to know about Chase's premium travel cards
The Sapphire Preferred is already our top travel credit card pick. Beyond the welcome bonus, these two popular travel cards have some useful perks for booking a flight or taking a road trip. Have a plan in place for how you want to use the card before applying.
"Both of these cards have excellent travel insurance and purchase protection benefits," Steele said. "The CSR even has paid roadside assistance and emergency evacuation coverage. Both have primary automobile insurance, along with trip delay and trip cancellation coverage."
But there are big differences, such as the annual fee, cardholder credits and rewards rates -- which can all make a big difference in the long run. Here's a quick look at both cards and a comparison to help you determine which one is best for you.
Read more: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve: Which Is Better?
How can I redeem the 75,000-point bonus?
This boosted welcome bonus could help you earn a free flight, hotel stay or other travel accommodations just in time for an end-of-summer trip -- if you earn the bonus before the three-month period ends.
If you redeem the rewards for travel using Chase Travel℠, you'll redeem points at a boosted rate of 1.25 cents per point with the Sapphire Preferred and 1.5 cents per point with the Sapphire Reserve. That means it could be worth $937 to $1,125.
Beyond the Chase portal, you may also be able to redeem your points at an even higher rate with Chase's travel partners.
You can also redeem the points toward other purchases, gift cards and statement credits but at a lesser value.
Read more: 6 Reasons the Chase Sapphire Preferred Should Be Your Next Credit Card
Do I qualify for the new Chase welcome offer?
Chase's travel cards usually require good to excellent credit -- so a FICO score of 670 or higher. There are also a few other factors that would disqualify you:
- You cannot be a current Sapphire cardholder.
- You cannot have earned a Chase Sapphire bonus in the past two years.
- You must not have exceeded Chase's 5/24 rule, which means you cannot have applied for five cards within the past 24 months from any issuer.
If you're unsure, it's best to call Chase's customer service line at 1-800-432-3117 for questions and assistance.
