As a frequent traveler and content creator, I’ve come across many travel credit cards, but one consistently stands out for both beginners and seasoned travelers alike: the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Whether you’re planning your first big family trip or just looking to make your everyday spending more rewarding, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers fantastic value. Here’s why it’s a perfect first travel card, especially for families.
Current Increased Offer:
1. Generous Sign-Up Bonus
When you’re diving into the world of travel rewards, sign-up bonuses are a big draw. The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers one of the best in the business. Currently, new cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points and $300 Chase Travel Credit after spending $4,000 within the first three months. These points can be redeemed for $750 in travel when booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, making that first family vacation a lot more affordable. But it can be worth so much more if you transfer those points to an airline and book through them instead of Chase Ultimate Rewards, making this card very valuable!
Personal Story: Our First Big Adventure
The Chase Sapphire Preferred was the very first travel credit card I got. My husband and I used the points we earned to book a trip to Europe for our one-year anniversary. We had an unforgettable time, and it felt amazing to know that the bulk of the trip was covered just by using our everyday spending to earn points. This experience solidified my love for travel hacking and made me realize how powerful this card can be.
2. Flexible Points with Chase Ultimate Rewards
Chase Ultimate Rewards points are some of the most versatile out there. You can redeem them for travel directly through the Chase travel portal at 1.25x their value, or transfer them to one of Chase’s 14 airline and hotel partners like Southwest, United, Hyatt, or Marriott. This flexibility makes it easy to find the best deals and stretch your points further, whether you’re booking flights for the whole family or finding that perfect hotel.
3. No Foreign Transaction Fees
If you’re traveling internationally with your family, foreign transaction fees can really add up. Thankfully, the Chase Sapphire Preferred doesn’t charge these fees, which is a major plus when exploring new countries. Imagine using your card for everything from meals in Aruba to souvenirs in Curacao (like I did on our recent trips) without worrying about extra charges on top.
4. Bonus Points on Travel and Dining
The card earns 2x points on travel and dining, categories where families tend to spend a lot. Whether it’s booking flights, hotels, car rentals, or dining out while on vacation, you’ll rack up points quickly. Plus, it offers 3x points on select streaming services and online grocery purchases, which are added bonuses for busy families like ours.
5. Travel Protections
When traveling with kids, you want peace of mind. The Chase Sapphire Preferred comes with built-in travel protections, like trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, and primary car rental insurance. Having these benefits means you’re covered if something goes wrong, and you won’t have to rely on the insurance that comes with your flight or rental.
6. Low Annual Fee
For all these perks, the $95 annual fee is quite reasonable. Considering the value you can get back from the sign-up bonus alone, this fee practically pays for itself in the first year. Plus, the ongoing rewards and protections make it worth keeping long term, especially if you travel frequently as a family.
7. Easy to Use for Everyday Purchases
Beyond travel, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is an excellent card for everyday use. With its simple earning structure and ability to redeem points for travel, cash back, gift cards, or even Amazon purchases, it’s easy to get value no matter how you spend. For families juggling daily expenses, this can make a big difference.
8. Perfect for Travel Beginners
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is often recommended as the best first travel card for those new to points and miles, and for good reason. It’s straightforward enough to use without any complicated restrictions, yet offers access to premium benefits that more advanced travelers look for. If you’re just starting out in the world of travel rewards, it’s an excellent way to begin earning points toward future family adventures.
Why It’s Great for Family Travelers
As a family travel content creator who’s always on the go with kids, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a card that I continually recommend for families. It offers the right combination of rewards, flexibility, and protections, all without overwhelming you with fees or confusing terms. Whether you’re booking a weekend getaway, an international adventure, or just earning points from your day-to-day expenses, this card has everything a traveling family needs to make trips more rewarding.
If you’re looking for your first travel card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the perfect place to start. Its combination of a strong sign-up bonus, easy-to-use rewards, and family-friendly features make it a no-brainer for anyone wanting to turn everyday spending into amazing family travel experiences.
If you do decide to sign up for this credit card, I want to thank you in advance for using my link! It’s free to use but awards us for sharing the card with our followers. Thank you for supporting us with helping families travel!
