BIG Changes Coming for Sapphire Cardholders
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‼️Are you ready for this? Chase just announced some BIG changes to the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card that go live June 15th, 2026.
No sugar coating here…some are good, some might even be great, and one big one is truly going to hurt.
Will I still love this card? Absolutely. Will I be rethinking my strategy a bit? You bet’cha. So let’s dive into the good, the bad, and the strategy planning. ⬇️
*All information about Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has been collected independently by Packed with Points. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The good 🌟
We’re getting some new perks! And keeping the same $95 annual fee. 👏🏻
✅ New benefits for Chase Sapphire Preferred® cardholders include:
Annual hotel credit increases from $50 to $100
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit
3x points on gas station purchases & EV charging (I’ll definitely be taking advantage of this one!)
3x points on eligible vacation rental purchases (like AirBnB and VRBO)
Enhanced travel protections, including emergency evacuation coverage
One free year of Apple TV+
The not-so-good…
Hyatt Transfers Are Being Devalued (this one hurts 😭)
This is the biggest change for Chase Sapphire Preferred® cdardholders.
Currently:
✅ 1,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points = 1,000 Hyatt points.
But beginning October 26, 2026 for current card holders (new applicants after June 15th will see this change immediately):
❌ 1,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points = 750 Hyatt points.
That means you’re losing 25% in transfer value. Oof. 😮💨
The 10% Anniversary Bonus Is Going Away
Beginning on October 1st, 2026:
❌ The annual 10% points anniversary bonus will no longer be offered.
What About the Ink Business Preferred?
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is also losing the 1:1 Hyatt transfer ratio.
Beginning October 26, 2026 for all cardholders:
❌ Chase Ultimate Rewards points earned from the Ink Business Preferred will transfer to Hyatt at a 4:3 ratio instead of 1:1.
No changes to the annual fee, but it’s still going to change points strategies for so many of us.
*All information about Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has been collected independently by Packed with Points. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
How this might change your strategy (and mine!)
The little bit of good news? 👏🏻 Hyatt transfer ratios for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Sapphire Reserve for Business℠are not changing!
Which makes these cards that much more enticing. And add this to the list of reasons why that annual fee might be worth it!
My plan? Open and KEEP the Chase Sapphire Reserve® long term to maintain that 1:1 Hyatt transfer ratio. It will take some work to use up as many perks as possible each year, but between the potential $2,700+ in benefits that the Sapphire Reserve offers, and this new transfer ratio, it will be more than worth it for us.
🔥If you hold one of these premium cards, you can combine all of your points to one of those cards before transferring to make sure you get the best transfer rate!
*All information about Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Sapphire Reserve for Business™️ has been collected independently by Packed with Points. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Soooo….should you apply before the changes? 👀
If you’re a big fan of Hyatt like me, the timing might work out in your favor to grab this highest ever offer on the Chase Sapphire Reserve®!
🔥Elevated offer ending June 15th by 9 am EST! Right now when you open the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , you can earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on the card in the first 3 months!
*And don’t forget that you CAN earn the welcome bonus on this card AND the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card! These bonuses are now once per lifetime, so opening them when they have an elevated offer is KEY. 🔑👌🏼
My Take
While I actually like many of the new Sapphire Preferred benefits, these Hyatt changes are coming on the tail end of the broader Hyatt devaluations we saw in May, so it has a little extra sting to it.
Since I already had plans to open the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, this isn’t too much of a change for us. But it will mean that we will absolutely need to keep at least one of these cards open between myself and my player 2.
Change is always happening all around us in the world of points & miles, so adaptation is our best friend. Diversify, know your sweet spots, and don’t hoard those points for years waiting for the perfect redemption. 😉
EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
