One of the biggest reasons travelers and credit card enthusiasts choose a Chase Sapphire® card is the generous sign-up bonus and flexible rewards points system. Whether you’re using the Chase Sapphire Preferred® or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can earn valuable points that unlock free travel, cash back, and more.

In this guide, we’ll break down how the Chase bonus works, how you earn points, and the smartest ways to use them.

Sign-Up Bonus: What You Get

✅ Chase Sapphire Preferred® Bonus

• Earn 60,000 bonus points
• After you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Value:
  • $600 if redeemed for cash back
  • $750 when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®

✅ Chase Sapphire Reserve® Bonus

• Earn 60,000 bonus points
• After spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
• Value:
  • $600 in cash
  • $900 in travel when used via Chase Ultimate Rewards®

💡 Why the difference in value?
Because the Preferred card gives you 25% more value when booking through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, while the Reserve gives you 50% more. That means your points go further when redeemed for travel.

🎯 How Chase Sapphire Points Work

Chase Sapphire cards earn Ultimate Rewards® points. These points are versatile, transferable, and valuable when used strategically.

📊 Chase Sapphire Preferred® Earning Rates:

• 5x points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• 3x points on dining, including takeout and delivery services
• 3x points on select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
• 2x points on all other travel expenses
• 1x point on all other purchases

📊 Chase Sapphire Reserve® Earning Rates:

• 10x points on hotels and car rentals through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• 10x points on Chase Dining
• 3x points on all other travel (after the first $300 travel credit is used)
• 3x points on dining
• 1x point on everything else

📌 How to Redeem Your Points

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are extremely flexible, and you have several redemption options:

🔁 1. Book Travel Through Chase Ultimate Rewards

• Use your points to book flights, hotels, car rentals, and more.
• Preferred: 1 point = 1.25 cents
• Reserve: 1 point = 1.5 cents

Example:
60,000 points =

• $750 in travel with Preferred
• $900 in travel with Reserve

🔄 2. Transfer to Travel Partners

Chase partners with 14 major travel programs, including:

• United Airlines
• Southwest
• JetBlue
• British Airways
• Marriott Bonvoy
• Hyatt
• IHG Hotels

Points transfer 1:1, meaning 1 Chase point = 1 airline/hotel point. This method can offer exceptional value, especially for business class flights or luxury hotel stays.

💸 3. Cash Back or Statement Credit

You can redeem points for cash back at a rate of 1 cent per point.

Example:
60,000 points = $600 in cash back

🎁 4. Gift Cards or Shopping

Points can also be used for:

• Gift cards at popular retailers
• Amazon purchases (though value may be lower)
• Apple Store purchases through Chase

Tips to Maximize Your Bonus and Points

📅 1. Hit the Minimum Spend Quickly

To earn the 60,000-point bonus, you must spend $4,000 in 3 months. Plan larger expenses, like:

• Travel bookings
• Home improvements
• Insurance premiums
• Utility bills

✈️ 2. Book Travel Through Chase Portal

If you’re not transferring to partners, always redeem via Chase Ultimate Rewards to get the 25%-50% bonus value.

🌍 3. Transfer Points for Luxury Travel

Transferring points to partners like Hyatt or Singapore Airlines can give you 2x–5x more value per point.

Example:
A $1,000 hotel night might cost only 25,000 Hyatt points — giving your Chase points a value of 4 cents each.

🍽️ 4. Use for Everyday Purchases That Earn More

Make dining and travel purchases on your Sapphire card to maximize points:

• Restaurants, cafes, Uber Eats, and even some food delivery apps
• Flights, hotels, rental cars, public transportation

💡 Which Card Is Right for You?

If you’re unsure which card to choose, here’s a quick comparison focused on bonus and point value:

Feature	Chase Sapphire Preferred®	Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Sign-Up Bonus	60,000 points	60,000 points
Bonus Value via Chase Portal	$750	$900
Points Transfer	Yes (1:1 to partners)	Yes (1:1 to partners)
Base Redemption Rate	1.25¢ per point	1.5¢ per point
Annual Fee	$95	$550
Best For	New travelers or moderate spenders	Frequent travelers or luxury seekers

✍️ Final Thoughts

The Chase Sapphire sign-up bonus and points system are two of the most powerful tools for anyone who wants to travel smarter, save more, and experience luxury without breaking the bank.

By hitting the minimum spend, using the Chase travel portal, and transferring points wisely, you can turn everyday expenses into first-class flights, five-star hotels, or cash back in your pocket.

Whether you choose the Preferred or the Reserve, the Chase Sapphire cards give you flexibility, value, and rewards that few other credit cards can match.