Adventurers who dabble in travel rewards face quite a selection of mid-range credit cards, and the process of choosing one can be overwhelming.

As of Aug. 16, 2021, you’re going to see some new benefits added to both the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® credit cards. These benefits include increases in earning rates, hotel credits and point bonuses. Here is a breakdown of the changes that are now live.

Oh, and the Sapphire Preferred is also sporting a new look.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Changes

The previous earning rates for the Chase Sapphire Preferred were 2X on dining (including takeout and delivery) and travel and 1X on all other purchases made with the card.

Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of our favorite flexible rewards currencies, and today’s news adds a much needed boost for Ultimate Rewards.

Two of Chase’s best earning cards have no annual fees. The old Chase Freedom (no longer available to new applicants) and the new Chase Freedom Flex℠ offer 5% on rotating bonus quarterly categories. Cardmembers need to first activate the cash back each quarter to receive 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories. 

Registration has just opened up for the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and the Chase Freedom 5X bonus categories for Q3 of 2021.

During the coronavirus pandemic, banks that issue travel rewards credit cards had to pivot and added bonus earnings in various spending categories, such as streaming services, groceries and home improvement stores, to make their products more compelling when travel was put on hold.

Since then, card issuers also have added more ways to redeem rewards and travel credits. One of the most noteworthy redemption options is Chase’s answer to Capital One’s Purchase Eraser—Pay Yourself Back.

New Chase Freedom Flex℠ Card announced as well as updates to the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.

Four years after Chase introduced their new premium card Chase Sapphire Reserve®, our word is again abuzz with exciting news.

Update 12/6/18: The Chase 5/24 rule now applies to the cards listed below as well.
The general rule of thumb concerning Chase cards is that you won't be approved for them once you've opened five credit cards from ANY bank in the last 24 months.

The Starwood Preferred Guest Luxury Card, which will be the latest addition to the Marriott family credit card portfolio, is actually scheduled to launch August 23, 2018.

Despite the fact that Marriott and the Starwood Preferred Guest programs are merging into one unified loyalty program on August 18, both Marriott and SPG credit cards will continue to be issued for the time being, by Chase and Amex respectively. Both banks have published new terms for all current (and future) Marriott-family credit cards that define who is and isn't eligible for sign up bonuses, as of August 26.
Why These New Rules are Different
Sign up bonus rules are not new to the miles and points community.

We have been watching the merger of Starwood Preferred Guest and Marriott unfold for a long time now.