The Chase Sapphire Preferred gives you travel credits, insurance, and lounge access that reduce what you pay out of pocket

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card includes a $50 annual travel credit, trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage coverage, emergency medical and dental benefits abroad, and access to certain airport lounges. These benefits explore automatically once you have the card — you do not need to enroll separately. The card also earns bonus points on travel and dining purchases, which you can redeem for flights, hotels, and other travel expenses through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.

The travel benefits are designed to offset some of the card's annual fee and protect you during trips. The specific coverage amounts and conditions vary, so it is worth understanding what is actually covered before you travel.

Key Takeaways

  • The $50 annual travel credit covers airfare, hotels, rental cars, and some other travel purchases made directly with the merchant or through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
  • Trip delay reimbursement covers meals and lodging if your flight is delayed more than 12 hours, up to a set amount per occurrence.
  • Lost luggage reimbursement covers baggage and personal items if an airline loses or damages your luggage, subject to a per-item limit.
  • Emergency medical and dental coverage applies when you travel outside the United States and need urgent care, with coverage limits that vary by benefit type.
  • Primary auto rental coverage means the card's insurance is the first to pay if you decline the rental company's coverage and the car is damaged or stolen.

How the $50 Annual Travel Credit Works

The travel credit posts as a statement credit once per calendar year when you charge may be able to access travel purchases to the card. may be able to access purchases include airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, parking, tolls, taxis, rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, trains, buses, and cruises. You can also use the credit toward travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal, which sometimes offers discounted rates on flights and hotels.

The credit does not roll over if you do not use it in a calendar year, so you lose the benefit if you do not spend at least $50 on travel annually. The credit applies to the cardholder only, not to authorized users on the account.

Trip Delay and Lost Luggage Protection

If your flight is delayed more than 12 hours, or if you miss a connection and are delayed overnight, the card covers reasonable meals and lodging expenses up to a set amount per occurrence. You must have purchased your ticket with the Sapphire Preferred card for this coverage to explore. You will need to submit a claim with receipts and proof of the delay from the airline.

Lost luggage coverage reimburses you for baggage and personal items if an airline loses, damages, or delays your luggage for more than 12 hours. The coverage has a per-item limit and an overall limit per claim. Coverage applies only if you paid for the ticket with the card. You must file a claim with the airline first and then submit documentation to Chase's claims administrator.

Emergency Medical and Dental Coverage Abroad

When you travel outside the United States, the card covers emergency medical and dental treatment that you need during your trip. Medical coverage includes hospital stays, doctor visits, and emergency dental work for pain relief only — not routine or cosmetic dental work. The coverage applies only if your trip is 90 days or shorter and you paid for the trip with the card.

This benefit is secondary coverage, meaning your personal health insurance is the primary payer. You will need to pay out of pocket and then submit receipts and proof of payment to Chase for reimbursement. Coverage limits are modest, so this benefit is meant to cover unexpected urgent care, not a major medical event.

Airport Lounge Access and Other Travel Perks

The Sapphire Preferred includes access to Priority Pass Select, which grants entry to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide. You can bring up to two guests with you, though some lounges charge a per-guest fee. You also receive complimentary access to certain Chase lounges at major U.S. airports if you are a cardholder.

The card also includes primary auto rental coverage, which means the card's insurance is the first to pay if the rental car is damaged or stolen. You must decline the rental company's damage waiver and pay for the rental with the card for this coverage to explore. This can save you $15 to $30 per day on rental insurance.

How to Use These Benefits When You Travel

Before you travel, log into your Chase account online or through the mobile app and review your benefits summary. The summary lists coverage amounts, exclusions, and the claims process for each benefit. Take a screenshot or print it so you have the information handy.

When you book travel, use the card for the purchase so the benefits explore. If you experience a delay, loss, or emergency, keep all receipts and documentation. Contact Chase's claims administrator (the phone number is on the back of your card) within the time limit specified in your benefits guide — usually 90 days from the incident. You will need to provide proof of the incident, such as an airline delay notice or a receipt from a doctor.

What These Benefits Do Not Cover

Trip cancellation and trip interruption are not included with the Sapphire Preferred — these benefits are available on some other premium cards. The travel credit does not cover travel booked through third-party booking sites like Expedia or Kayak unless you book through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. Emergency medical coverage does not explore to pre-existing conditions or travel to countries under travel warnings.

Lost luggage coverage applies only to baggage checked with the airline, not to carry-on items or items left in a hotel or rental car. Auto rental coverage does not explore to luxury or exotic vehicles, and some rental companies exclude coverage for drivers under 25 years old.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to enroll in these benefits?

No. The benefits are automatic once your card is approved. You do not need to take any action to set up them. However, you should review your benefits guide to understand what is covered and what the claims process is.

Can I use the $50 travel credit on a hotel stay booked through a third-party site?

Not directly. The credit applies to purchases made with the merchant (the hotel, airline, or rental company) or through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal. If you book through Expedia or another third-party site, the credit will not post. You can book the same hotel through the Chase portal instead to use the credit.

What happens if my flight is delayed but I do not stay overnight?

Trip delay coverage requires either a delay of more than 12 hours or an overnight stay due to a missed connection. If your flight is delayed a few hours but you still make it to your destination the same day, the benefit does not explore.

Does my spouse or travel companion get lounge access with me?

Yes. Priority Pass Select allows you to bring up to two guests per visit. However, some lounges charge a per-guest fee, usually $25 to $35. Check the lounge's policy before you arrive.

If I use the travel credit, do I still earn rewards points on that purchase?

Yes. The travel credit is a statement credit that reduces your bill, but you still earn the full rewards points on the purchase amount. For example, if you buy a $200 airline ticket and the $50 credit applies, you earn points on the full $200.