Start Your Points & Miles Journey: Chase Sapphire Preferred
If you're ready to dip your toes into the world of travel hacking, I always recommend starting with the Chase SapphirePreferred® card. It’s the card that took my point obsession to the next level—and it’s still the one I trust most for beginners. In fact, it is the very card I recommend to my parents for starting their own journey into points and miles. They have used these valuable points to fly to London, Seattle, and book Hyatt hotels as we travel the world together.If you’re ready to start traveling more for less, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® is the card I recommend to almost every beginner. It’s the card that launched my own points obsession — and it’s still the one I trust most for families, casual travelers, and anyone who wants to dip their toes into points and miles without feeling overwhelmed.
It’s also the card I told my own parents to start with. They’ve used their points to fly to London, Seattle, and book Hyatt hotels as we travel the world together.
I am not a credit card affiliate. These are my personal referral links, which may earn me bonus points if you choose to use them. My advice is always free. I am not a financial advisor - this is my personal journey with points and miles.
My parents sharing Sangria in South Beach, Miami thanks to points and miles
🌟 Why I Recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred
1. A Massive, Flexible Welcome Bonus
Earn 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months. These points are flexible — meaning you can transfer to partners like:
United
Southwest
Hyatt
Marriott
Air Canada
British Airways
This flexibility is what makes Chase points so powerful for beginners.
2. Built‑In Travel Protections That Actually Matter
For a $95 annual fee, you get:
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
Primary rental car coverage
Baggage delay reimbursement
Trip delay coverage
I had three canceled flights due to weather this summer, and these protections saved me hundreds in unexpected expenses. They work — and they’re a huge reason I recommend this card.
If you want to see exactly how I used these protections, check out:
3. Beginner‑Friendly, No Spreadsheet Required
The Chase app is intuitive, the portal is clean, and customer service is solid. You don’t need to be a points expert to start getting value immediately.
💡 Who This Card Is Perfect For
✔️ Beginners who want one simple, high‑value card. Perfect if you want to start earning points without juggling multiple cards or complex systems.
✔️ Families who want flexible travel options, Chase points stretch far and work with brands most families already use.
✔️ Travelers who want built‑in protection without a premium fee. You get meaningful travel insurance without paying $550+ for a premium card.
✔️ Anyone who wants to book Hyatt stays with points. Hyatt is one of the best hotel partners in the game — and Chase is the easiest way to earn Hyatt points.
✔️ People who want a “set it and forget it” travel card. Simple earning structure, easy redemptions, and a clean app experience.
✔️ Casual travelers who take 1–3 trips a year. You don’t need to travel constantly to get outsized value.
Use my personal Chase Sapphire Preferred® referral link to start earning points today. Apply through Chase → Chase Sapphire Card
🚫 Who This Card Is Not For
✖️ Travelers who want luxury perks like lounge access If you want lounges, premium credits, or elite‑style perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Amex Platinum® may be a better fit.
✖️ People who rarely travel If you take one trip every few years, you may not get enough value to justify the annual fee.
✖️ Anyone who wants cash‑back only This card shines when you redeem for travel. If you prefer simple cash‑back, a flat‑rate card may be better.
✖️ Frequent travelers who want premium insurance coverage The Preferred has excellent protections for the price, but heavy travelers may benefit from the Reserve’s higher‑tier coverage.
✖️ Those who struggle to meet minimum spend responsibly The welcome bonus is incredible — but only if you can meet the $5,000 spend organically.
✈️ My Personal Take
I used the Chase Sapphire Preferred for years before upgrading to the Reserve. This card helped me:
Fly my family to the Caribbean
Book Hyatt stays around the world
Stack casino offers with points redemptions
Build a strong foundation for more advanced strategies
It’s the perfect “gateway card” — simple, powerful, and flexible.
If you’re a frequent traveler, you may eventually want to upgrade to the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. I break down the differences here: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Reserve
Start traveling more for less → Beginner’s Guide to Points and Miles
💬 Want Help With Your First Redemption?
If you’re serious about traveling more for less, this is the card I’d start with. If you want help mapping out your first redemption or stacking it with a cruise deal, drop a comment or join my Facebook group, Travel Hacking Moms — helping beginners get their first win is my favorite thing.
Let’s Travel Hack Together!
If you enjoy learning how we travel as a family using points, miles, and smart credit card strategies, I’d love for you to follow along:
About the Author
Julie Davis is the creator of No Point Left Behind, where she teaches families how to travel smarter using points, miles, and simple credit card strategies. She started her own journey with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® — the same card she now recommends to beginners — and has helped thousands of readers take their first free flight or book their first Hyatt stay.
Julie travels 12–15 times per year across the U.S., Europe, Alaska, and the Caribbean, sharing real‑life, beginner‑friendly tips that make travel more affordable and more fun for families.
