Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Benefits for Veterans
Updated: September 27, 2024Veteran.com has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Veteran.com and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on Veteran.com are from advertisers. Compensation may impact how and where card products appear, but does not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations. Veteran.com does not include all card companies or all available card offers.
For Veterans and military members seeking a reliable travel rewards card, the card_name is an excellent choice. Known for its generous signup bonus, flexible reward categories, and robust travel perks, this card stands out as an ideal option for Veterans who value dining and travel.
While military members benefit from fee waivers under the Military Lending Act (MLA), Veterans can still enjoy the extensive benefits, including flexible redemption options and lucrative points transfers.
Let’s break down how the card_name can maximize rewards for both Veterans and military members.
Lucrative Signup Bonus for Veterans and Military
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers Veterans and military members an opportunity to bonus_miles_full This bonus can be redeemed for $750 in travel when booked through the Chase Travel℠ portal, making it one of the most generous offers in the market.
For Veterans and military families planning vacations, these points can cover a large portion of airfare, hotel stays, or even rental cars. Veterans should also consider transferring points to one of Chase’s many travel partners, which can significantly increase the value of their points (potentially up to 2 cents per point or more).
Example: A Veteran transferring 60,000 points to a program like Hyatt or United MileagePlus could turn those points into a round-trip flight or several nights at a premium hotel. This is especially beneficial during peak travel seasons when airfare and hotel costs are typically higher.
Pro Tip: You should time your spending to hit the $4,000 requirement within the first three months. Consider using the card for larger purchases like holiday shopping, car repairs, or even recurring bills like insurance premiums. This way, you can quickly hit the bonus threshold without drastically changing your spending habits.
Reward Categories Ideal for Veterans and Military
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers bonus points in categories that are especially useful for Veterans and military members:
- 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x points on dining, including restaurants, takeout, and eligible delivery services
- 3x points on streaming services like Netflix and Hulu
- 3x points on online grocery store purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
- 2x points on all other travel purchases
- 1x point on all other purchases
For Veterans who dine out often, the 3x points on dining is a fantastic perk, allowing them to rack up points even on small, everyday purchases. Veterans who rely on delivery services like UberEats or DoorDash can also take advantage of the bonus categories, turning routine purchases into valuable points.
Example: If you spend $500 monthly on dining, that’s 18,000 points (3x) over a year—an amount that can be redeemed for $225 worth of travel or transferred for even more value through Chase’s travel partners.
Military Lending Act (MLA) Benefits for Active-Duty Military
Active-duty military members and their spouses benefit significantly from the protections of the Military Lending Act (MLA). Under this act, Chase waives the $95 annual fee for active-duty military cardholders. Additionally, the MLA caps interest rates at 36% on consumer credit accounts, ensuring that even if a military member carries a balance, they won’t be hit with excessive interest charges.
This fee waiver extends to all personal Chase credit cards for military members, including the card_name and even higher-tier cards like the card_name.
Pro Tip: Military members should confirm their MLA eligibility when applying for the card by selecting “military” as their income source. Chase will automatically verify military status through the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) to apply the fee waiver.
Additional Benefits for Military Members:
- No fees for balance transfers or cash advances (only late and insufficient fund fees apply).
- Spouses of military members also qualify for these benefits, making it an ideal card for the entire military family.
Learn how to get started with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card here.
Travel Flexibility for Veterans and Military: Not Just Flights and Hotels
One of the standout features of the card_name is the flexibility it provides for Veterans and military members when earning and redeeming rewards. While many travel rewards cards focus solely on flights and hotels, the Sapphire Preferred® allows users to earn bonus points on rideshare services, parking fees, tolls, and bus fares—all of which can be essential for Veterans and military personnel traveling for both work and leisure.
Veterans who commute using public transportation or rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft can earn points on their everyday travel. Similarly, parking garage fees—whether near airports or in busy cities—also qualify for the 2x points on travel, adding extra value for those who drive to destinations or airports.
Points Transfer Partners for Veterans and Military Family Travel
One of the most attractive features of the card_name is its ability to transfer points to travel partners at a 1:1 ratio. This feature provides unmatched flexibility, allowing you to maximize the value of your points by transferring them to loyalty programs like:
- United MileagePlus®
- Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards®
- Marriott Bonvoy™
- Hyatt
Veterans should regularly check Chase’s travel partner promotions. For example, Chase occasionally offers transfer bonuses, where points are worth more when transferred to specific partners like Hyatt or British Airways. These bonuses can increase the overall value of points, allowing you to get more out of your rewards.
Travel Protections for Veterans and Military
Traveling, whether for leisure or work, can come with unexpected surprises, and the card_name provides several travel protections to give Veterans and military members peace of mind while on the road or in the air.
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: If your trip is canceled due to covered reasons (like illness or severe weather), you can be reimbursed for up to $10,000 per person, per trip, for pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses such as flights, hotels, and tours.
- Primary Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Veterans who rent cars during trips can decline the rental company’s insurance and be covered for theft or damage to the vehicle—saving money on costly insurance policies.
- Lost Luggage Reimbursement: If your luggage is lost or damaged by the carrier, you can be reimbursed up to $3,000 per passenger.
- Baggage Delay Insurance: If checked baggage is delayed by more than 6 hours, you can be reimbursed for essential items like clothing and toiletries (up to $100 per day for 5 days).
Pro Tip: Always book travel using the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to activate these protections. If you rely on another card or payment method, these protections won’t apply. Additionally, keep all receipts and documentation if you need to file a claim for trip cancellations or lost luggage.
Additional Perks for Veterans
Beyond the primary travel rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers several additional perks that you can take advantage of:
- $50 Annual Hotel Credit: Veterans can use this credit toward hotel stays booked through Chase Travel℠, making it easier to reduce accommodation costs on family vacations or work trips.
- DashPass Membership: For those who frequently order food delivery, the complimentary DashPass membership (through December 2027) offers $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible orders.
- Instacart+ and Gopuff Credits: You can also enjoy six months of Instacart+ membership and a $10 monthly Gopuff credit through December 2023, which can help with everyday shopping and delivery needs.
Pro Tip: Activate these perks (like DashPass and Instacart+) as soon as you get the card to ensure you get the full benefit of these offers. Many perks require activation within a specific time frame, and missing these deadlines means forfeiting valuable benefits.
Approval Requirements and Credit Limit for Veterans
To qualify for the card_name, Veterans should aim for a FICO score of 690 or higher. Other factors Chase considers include income, existing debt, and credit history. The card offers a minimum credit limit of $5,000, though higher limits are possible depending on creditworthiness.
Veterans should also be aware of Chase’s 5/24 rule, which limits new card approvals if the applicant has opened more than five credit cards in the past 24 months. This rule includes most personal credit cards but excludes certain business cards and other loans.
Pro Tip: Those with multiple credit cards should check their 5/24 status before applying. Tools like Credit Karma or Experian can help you track your credit card approvals and ensure you’re within the 5/24 limits before submitting an application.
Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Right for Veterans and Military Members?
For Veterans and military personnel who prioritize travel and dining, the card_name offers extensive rewards, flexible redemption options, and travel protections that make it a top choice. While active-duty military members benefit from MLA protections, Veterans still gain tremendous value from the card’s features, making it worth the $95 annual fee.
By using the card strategically, you can maximize your rewards and take advantage of the card’s lucrative signup bonus and ongoing rewards structure.
Veteran.com has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Veteran.com and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on Veteran.com are from advertisers. Compensation may impact how and where card products appear, but does not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations. Veteran.com does not include all card companies or all available card offers.