You want a clear, reliable way to start traveling for less without confusion. We built this guide to make your first step simple and confidence‑boosting. We recommend beginning with the Everyday Travel Starter card because it balances low cost, flexible points, and easy redemptions.
Kickstart Your Stash With A Big Welcome Bonus
The current public offer grants 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 within the first three months from account opening. That starting haul can cover flights, hotel nights, or a full vacation when you learn a few basics. We like this because you see tangible results early, which keeps you motivated.
Our valuations peg that welcome bonus at well over a thousand dollars when used with the right partners. The exact value depends on how you move points and which trips you book. You can start simple, then adopt advanced strategies as you gain experience.
If you redeem through the bank travel portal, you can still get a fixed redemption value that is easy to understand. You book flights, hotels, and activities in a familiar travel portal without extra steps. This makes the bonus straightforward to use while you learn the finer points of partner awards.
Check Out the Everyday Travel Starter Card Here!
Turn Points Into Trips With Powerful Transfer Partners
You keep points flexible until the moment you book, which lets you pick the best deal across airlines and hotels. Ultimate Rewards points move to partners at a 1:1 ratio, and occasional bonuses can push that higher. That flexibility matters for beginners because you can compare options before you commit.
| Airline Partner | Hotel Partner |
|---|---|
| Aer Lingus AerClub | World of Hyatt |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | Marriott Bonvoy |
| Air France-KLM Flying Blue | IHG One Rewards |
| British Airways Executive Club | |
| Emirates Skywards | |
| Iberia Plus | |
| JetBlue TrueBlue | |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards | |
| United MileagePlus | |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club |
Hyatt frequently delivers outsized value on standard rooms at desirable properties. United and Aeroplan make partner itineraries approachable for first international trips. Southwest and JetBlue keep domestic travel simple, with transparent pricing and user‑friendly change policies.
To see why transfers matter, compare a portal booking to a partner award. A cash rate that would cost many points at a fixed value can drop sharply when you move points to Hyatt. Your points become more powerful when you choose the right chart and dates.
Low Annual Fee, Easy Credits You Will Actually Use
The Everyday Travel Starter charges a $95 annual fee, which keeps your trial year inexpensive. You get a $50 annual hotel credit for stays booked through the bank travel portal, which offsets part of that cost. You also receive a 10% points bonus each account anniversary based on your yearly spend.
These benefits are simple to capture without complex rules. You can use them on trips you already plan to take, which lowers your out‑of‑pocket costs. This combination is ideal when you want rewards that work without heavy management.
Earn Every Day On Travel, Dining, And More
The card earns in categories that match common spending patterns. You get 5 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Travel and on Lyft rides through September 30, 2027. You earn 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming, and online grocery purchases that exclude Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs.
All other travel purchased outside the portal earns 2 points per dollar. Everything else earns 1 point per dollar, which ensures steady progress on non‑bonus purchases. These broad categories help you build balances faster than you expect.
Travel covers airfare, hotels, rideshares, buses, subways, tolls, and parking. Dining includes fine dining, quick service, and delivery platforms. The definitions are generous, which maximizes how many of your purchases earn multipliers.
Redeem The Easy Way Today, Go For Big Wins Tomorrow
The simplest way to redeem is the Chase Travel portal, which mirrors a familiar booking site. You can search round‑trip flights, one‑way flights, hotels, and cars in one place. This keeps your first redemptions smooth while you learn the partner playbook.
As you progress, you can transfer to airlines and hotels when award availability lines up. Hyatt is often the best first stop for hotel redemptions, thanks to reasonable award rates. Aeroplan, United, and Virgin Atlantic can unlock premium cabins and creative partner routes when you are ready.
If a member of your household carries the Premium Travel Protector, shared points can unlock even better portal value. You can move points within your household to the card that gives the highest return before booking. This flexibility allows you to pick the best tool for each trip.
Check Out the Premium Travel Protector Card Here!
Beat 5/24 By Starting With Chase
Chase is known to limit approvals for applicants who have opened five or more personal credit cards across any banks within the past 24 months. This guideline is called the 5/24 rule, and it shapes your application order. We prefer that you secure key cards before using up those five slots elsewhere.
Beginning with the Everyday Travel Starter preserves future options with the bank. You can later add no‑annual‑fee cards that earn the same bank points and combine them into one balance. This system keeps your strategy flexible while you grow your total points.
If you have already exceeded 5/24, you likely need to wait before applying. You can use the time to plan your goals, build a budget, and decide on target trips. When you drop back under the threshold, you can execute quickly with a clear plan.
Ready To Book Your First Award Trip? Do This Next
We still recommend the Everyday Travel Starter as the first travel rewards card for most beginners. The annual fee is manageable, the partners are valuable, and the redemptions are simple to learn. Start with one clear goal, earn the bonus, and let us help you turn those points into your first great trip.
Check Out the Everyday Travel Starter Card Here!
Join Our Free Points And Miles Community
You do not have to figure this out alone. Our free community helps you map redemptions, time 5/24 applications, and pick the best transfer partner for your route. We share award alerts, step‑by‑step playbooks, and friendly feedback so you can book faster.
Bring your home airport, target destination, and ideal dates, and we will workshop the options with you. You can post screenshots from Chase Travel or partner sites, and we will suggest cheaper routings or better timing.
Join today, build confidence, and turn the Sapphire Preferred into your first big win.
