Chase will offer 1.25% boosted redemption on travel through October 2027.
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Chase’s decision last month to eliminate the guaranteed 25% travel redemption bonus on its Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has prompted me—and many long-time cardholders—to reconsider keeping the popular travel credit card. For years, this specific benefit made the card a premier choice for budget-conscious travelers looking to maximize their points on flights and hotels through the Chase Travel℠ portal.
The Death of the 25% Boosted Redemption Rate
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has long been a staple in my wallet, consistently saving me money on flights and hotels. For years, it earned top marks as a premier travel card. However, a major policy shift by Chase has completely changed my perspective on its overall value.
Recently, Chase quietly removed the flat 25% point redemption bonus previously offered when booking through the Chase Travel portal. This feature allowed cardholders to easily stretch their points for flights, hotel stays, and car rentals. Now, this reliable perk has been replaced by a highly conditional Points Boost program. While other benefits like the $50 annual hotel credit and the 10% anniversary points bonus remain, the loss of the flat-rate redemption bonus significantly diminishes the card’s core utility.
Inside the New Chase Points Boost Program
The newly implemented Points Boost program officially took effect last month. To ease the transition, Chase is allowing points earned before October 26, 2025, to be redeemed under the old 25% bonus structure for the next two years.
Under the new system, points earned after October 26 will yield up to 1.5 cents per point on select flights and hotels, and up to 1.75 cents per point on premium bookings. However, these boosted rates are highly selective and subject to frequent change. This lack of predictability removes the guaranteed baseline value of 1.25 cents per point that made the card so dependable. While you might occasionally find a high-value redemption on a luxury hotel or a first-class flight, everyday economy bookings will now default to a standard rate of just 1 cent per point.
The Math Behind the Disappointment
The shift to the Points Boost program introduces an element of uncertainty that feels closer to gambling than strategic award booking. Depending on when and where you travel, you may end up spending significantly more points for the exact same itinerary.
Consider the numbers for a standard round-trip economy flight from Charlotte to New York’s LaGuardia Airport costing $179. Under the old portal system, this flight would cost 14,316 points. Without a specific Points Boost offer applied, you would now have to pay 17,900 points at the standard 1-cent-per-point rate. If you happen to find a targeted 1.5-cent Points Boost for that exact flight, the cost drops to 11,933 points. The issue is that these offers are entirely at Chase’s discretion, leaving cardholders unable to reliably plan their travel budgets.
Why the Chase Sapphire Reserve Isn’t a Viable Alternative
For those disappointed by these changes, upgrading to the premium Chase Sapphire Reserve®* might seem like a logical step. However, this move fails to solve the underlying problem.
While the Sapphire Reserve offers premium perks and annual credits, it also carries a steep $795 annual fee. Crucially, the new Points Boost program rules also apply to the Sapphire Reserve. Paying a significantly higher annual fee for the same unpredictable points system makes little financial sense for the average traveler.
Keeping the Card, For Now
Despite these frustrating updates, completely cutting ties with Chase is a complicated decision. The card still retains valuable features, including excellent travel insurance protections and strong transfer partners like Marriott Bonvoy.
Industry experts share this hesitation. Evan Zimmer, a credit card editor with eight years of experience, notes that while he plans to keep the card for the immediate future, these redemption changes are forcing him to re-evaluate its long-term place in his wallet. Like many cardholders, I will monitor how these changes affect my real-world savings over the coming months. In the meantime, I am actively exploring competitive alternatives with more stable redemption structures, such as the Capital One Venture X and the American Express Gold Card.