To use the Chase Sapphire Preferred's $100 hotel credit in 2026, book a prepaid hotel stay through the Chase Travel portal and pay with the card – the statement credit applies automatically, with nothing to activate first. Offered each account anniversary year, this single benefit can more than cover the card's $95 annual fee, making it one of the easiest perks to recoup.
How to book and trigger the hotel credit
The process is straightforward. Log in to your Chase account, then on desktop select "Travel" on the right-hand side of the screen; in the mobile app, choose "Benefits & travel" and then "Book travel." Inside the Chase Travel portal, confirm your Sapphire Preferred is selected in the card drop-down, then pick your destination and dates and start browsing hotels.
When you check out, toggle from the default "Use points" option to "Pay with card" so the spend actually counts toward the credit. In one real example, a $135-per-night stay at the Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta cost just $35 out of pocket after the credit was applied. The charge appears immediately in recent transactions once the booking is confirmed.
Tips to get the most from the $100 credit
- Book through Chase Travel: Direct hotel bookings or third-party sites do not qualify for the credit.
- Spend at least $100 to receive the full credit; smaller stays only reimburse what you spend.
- First $100 earns no points: Per the terms, the first $100 in Chase Travel hotel purchases will not earn rewards points.
- Loyalty points vary: You may still earn hotel program points – adding a Marriott Bonvoy number at checkout worked in one case – but it is not guaranteed for every booking.
When to use it strategically
Because boutique or independent hotels often lack a loyalty program of their own, booking those properties through the portal can be a smart way to use the credit without forgoing elite nights or points you would otherwise earn at a major chain. Saving the credit for a stay where you were not going to chase status anyway helps you capture the full value with no trade-off.
How long it takes and whether it's worth it
According to the benefit terms, the credit should post within three business days, though Chase notes it can take up to four weeks; in practice one stay saw it arrive the day after checkout. The variability is worth keeping in mind if you are budgeting around a trip, but the credit reliably lands well within the anniversary year.
With virtually no restrictions beyond booking through Chase Travel, the $100 hotel credit is one of the easiest statement credits to maximize, whether for a one-night getaway or part of a longer trip, and it effectively cancels out the $95 annual fee. Keep in mind that the benefit resets on your account anniversary rather than the calendar year, so plan your bookings accordingly.
Frequently asked questions
Does the $100 credit cover the annual fee?
Effectively, yes. The Chase Sapphire Preferred carries a $95 annual fee, and a single qualifying hotel booking through Chase Travel triggers the full $100 credit, more than offsetting that cost each anniversary year.
Do I have to activate the credit?
No. There is nothing to enroll in or activate. As long as you book a prepaid hotel through Chase Travel and pay with the card, the statement credit applies automatically. For more ways to stretch your spending, see our money and rewards coverage or the latest updates.
