How to use the $100 hotel credit on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) is packed with benefits in exchange for its modest $95 annual fee.One of the most valuable is its up to $100 annual hotel statement credit, available each account anniversary year for prepaid hotel stays booked through Chase Travel℠. On its own, this credit can more than offset the card's annual fee.At TPG, it's no secret we consider the Sapphire Preferred one of the best travel credit cards. If it's not already in your wallet, you should consider applying — especially now, since the card is offering a stellar 100,000 bonus points, earned after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.Here's how you can take advantage of the Sapphire Preferred's hotel benefit, including some quick one-night getaways.How to use the $100 annual hotel credit on the Chase Sapphire Preferred in 2026Booking a hotel through Chase Travel to unlock the $100 statement credit on the Sapphire Preferred is relatively easy — there's nothing you need to activate first.First, log in to your Chase account on your device.On desktop, select Travel on the right-hand side of the screen. On the mobile app, select Benefits travel on the bottom menu bar and then the Book travel icon on the next screen.Once you're in the Chase Travel portal, check the drop-down in the top-right corner (desktop) or at the top (mobile app) to make sure your Sapphire Preferred is selected.CHASEFrom here, you can pick a destination, pick your dates and browse available hotels.How I used my $100 hotel statement creditAfter attending an Atlanta Braves baseball game with my family on Friday, I decided to extend my stay through Sunday.I searched on Chase Travel for Atlanta-area hotels around $100 per night. I found the Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta, about 25 minutes from Truist Park. At $135 per night, I would pay $35 out of pocket with my Sapphire Preferred for a nice suburban hotel.CHASEI selected my room and toggled to Pay with card versus sticking with the Use points option that was automatically selected. Then I checked out.CHASEAfter entering my personal information, my reservation was confirmed, and the pending charge appeared immediately in my recent transactions.Other examples of how to use your $100 hotel statement creditThere isn't just one right way to use the Sapphire Preferred's hotel credit.You can apply it toward a longer hotel stay or, like I did, use it to reduce the cost of a one-night getaway.To find a less expensive stay, you can filter by your minimum and maximum nightly price.CHASEThis way, you could find stays that really pack a punch when you apply the card's $100 credit.CHASETPG credit cards editor Olivia Mittak recently covered most of the cost of an overnight stay after a concert at the Holiday Inn Express Suites Bend South, paying just $46 out of pocket after applying the credit.Related: How to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for maximum valueTips for using the Sapphire Preferred hotel creditYou must use your Sapphire Preferred and book through the Chase Travel portal to receive this credit. You won't earn it if you book directly with the hotel or through another website.The terms and conditions read:A statement credit (up to an annual maximum of $100) will automatically be applied when your card is used for hotel accommodation purchases made through Chase Travel.The first $100 in Chase Travel hotel purchases will not earn rewards points.AUGUSTA STONE/THE POINTS GUYTo receive the full $100, you have to spend at least $100.You may earn loyalty program points in certain programs for your stay, even though Chase Travel is considered an external travel booking service. With some bookings, you may see a loyalty program eligible tag. Or, you may get lucky and have your points added to your stay regardless of the tag.In my case, I added my Marriott Bonvoy number to my booking at checkout and received Marriott points for my stay — but this is not guaranteed for all bookings.CHASEBecause this may not work for every hotel or every loyalty program, it could be a good idea to book independent or boutique hotels without a loyalty program through the Chase Travel portal.Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred 100,000-point bonus — all your questions answeredHow long does it take for the Chase Sapphire Preferred hotel credit to post?According to the benefit terms, the $100 credit should hit your account within three business days, but it may take up to four weeks.CHASEIn my experience, the credit was posted the day after my stay.Related: 8 Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits you might not know about in 2026Is the $100 Chase Sapphire Preferred hotel credit worth it?Considering the $100 hotel credit on the Sapphire Preferred has virtually no restrictions except that you need to book your stay on the Chase Travel portal, it's a no-brainer. It also effectively offsets the card's annual fee.Just remember that the benefit resets each account anniversary year rather than each calendar year, so it's worth keeping track of when your account was opened.Related: The 8 best credit cards with annual fees under $100Bottom lineThe Sapphire Preferred's up to $100 annual hotel credit is one of the easiest statement credits to maximize. Whether you use it for a one-night getaway, a stopover during a longer trip or part of a larger vacation, it can easily offset the card's $95 annual fee.Consider using it for a boutique or independent hotel so you don't forgo any qualifying elite nights or hotel points. Or use it in a case like mine, where I was locked into a certain weekend, and the credit proved valuable.Combined with the card's strong earning rates, valuable transfer partners and current 100,000-point welcome offer, it's one of the most compelling benefits on one of our favorite mid-tier travel rewards cards.To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.Apply here: Chase Sapphire PreferredEditorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.