Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders who recently enjoyed the new $100 annual hotel credit are facing a new reality: if you book a hotel through Chase Travel, receive the credit, and then cancel the reservation, Chase is now clawing back that $100 statement credit. This change comes on the heels of the card's recent refresh, which doubled the hotel credit from $50 to $100 while keeping the $95 annual fee unchanged.
Our Take
Mixed. This is a fair move for Chase, but a wake-up call for cardholders who saw the $100 hotel credit as a loophole for easy cash. If you genuinely use the credit for completed stays, nothing changes—but gaming the system with refundable bookings is now off the table.
What Changed
- Hotel credit: Increased from $50 → $100 (recent refresh)
- Chase is now reversing the $100 hotel credit if the hotel reservation booked via Chase Travel is canceled
- Clawbacks are being processed after cancellations, reducing statement credits accordingly
Who Benefits Most
- Travelers who complete their hotel stays: Book a $100+ hotel via Chase Travel, get the full $100 credit—no impact if you don't cancel.
- Sapphire Preferred holders maximizing the new benefit: The $100 credit can offset the $95 annual fee entirely if used for a real stay.
- Occasional travelers: Even one hotel night per year can net you $100 back, as long as you don't cancel.
Who Should Be Cautious
- Cardholders who book and cancel to "cash out" the credit: If you were booking refundable stays just to trigger the credit, expect a reversal.
- Travelers with unpredictable plans: If you often need to cancel, you may not reliably benefit from the credit.
- Anyone counting on the credit as a guaranteed rebate: The credit only sticks if you actually complete the stay.
What To Do Right Now
- Review your recent Chase Travel hotel bookings—if you canceled and received the $100 credit, check your statement for a reversal.
- Only use the hotel credit for stays you intend to complete to avoid losing the benefit.
- If you have upcoming travel, book through Chase Travel and plan to follow through with your reservation.
- Contact Chase customer service if you believe a credit was reversed in error.
