A summer of new rewards
A first-ever Samsung credit card and a mid‑tier refresh from America’s biggest travel issuer just arrived weeks apart. If your wallet hasn’t changed since spring, you now have new ways to earn on gas, Airbnb stays, and even your next phone.
Why these launches matter right now
On June 15, 2026, Chase rolled out new earn categories and perks on Sapphire Preferred while keeping the annual fee at $95. The headliners: 3x on gas and EV charging, 3x on vacation homes like Airbnb and Vrbo, plus a boosted $100 hotel credit through Chase Travel. That’s a real-world upgrade for drivers and renters who weren’t getting outsized rewards on those purchases before. According to Chase’s announcement and card page, these changes are live, and select limited-time extras (like a one‑year Apple TV offer) run through December 31, 2026. ([media.chase.com](https://media.chase.com/news/Meet-the-New-Chase-Sapphire-Preferred?utm_source=openai))
Then on July 22, 2026, Samsung opened applications for its new Galaxy Card in the U.S. The hook is straight out of the company’s ecosystem playbook: cash rewards on everyday purchases, with an attention‑grabbing 5% back when you preorder the next Galaxy device, plus a $200 bonus for spending $2,000 in the first 90 days if you apply around launch. If your household regularly buys Samsung hardware or uses Samsung Wallet, that targeted 5% window can be a meaningful bump. ([samsungmobilepress.com](https://www.samsungmobilepress.com/articles/introducing-samsung-galaxy-card?utm_source=openai))
How to use the changes: a practical earning script
Think of Sapphire Preferred’s refresh as a fix for two common gaps: road trips and rentals. A simple playbook for the next few months:
- Gas and EV charging: Route these purchases to Sapphire Preferred at 3x. A household putting $250 per month into fuel/charging now earns roughly 9,000 points per year instead of 3,000 at a baseline 1x—enough to matter when paired with transfers and travel redemptions. ([chase.com](https://www.chase.com/sapphire-cards/personal/preferred?utm_source=openai))
- Vacation homes: If you’re booking a fall foliage weekend or a family beach house, Sapphire Preferred at 3x on Airbnb/Vrbo tightens the gap with cards that traditionally dominated hotels but ignored home rentals. Stack that with the separate $100 Chase Travel hotel credit for any short hotel stays you still need around the trip. ([chase.com](https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/chase-cards/vacation-rental-benefit-with-sapphire-preferred?utm_source=openai))
Now layer in Samsung’s card for a targeted burst: If you plan to upgrade a phone or buy Galaxy accessories, aim those device purchases at the Galaxy Card’s 5% preorder window and collect the $200 welcome bonus if your calendar matches the spend requirement. Outside of launch, keep the card in‑ecosystem—hardware, services, and Samsung Wallet‑centric purchases—while defaulting back to Sapphire Preferred for gas, EV charging, vacation homes, dining (3x), and broad travel (5x through Chase Travel; 2x otherwise). That division of labor keeps your highest multipliers active without adding complexity at checkout. ([samsungmobilepress.com](https://www.samsungmobilepress.com/articles/introducing-samsung-galaxy-card?utm_source=openai))
How they stack up against the field
- Sapphire Preferred (refreshed): $95 annual fee; 3x dining, 3x gas/EV, 3x vacation homes, 5x travel via Chase Travel, 2x other travel; $100 hotel credit through Chase Travel; strong travel protections for a mid‑tier card. The earn grid now looks less like a “starter travel card” and more like a pragmatic everyday earner for drivers and renters. ([chase.com](https://www.chase.com/sapphire-cards/personal/preferred?utm_source=openai))
- Samsung Galaxy Card: No‑nonsense cash rewards focus, with ecosystem‑specific punch—5% on Galaxy preorders around device launches and a $200 new‑cardholder bonus for $2,000 in 90 days at launch timing. If you’re buying a $1,299 phone, that preorder rate is effectively $65 in rewards on the device alone before the bonus. ([samsungmobilepress.com](https://www.samsungmobilepress.com/articles/introducing-samsung-galaxy-card?utm_source=openai))
What about alternatives? If you’re deep into airport lounges and premium travel credits, a top‑tier product like The Platinum Card from American Express still dominates that niche—but it’s a $695 proposition and sits in a different lane. For everyday, mid‑fee value across mixed categories, the refreshed Sapphire Preferred now competes more directly with mid‑market rivals while adding renter‑friendly 3x where others still snooze. ([americanexpress.com](https://www.americanexpress.com/content/dam/amex/en-us/company/press-kits/platinum-refresh/U-S-Consumer-Platinum-Card-Fact-Sheet.pdf?utm_source=openai))
If you’re considering a new application
Two clean use cases emerge:
- You drive often or book vacation homes: Sapphire Preferred is newly compelling at $95 with 3x on gas/EV and Airbnb/Vrbo, a $100 hotel credit, and the usual mix of transfer partners and travel protections. If your fall plans include a rental cabin and a few road trips, applying now captures those upgraded earn rates immediately. Check the current welcome offer before you apply; Sapphire Preferred historically runs competitive bonuses that can swing your first‑year value. ([chase.com](https://www.chase.com/sapphire-cards/personal/preferred?utm_source=openai))
- You’re planning a Galaxy upgrade: If your device cycle hits this year, the Galaxy Card’s 5% preorder perk plus a $200 launch‑window bonus after $2,000 in 90 days makes sense. Time the application before you place the preorder so the full purchase qualifies—then keep the card for Samsung ecosystem buys and fall back to Sapphire elsewhere. ([samsungmobilepress.com](https://www.samsungmobilepress.com/articles/introducing-samsung-galaxy-card?utm_source=openai))
Wildcard to watch: Upgrade’s newly announced OneCard, which blends “pay now, pay in 4, or pay over time” into a single product, is slated to roll out with more details. If you value flexible repayment built into a card, keep an eye on how its rewards structure prices against 2% cash‑back benchmarks. ([upgrade.com](https://www.upgrade.com/press/memos/upgrade-launches-onecard/?utm_source=openai))
Make the strategy effortless with SuperPay
This two‑card choreography works best when the right card surfaces the moment you’re at a pump, a rental listing, or a checkout page. SuperPay’s Smart Card Picker tells you exactly which card to use at every store—so gas and EV swipes route to Sapphire Preferred at 3x, and Samsung‑ecosystem purchases shift to Galaxy Card during a preorder window without you memorizing categories.
Want a plan for the next 90 days? SuperPay’s Rewards Roadmap (PRO+) builds a personalized, date‑based schedule: when to apply, what spend to route where, and how to hit a $2,000 welcome‑bonus target while stacking 3x categories. Turn on real‑time notifications and you’ll get a nudge at the gas station or when you open Airbnb, reminding you which card earns more right now.
Your next move
Try PRO+ free for 7 days and unlock your personalized Rewards Roadmap.