ByChase may raise the Sapphire Preferred annual fee in 2026. Discover what’s changing, the return of the Freedom Flex card, and United’s limited-time award sale for Chase cardholders.
Big Changes for Chase Cards in 2025: Sapphire Preferred Fee Hike Rumor, Freedom Flex Returns, and United Award Deals
Chase is making headlines again. Whether it’s a rumored annual fee increase for the popular Chase Sapphire Preferred, the relaunch of the Freedom Flex card, or a limited-time award sale for United cardholders, there’s a lot to unpack.
Let’s break down the latest developments you should know about if you’re a Chase cardholder or thinking about becoming one.
1. Rumored Chase Sapphire Preferred Fee Increase Coming in 2026
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has long been a favorite in the mid-tier travel card segment, offering solid value at a $95 annual fee. But according to a Reddit post from user DumbSaintMind, that fee might be jumping to $150 starting January 1, 2026 — with no changes (yet) to rewards or multipliers.
🔍 Why This Could Happen:
- The card has had a $95 fee since 2009, unchanged for over 15 years.
- With inflation, $95 in 2009 is roughly $142–$150 in 2025 dollars.
- Chase recently added features like:
- $50 annual hotel credit
- 10% anniversary points bonus
- Points Boost feature (replacing the 1.25x redemption value)
What You Might Lose:
Chase replaced the flat 1.25 cents per point with Points Boost, where value varies depending on airline, hotel, and fare class. On some premium cabin flights, you may get up to 1.75 cents per point, but on economy redemptions, values drop to 1 cent or lower.
United Airlines flights seem to benefit the most — unsurprising, since Chase issues all United credit cards.
While not confirmed, this fee increase would put the Sapphire Preferred in direct competition with the Amex Green ($150/year) and Citi Strata Premier ($95/year), both of which offer strong category bonuses.
Our Take:
A fee hike seems reasonable if Chase adds better rewards (like 3x on all travel), but if not, expect backlash — especially from existing cardholders.
2. Chase Freedom Flex Is Back After Short Hiatus
The Chase Freedom Flex®, a popular no-annual-fee card, is once again open to new applicants after being pulled earlier this summer. This move appears to have been a temporary pause while Chase promoted refreshed offers on its Sapphire cards.
Why the Freedom Flex Still Rocks:
- 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (on up to $1,500 spend)
- 3% back on dining and drugstores
- No annual fee
- Can pair with Sapphire Preferred or Reserve to convert cashback into Ultimate Rewards points
Currently, Chase is offering a $200 bonus after spending just $500 in the first 3 months. It’s a simple, beginner-friendly card that also fits perfectly into the Chase Trifecta strategy.
3. United Airlines Award Sale for Chase Cardholders (Limited Time)
From August 4–8, 2025, United is offering discounted award flights to a different destination each day, exclusively for Chase United cardholders.
Example:
- Tahiti roundtrip in economy:
- Standard fare: 35,000 miles each way
- Chase United cardholder fare: 30,000 miles each way
- Total savings: 10,000 miles per roundtrip
That same flight can cost $2,000+ in cash, meaning you’re getting ~3.3 cents per mile — a great deal compared to the typical 1.2–1.5 cent value.
Each destination is only live for 24 hours, so check daily if you want to catch one that works for your schedule.
💡 Tip: These sales are visible only when you’re logged in with a qualifying United Chase card.
Conclusion: Should You Be Worried About Chase’s Changes?
Chase seems to be realigning its card strategy for 2026:
- Sapphire Preferred may get a fee increase — but if new benefits come, it could still be competitive.
- Freedom Flex remains a strong no-fee card and is now back in action.
- Chase-United promotions are adding meaningful value for airline loyalists.
If you’re building or refining your credit card strategy, this is a good time to evaluate the Chase Trifecta (Freedom Unlimited, Freedom Flex, Sapphire Preferred) while the annual fees remain low.
🛡️ Related Reads:
- Chase Credit Cards 2025: What’s Going Wrong and What Still Works
- Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Capital One Venture X (2025 Review): Which Travel Card Wins?
