Hello all, I am new to this forum as someone in another forum directed me here to answer my questions pertaining to applying for a Chase Sapphire Preferred card:

I am planning a large trip early next year and I am looking for a good rewards/miles card to possibly offset some of the costs. Currently the Chase Sapphire Card offers a generous 40,000 points bonus if I spend $3,000 in 3 months. 40,000 points=$400 in cash, or if I use the points on Chase rewards travel site, I could get $500 if spent for travel through there. There is a $95 annual fee, waived for the first year.

I should easily exceed the $3k spend threshold with bookings for this trip. Will Chase allow me to apply $400 cash right away against the $3k in purchases? Better yet, will Chase allow $500 applied against my $3k in purchases if applied against any travel expense? If I can't apply the $500, then it probably will make most sense to just take the $400? I will probably not travel again for another 2 years, thus paying the annual fee of $95 twice ($190) outweighs keeping the 40,000 points for the extra $100 in rewards. This card probably won't make sense holding it long term. How often do people apply for and cancel cards after exhausting the main sign-up bonuses? I will probably end up doing that.

Thanks for your help!