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CNN
17-07-2025
- Business
- CNN
Your guide to earning and redeeming points in the Chase Ultimate Rewards program
CNN Underscored reviews financial products based on their overall value. We may receive a commission through our affiliate partners if you apply and are approved for a product, but our reporting is always independent and objective. This may impact how links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit to learn more. All information about the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of the most valuable travel rewards programs out there. Ultimate Rewards points can be earned with an impressive lineup of credit cards and can be used in a variety of ways. They are especially valuable when transferred to one of the program's many transfer partners, which can help card holders unlock a huge variety of travel opportunities. You can use them to book flights, hotels and everything in between. If you're new to the world of travel rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards is a great program for beginners. The points are relatively simple to earn from a wide range of credit cards, and there are a lot of options for redeeming them. You can also earn large amounts of Ultimate Rewards points from the current offers on some Chase cards, which can earn up to 100,000 points if you meet a spending target within a given time. Here's everything you need to know about the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. You can earn Ultimate Rewards points in various ways. Firstly, Chase offers some of the most lucrative credit card bonuses, enabling you to quickly earn hundreds of thousands of points that can then be used toward travel. Then there are category bonuses, meaning your points earnings are elevated for spending in certain categories. For example, with some cards, you'll earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining purchases, as opposed to 1 point per dollar. You can also take advantage of a referral program and of shopping online via the Chase shopping portal, among other ways to maximize your points earning. Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points from Chase credit cards The best way to earn Ultimate Rewards points is with a Chase credit card. Chase issues personal and business cards, which are split, in turn, into cards that directly earn Ultimate Rewards points and cards that earn cash back. Chase has three credit cards that earn Ultimate Rewards points directly: the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. They offer relatively generous new card member bonuses and lucrative category bonuses, although they all carry annual fees. In the case of the Sapphire Reserve, the annual fee was just raised to a whopping $795, although the card offers benefits that can make it worthwhile for people who are able to utilize them. As mentioned, there are also a number of traditional cash-back credit cards in the Chase portfolio. For example, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® earns 3% to 5% cash back on select categories and 1.5% on all other purchases. Keep in mind that those cash-back cards do earn Ultimate Rewards points, which can be redeemed for cash back at a rate of 1 cent apiece. But if you also have a premium Ultimate Rewards card, like one of the three mentioned above, most Chase cash-back cards allow you to transfer points freely between accounts. That will give you the option to redeem them for travel instead of cash back or transfer them to Chase's many transfer partners, including airlines and hotels. By combining Chase cards in your wallet, you can maximize the Chase Ultimate Rewards points you earn. For example, you can opt for a trifecta including the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex cards. With the Sapphire Preferred, you're locking in a high new card member bonus and great continued rewards on travel spending, while the Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Flex offer many bonus categories to maximize your earnings. This approach requires keeping track of which cards you're using for each type of spending in your budget, but it pays off with a higher number of points in your account. Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points by adding an authorized user Adding an authorized user to your Chase card can help you earn even more rewards. While Chase doesn't currently offer bonus points just for adding an authorized user, it's still beneficial. For starters, you'll double your earning power since you have another person charging their expenses to your card. Authorized users can also help you meet spending requirements in order to earn a new card member bonus. Before adding someone to your account as an authorized user, however, make sure it makes sense for you; while you'll be able to add the Ultimate Rewards points from their purchases to your account, you're also the one ultimately responsible for footing the bill. Ensure you're adding only family and friends whom you trust. Above all, pay off your bill each month, so you aren't incurring interest charges that would negate the value of the points you earn. Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points by referring friends Referring friends for a credit card can be lucrative. Simply head to Chase's referral page and select the card to which you want to refer your friends, then follow the instructions to get a unique link you can share. If your friend applies via that link and is approved for a card, you'll earn bonus points. Chase typically offers anywhere between 10,000 to 20,000 Ultimate Rewards points for referrals, depending on the card. Referrals are capped to five a year, but you can still earn quite the chunk of points by referring your friends for a Chase card. Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points via Chase Dining Chase Dining is an exclusive program that offers up to 10x points at participating restaurants for Sapphire Reserve card holders. Simply book and pre-pay your reservation, or order takeout, to earn 10 points per dollar spent. That's an incredible return on your spending and the highest category bonus offered by any Ultimate Rewards card. Do note that as of Oct. 26, 2025, the Chase Dining portal will be retired and replaced by Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables, which offers a credit of up to $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of the program. That's divided into $150 in statement credits from January through June, and another $150 from July through December. Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points by shopping online The Chase shopping portal offers some of the most competitive earning rates at hundreds of online merchants. The next time you shop online, simply log in to your Chase account, navigate to Ultimate Rewards and search for the merchant you want to shop with. Click the merchant link provided by Chase and do your shopping as usual. You'll earn bonus points, depending on the merchant, in addition to the rewards from your credit card. After you've earned the points comes the fun part: redeeming them! Redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points is as simple as you want to make it. You can use points for statement credits or Ultimate Rewards travel bookings, or you can get fancy and transfer them to one of Chase's 14 travel partners, including 11 airlines and three hotel chains. Transferring points will typically get you the most value, especially if you use them for luxury travel. Redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points by transferring to travel partners Transferring Ultimate Rewards to one of Chase's 14 travel partners will get you the most value. You can redeem them for stays at all-inclusive resorts, international business-class tickets, domestic flights and more. But keep in mind that not all airline and hotel loyalty programs are equal. Ultimately, you'll want to research which program will offer you the most in return, depending on what your travel plans are. Like with the American Express Membership Rewards® program, you'll need to link your Chase account with your account on the transfer partner's site. You'll also need to search for award availability with the airline or hotel of your choice before transferring any points. If you're interested in transferring your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to a travel partner, these are your 14 options, as well as the transfer rates: Aer Lingus AerClub: 1:1 Air Canada Aeroplan: 1:1 British Airways Executive Club: 1:1 Emirates Skywards: 1:1 Air France/KLM Flying Blue: 1:1 Iberia Plus: 1:1 IHG Rewards Club: 1:1 JetBlue TrueBlue: 1:1 Marriott Bonvoy: 1:1 Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer: 1:1 Southwest Rapid Rewards: 1:1 United MileagePlus: 1:1 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: 1:1 World of Hyatt: 1:1 Chase also runs transfer promotions for certain airlines and hotels. During those transfer offers, you can get more points than the standard transfer rate listed above. Bonuses like these can increase the value of your points by enabling you to book sought-after award tickets for substantially less. By transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to partner airlines, you unlock the ability to travel for next to nothing; in most cases, when redeeming points and miles, you'll just have to pay the taxes and fees on a ticket. This opens the door to flying experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. Keep in mind that the most obvious airline choice may not always be your best option. Airlines typically have extensive alliance networks, allowing you to redeem points for partner airlines through their respective programs. For example, Delta Air Lines and Air France/KLM are both members of the SkyTeam alliance, meaning you can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Flying Blue — the European carriers' joint loyalty program — and redeem them for flights operated by Delta. If you want to go the route of transferring your Ultimate Rewards points to a travel partner, note that some options are better than others, particularly when it comes to award sweet spots. Some of those sweet spots include the following: British Airways: 20,000 British Airways Avios, plus taxes and fees, for a one-way economy-class ticket between the West Coast and Hawaii on American Airlines. Iberia Plus: 34,000 Iberia Avios, plus taxes and fees, for a one-way business-class ticket between the East Coast and Europe. World of Hyatt: 21,000 World of Hyatt points for an off-peak free night at the all-inclusive Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta. Air France/KLM Flying Blue: 60,000 Flying Blue miles, plus taxes and fees, for a one-way ticket in business class from the East Coast to Europe. In general, you'll get the most value out of your Chase Ultimate Rewards points by transferring them to airline partners. But that may not always make sense for all card holders — and it's not your only option. Redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points via Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel If you want a hassle-free way to redeem your points for travel at a higher value than a statement credit (more on that below), then Ultimate Rewards Travel is the way to go. Currently, Sapphire Reserve card holders get 1.5 cents in value per point on Ultimate Rewards bookings, while Sapphire Preferred card holders get 1.25 cents. For the traditional cash-back cards, such as the Freedom Unlimited and the Freedom Flex, Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for 1 cent per point in value. This is being replaced, however, by a feature called Points Boost, which lets card holders redeem points for select travel bookings at a value of 1.5 to 2 cents per point, depending on the card. Existing card holders can redeem points earned until Oct. 26, 2025 at the current rates — those in effect before the introduction of Points Boost — until Oct. 26, 2027. Redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards via Chase Experiences Chase card holders can also redeem points for experiences, such as sports events or concerts. The redemption rate is lower, just 1 cent per point, but if it saves you money on an expensive pair of concert tickets, then it might be worthwhile. Head to the Chase Experiences portal to check out what's available. Redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for a fixed value Fixed redemptions aren't the best use of Ultimate Rewards points, offering about 0.75 to 1 cent per point in value. Considering that frequent-flyer website The Points Guy values Chase points at 2.05 cents apiece, that's far less than what they can be worth. However, fixed-value redemptions can be interesting in certain circumstances. For example, through a feature called Chase Pay Yourself Back, points are worth 1 cent each, with an exception: The holders of select Chase cards get 1.25 cents per point on purchases in some categories, which change quarterly. Log in to your Chase account or Chase mobile app, go to Chase Ultimate Rewards and select the Pay Yourself Back redemption option to see if your card is eligible for those elevated Pay Yourself Back rates. Chase card holders can also redeem points for merchant gift cards at around 1 cent each. The worst redemption value is using Shop with Amazon, which gives you just 0.75 cents per point, which is why we do not recommend using credit card points to shop with Amazon. Generally speaking, if you're looking to get the most value out of your Chase Ultimate Rewards points, redeeming for a fixed value is the worst option. But every card holder's goals for their points will be different, and even redeeming at 1 cent per point will save you cash. How much Ultimate Rewards points are worth depends on how you elect to redeem them. Generally, they're worth about 1 to 2 cents apiece. You'll get at least 1 cent per point when redeeming for statement credits and gift card redemptions. If you redeem your points through Chase Travel℠, they're worth 1.25 to 1.5 cents each, depending on which credit card you have. Where you can get the most value from your Ultimate Rewards points is with transfer partners. By electing to redeem your points this way, you can get well over 2 cents per point in value. Much like Amex Membership Rewards points, Citi ThankYou points and Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are so valuable because of how versatile they are. To extract the most value from them, you can transfer them to one of 14 airline and hotel partners for a luxurious experience that might otherwise be out of budget. At the opposite end, if you're looking to just save on your next statement, you can redeem them for a fixed value of 1 cent. This flexibility is part of why having Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be so rewarding. The following FAQs have been answered by CNN Underscored senior money editor and credit card expert Alberto Riva. How much are Chase Ultimate Rewards points worth? How much are Chase Ultimate Rewards points worth? The value of Chase Ultimate Rewards depends on how you redeem them. They can be worth well above 2 cents per point when transferred to partners such as airlines and hotel chains to book travel, or they can be worth as little as 0.7 cents per point when used for Amazon purchases. What is the best use for Chase Ultimate Rewards points? What is the best use for Chase Ultimate Rewards points? The best use of your Chase Ultimate Rewards Points depends on your goals. If you want to use them for travel, you have a vast array of choices at your disposal. For example, you can use them for long-haul flights in business class or for stays at luxury hotels. If you're looking to save cash, you can use them to offset all or some of your credit card statement — or you can choose several other options for your points. Flexibility is one of the main features of Chase Ultimate Rewards. How do you maximize the value of Chase Ultimate Rewards points? How do you maximize the value of Chase Ultimate Rewards points? The way to extract the most value from Chase Ultimate Rewards points is to transfer them to one of Chase's 14 transfer partners, which include 11 airlines and three hotel chains. Especially during periods when Chase offers a transfer bonus, this can get you well over 2 cents per point in value. CNN Underscored's team of expert editors and contributors carefully reviews credit cards, travel rewards and loyalty programs to help readers navigate changes and make informed financial decisions. Senior money editor and credit card expert Alberto Riva, who holds five Chase credit cards, has been collecting Ultimate Rewards points since 2017 and has redeemed them many times for numerous flights in business class across the Atlantic. For this article, he applied his years of industry knowledge and personal experience to ensure every detail is accurate and actionable. Our recommendations are grounded in real-world value, not hype, and backed by thorough analysis, expert insight and a commitment to clarity and transparency. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Axios
17-06-2025
- Business
- Axios
What to know about Chase Sapphire's new $795 annual fee
Chase, the largest credit card issuer in the United States, is hiking the annual fee of its Sapphire Reserve credit card from $550 to $795, the company said Tuesday. Why it matters: Premium credit card perks are getting glitzier and pricier, as high-end plastic competes for high-status customers. The intrigue: Amex this week teased"major updates" coming to its own Platinum cards, but Sapphire's new price point eclipses Amex's $695 annual fee. Here's what to know: How much is the Chase Sapphire Reserve annual fees? In addition to the new $795 price point, secondary cardholders (authorized users on the card) will also see a price hike — from $75 to $195. Fee changes for new cardholders will go into effect when applications open up on June 23. The fee changes for existing cardholders will go into effect after October 25, the annual renewal date for cardholders. By the numbers: Once the fee change goes into effect, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card will have increased by 77% since 2016, when it debuted for a $450 annual fee. Only Reserve cardholders will be affected by the new changes. How will points change? Chase is introducing a feature called "Points Boost" for Reserve and Preferred customers, as well as its business cards, Ink Business Preferred and Ink Plus. Cardholders will receive eight times as many points on bookings made via Chase's online travel portal, Chase Travel. That's a change from the company's previous offering of five times as many points on flights and 10 times as many on hotel bookings and car rentals. Flights and hotels booked directly will offer four times as many points — up from three. The "Points Boost" system will also offer up to twice as many points on some travel bookings, which exclude basic economy tickets. What perks will the new Chase Sapphire Reserve offer?
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How to harness the power of the Chase trifecta
The Chase trifecta is a group of three rewards credit cards that can help you maximize your earning and redemption potential in the Ultimate Rewards program, primarily for travel. Depending on your situation, preferences, and travel habits, you can choose how to construct your own Chase trifecta from a list of five cards. Here's what you need to know about how it works and how to make the most of your card choices. The Chase trifecta consists of three Ultimate Rewards-earning credit cards of your choosing. By strategically using a combination of Chase credit cards, you can maximize the points you earn on every dollar you spend, and then redeem those points for the highest possible value. Here are some of the cards that are most commonly used. The Chase Freedom Flex offers 5% cash back on rotating categories, but only up to a $1,500 spending cap each quarter. In addition, the card comes with a 0% APR offer for both purchases and balance transfers. Remember that while this is billed as a cash-back credit card, you're actually earning Ultimate Rewards points. With the Chase Freedom Unlimited, you'll earn a minimum of 1.5% cash back on every purchase. Like the Freedom Flex, the Freedom Unlimited offers rewards in the form of Ultimate Rewards points. It also includes the same 0% intro APR offer on new purchases and balance transfers. The Chase Sapphire Preferred is an entry-level travel credit card that offers bonus points on travel purchases, dining, select streaming services, and online groceries. Unlike the Freedom cards, however, the Sapphire Preferred gives you access to more than a dozen airline and hotel transfer partners. You'll also get 25% more value when you use your points to book travel through Chase. The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a top-tier travel card, offering bonus points on travel and dining spending. Like the Sapphire Preferred, the Sapphire Reserve lets you transfer your points to several travel partners. You'll also get 50% more value when using your points to book travel through Chase. What really sets the card apart, however, is its premium travel perks, which include an annual $300 travel credit and complimentary airport lounge access. If you're a business owner, you may consider including the Ink Business Preferred in your Chase trifecta. The card offers bonus points on up to $150,000 spent each year on travel and select business categories. Like the Sapphire cards, the Ink Business Preferred offers access to hotel and airline transfer partners. It also provides a 25% redemption bonus on travel booked through Chase. If you're looking for a way to maximize the rewards you earn for travel, it's hard to beat what the Chase trifecta has to offer. The Ultimate Rewards program is incredibly versatile, and some of its cards and transfer partners offer outsized value when it comes to redemptions. Here's how to make the Chase trifecta work for you. Each Chase trifecta credit card offers solid rewards, but the right mix of cards for you will depend on a few factors: Your budget: While the Freedom cards don't charge annual fees, the Sapphire cards and Ink Business Preferred do. If you can afford a steeper annual fee, the Sapphire Reserve's perks may be worth its $550 yearly cost. But for many, the Sapphire Preferred Card's $95 annual fee may be more palatable. Your spending: There is some overlap in rewards rates among the personal Ultimate Rewards credit cards, so you'll want to choose the cards that best fit your spending profile. If you own a business, it could make sense to opt for the Ink Business Preferred instead of the Sapphire Preferred, especially if you spend a lot in the business card's reward categories. Travel habits: If you're just dipping your toes into the realm of travel rewards, it could make sense to start off small. For example, the Freedom Unlimited, Freedom Flex, and Sapphire Preferred can help you minimize your annual fees while offering better travel redemptions. However, if you're a frequent traveler, the Sapphire Reserve's premium benefits and higher travel redemption bonus may be a better fit for you. Chase has an unofficial 5/24 rule, which means that if you've opened five or more new credit cards in the past 24 months, your application for a new card may be denied. Review your credit reports to get an idea of how many cards you've already opened in the past two years. Even if you can safely open three cards in quick succession, it's best to space out your applications by six months or more to minimize the credit impact. You'll also want to give yourself time to earn the welcome bonus with each card, which can take a few months depending on your spending. As you round out your Chase trifecta, use the cards strategically based on their rewards rates. For example: Chase Freedom Flex: Use this card for its 5% bonus categories and its extra rewards on drugstore and dining purchases. Chase Freedom Flex: Use this card for its 1.5% base rewards rate and possibly even its bonus rewards on drugstore and dining purchases. Chase Sapphire Preferred: Use this card for its bonus rewards on dining, select streaming services, online grocery purchases, and travel. Chase Sapphire Reserve: Use this card for travel and dining purchases. Ink Business Preferred: Use this card for travel and bonus-eligible business expenses. If you have two cards that earn the same rewards rate in a single category — for example, dining — it won't matter which one you choose. The Chase Ultimate Rewards program allows you to combine the points you earn with different cards in the program. You can even pool your rewards with another person in your household. So, if you're partnered, you can double up on rewards by each having your own Chase trifecta. Alternatively, you can add your partner as an authorized user on your cards. Pooling doesn't happen automatically, however. You'll need to manually move points from one card to another through your online account. Simply visit the rewards page and select "Combine points" from the menu of options. Then, you can move points one card at a time. Fortunately, transfers are instantaneous. One of the best ways to maximize your Ultimate Rewards points is to transfer them to partner airline and hotel loyalty programs. However, this often requires a lot of research. If you want to use your points to book a flight, for instance, you'd need to check award flights with Chase partners and compare them to the cash price to see how valuable your points would be. Let's say you can transfer your Ultimate Rewards to United Airlines and book a flight for 20,000 miles. If the cash price of that flight is $400, you'd divide $400 by 20,000 points to get a value of $0.02 per point. That may sound simple, but you'll likely need to check multiple airlines, flight dates, and destinations to find the best possible redemption. If you enjoy that process, it shouldn't be an issue. However, if you want a simpler approach, it could make sense to transfer your Freedom card points to one of the Sapphire cards or the Ink Business Preferred, so you can enjoy the bonus redemption value on travel booked through Chase. To make the most of your credit card rewards, it's essential to pay your balances on time and in full every month. Even a little monthly interest can diminish or completely erase any value you earn from rewards. What's more, racking up large balances can threaten your financial security. If you're not currently on a budget and spending less than what you earn, it may not make sense to use the Chase trifecta until you can get your spending under control. Before you get started, it's important to understand both the advantages and disadvantages of using multiple credit cards to maximize your rewards. Here are some things to keep in mind. Increased rewards earning potential Flexible redemption options Potential for high redemption values Annual fees can add up Managing multiple credit cards can be time-consuming Could increase your chances of racking up high-interest debt If you're thinking about setting up your own Chase trifecta, it's important to understand the benefits and drawbacks. It's also a good idea to take your time to choose the right mix of cards based on your spending habits, budget, preferences and travel habits. As you walk through the steps above thoughtfully, you'll have an easier time racking up a lot of rewards and enjoying incredible redemption rates and even some valuable travel perks. This article was edited by Alicia Hahn Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank's website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
