Updated 1/15/18

I have a special place in my heart for Chase Ultimate Rewards points.  They were the first type of points I started collecting when I discovered this hobby, and they are still some of my favorite.  My first card was the Chase Sapphire Preferred with a 50,000 point bonus.  Since then I have added a few more Chase cards to maximize my points earning potential.

How To Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards Points – Credit Cards

Here are some highlights of the cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards Points.   If you are interested in any of these cards you can get more information from the Chase website.  Be sure to check card details and terms and conditions before applying.  You are eligible to receive a new card member bonus so long as you have not received a new card member bonus for that particular card in the past 24 months.

Sapphire Preferred and Reserve

Chase Sapphire Preferred:

When in doubt, START WITH THIS CARD

• 50,000 point bonus after $4,000 spend in the first 3 months – worth at least $625!
• $95 annual fee, waived the first year
• 2x points on travel and dining
• Points worth 1.25 cents each when redeemed through the Ultimate Rewards Portal or transfer 1:1 to travel partners

Chase Sapphire Reserve:

• 50,000 point bonus after $4,000 spend in the first 3 months – worth at least $750!
• $450 annual fee
• 3x points on travel and dining
• Points worth 1.5 cents each when redeemed through the Ultimate Rewards Portal or transfer 1:1 to travel partners
• $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass Membership, Trip and Car Rental Insurance, TSA Pre Check or Global Entry Fee Credit

The Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve are considered different products so you can earn the bonus on both cards.  For more about these 2 cards see Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Freedom and Freedom Unlimited

Chase Freedom Unlimited:

If you have a Sapphire or Ink card, add one or both of these to maximize earning potential.  You can’t go wrong with a no annual fee card.

• $150 or 15,000 point bonus after $500 spend in the first 3 months
• No Annual Fee
• 1.5% Cash Back on all purchases (or 1.5x  points if you have a premium card also)
• If you also have a premium Ultimate Rewards earning card (like the Sapphire or Ink) you can transfer your cash back into Ultimate Rewards points which can make them more valuable

Chase Freedom

• $150 or 15,000 point bonus after $500 spend in the first 3 months
• No Annual Fee
• 5% Cash Back on rotating categories (or 5x  points if you have a premium card also)
• If you also have a premium Ultimate Rewards earning card (like the Sapphire or Ink) you can transfer your cash back into Ultimate Rewards points which can make them more valuable

The Freedom and Freedom Unlimited are considered different products so you can earn the bonus on both cards.  For more on these 2 cards see Chase Freedom vs Freedom Unlimited.

Ink – Business

Chase Ink Business Preferred

• 80,000 point bonus after $5,000 spend in the first 3 months
• $95 annual fee
• 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year
• Cell Phone Protection, Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Purchase Protection
• Points worth 1.25 cents each when redeemed through the Ultimate Rewards Portal or Transfer to travel partners

Chase Ink Business Cash

• $300 or 30,000 point bonus after $3,00 spend in the first 3 months
• No Annual Fee
• 5% Cash Back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet and cable TV services each account anniversary year (can be transferred into Ultimate Rewards Points if you also have a premium card)
• 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year (can be transferred into Ultimate Rewards Points if you also have a premium card)
• Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases (can be transferred into Ultimate Rewards Points if you also have a premium card)
• Travel Accident Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Baggage Delay Insurance, Purchase Protection

Have a Strategy when Applying for Chase Credit Cards

With Chase’s notorious 5/24 rule in effect you will want to consider making at least one of these cards the first on your list to get.  The 5/24 rule is an unwritten but very much alive rule that Chase has regarding credit card sign ups – if you have opened 5 or more accounts from any bank over the last 24 months, you will NOT be approved for a Chase card.   This rule applies to most cards Chase offers, not just Ultimate Rewards earning cards.

How To Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards Points – Chase Shopping Portal

Using the Chase Ultimate Rewards Points portal is a great way to earn some extra points. Once you are logged in to your Chase account, go to your Ultimate Rewards home page.  Look for the “Earn Points” dropdown menu and select “Shop Through Chase”.

This will take you to the Chase Ultimate Rewards shopping portal where you can earn bonus points for shopping online.  Extra points vary by store and can change at any time.  Once you have selected the store you will be shopping from, just click through the portal to your store of choice and complete your purchase.

How To Use Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

Chase Travel Portal

Chase points can be used to book travel directly through the Chase Travel Portal.  Points are worth 1.25 cents each unless you hold the Chase Sapphire Reserve, then you will get 1.5 cents per point.  This is a great option if your hotel or airline of choice isn’t a Chase transfer partner.  When you book through this portal, you will earn airline miles or hotel points as you would on a revenue booking, however many hotels and airlines will not recognize any status you may have.

Transfer Points To Partners

The second option to use your points is to transfer to one of Chase’s partners.  This is usually what I do since you can often get more value for each point you transfer.  Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer 1:1 to 9 different airlines and 4 hotel partners:

Once you transfer to a partner, you can use those points to book through your chosen hotel or airline.  However, you can not transfer points back to Chase so it’s best to wait until you are ready to book before transferring.  Most transfers will be instant.

With so many ways to earn points and so many ways to redeem, Chase points are one of the most versatile and flexible point currencies available.  What are your favorite ways to redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards points?

*Chase Freedom Unlimited links are referral links, meaning I would receive a referral bonus if you choose to sign up with my link.  Thanks so much for your support!

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