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6 tips for using the chase ultimate rewards travel portal.

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The Chase Ultimate Rewards program is one of the most robust credit card point programs available. When you’re a cardholder of an Ultimate Rewards card, you can quickly earn rewards and easily redeem them.

If you enjoy traveling, the Chase travel portal is a huge benefit — it’s simple to use and can be an excellent way to redeem your points. Here’s how to use the portal to maximize your rewards.

What is the Chase travel portal?

How to use the chase travel portal, 6 smart tips for using the chase travel portal, chase travel portal faq, using chase travel portal: bottom line.

The travel portal is part of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. The portal allows you to use your points to book hotels, flights, stays, rental cars, cruises, and unique experiences. It offers search functionality that's similar to Expedia and other online travel agency sites.

Many of the best travel credit cards from Chase can access the Chase travel portal, including:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve ®
• Bonus points: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Rewards:  5X points on flights and 10X points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually; 3X points on other travel and dining & 1X points per dollar on all other purchases.
• Benefits: You’ll get comprehensive benefits with the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, including a $300 annual travel credit, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit, complimentary airport lounge access, travel insurance, two free years of Lyft Pink All Access (valued at $199/year, must activate by Dec. 31, 2024), and free DashPass benefits.

Learn more in our Chase Sapphire Reserve review.

• Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card
• Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening of account opening.
• Rewards: Earn 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases.
• Benefits: Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits include a $50 annual hotel credit on stays booked through Chase Travel℠;   travel insurance, such as auto rental insurance (primary coverage), lost luggage reimbursement, travel accident insurance, free DoorDash DashPass benefits, and more.

Learn more in our Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review.

• Chase Freedom Flex℠
• Bonus: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. 
• Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories you activate (on up to $1,500 spent) and travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service); and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Benefits : The Chase Freedom Flex has a $0 annual fee.

Learn more in our Chase Freedom Flex review.

• Chase Freedom Unlimited ®
• Bonus: Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). 
• Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
• Benefits: The Chase Freedom Unlimited Card has a $0 annual fee.

Learn more in our  Chase Freedom Unlimited review.

• Ink Business Preferred ® Credit Card
• Bonus: Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Rewards: Earn 3X points 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; and 1X points per $1 on all other purchases.
• Benefits: With Ink Business Preferred,   there are no foreign transaction fees, you’ll get select travel insurance coverage, and you’ll also get up to $600 in cell phone protection.  

Learn more in our Ink Business Preferred Credit Card review.

• Ink Business Cash ® Credit Card
• Bonus: Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.
• Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year; 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year; and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Benefits: With Ink Business Cash, there’s no annual fee, and you can get additional employee credit cards at no cost. You’ll also get primary auto rental insurance and travel and emergency assistance services.

Learn more in our  Ink Business Cash Credit Card review.

• Ink Business Unlimited ® Credit Card
• Bonus: Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Rewards: Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
• Benefits: With Ink Business Unlimited, there’s no annual fee, and you can get additional cards for your employees at no cost. You’ll also get primary auto rental insurance and travel and emergency assistance services.

Learn more in our  Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card review.

Using the portal to book travel is one of the best ways to use your Ultimate Rewards points ; just follow these six steps:

• Log into your credit card account: Log into your Chase account using your usual sign-in information. Once you’re logged in, click on the Ultimate Rewards box.
• Select your points: Next, choose which credit card account — and what points — you want to spend, if you have more than one.
• Enter the Chase travel portal: Once you select your points, you’ll be redirected to the portal. To book your travel, click on “Use Points,” then “Explore and Book Travel.”
• Choose your redemption options: Through the travel portal, you can redeem your points for vacation rentals, hotel stays, car rentals, flights, and more. Just select which category you want to book with your points. The portal has filters you can use to search for plans that fit your needs.
• Review bookings: Next, you’ll be asked to confirm your reservation. Make sure the details are correct, including the dates and number of people included. Once you’re satisfied, click on “Begin Checkout.”
• Enter payment information: You can use your points to pay for some or all of your trip. If you don’t have enough points to cover the total cost, you can use your credit card to pay for the remaining balance. Once you enter your information and submit, your booking is confirmed.

You can use the Chase Travel Portal to book your travel arrangements using your points. To get the most value from your points, follow these six tips.

1. Combine points from multiple Chase credit cards

If you have more than one qualifying Chase rewards credit card, you can combine the points you earned with each card. This approach will give you more points to book your travel at once, simplifying the booking process. It even allows you to transfer cashback rewards to points, giving you more points for booking travel. All of the Ultimate Rewards cards are eligible for point transfers between credit cards .

To do so, log into your Chase Ultimate Rewards account and click on “Combine Points.”

You can transfer points between accounts and even transfer them to another account belonging to a member of your household. There’s no limit to how many times you can transfer points.

2. Qualify for Ultimate Rewards bonuses

Redeeming your points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program can offer a better value for your points. That’s because your points are worth 25% to 50% more when booking through the portal with select cards.

For example, if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve , your points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel through the Chase Travel Portal. That means 60,000 points could be worth $900, while they’d only be worth $600 if redeemed for statement credits or gift cards.

3. Book Southwest flights via phone

You can use your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to book flights on Southwest Airlines. However, you can’t do so online; you have to book award flights over the phone. Just call the Chase Travel Center at 866-951-6592 to book your award ticket.

A transaction fee up to $20 may be charged for calling the Travel Center to book travel. The representative will let you know the exact service fee before you book.

4. Research local activities

With the travel portal, you can book more than just hotel stays and flights. You can also book unique activities, like sightseeing tours and hot-air balloon rides at your destination without blackout dates.

Depending on the location and the activity, booking an experience through Chase Ultimate Rewards could help you snag discounts.

5. You still get travel benefits

When you use your points to book your travel, you’re still covered by your card’s travel benefits. For example, if your credit card offers trip cancellation insurance or car rental coverage, you’re still entitled to those perks even though you used points to pay for your trip.

6. Earn loyalty program points and airline miles

In your travel portal account, you can enter your loyalty program information, including frequent flyer memberships and hotel partners. Going forward, it’s stored in the system, so you get credit for flight reservations and other purchases.

However, some regular and luxury hotels consider trips booked through the Chase Travel Portal to be third-party bookings similar to online travel agencies (OTAs), so your reservations may not earn you reward hotel points or count toward your loyalty program elite status.

Which credit cards give you access to the Chase portal?

The majority of non-co-branded Chase credit cards give you access to the Chase travel portal. This includes these rewards cards:

• Chase Freedom
• Chase Freedom Student

But you wouldn’t be able to access the Chase travel portal with cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Bold ® Credit Card , United℠ Explorer Card , or The World of Hyatt Credit Card .

Can you combine your points in the Chase portal?

You can combine your Chase Ultimate Rewards points when you log into your Chase online account and navigate to the Ultimate Rewards portal. Here you have an option to “Combine Points” between multiple Chase cards.

Can you transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points?

Yes, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to over a dozen transfer partners. Points typically transfer at a 1:1 ratio. Travel partners include:

• Aer Lingus AerClub
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• British Airways Executive Club
• Emirates Skywards
• Flying Blue Air France KLM
• Iberia Plus
• JetBlue TrueBlue
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• Southwest Rapid Rewards
• United MileagePlus
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
• World of Hyatt
• IHG Rewards
• Marriott Bonvoy 

How many Chase Ultimate Rewards points do you need for a free flight?

The number of points you'll need for free airfare depends on how much the flight costs and which Chase card your points are on. For example, a $100 flight would typically cost 10,000 Ultimate Rewards points because each point is worth one cent toward travel redemptions.

But your travel redemptions are worth 25% more with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and 50% more with the Chase Sapphire Reserve when you redeem though the portal. So 10,000 points would be worth $125 on the Chase Sapphire Preferred and $150 on the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Which cards have Chase Ultimate Rewards welcome offers?

These Chase credit cards have a Chase Ultimate Rewards welcome offers:

Americans who are Chase cardholders qualify for the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. If you're one, booking your travel through the Chase Travel Portal can be a smart idea. You can get more value for your points — up to 50% more — so you could get more bang for your buck. And by using the above tips, you can get the most value from your points and your card, so you can indulge during your next trip.

Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards

Card Details

Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

• Earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases
• Longer intro APR on qualifying purchases and balance transfers
• No foreign transaction fees
• Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
• Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
• Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
• 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
• Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

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on Bank of America’s secure website

Intro Offer

Why we like it

The Bank of America ® Travel Rewards credit card is great for individuals who enjoy earning rewards and traveling.

Cardholders will enjoy the flexibility to redeem points with no blackout dates and receive a statement credit to pay for travel and dining purchases.

Earn 1.5X points on all purchases everywhere, every time.

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How Much Are Chase Ultimate Rewards Points Worth? [32 FAQs]

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1. What Is Chase Ultimate Rewards?

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If you’re looking to level up your credit card rewards game, you may have come across Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Using this rewards currency is one of the absolute best ways to get as much bang for your buck through your normal credit card spending as possible.

And with a wide array of ways to use your Ultimate Rewards points, the question is: how much are Chase Ultimate Rewards points worth?

In this guide, we’ll show you how much they’re worth, exactly, as well as answer some of your most burning questions about Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Let’s get right into it!

32 FAQs About Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

Chase Ultimate Rewards is the proprietary rewards currency that Chase offers on some credit cards.

Currently, these are the main credit cards that will earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points :

Chase Sapphire Reserve ®

Chase sapphire preferred ® card, ink business preferred ® credit card.

• Ink Business Plus ® Credit Card (no longer open to new applicants)

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance . With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide
• $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Travel portal
• 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
• Excellent travel and car rental insurance
• 10% annual bonus points
• No foreign transaction fees
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt
• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Chase Ultimate Rewards

• The Chase Sapphire Preferred 80k or 100k Bonus Offer
• Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Score Requirements
• Military Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred
• Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Sapphire Preferred
• Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve
• Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Preferred

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
• 5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel SM
• 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit
• Priority Pass airport lounge access
• TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
• Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
• Rental car elite status with National and Avis
• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck ®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
• APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable
• Chase Sapphire Reserve 100k Bonus Offer
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Benefits
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Airport Lounge Access
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Travel Insurance Benefits
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Military Benefits
• Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Amex Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.

The Ink Business Preferred ® Credit Card is a powerhouse for earning lots of points from your business purchases , especially for business owners that spend regularly on ads.

Plus the card offers flexible redemption options, including access to Chase airline and hotel transfer partners where you can achieve outsized value.

Business owners will also love the protections the card provides like excellent cell phone insurance , rental car insurance, purchase protection, and more.

• 3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
• Cell phone protection
• Purchase protection
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Rental car insurance
• Extended warranty coverage
• No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access
• Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
• Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
• Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
• Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
• APR: 21.24%-26.24% Variable
• Best Business Credit Cards
• The Chase Ink Business Preferred 100k Bonus Offer
• Benefits of the Ink Business Preferred
• Chase Ink Business Preferred Cell Phone Protection
• Chase Ink Business Preferred vs Amex Business Gold
• Ink Business Cash vs Ink Business Preferred
• Amex Business Platinum vs. Chase Ink Business Preferred
• Ink Business Preferred vs Ink Business Unlimited
• Best Chase Business Credit Cards
• Best Business Credit Card for Advertising
• High Limit Business Credit Cards
• Best Credit Cards with Travel Insurance
• Best Credit Cards for Car Rental Insurance

There are also a handful of other credit cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points but require one of the credit cards listed above to unlock the full list of redemption options:

• Chase Freedom Flex℠
• Chase Freedom Unlimited ®
• Chase Freedom ® card (no longer open to new applicants)
• Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire ® Card (no longer open to new applicants)
• Ink Business Cash ® Credit Card
• Ink Business Unlimited ® Credit Card

The points you earn on these credit cards are known as Ultimate Rewards points .

In our minds, Chase Ultimate Rewards is completely worth it.

Because of its unique partnerships with loyalty programs, including United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt, as well as the flexibility of the points to be used for other travel expenses or cash-back, we think Ultimate Rewards is worth it.

Plus, those credit cards above allow you to earn a ton of Ultimate Rewards points quickly, up to 10x points per dollar spent!

You can get rewarded in common categories like dining, travel, online grocery purchases, streaming, and so much more.

So yes, Chase Ultimate Rewards is worth it .

You can access your Chase Ultimate Rewards in 3 ways:

• On the Chase website
• In the Chase app
• Over the phone

If you’re on the website or mobile app, log in to your Chase account and select your credit card. Then, you’ll find an area that displays your Ultimate Rewards points balance, along with a button that says  Redeem . Click  Redeem .

You’ll be redirected to the Ultimate Rewards dashboard. From there, you can browse and access your Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points. It’s most famous for offering a 50% redemption bonus on travel booked through the Chase Travel portal , which makes your points worth a fixed 1.5 cents each . Pay Yourself Back gives a value of 1.25 to 1.5 cents per point.

However, you can transfer your points to Chase transfer partners at a 1:1 ratio to book luxury business and first class flights, as well as high-end hotel stays. That way, you can get anywhere from 1.6 to more than 5 cents per point of value from your Chase Sapphire Reserve card’s points.

However, because the value of your points is dependent on how exactly you use your points, we’ve assigned a value of 2 cents per point to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card’s points.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card also earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points. In fact, if you have both the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can combine your points!

With the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, there’s a slightly lower 25% redemption bonus on travel booked through Chase Travel, giving you a value of 1.25 cents per point. Pay Yourself Back gives a value of 1 to 1.25 cents per point.

Just like the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, though, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card’s points can be transferred to travel partners for even better value at a 1:1 ratio.

This way, the points from the Chase Sapphire Reserve card could be worth the same as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card . With the right partners, you can get much more than 1.5 cents per point, perhaps closer to 1.6 to 5 cents per point!

We peg the Chase Sapphire Preferred card’s points at around 2 cents each even though the value can swing wildly.

The points on the Chase Freedom card, Freedom Flex card, and Freedom Unlimited card are all Ultimate Rewards points. However, there’s a bit of a twist.

If you  only have these cards, you can only use your points for cash-back, since these are cash-back credit cards. So those points are worth a simple 1 cent per point .

But if you have a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card along with the Freedom Unlimited card, for example, then you can move your points from the Freedom Unlimited card to the Chase Sapphire Preferred card to get much better value.

The Freedom Unlimited card’s points are worth 1 cent each.

But if you are clever and also have a Chase Sapphire Reserve card or Ink Business Preferred card, you can convert your Freedom Unlimited card rewards to the true Ultimate Rewards points and get much better value.

For example, if your Freedom Unlimited card has 20,000 points, it would be worth $200 if you didn’t have any other Chase credit card.

But if you also had the Ink Business Preferred card, you can move those 20,000 points from your Freedom Unlimited card to the Ink Business Preferred card, which can then be transferred to hotels and airlines for fantastic value.

To illustrate our point, if you then transfer those 20,000 Ultimate Rewards points to World of Hyatt, you may be able to book a $500 hotel stay for just 20,000 points, which would make your points worth 2.5 cents each.

When you have the Ink Business Preferred card , your Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be worth up to 5 cents per point when used well.

But if you only have the Ink Business Cash card or Ink Business Unlimited card , your rewards are just worth a flat value of 1 cent per point .

The points you accumulate on all of the Ink cards are still Ultimate Rewards points, which means you can access some fantastic value if you combine and redeem your points strategically.

The Ink Business Preferred card is similar to the Chase Sapphire Preferred card in that you can get a 25% redemption bonus on travel booked through the Chase Travel portal and for select categories in Pay Yourself Back.

Also, the Ink Business Preferred card’s Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to travel partners for enhanced value between 1.6 to 5 cents or more per point!

And even though the value of your points can fluctuate significantly, we peg them around 2 cents each.

Based on our valuation of Chase points at around 2 cents each, 1,000 Chase points would be worth around $20 .

Unfortunately, 1,000 Chase points can’t be used for much besides cash-back, statement credits, or Pay Yourself Back.

All of these redemptions will lead to a lower redemption value of 1 to 1.5 cents per point. That would translate to a value of $10 to $15 for 1,000 Chase points.

We value Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2 cents apiece, which means 5,000 points are worth $100 .

It’s still not easy to use 5,000 Chase points for anything besides cash-back, Pay Yourself Back, or gift cards.

All of these will lead to a redemption value of 1 to 1.5 cents each, which translates to a return on spending of $50 to $75.

You might be able to use 5,000 Chase points for a super-cheap flight through the Chase Travel portal on an airline like Spirit or Frontier, which can give you up to $75 of redemption value if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

An amount of 10,000 Chase points is worth around $200 by our valuation. Of course, valuations aren’t exact since the value you get is totally contingent on how you use your points.

For example, if you transfer 10,000 Chase points to World of Hyatt, you could potentially book a hotel room costing $250, which would get you a value of 2.5 cents per point.

On the other hand, if you use 10,000 Chase points from your Chase Sapphire Reserve card to book a $150 flight on the Chase Travel portal, you’ll get a value of 1.5 cents per point.

With 20,000 Chase points, you have rewards worth around $400 , according to our valuation of 2 cents each.

If you have 20,000 Chase points, that could be enough for 2 nights at a hotel like the Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa in Vietnam, which can easily be worth $500. That would give you a value of 2.5 cents per point.

Alternatively, if you use 20,000 Chase points for a domestic flight through the Chase Travel portal, you will get up to 1.5 cents per point of value.

According to our valuation of 2 cents each, 50,000 Chase points are worth around $1,000 .

You could use 50,000 Chase points for a one-way business class flight on ANA to Japan, which often retails for $4,000 or more!

On the flip side, if you use 50,000 Chase points on flights booked through the Chase Travel portal, you’ll only get a maximum value of $750 with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

You can get a $1,200 value out of 60,000 Chase points , according to our valuation of 2 cents each.

But the truth is you can use 60,000 Chase points for a one-way ANA first class flight from the U.S., including the East Coast. And if you look up the flight prices, we’re talking about a value of up to $15,000!

Otherwise, flights booked through the Chase Travel portal will get you a value of up to $900, assuming you can get a fixed value of 1.5 cents per point through the Chase Sapphire Reserve card’s 50% redemption bonus.

Using 80,000 Chase points is worth $1,600 , according to our valuation of 2 cents each.

Your 80,000 Chase points could also be worth a business class flight to Africa or the Middle East , which often sell for $10,000 or more.

If you use your points for flights through the Chase Travel portal, 80,000 points will be worth between $800 to $1,200.

A collection of 100,000 Chase points is worth $2,000 , according to our valuation of 2 cents each.

With 100,000 Chase points, you could have enough for a round-trip business class flight to Japan or Europe, which is a tremendous value. This could have a cash equivalent anywhere from $7,000 to $14,000.

Redeeming those 100,000 Chase points through the travel portal will get you a value of $1,000 to $1,500, depending on which card you have.

If you use your Chase points for travel through the Chase Travel portal , you’ll need to redeem anywhere from 66,667 to 100,000 Chase points to get $1,000 .

And if you decide to transfer your Chase points to book a luxury hotel stay at Hyatt , you’ll probably redeem around 30,000 to 50,000 Chase points for $1,000 of value .

If you decide to transfer your Chase points to airlines, you could get $1,000 of value through domestic flights with around 50,000 to 70,000 Chase points .

Lastly, if you transfer your Chase points to airline partners and book luxury business or first class flights , you can redeem around 60,000 Chase points to get $3,000 of value, which would translate to using only 20,000 Chase points to get $1,000 .

Chase Ultimate Rewards are some of the most flexible points out there. Here are the ways you can redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points (ranked from highest to lowest value):

• Transfer to airline and hotel partners
• Travel booked through Chase Travel
• Pay Yourself Back
• Statement credit/cash-back
• Apple purchases
• Amazon.com purchases
• Online shopping

Yes, Chase points are transferrable to airlines and hotels. You can transfer to these airlines and hotels:

Airline Transfer Partners

Hotel Transfer Partners

Just remember that you’ll need to have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, Chase Sapphire Preferred card, Ink Business Preferred card, or Ink Business Plus card (no longer open to new applicants) to have the ability to transfer your points to airlines or hotels.

Chase points are worth 1 cent per point when redeemed for cash-back or statement credits, regardless of which credit card you have.

So that means you’ll need to redeem 100 points to get a dollar in cash-back.

If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can get 1.5 cents per point for travel booked through the Chase Travel portal.

If you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or Ink Business Preferred card, you’ll get 1.25 cents per point for Chase Travel portal bookings.

If you have any other Chase card like the Freedom Unlimited card or the Ink Business Cash card, you’ll get a flat 1 cent per point for travel.

That means you’ll need to redeem 67 to 100 Chase points to get a dollar on travel.

Chase points are worth 0.8 cents per point when redeemed on Amazon, regardless of which credit card you have.

That means you’ll need to redeem 125 Chase points to get a dollar on Amazon.

Chase points are worth around 1 to 1.2 cents per point when redeemed for gift cards, regardless of which credit card you have.

Sometimes, Chase will offer sales for select merchants to get 10% to 15% off on certain gift cards.

This means you’ll need to redeem 83 to 100 Chase points to get a dollar in gift cards.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to United at a 1:1 ratio, assuming you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, Chase Sapphire Preferred card, Ink Business Preferred card, or Ink Business Plus card (no longer open to new applicants).

And if you transfer to United, your points could be worth anywhere from 1 cent to 10 cents each . This huge spectrum is dependent on how you use your United miles .

If you use your United miles for short-haul flights in economy, you won’t get as good of a value as you would if you used your United miles for long-haul flights in first class.

That means you’ll need to redeem anywhere from 10 to 100 Chase points to get a dollar on United.

Chase Ultimate Rewards also transfers at a 1:1 ratio to Southwest, just like United (though you’ll need to have an eligible card to make those transfers happen).

In general, Southwest points are worth 1.3 to 1.5 cents per point , thanks to its fixed value system.

So you’ll probably need to use 67 to 77 Chase points to get a dollar on Southwest.

Pay Yourself Back can give you a redemption value of 1 to 1.5 cents per point . So to get a dollar from Pay Yourself Back, you may need to redeem 67 to 100 Chase points.

For example, with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can get 1.25 to 1.5 cents per point through Pay Yourself Back on select rotating categories.

With the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and Ink Business Preferred card, you’ll get 1 to 1.25 cents per point through Pay Yourself Back on rotating categories.

Lastly, with the Ink Business Cash or Ink Business Unlimited card, you’ll get 1.1 cents per point through Pay Yourself Back on select business categories.

Chase points are generally worth the most when you transfer to partners. For example, if you transfer 25,000 Chase points to book a night at the Grand Hyatt Kauai , you could easily get $1,000 worth of redemption value, which is 4 cents per point.

Also, if you transfer 70,000 Chase points to book Qatar Airways Qsuites , you could easily get $6,000 worth of value, which is 8.6 cents per point.

If you transfer 60,000 Chase points to book United Polaris class , you could get around $4,000 of value, which is 6.7 cents per point of value.

However, you’re generally doing well if you can transfer your Chase points to partners and get a value of 2 cents per point .

As long as your Chase credit card is open and in good standing, your points do not expire.

After you close your card, you’ll have 30 days to redeem all of your points before they are forfeited.

If you’re planning on closing a Chase card but still have other Chase cards open, you can transfer your points to your other eligible Chase cards before closing your card without losing any points.

For example, if you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and the Ink Business Cash card but want to close the Ink Business Cash card, just move your points to the Chase Sapphire Preferred card before closing the Ink Business Cash card to avoid forfeiting your points.

The best way to redeem Chase points is to transfer them to travel partners. Here are some of our favorites:

• Transfer points to World of Hyatt for luxury hotel stays at properties like Grand Hyatt Kauai, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa , Park Hyatt New York , and Alila Ventana Big Sur
• Transfer points to British Airways Executive Club for Qatar Airways Qsuites flights
• Transfer points to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer for Singapore Airlines business class and first class flights
• Transfer points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club for ANA business class and first class flights
• Transfer points to Air France-KLM Flying Blue for Air France or KLM business class flights
• Transfer points to Emirates Skywards for Emirates first class and business class flights

We think that Amex Membership Rewards points (2.2 cents per point) are slightly more valuable than Chase points (2.0 cents per point).

But the complete picture is a bit more complicated. Chase enjoys the most important hotel transfer partnership with World of Hyatt, which makes it much easier to get outsized value on points for hotel stays.

On the other hand, there are many more Amex airline partners that might come in handy for a wider array of flights, whether you’re flying to Australia or Southeast Asia .

Nonetheless, we like the idea of having both types of points.

Chase points are slightly more valuable (2.0 cents per point) than Capital One miles (1.8 cents per point).

And although the 2 programs share a lot of the same transfer partners like Air Canada Aeroplan and Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Chase edges out over Capital One slightly because of its partnership with World of Hyatt and United MileagePlus.

However, Capital One offers some exceptional value on vacation rental bookings through Wyndham Rewards . Unfortunately, though, Capital One doesn’t have a partnership with a U.S. airline, making it much more difficult to get great value on domestic flights.

Chase points are significantly more valuable (2.0 cents per point) than Citi ThankYou Points (1.6 cents per point).

Citi isn’t lacking in the hotel department, thanks to a 1:2 transfer partnership with Choice Privileges (which can then be used to book stays at select Preferred Hotels around the world).

It’s just that Chase’s partnership with World of Hyatt consistently leads to higher redemption value.

Citi ThankYou Rewards also shares a good number of transfer partners , including Emirates Skywards and Air France-KLM Flying Blue. However, Chase also offers partnerships with Air Canada Aeroplan and United MileagePlus, making it a significantly stronger currency.

Overall, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are 100% worth it. The list of credit cards you can use to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points has plenty of variety, and each card has its own specific use case.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is best for travel, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is best for dining, and the Ink Business Preferred card is best for advertising. These cards enable you to earn up to 10x points on certain purchases!

But what we really love about Chase is that its online website and mobile app make it easy to manage your credit cards and points.

We value Chase points at 2 cents each, but it’s possible to get worse or better value, depending on what you use your points for.

And even though we value them slightly less than Amex points, Chase points are still better than Capital One miles and Citi ThankYou Points.

The information regarding the Chase Sapphire ® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

The information regarding the Chase Freedom Flex℠ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Chase Freedom ® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

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Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used by hundreds of clients.

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Chase Ultimate Rewards: How the Program Works

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Chase Ultimate Rewards® is the name of the points program for Chase's rewards credit cards. Among points systems, Chase's program is highly regarded because point values can be relatively high if used strategically to pay for travel.

Here’s what to know about earning and redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

» MORE: Chase credit cards mobile app review

In this article

Chase Ultimate Rewards®: The basics

How much are Chase Ultimate Rewards® points worth?

Credit cards that earn chase ultimate rewards®, other ways to earn chase ultimate rewards®.

Frequently asked questions and Chase Ultimate Rewards®

Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points

You earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points by making purchases with Chase-branded rewards cards — including the Sapphire travel cards, Freedom cash back cards and Ink business cards.

You earn at least 1 point per dollar spent on all purchases, and most (but not all) of these cards give you additional rewards for purchases made in certain categories. ( Jump ahead to see cards that earn Ultimate Rewards® points. ) Additional points are available through sign-up bonuses , targeted offers (e.g. 5 points per dollar at a particular merchant for a limited time) and incentives, such as bonuses for referring new applicants.

Cards issued by Chase with a brand partner — such as United Airlines, Amazon or Marriott — do not earn Ultimate Rewards® points. They earn rewards in the partner's loyalty program.

Chase's "cash-back" credit cards, such as the Chase Freedom Flex℠ , the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card , actually earn Ultimate Rewards® points. With those cards, you just redeem your points for cash back.

The value of a Chase Ultimate Rewards® point varies depending on what you do with it — redeem for cash back, for travel or for something else. Further, when redeeming for travel, point values also depend on which cards you have.

Let's start with cash and cash-like redemption options. Point values for these redemptions are the same regardless of which card you have.

Redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points

Chase Ultimate Rewards® points can be exchanged for a range of redemptions, including

Gift cards.

Amazon purchases.

Apple purchases.

You may also be able to redeem for "experiences" — access to special events — if you have an eligible Chase card.

Cash redemptions

Cash back: This can take the form of a credit on your statement or a direct deposit at a rate of 1 cent per point , or 100 points for $1. There is no minimum redemption about.

Gift cards: Most cost the equivalent of 1 cent per point , but Chase often sells specific cards at a discount. For example, a $25 gift card for a specific retailer might cost 2,250 points instead of the full 2,500 points, a value of 1.1 cents per point.

Amazon payment: You can link your eligible Chase card to your Amazon account and use your card's rewards to pay through the Shop With Points program , at a rate of about 0.8 cents per point . That’s the lowest-value redemption option for Chase points and not recommended if you’re trying to maximize the value of your points. You’re better off just taking cash back at a full penny per point and using that money to pay for Amazon purchases.

Apple purchases: Redeem points for Apple merchandise through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal for 1 cent per point .

Travel redemptions

There are two ways to use Chase Ultimate Rewards® points for travel:

By booking your travel through Chase and paying for it with your points.

By transferring points to Chase's partner airline and hotel programs.

Booking travel through Chase

Chase has a travel-booking tool with competitive prices. The value you get per point depends on which card you have:

With cash-back cards, booking travel through Chase gets you a value of 1 cent per point . These include the Freedom-branded cards ( Chase Freedom® , Chase Freedom Unlimited® , Chase Freedom Flex℠ ) as well as the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card .

With the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card , booking travel through Chase gets you a value of 1.25 cents per point .

With the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , booking travel through Chase gets you a value of 1.5 cents per point .

Transferring points to Chase travel partners

With the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card , you can transfer your points on a 1:1 basis to about a dozen airline and hotel loyalty programs.

The exact value you get per point depends on which program you transfer to and how you redeem the points within that program, but NerdWallet estimates the overall transfer value at 2.2 cents per point.

Aer Lingus (1:1 ratio).

Air Canada (1:1 ratio).

Air France-KLM (1:1 ratio).

British Airways (1:1 ratio).

Emirates (1:1 ratio).

Iberia (1:1 ratio).

JetBlue (1:1 ratio).

Singapore (1:1 ratio).

Southwest (1:1 ratio).

United (1:1 ratio).

Virgin Atlantic (1:1 ratio).

Hyatt (1:1 ratio).

InterContinental Hotels Group (1:1 ratio).

Marriott (1:1 ratio).

» HOW THEY STACK UP: See how Chase Ultimate Rewards® points compare with other issuer programs on our points and miles valuations page . Or:

See our guide to American Express Membership Rewards .

See our guide to Citi ThankYou Points .

Card-to-card points transfers

Chase Ultimate Rewards® points earned on different cards can be pooled and redeemed together. That allows you to move points to one of the Sapphire cards or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card to redeem for outsize value.

For example, if you have the Chase Freedom Flex℠ , you can't redeem for travel at the higher rewards rate — just the usual 1 cent per point. But if you also have the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® , you can transfer your Chase Freedom Flex℠ points to either of those cards and redeem for the higher value (or transfer to a partner airline or hotel).

» MORE: What is the 'Chase trifecta'?

Chase Dining

Chase Dining launched in 2020 as a hub for Chase Sapphire, Freedom and Ink cardmembers. Powered by reservation website Tock, the program allows cardmembers to make reservations at participating restaurants and order takeout. Cardmembers can also redeem points for their food orders.

While all cardmembers earn rewards for purchases made through Chase Dining, cardholders earn an eye-opening rate of 10 points for each $1 spent on Chase Dining purchases.

Chase Experiences

For the Dinner on the Court series, cardmembers got the unique opportunity to walk onto the court and see the Golden State Warriors' championship trophies up close. (Photo by Sally French)

Ever since J.P. Morgan Chase’s 2021 acquisition of the restaurant website The Infatuation, cardholders have gotten increased access to exclusive invitations and unique experiences — many of which are related to dining. That includes events such as the “Dinner on the Court” series, where Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardmembers who bought tickets using either cash or Chase Ultimate Rewards® points got to dine in what was an incredibly-unique dinner experience on the court of San Francisco’s Chase Center, home of the NBA's Golden State Warriors.

Other experiences have included private dinners with celebrity chefs or VIP travel packages to big events such as Formula One races.

Many of these Chase Experiences and Chase Dining events are limited only to people who hold Chase's premium credit cards. For example, only people with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® could book the Dinner on the Court event.

Note: Chase's cash-back credit cards technically earn that cash in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards®. One point equals 1 cent in those cases.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

5 points per $1 spent on all travel booked through Chase.

3 points per $1 spent on dining (including eligible delivery services and takeout).

3 points per $1 spent on select streaming services.

3 points per $1 spent on online grocery purchases (not including Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).

2 points per $1 spent on travel not booked through Chase.

1 point per $1 spent on other purchases.

Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

» READ OUR REVIEW of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

10 points per $1 spent on Chase Dining purchases.

10 points per $1 spent on hotel stays and car rentals booked through Chase.

5 points per $1 spent on air travel booked through Chase.

3 points per $1 spent on travel and dining not booked with Chase.

Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

» READ OUR REVIEW of the Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase Freedom Flex℠

5% cash back on rotating bonus categories, on up to $1,500 spent per quarter (cash back comes in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards®).

5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase.

3% back at restaurants.

3% back at drugstores.

1% back on all other purchases.

Sign-up bonus: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

» READ OUR REVIEW of the Chase Freedom Flex℠

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ replaced the original Chase Freedom® , but holders of the original card were able to keep using it. That card offers the same 5% in rotating categories and 1% elsewhere, but not the bonus rewards on travel, dining and drugstores.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

1.5% on all other purchases.

Sign-up bonus: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

» READ OUR REVIEW of the Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

3 points per $1 spent on the first $150,000 per year in combined spending on travel and select business categories.

1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Sign-up bonus: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

» READ OUR REVIEW of the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

5% cash back on office supply store purchases and internet, cable and phone services, on up to $25,000 spent per year combined.

2% back at gas stations and restaurants, on up to $25,000 spent per year combined.

Sign-up bonus: Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.

» READ OUR REVIEW of the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

1.5% cash back on all spending.

Sign-up bonus: Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

» READ OUR REVIEW of the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Online shopping through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal with any of these cards will earn extra points or cash back.

You can earn anywhere from 1 to 15 points per dollar spent, depending on the retailer.

» MORE: How to use credit card bonus malls

Chase Ultimate Rewards® points don’t expire as long as your card is open. If you cancel your account, you’ll lose unredeemed points.

Chase Ultimate Rewards® is a points system. You earn at least 1 point for every dollar you spend with a Chase-branded credit card, and most cards earn extra points on purchases in specific categories, such as travel, restaurants or drugstores.

Options for using points include booking travel, getting cash back or — depending on which card you have — transferring them to partner airline or hotel loyalty programs. How much a point is worth depends on how you use it, but you should be able to get at least 1 cent of value per point. You can combine points from multiple cards to maximize your redemption potential.

All Chase-branded rewards credit cards earn Ultimate Rewards® points. Even Chase’s cash-back cards technically earn their rewards as points.

Cards that earn points include the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® , as well as business credit cards like the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card , the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card and the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card .

Credit cards issued by Chase in partnership with airlines, hotels or retailers do not earn Ultimate Rewards® points. Instead, they earn rewards in the partner’s loyalty program. Examples include Chase’s “co-branded” cards with United and Southwest airlines, with Marriott and Hyatt hotels, and with Amazon and Starbucks.

The value of a Chase Ultimate Rewards® point depends on the card you have and how you redeem. When used for cash back, they’re worth 1 cent apiece. Redeemed for travel booked through Chase, they’re worth 1 to 1.5 cents apiece. When transferred to a partner, they can be worth even more — or even less; it depends on what you do with the points you transfer. Our points and miles valuation page digs deeper on transfer value.

When redeemed for cash back, 10,000 Chase points are worth $100. When redeemed for travel booked through Chase, 10,000 points are worth $150 if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , or $125 with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card , or $100 with other Chase cards.

When redeemed for cash back, 100,000 Chase points are worth $1,000. When redeemed for travel booked through Chase, 100,000 points are worth $1,500 if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , or $1,250 with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card .

If your Chase card allows transfers, you can transfer them to about a dozen hotel and airline loyalty programs. They include:

Airlines: Aer Lingus, Air France/KLM, British Airways, Emirates, Iberia, JetBlue, Singapore, Southwest, United, Virgin Atlantic

Hotels: Hyatt, InterContinental Hotels Group, Marriott

Chase Ultimate Rewards® points don’t expire as long as your card account is open. If you cancel a card, you’ll lose any unredeemed points on that card.

Cards that earn points include the

, as well as business credit cards like the

The value of a Chase Ultimate Rewards® point depends on the card you have and how you redeem. When used for cash back, they’re worth 1 cent apiece. Redeemed for travel booked through Chase, they’re worth 1 to 1.5 cents apiece. When transferred to a partner, they can be worth even more — or even less; it depends on what you do with the points you transfer. Our

points and miles valuation page

digs deeper on transfer value.

When redeemed for cash back, 10,000 Chase points are worth $100. When redeemed for travel booked through Chase, 10,000 points are worth $150 if you have the

, or $125 with the

, or $100 with other Chase cards.

When redeemed for cash back, 100,000 Chase points are worth $1,000. When redeemed for travel booked through Chase, 100,000 points are worth $1,500 if you have the

, or $1,250 with the

Aer Lingus, Air France/KLM, British Airways, Emirates, Iberia, JetBlue, Singapore, Southwest, United, Virgin Atlantic

Hyatt, InterContinental Hotels Group, Marriott

on Chase's website

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1%-5% Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Earn 5% on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.

$200 Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

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Tell me if this sounds familiar: you have 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to redeem, and right before you cash them in for a $600 statement credit, you think to yourself: 

Nah. There has to be a better way. 

So you hit the back button and stare at your 60,000 points, wondering just how much value you can truly squeeze out of them. $750? $1,000? Maybe even $1,200 or more? 

Well, I’m here to tell you that all three are possible. Chase Ultimate Rewards points can indeed be worth up to 2 cents per point (CPP)–but only if you know where to look. 

So let’s uncover the best redemption options for Chase Ultimate Rewards in 2024!

For Sapphire cards

The first thing you should know about redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points is that Chase Sapphire cards have slightly different redemption options than Chase Freedom cards. 

The primary difference is that the two Sapphire Cards–the Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® –allow you to transfer your points to one of Chase’s 14 travel partners. 

The second difference is that the Preferred and Reserve get a 25% and 50% redemption bonus on every point redeemed through Chase Travel℠, respectively. So your 60,000-point welcome bonus with each card is worth $750 in travel with the Preferred and $900 with the Reserve. 

As a result, transfers and travel redemption instantly become your two best options when redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points with these cards. Let’s have a look at both in a little more detail. 

Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card

Intro bonus.

Rewards Rates

• 5x 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ (excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit)
• 3x 3x points on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
• 2x 2x points on travel purchases not booked through Chase
• 1x 1x points on other purchases
• 5x 5x points on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025 (that's 3x points in addition to the 2x points you already earn on travel)
• Valuable welcome bonus
• Extensive list of transfer partners
• Extra value on travel redemptions
• No premium travel perks
• Has an annual fee
• Additional perks: $50 annual hotel credit, trip cancelation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, complimentary Doordash and Instacart+ membership along with quarterly Instacart+ credits
• Foreign transaction fee: None

Transfers – up to 2 CPP

When you visit Ultimate Rewards after you log into your Chase account and select your Sapphire Preferred or Reserve account, you should see an additional option on the far right dropdown menu for Transfer points to partners. 

Here’s where you’ll see Chase’s 14 transfer partners, which all accept Chase Ultimate Rewards points at at least a 1:1 ratio. Sometimes you’ll get even more, thanks to bonus offers listed at the very top: 

Here’s a complete list of Chase’s travel partners as of April 2024:

Now, if each partner takes Chase Ultimate Rewards points at a 1:1 value, which partner should you pick for maximum value? 

The answer is probably Hyatt. While most of the loyalty programs on this list have points valued in the 0.8 to 1.2-cent range, various estimates pin the value of a single World of Hyatt Credit Card point to around 2 cents each. 

So, provided you’re a fan of Hyatt, there are definitely ways you can stretch ~60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to $1,200 in Hyatt value–and enjoy a well-deserved weekend at the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach on the Gulf Coast of Florida. 

World of Hyatt: Everything you need to know

Travel – up to 1.5 CPP

Even if your travel plans don’t involve one of the transfer partners above, you can always redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards through Chase Travel for a redemption value of 1.25 CPP if you have the Preferred and 1.5 CPP if you have the Reserve. 

If you’ve never used the Chase Travel portal before, know that it’s surprisingly robust and very easy to use. You can book hotels, flights, rental cars, cruises and “activities” (e.g. food tours, skydiving lessons and more). I’ve used it countless times to book flights and hotels, and you get a confirmation email from both Chase and the travel vendor when you do (which is extra comforting). 

Just be mindful that if you book a hotel room through Chase Travel, you typically won’t qualify for loyalty points or rewards on the hotel side. Plus, you’ll definitely want to use up your annual travel credits ($50 with the Preferred, $300 with the Reserve) before using up your points. 

An under-the-radar use of Ultimate Rewards points is redeeming them for activities. You can get 1.25 or 1.5 cents per point by buying airport transfers, catamaran tours, or cooking classes through the portal. 

For Freedom cards

As mentioned, Chase’s trio of Freedom-branded cards (the Chase Freedom Rise℠ , Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom Unlimited ® ) lack the option to transfer points to travel partners. They also don’t get 25% or 50% travel redemption bonuses like the Sapphire cards, so your list of the best redemption options isn’t quite as “spicy.” Even still, it has plenty of kick–and you won’t have to look far to get more than a penny per point in value.

Chase Freedom Rise℠

Intro bonus.

• 1.5x Unlimited 1.5% cashback on all purchases (Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back)
• Great for building credit
• No annual fee
• Earns rewards
• Foreign transaction fee
• Strongly encourages banking relationship with Chase to be approved
• Additional perks: Cell phone insurance, car rental insurance
• Foreign transaction fee: 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Pay Yourself Back – up to 1.25 CPP

Under Ultimate Rewards > More ways to use, you’ll see that 5,000 points are pretty much worth $50 across the board. 

But wait – what’s this?

Somehow, the Pay Yourself Back option–which lets you cover past purchases with points–has a 25% multiplier. Let’s investigate. 

From the Pay Yourself Back dashboard, you can see that there’s a temporary 25% bonus on select charitable donations–which is awesome. It may not help you pay your bills per se, but it’s a great redemption option nonetheless that helps you stretch your points to 1.25CPP.

Gift cards – up to 1.1 CPP

In a similar vein, Chase often has “sales” on gift cards that you can’t always see from the main Ultimate Rewards dashboard. 

But if you go to Shopping & Experiences > Redeem for gift cards, you’ll see that some of your options are 10% off–meaning your points suddenly carry a redemption value of ~1.1 CPP with select merchants: 

You can also filter by Sale to see all of your current options in one easy view:

Again, your options may be limited here–but if you were planning on doing some home improvement (and rewarding yourself with pancakes after), there are some good savings to be had from this redemption option. 

The takeaway

So there you have it–the four best redemption options for Chase Ultimate Rewards in 2024. From a weekend getaway at the Grand Hyatt to a fresh banana cream cheesecake, there are plenty of ways to redeem your points for more than a penny each in value.

Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.

EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE : The advice, opinions, or rankings contained in this article are solely those of the Fortune Recommends ™ editorial team. This content has not been reviewed or endorsed by any of our affiliate partners or other third parties.

How to book a cruise using points and miles

If you're eager to embark on a cruise and have accumulated points, you might not have to pay for your next trip.

In this guide, we will explore strategies to help you optimize your points and miles to reduce the cost of your cruise vacation. We'll discuss leveraging your existing loyalty programs and the best ways to unlock savings on your cruise fare.

Here are the top ways to use your points and miles for a cruise.

Should you book a cruise with points and miles?

While various options are available for redeeming your points and miles toward a cruise, it is important to note that the value you receive may not always be optimal (i.e., less than TPG's valuations ). In the realm of travel rewards, there are often more lucrative opportunities to leverage your points and miles for flights or hotel stays, where the value and flexibility tend to be higher.

If you have American Express, Capital One, Chase or Citi points, you might be able to get a redemption value of 1 to 1.5 cents per point for cruises. In this case, you'd get $100 or $150 off your cruise fare by redeeming 10,000 points. While this may seem high, it falls short compared to the value some travelers get when redeeming points for luxury hotels or first-class flights.

Some cruise lines have their own credit cards, but a few have formed partnerships with other brands. For example, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and redeem points on Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection cruises . These partner options are often limited, though, and may require loyalty to a specific travel brand.

You can always use points to reduce travel expenses for any cruise vacation. For example, you can use American Express Membership Rewards points , Bilt Rewards points , Capital One miles , Chase Ultimate Rewards points and Citi ThankYou points to cover costs associated with airfare, hotels or rental cars for your cruise. This often proves to be a better use of your rewards.

However, if you really want to use your accumulated points to reduce your cruise costs, here are various options for booking a cruise with points and miles.

Book a cruise with credit card points

You can use certain credit card points to book a cruise. Typically, you will be required to make the reservation through the portal provided by your credit card issuer, but some require calling a booking center. You may also be able to charge the cruise to your card and then redeem your rewards for a statement credit against some (or all) of that purchase.

Here's how you can book a cruise on points with several major credit card companies.

Amex Travel Pay with Points

If you have an eligible American Express card that earns Membership Rewards points , you can use those points to cover the cost of your cruise through the Pay with Points program . With this program, you can redeem Membership Rewards points at a value of 0.5 to 0.7 cents per point for most travel purchases. However, we value each Membership Rewards point at 2 cents when you maximize the program's transfer partners, so you would be using them at a lower value.

The Amex Travel portal has a user-friendly search feature that allows you to explore different cruises based on specific filters such as date, destination, cruise line and trip duration even before you log in.

To book a cruise using Pay with Points, log in to the travel portal and do the following:

• Select your preferred cruise itinerary and cabin.
• Enter your passenger information.
• When it's time to check out, enter your Membership Rewards-enrolled American Express card information and select "Yes" to determine how many Membership Rewards points your account has.
• You can pay for the entire cruise using Pay with Points or erase a portion of the cost and pay the rest with cash.

Alternatively, you can look up the cruise you want and call 800-297-5627 to book directly with the Amex Travel team over the phone.

Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal is similar to Amex Travel, but the redemption value is higher.

Points from the $95 per year Chase Sapphire Preferred Card are worth 1.25 cents each toward travel booked through Chase, while points from the $550 per year Chase Sapphire Reserve are worth 1.5 cents.

Unfortunately, Chase's booking system doesn't let you book cruises directly through Chase's online Ultimate Rewards portal. You'll have to call the Ultimate Rewards booking hotline and talk to someone in the cruise reservations department instead.

To book a cruise and pay with Chase Ultimate Rewards points:

• Find the cruise itinerary and availability you want directly through the cruise line's website . If you have a specific cabin in mind, have that information handy. Unfortunately, reports indicate that you cannot book Disney Cruise Line sailings with Chase Ultimate Rewards.
• Call a Chase travel specialist directly at 855-234-2542, and be prepared to walk the adviser through the cruise line booking page on their end so they can find and book the cabin and options you want. Cruise advisers are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
• Your cruise adviser will set up the itinerary for you and, upon checkout, will ask you how many points you want to apply against your final balance.

Citi ThankYou Rewards

The Citi ThankYou portal allows cardholders to use their ThankYou points as credit toward a cruise. Some cardholders can redeem points at a value of 1 cent apiece.

Finding your cruise within the Citi ThankYou portal can be frustrating because the search functionality isn't very robust. Travelers can only search for cruises by destination or cruise line, not by available dates.

To book a cruise using Citi ThankYou points:

• Log in to the travel portal by navigating through your Citi account (or directly at thankyou.com) and clicking on "Cruises" on the travel booking page.
• Then, filter by cruise line or destination. (Note that you can't search for cruises by a specific date.)
• Once you've identified the cruise you wish to book, call 800-842-6596 to speak directly with a Citi ThankYou travel specialist, who will allow you to apply Citi ThankYou points toward the final cost at checkout.

You can also use Citi ThankYou points to book a Disney cruise if you desire.

Capital One miles

Capital One offers more flexibility and a more straightforward redemption process than Amex, Chase and Citi. Unless you transfer your miles to an airline or hotel partner , each mile is worth a flat 1 cent toward travel.

Redeeming points doesn't require booking through a portal , thus freeing you up to book your cruise directly with the company or via a travel agent to get extra perks. This option also lets you pursue promotional package rates or discounts that might not be available through the Amex, Chase or Citi portals.

The award redemption process is straightforward: Use the card when paying for your cruise package, then log in to your account and use the "cover your travel purchases" option to apply your mileage balance as a credit toward the total amount you owe on your credit card statement.

You can earn Capital One miles with cards like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card . Each has varying features, so do some research to decide which card is best for you.

Related: Capital One Venture Rewards vs. Capital One Venture X: Worth the extra $300 in annual fees?

Book a cruise with airline miles

You can also book cruises using airline miles. However, like other options, the value of your travel rewards is often underwhelming. The following travel providers offer cruise portals that allow you to redeem rewards:

• American Airlines Cruises
• Delta Cruises
• United Cruises

For example, in the United Cruises portal, this seven-night Disney cruise out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, costs 151,571 United MileagePlus miles per person for an interior cabin — worth $2,198 by TPG's current valuation for United miles.

In contrast, the same room and sailing dates cost just $1,061 per person when paid for with cash — clearly a better value than paying with United miles.

Use cruise cobranded credit card points to book

With cruise line cobranded credit cards , you can earn points for purchases that you can then use to offset the cost of your cruise booking. However, this might not be your best option for earning and redeeming points.

Here, you'll want to be sure you can use your points toward the cruise fare instead of only onboard purchases. For example, the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature® Card offers a welcome bonus of 25,000 MyCruise Rewards points after spending $1,000 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of card membership to use on your next cruise. Your redemption choices vary.

For instance, you can redeem 25,000 points toward your companion's cruise fare on a three- or four-night Royal Caribbean cruise (certain conditions apply, i.e., minimum available ocean-view cabin and may not exceed $500 in value). Or, you can redeem 30,000 points for a $300 discount on a Celebrity Cruises voyage. To learn more about how to redeem MyCruise Rewards points, check out this PDF .

The information for the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Redeem Marriott Bonvoy points

In 2021, Marriott announced that The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection would participate in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program. Members can redeem points on Ritz-Carlton cruises and enjoy elite status perks on voyages. However, the redemption rates aren't great.

You can redeem a minimum of 180,000 points toward a flat $1,000 savings on the cruise fare. After that, you can redeem increments of 90,000 points toward $500 in savings, up to the entire cruise fare. This redemption rate equates to about 0.56 cents per Marriott point, well below TPG's valuation of 0.84 cents per point.

Related: 17 ways to earn lots of Marriott Bonvoy points

Additionally, Marriott Bonvoy's Cruise with Points program allows you to cash in Marriott points for credit toward any cruise that's bookable on the Cruise with Points website.

You can redeem points in the following denominations, all valued at 0.4 cents per point:

• 63,000 points for $250 off your cruise fare
• 125,000 points for $500 off
• 250,000 points for $1,000 off
• 625,000 points for $2,500 off
• 1,250,000 points for $5,000 off

To redeem Marriott points for a cruise, call 1 800-596-0452.

Use points and miles for pre-cruise hotels and flights

You might make better use of your points and miles by redeeming them for flights to your departure port and for pre- and post-cruise hotel stays instead of for the cruise fare itself. With flights and hotels, you can often get more than 1 or 1.5 cents per point, unlike cruises, which generally provide lackluster redemption rates.

For example, you could transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to United MileagePlus and get 3 cents per mile by booking a flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Miami International Airport (MIA). If you're an elite member or have a United credit card , you might even have access to special member award pricing .

Or, you could use 12,000 to 18,000 World of Hyatt points or an annual Category 1-4 award from the World of Hyatt Credit Card to pay for a room at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport in Florida before heading to Port Canaveral the next day.

By using points on this given one-night stay, you're getting 2.5 cents per point.

Bottom line

It isn't always easy to get great value for your points and miles when you use them toward cruise redemptions — at least, not the way you can for first-class flights. However, redeeming your points for free or discounted cruise travel is possible.

That said, you should steer clear of using airline miles or hotel points for cruises if you want to redeem your rewards for maximum value. Those are better used on flights and overnight stays.

It's a similar story for credit card currencies. Capital One offers the most flexibility of all the major issuers because you can book your cruise directly or through a travel agent . With multiple booking options, you can take advantage of additional perks and access promotional rates from travel agents and online retailers that aren't available through credit card portals. You could even stack those deals for additional savings by booking via an airline portal to earn miles.

Once booked, the Capital One award redemption process is straightforward; simply apply your mileage balance as a credit toward your total credit card statement. Each mile is worth a flat 1 cent toward travel, so you always know the value for comparison purposes.

If you ask me, that's how I'd book a cruise with points and miles to get the best value.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Credit Cards

Why I chose the Chase Sapphire Preferred as my first ever rewards card

Sarah Li Cain

Robin Saks Frankel

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

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Published 6:03 a.m. UTC April 15, 2024

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DaLiu, Getty Images

I first started learning about the world of rewards credit cards from friends and bloggers and knew I wanted in. The challenge was that it took me a long time to build my credit , and I wanted to be sure I picked the right card. After some research, I landed on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card as my first rewards credit card. Yes, there are other cards with lower (or no) annual fees, but I have squeezed a ton of value from this credit card.

Here are the reasons why I landed on the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

our partner

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Welcome bonus.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Regular APR

Credit score.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Editor’s Take

• Flexible points that can be transferred to 14 travel partners or redeemed through Chase Travel℠ at 1.25 cents each.
• $50 annual statement credit toward Chase Travel hotel bookings.
• Valuable travel protections.
• $95 annual fee.
• Category bonuses are limited and not competitive against other travel cards.
• Transfer partner list is limited compared to programs like Amex Membership ® Rewards and Citi ThankYou ® .

Card Details

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

1. I wanted flexible redemption options

Learning about travel rewards and how to redeem points as a beginner all those years ago felt extremely intimidating. I wanted to earn rewards that offered plenty of redemption options and where I could learn at a pace that felt accessible to me. Initially, I ignored the airline and hotel transfer partners and decided I would focus on how I would use my Ultimate Rewards® points through the Chase Travel℠ portal. 

Taking this route eased my fears about how to book flights and hotels using rewards. I was also happy that I didn’t have to feel loyal to one airline or hotel chain like I would have with a cobranded rewards card. After booking a few trips through the Chase travel site, I took the time to learn about the issuer’s travel loyalty transfer partners (there are 14 in total). But I still liked choosing which method — booking through Chase Travel or transferring points — was better for me to squeeze the most out of my points. 

Some travel rewards redemptions offer more value than others. Here’s some of the best ways to use Chase points .

2. The annual fee is accessible, even for occasional travelers

When I opened the Sapphire Preferred card, my family wasn’t traveling much. We were still settling into our new home, my husband had started a new job and I was juggling taking care of my young child with my freelance career. I aimed to earn enough rewards from the card to nab heavily discounted hotels and the occasional flight when we visited family once or twice a year.

At $95, the annual fee felt affordable to us. A pricier card with lounge access wasn’t important, because we didn’t fly enough to feel that feature would be worth it. However, the Sapphire Preferred’s $50 annual Chase Travel hotel credit was, since we stop and stay overnight on our cross-country drives during the summer. 

3. I was able to earn the welcome bonus easily

My family and I mostly used credit cards to pay for bills like utilities and groceries. Looking over our expenses, we could easily spend thousands of dollars over a span of several months. The minimum spend requirement to earn the welcome bonus — 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening — was well within our reach. Plus, I paid off my credit cards each month, meaning we didn’t pay any interest and our rewards earnings didn’t cost us extra. 

The minimum spend is higher than some rewards cards, though lower than luxury ones — my family and I were able to hit the minimum spend in a little over two months. Considering I earned $750 worth of travel if I booked through Chase Travel (which I was mostly doing in the beginning anyway), it was well worth it.

4. There are no foreign transaction fees

My mom and sister live in Canada where I grew up, so I make the annual trek with my family to visit them along with several other close friends. I knew that whatever credit card I signed up for, I wanted no foreign transaction fees when using it in another country. My last credit card did charge fees for transactions overseas, and though they may not seem like much on their own, they do add up.

This benefit alone didn’t convince me to sign up for the Sapphire Preferred but it was certainly a welcome benefit in addition to all the others. 

5. Why I keep the Sapphire Preferred even years later

The Chase Sapphire Preferred has stayed in my wallet for the last six years and I don’t plan on canceling it anytime soon. The initial signup bonus earned my family several hotel nights when we visited family and friends. In subsequent years we took advantage of the $50 annual hotel credit and other benefits, such as primary rental car insurance , to make the annual fee worth it. 

Over the years I’ve added two other Chase cards to the mix — the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card * The information for the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. . I pool the points I earn from these two credit cards with my Sapphire Preferred because the Preferred offers a 25% points boost when booking travel through Chase. Since I have a family of three to book travel for, I want to use all the advantages I can get. 

Considering a rewards card? Here’s how to choose the right credit card for you.

*The information for the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Sarah Li Cain is a finance and small business writer currently based in Jacksonville, Florida whose articles have been published with outlets such as Fortune, CNBC Select, the Financial Planning Association and Zillow.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

Grace Pilling is a deputy editor for credit cards at USA TODAY Blueprint. She believes credit cards are the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure tools of the financial world and gets excited about helping people discover the best credit card strategy for their unique goals. Prior to joining Blueprint, Grace worked on and led personal finance teams at Bankrate, CreditCards.com, MoneyUnder30 and MoneyGeek. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and writing and a diploma in editing and publishing.

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• How other travel cards compare to the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card
• 3 key benefits cardholders get from the Autograph Journey 

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Contributor

Holly Johnson is a credit card expert and writer who covers rewards and loyalty programs, budgeting, and all things personal finance. In addition to writing for publications like Bankrate, CreditCards.com, Forbes Advisor and Investopedia, Johnson owns Club Thrifty and is the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You'll Love."

Tiffany Connors

Tiffany Wendeln Connors is a senior editor for CNET Money with a focus on credit cards. Previously, she covered personal finance topics as a writer and editor at The Penny Hoarder. She is passionate about helping people make the best money decisions for themselves and their families. She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and has been a writer and editor for publications including the New York Post, Women's Running magazine and Soap Opera Digest. When she isn't working, you can find her enjoying life in St. Petersburg, Florida, with her husband, daughter and a very needy dog.

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The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card * -- Wells Fargo’s latest and best travel card -- recently launched with an impressive set of features. Its competitive rewards, welcome bonus and redemption options take aim at incumbent travel credit cards from Chase, American Express and Capital One.

What gives Wells Fargo’s first foray into the point-transfer space an edge is that you don’t have to book travel in a portal to earn the highest rewards rates. 

Here’s why we think the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey could go toe-to-toe with some of the best travel credit cards, plus three insider tips to help you decide if you should add it to your credit card lineup.

Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect with the Autograph Journey:

• Earn 60,000 welcome bonus rewards points after spending $4,000 in purchases within three months of account opening.
• Earn unlimited 5x points on hotels, 4x points on airlines, 3x points on other travel and dining and 1x on other purchases.
• Receive an annual statement credit with a $50 minimum airline purchase.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Other benefits include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, roadside dispatch and cell phone insurance.
• $95 annual fee.

How other travel cards compare to the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

3 key benefits cardholders get from the autograph journey .

Here’s a rundown of four facts we discovered about the Autograph Journey that you should know when deciding whether to apply.

1. You can transfer points with Wells Fargo point-based cards

The launch of the Autograph Journey also marks the first transferable points program from Wells Fargo, which joins other card issuers like Chase and Capital One, which have their own pooling programs .

Autograph Journey will be able to do a points transfer with the no-annual-fee Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card . This is especially notable since the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers bonus rewards in different categories than the Autograph Journey. 

For example, the Autograph card earns unlimited 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans, plus 1x points on other purchases. So you can maximize your point earning across different categories, then transfer your points to your Autograph Journey account to access premium travel redemptions.

2. It offers more options for earning bonus miles on travel than some competitors

The Autograph Journey will offer more flexibility than many travel rewards cards when it comes to earning more points on travel purchases. For example, cardholders earn unlimited 5x points on hotels booked directly with hotel brands and 4x points on airfare booked with airlines. 

This helps the card stand out from other popular travel credit cards that offer the most bonus points only if you book travel through their portals. For example, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card * and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * only offer the highest bonus rewards on travel booked through Capital One Travel. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card also offers its highest rate of 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, whereas other travel purchases earn 2x points.

Autograph Journey cardholders also earn a minimum of 3x points on other travel purchases, which could include rental cars, cruises and travel booked through online travel agencies like Expedia and Priceline.

3. The card may grow in value as more transfer partners join

The Autograph Journey Card will earn flexible travel rewards points that transfer to a selection of airline and hotel partners, similar to Amex Membership Rewards points or Chase Ultimate Rewards . While the list of transfer partners is limited, Wells Fargo stated in its initial press release that “more partners will continue to be added throughout the year.”

Points transfers could dramatically change the value proposition of the Autograph Journey, especially if new partners include domestic airlines and popular hotel loyalty programs. 

Wells Fargo point transfers will be available to new cardholders starting on April 4. For now, Wells Fargo transfer partners include the following:

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* All information about the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card have been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

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Chase ultimate rewards®: how our program works.

Chase Ultimate Rewards ® is a credit card rewards program offered by Chase that helps turn your everyday purchases into exciting rewards. As a cardmember, you have the opportunity to earn rewards points while you shop, dine or travel.

One of the most valuable parts of the program is the built-in flexibility that allows you to earn rewards , then easily redeem or transfer them when you’re ready.

In this article, we’ll dive into how this program works, how to earn and maximize your rewards points and also how to redeem them.

How does Chase Ultimate Rewards work?

Chase Ultimate Rewards are rewards points that many Chase credit cards offer cardmembers. These rewards points are earned by using an eligible card for your everyday spending or travel purchases.

All Chase credit cards allow you to redeem those points for cash back, travel, gift cards and Amazon or Apple purchases. In some cases, you may even be able to redeem your points for special experiences or access exclusive events.

Many people enjoy using their points to help pay for travel. There are two ways to do this:

• Book your travel through the Chase Travel Portal and use your points toward the purchase.
• Transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to an airline or hotel that has a partnership with Chase.

How to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points

To earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, simply use an eligible Chase credit card for your everyday spending. If the card has a sign-up bonus offer, you can earn it by meeting certain spending requirements within a specified amount of time after first opening your account. In addition, you can earn points by taking advantage of categories that may offer higher points per dollar spent (such as gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, streaming services and more).

How much are Chase Ultimate Rewards points worth?

The value of your Chase Ultimate rewards points will differ depending on the credit card that you have and the category that you’re redeeming in. In general, points are worth more when redeemed for travel or transferred to Chase’s partners.

For example, if you have a Sapphire Reserve ® card and you use your points to book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, your points are worth 1.5 cents per point instead of 1. If you have a Sapphire Preferred ® card , you can redeem for travel at 1.25 cents per point.

If you’re interested in cash back, each point is worth 1 cent.

How much are 10,000 Chase rewards points worth?

In most cases, 10,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points are typically worth $100 that you can then use to purchase gift cards, make purchases on Amazon or receive as cash back on your statement. However, as stated above, if you’re a Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmember (or other eligible cardmember) and choose to use your rewards points for travel, your points may be worth more. In this case, if you book your travel through Chase, your points are worth 1.5x the cash back redemption value and therefore those 10,000 points are worth $150.

How much are 100,000 Chase rewards points worth?

The math is the same as above, so 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points are typically worth at least $1,000. They could be worth more depending on the card you use and if you book through Chase’s online travel portal.

How to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points

There are four main ways to redeem your Ultimate Rewards points.

Book travel: Instead of booking your travel plans directly with an airline, hotel or rental car, you can use the Chase Travel Portal to book these reservations. You can use your Ultimate Rewards points to pay for all or part of the purchase. Or, if you purchase your travel using an eligible Chase credit card, you can earn 5x the rewards on airfare.

Transfer points to a partner: If you have a Sapphire Reserve or Sapphire Preferred credit card, you have the ability to transfer your rewards points (in 1,000 point increments) to Chase’s travel partners and use those points toward the purchase of travel. Simply log onto the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal and choose the “Transfer to Travel Partners” section. There, you can choose from among the list of airline and hotel travel partners.

Redeem for cash back: The Ultimate Rewards portal makes it easy to redeem your rewards points for cash back. You can choose to receive this as a statement credit or have it deposited into your bank account.

Redeem for gift cards: Similar to booking travel, you can redeem your rewards points to purchase gift cards through the Ultimate Rewards portal. The point value is 1 cent for gift cards, though sometimes Chase offers discounts on certain gift cards throughout the year, which means the value per point increases and your rewards go a bit further. You can find out which gift cards are discounted by navigating to the gift card section of the Ultimate Rewards portal.

Chase credit cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase offers several credit cards that are eligible to earn Ultimate Rewards points, each with their own unique features and benefits. Here are just a few to consider:

Chase Sapphire Reserve ®

• Earn a welcome bonus after you spend a minimum amount within the first three months of opening the card
• Receive an annual travel credit of up to $300 each anniversary year
• Earn 10x points on Chase Dining purchases with Ultimate Rewards
• Earn 10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• Earn 5x total points on flights when you purchase travel through Chase Travel after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• Earn 3x points on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
• Earn 3x points on other travel not purchased through Chase

Chase Sapphire Preferred ®

• Earn 5x points on travel purchases through Chase Travel
• Earn 3x points on dining and eligible delivery services
• Earn 3x points on select streaming services
• Earn 2x points on other travel purchases
• Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Chase Freedom Unlimited ®

• Low annual fee 
• 5% cash back on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards ®
• 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
• 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
• Earn 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
• Cash back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open

Chase Freedom Flex ®

Though similar to Freedom Unlimited, the Chase Freedom Flex credit card has one key difference – it has rotating bonus categories that you activate each quarter to earn bonus rewards. Once you activate the categories, you’ll earn 5% cash back on those specific spending categories, up to the spend cap, and they change every three months. This enables you to maximize cash back in different areas throughout the year. This list of features include:

• Low annual fee
• 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories like gas stations, grocery stores and select online merchants, each quarter you activate
• 5% cash back on travel purchases through Chase Travel
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Do Chase Ultimate Rewards points expire?

Chase Ultimate Rewards points do not expire as long as your credit card account remains open and in good standing. If you choose to close your account, you may lose any unredeemed points. It’s always a good idea to read your credit card’s terms and conditions carefully.

The bottom line

Chase Ultimate Rewards stands out as a flexible and adaptable rewards system that provides numerous avenues for accruing and utilizing rewards points. It offers many options for accumulating rewards points as well as a versatile platform for redeeming them.

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Ultimate Rewards points are the currency of most Chase-branded credit cards. You can earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points for everyday spending and then redeem them for a wide range of rewards.

Despite increasing competition from American Express Membership Rewards points , Citi ThankYou Rewards points and Capital One miles , Chase Ultimate Rewards points have maintained their place as one of the most valuable and useful points currencies — especially with valuable products like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card .

Transferring Ultimate Rewards to travel partners is often the most valuable way to redeem your hard-earned points. With 14 different transfer partners, you have plenty of options, since you can keep your Chase points in your Ultimate Rewards account until you can transfer them.

Related: The best Chase credit cards

Here is everything to know about Chase Ultimate Rewards' transfer partners.

What are the Chase transfer partners?

You can transfer Ultimate Rewards points to 11 airline programs:

• Aer Lingus AerClub
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• Air France-KLM Flying Blue
• British Airways Executive Club
• Emirates Skywards
• Iberia Plus
• JetBlue TrueBlue
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
• United Airlines MileagePlus
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Chase also partners with three hotel programs:

• IHG One Rewards
• Marriott Bonvoy
• World of Hyatt

All transfer ratios are 1:1 (though there are occasional transfer bonuses ), and you must transfer points in 1,000-point increments.

How long do Ultimate Rewards transfers take?

Most transfers from Chase Ultimate Rewards to its partner programs are instantaneous , with two exceptions. In our testing, transfers to both Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and Marriott Bonvoy can take up to two business days.

We've heard anecdotal stories of delays with other programs, but as long as the name on your Ultimate Rewards account matches that on your loyalty program account, these should process immediately.

Note that transfer bonuses can also be inconsistent. For example, when TPG's Nick Ewen recently transferred points to Aeroplan to take advantage of a 20% bonus, the base points arrived immediately, but it took three days for the bonus points to post.

How do I transfer Chase points to partners?

You can easily transfer Chase points online. First, log in to your Chase account and navigate to the Ultimate Rewards portal. Under the Travel drop-down, select "Transfer to Travel Partners" to access the main transfer page.

You will then see the list of transfer partners. Any current transfer bonuses will also be shown (note that the screen shot below may show outdated offers). Select your desired transfer partner, link your external account if you have not already done so, select the number of Ultimate Rewards points you wish to transfer and then submit the transfer.

Remember, Ultimate Rewards transfers cannot be reversed, so it's best to wait until you have a specific use before transferring them.

What are the best Chase transfer partners?

Given the low award chart rates of the World of Hyatt program, many TPG staffers believe Hyatt is the best hotel transfer option for Ultimate Rewards points.

If you would prefer to transfer to one of the 11 different airline program partners, the best option may depend on which airlines fly to and from the destinations you wish to travel, who the program partners with and which airlines you like to travel with.

There are sweet spots to be found in most airline transfer options, especially those programs that have retained award charts .

Here are some of our favorite Ultimate Rewards sweet spots .

Top-tier Hyatt hotels

The World of Hyatt award chart has two appealing factors. First, its mere existence is notable, given most other hotel programs (including IHG One Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy, the other Chase hotel partners) have shifted to dynamic pricing .

Beyond that, Hyatt award rates can be incredibly low compared to some competitors. You can book some of the fanciest Park Hyatt properties in the entire portfolio, including the Park Hyatt New York and Park Hyatt Sydney , for just 35,000 points per night during off-peak dates. TPG values Hyatt points at 1.7 cents each, so 35,000 points are worth $595.

That's a great deal for hotels that sell for close to $1,000 per night, even when demand is low.

There's also great value at the lower end of the Hyatt award chart. Category 1 hotels range from 3,500 to 6,500 points per night, depending on whether you travel on peak, standard or off-peak dates.

Iberia flights to Madrid

Round-trip, off-peak flights from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Spain's capital will only set you back 34,000 Avios in economy, 51,000 in premium economy or 68,000 in business when you transfer your Chase points to Iberia Plus. Considering that most airlines charge at least 60,000 miles for a one-way business-class award to Europe, you're essentially getting a 50% discount.

Related: 7 of the best airline award chart sweet spots

Flights to Hawaii with Alaska and American

By transferring your Ultimate Rewards to British Airways, you can book awards with Oneworld partners American Airlines and Alaska Airlines . As long as your nonstop flight distance is under 3,000 miles each way (and saver-level award space is available), you can leverage British Airways' distance-based award chart to fly from any West Coast gateway to Hawaii for only 32,000 Avios round-trip — after a December 2023 devaluation that saw prices increase by up to 32%.

ANA flights booked through Virgin Atlantic

For just 145,000 miles, you can fly round-trip in All Nippon Airways first class between the West Coast and Tokyo. Flights from other U.S. gateways only cost an extra 25,000 miles (170,000 miles round-trip). Business-class redemptions are an even better deal, costing just 90,000-95,000 miles round-trip, depending on your U.S. departure airport. If possible, you'll want to route through New York-JFK and fly ANA's new industry-leading "The Room" business class , which is only available on select routes.

However, availability can be difficult to come by.

Short-haul flights to Canada

Aeroplan stuck to an award chart for partner redemptions but added dynamic pricing for Air Canada flights. As a result, you can often find super-cheap short-haul tickets from the U.S. to Canada. For example, New York to Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) can be booked for under 6,000 miles one-way on many dates.

However, you can also find very reasonable award rates on Star Alliance partners through Aeroplan — including Lufthansa, Swiss and EVA Airways.

Related: Your complete guide to Star Alliance benefits

What are Chase Ultimate Rewards points worth?

TPG values Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents apiece in our monthly valuations, and we believe you will receive the best value by transferring the points to partners.

However, you'll get varying values for Chase points if you pursue other redemption opportunities. For example, Ultimate Rewards points are worth 1.5 cents apiece through the Chase travel portal for Sapphire Reserve cardholders or 1.25 cents for those with the Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred . You'll also have access to Chase Pay Yourself Back as a cardholder of any of the above cards, and there are occasionally offers to use Chase points for Apple products or gift cards at an enhanced value.

Finally, Chase points are worth 1 cent apiece if used for simple cash back.

How do I earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points?

There are many ways to earn Chase points at 1-10 points per dollar spent, depending on the specific Chase credit card you carry.

The first three cards below earn fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points by themselves, while the remaining four are technically billed as cash-back credit cards .

However, if you have an Ultimate Rewards-earning card, you can effectively convert your cash-back rewards into Ultimate Rewards points. For this reason, having more than one Chase card can make sense to maximize your earning and redeeming potential.

Here are the cards that allow you to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Welcome bonus: 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening

Why you want it: This is a fantastic all-around travel credit card . It earns points at the following rates:

• 5 points per dollar on Lyft (through March 2025)
• 5 points per dollar on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• 3 points per dollar on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out
• 3 points per dollar on select streaming services
• 3 points per dollar on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
• 2 points per dollar on all other travel
• 1 point per dollar on all other purchases

The Sapphire Preferred has no foreign transaction fees and has many travel perks , including delayed baggage insurance, trip interruption/cancellation insurance and primary car rental insurance .

Annual fee: $95

Application link: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Welcome bonus: 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening

Why you want it: The Sapphire Reserve offers earning power paired with travel perks that can easily cover the annual fee. It earns points at the following rates:

• 10 points per dollar on Lyft (through March 2025)
• 10 points per dollar on Chase Dining booked through Ultimate Rewards
• 10 points per dollar on hotel and car rental purchases through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal
• 5 points per dollar on airline travel booked through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal
• 3 points per dollar on travel not booked through Chase
• 3 points per dollar on other dining purchases
• 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases

Other perks include an easy-to-use $300 annual travel credit , a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck (up to $100 once every four years) and Priority Pass Select lounge access as well as the growing list of new Sapphire lounges . This is one of the few cards that allow you to use your Priority Pass membership for discounted meals in airport restaurants . Cardholders also get primary car rental coverage , trip interruption/cancellation insurance and other protections .

Annual fee: $550

Application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Welcome bonus: 100,000 points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening

Why you want it: This is one of the best credit cards for small-business owners , earning 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services, advertising made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year. You earn 1 point per dollar on all other purchases, and points don't expire as long as your account is open.

Application link: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Cash-back Chase credit cards

Four Chase credit cards are technically billed as cash-back products. However, suppose you have one of the three cards noted above. In that case, you can combine your points in a single account, converting these cash-back rewards into fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points.

Even better? None of these cards charge an annual fee.

Here are the four cards that offer this functionality:

• Chase Freedom Flex : Earn $200 after you spend $500 in the first three months of account opening. Earn 5% back on select bonus categories, which rotate every quarter and apply on up to $1,500 in combined spending (activation required). Plus, earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards , 3% on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and 3% on drugstore purchases.
• Chase Freedom Unlimited : Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year), worth up to $300 cash back. Plus, earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards , 3% on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and 3% on drugstore purchases. Earn 1.5% on all other purchases.
• Ink Business Cash Credit Card : Earn up to $750: $350 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months, and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening. Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year (then 1%). Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year (then 1%).
• Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card : Earn $750 cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash-back rewards on every purchase.

Note that Chase also issues the Ink Business Premier® Credit Card . However, the earnings on this card can't be combined with others in the Ultimate Rewards ecosystem.

Read more: Your guide to the Chase Ink Business credit cards

Bottom line

If you value the flexibility of choosing from 11 airline partners and three hotel partners, Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of our favorite credit card programs at TPG.

In the age of no-notice devaluations by some loyalty programs, it is smart to earn Ultimate Rewards via the range of credit card welcome bonuses, category bonuses and everyday spending, and then keep your Ultimate Rewards points until you are ready to transfer and book with an airline or hotel partner.

• Fees and sign-up bonuses

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Ink Business Preferred: A Comprehensive Comparison

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate credit cards to write unbiased product reviews .

Introduction

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is Business Insider's choice for the best credit card and the best travel rewards credit card .

Its small-business equivalent, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card , is our choice for the best small business credit card as well as the best business credit card for travel . 

Overview of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

If you're considering both credit cards, you may find it hard to choose between these two options — you'll often find that many entrepreneurs have both in their wallets.

Finding the right card for you will come down to evaluating the benefits you will be able to use, and understanding which card's rewards-earning structure is most suited to your spending habits.

Here's a detailed look at the biggest differences between the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.

Chase Ink Business Preferred vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred 

Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. Earn 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries. Earn 2x on all other travel purchases. Earn 1x on all other purchases.

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

Earn 60,000 bonus points

Good to Excellent

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High intro bonus offer starts you off with lots of points
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong travel coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit

If you're new to travel rewards credit cards or just don't want to pay hundreds in annual fees, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a smart choice. It earns bonus points on a wide variety of travel and dining purchases and offers strong travel and purchase coverage, including primary car rental insurance.

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.

21.24% - 26.24% Variable

Earn 100,000 bonus points

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High sign-up bonus
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers 3x bonus points on several spending categories, including travel and advertising purchases
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes comprehensive travel coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Welcome bonus has a very high minimum spending requirement

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card offers a huge welcome bonus and solid earning and benefits for a moderate annual fee. If your small-business expenses line up with the card's bonus categories and you like redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards® points for travel, this is one of the best small-business credit cards to consider.

• Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
• Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
• Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
• Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.

Annual fees and sign-up bonuses

These two cards have a lot in common; in fact, you could consider them to be counterparts of each other, designed for consumers or for small business owners.

Comparison of annual fees

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has a $95 annual fee, and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has a $95 annual fee. 

Sign-up bonus offers

Welcome bonuses, often called sign-up bonuses, are initial boosts of rewards that new cardholders can earn after reaching a certain spending requirement. 

The Sapphire Preferred Card currently offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, while the Ink Business Preferred Card offers 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

There are two components to a welcome bonus offer should take into account: The number of bonus points you can earn, and the minimum spending requirement you must complete in order to earn those points. These cards field very different minimum spending requirements that might sway your decision in one direction or the other.

Reward earning potential

Both cards earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points , which are incredibly valuable by Business Insider's valuations . Chase points are worth 1.8 cents apiece, on average, when redeemed for travel through the Chase Travel portal . They can be worth far more if transferred to Chase's airline and hotel partners for first- and business-class travel redemptions. 

Compare earning rates: Sapphire Preferred Card vs. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Here, too, the cards diverge significantly. The Sapphire Preferred Card earns:

• 5 points per dollar on Lyft rides through March 2025
• 5 points per dollar on all travel purchased through Chase Travel
• 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
• 2 points per dollar on other travel
• 1 point per dollar on everything else

For its part, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card earns 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in the following categories each account anniversary year (1 point per dollar after that):

• Shipping purchases
• Advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines
• Internet, cable, and phone services

You'll earn 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

The best card for you will be the one that complements your spending habits. If your business requires a lot of purchases in the categories where the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card excels, then the card is a clear winner. Even if your main expense is travel, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card offers 3x points for up to $150,000 in spending, which is pretty high — instead of the Sapphire Preferred Card's uncapped 2x points.

However, if dining is your major purchase segment, then the Sapphire Preferred Card pulls ahead since the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card doesn't even offer it as a bonus category.

Compare redemption opportunities: Sapphire Preferred Card vs. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Travel through chase ultimate rewards.

This is one of the areas where the two cards are most similar. With either, the points you earn are worth 1.25 cents apiece toward travel reservations booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel Portal℠ . For some perspective, that means the welcome bonus from the Sapphire Preferred Card is worth $750 when cashed in this way, while the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card bonus is worth $1,250.

The interesting play here is that, if you also have the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, your points are worth 1.5 cents apiece through Chase Travel, upping your value even more. As mentioned above, carrying the Chase Sapphire Reserve® will preclude you from earning the welcome bonus with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, but you might still be able to combine your points with the account of someone else in your household who has the Reserve.

On the other hand, there's no crossover exclusion between the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, so that might be an easier combo to carry.

The best card in this respect really depends on your spending habits. However, think again about the Chase Sapphire Reserve® double-play with the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card since you can combine your points and redeem them through the Chase portal at 1.5 cents apiece.

Aside from that, you can cash in points for 1 cent apiece toward statement credits, gift cards, and Apple purchases with either card and at a lower rate when redeemed directly on Amazon for purchases.

Point transfer to partners

With either card, you can transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to the program's 14 airline and hotel transfer partners.

Travel Benefits and Protections

Both cards come with generous travel benefits and purchase protections. Here's what you should know. 

Travel insurance and protections

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers one of the most comprehensive collections of travel protections of any rewards credit card. Its trip cancellation or interruption coverage maxes out at $10,000 per trip, $20,000 per occurrence, and $40,000 per 12-month period. If your trip is delayed 12 hours or overnight, you can claim up to $500 per purchased ticket to cover meals and lodging. Its baggage delay insurance goes into effect at six hours, with up to $100 per day for up to five days, while lost or stolen luggage is covered up to $3,000.

The Sapphire Preferred Card is one of the few cards to offer primary rental car insurance against theft or damage. Finally, its purchase protection remains in effect up to 120 days after you buy an item, and is capped at $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.

By contrast, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card offers up to $5,000 per person and $10,000 per trip for interruption and cancellation. Its auto rental coverage is primary for business rentals in the US and both business and personal rentals internationally. As for purchase protection, items are covered up to 120 days out, for as much as $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account — so if you're making a large purchase, this is the card to do it on.

The other major difference is that the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card offers cell phone protection against theft or damage. It's capped at $1,000 per claim and up to three claims per 12-month period with a $100 deductible per occurrence. Even with those limitations, though, this perk is one of the best the card offers.

No foreign transaction fees

Neither the Sapphire Preferred Card nor the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card charges foreign transaction fees, which saves you an average of 3% per transaction when making international purchases. 

Additional perks

Each of these cards offers many more benefits. As you can imagine, some of them diverge — here's how the two stack up.

Sapphire Preferred Card benefits

The Sapphire Preferred Card offers the following supplemental benefits: 

• Up to $50 in annual statement credits toward hotel stays booked through Chase Travel
• 10% anniversary point bonus
• Complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership through December 2024 (activation required) 
• Six-month complimentary Instacart+ membership (activate by July 31, 2024)
• Primary rental car insurance
• Up to $15 per quarter in Instacart credits through July 2024

Learn more in our Chase Sapphire Preferred card review .

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card benefits

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card offers the following supplemental benefits: 

• Primary car rental insurance on business-related rentals in the U.S., and all international rentals
• Cellphone protection on phones that are billed monthly to this card

Learn more in our Chase Ink Business Preferred card review . 

Which Chase card is suitable for you?

With all of these features and benefits compared side-by-side, it may seem harder than ever to choose between the Sapphire Preferred Card and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. 

You can get both cards

You could always consider getting both cards. That way, you can earn even more bonus points with two welcome offers, and spread your bonus earning potential across several categories with two cards rather than having to choose between them. That might be an overreach, but if the spending requirements are within your purview, it's something to think about.

If you simply must choose between the two cards, here is what you should consider:

Personal vs. business use

When evaluating either-or between these two cards, consider this: Would a business credit card be more useful  than a personal one — both for things like helping you separate personal from work expenses, but also for the extensive purchase protections it might provide?

If you're a sole proprietor selling a few items on eBay each year, there aren't many repercussions for you using the Sapphire Preferred Card for business use.

But if you plan to expand your business, run a cottage industry out of your home kitchen, or operate a larger company, you should definitely get a business credit card to help you separate your personal and professional expenses for tax and accounting reasons. Responsible financial management includes keeping clear records, and holding a dedicated credit card can help with that.

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a dedicated business credit card, and offers business-friendly features and benefits that the Sapphire Preferred does not. 

Frequent travelers vs. business spenders: Choosing the right card for your spending and travel habits

Your travel habits should also come into consideration when evaluating these two cards. The Sapphire Preferred Card offers better travel insurance benefits and elevated dining rewards. However, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card also offers generous travel protection and earns bonus points on business expenses, and includes cellphone insurance whereas the Sapphire Preferred does not. 

Eligibility Requirements

This might not be top-of-mind, but if you currently have (or have had in the past) other Chase cards — or if you have applied for several other credit cards recently — you might find yourself ineligible for one or both of these offers.

Chase has what's informally known as the 5/24 rule . This means if you have opened five or more credit cards, from any bank, within the past 24 months, you won't be approved for a new Chase card. So look at your accounts and make sure that you have not voided your ability to be considered for these cards off the bat.

Additionally, in the case of the Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase states: "This product is available to you if you do not have any Sapphire card and have not received a new cardmember bonus for any Sapphire card in the past 48 months." So if you have the more-premium Chase Sapphire Reserve® open, you'll be precluded from this offer. Likewise, if you opened either the Sapphire Preferred Card and received the bonus within the past 48 months, you won't get this welcome bonus, even if you have since closed your other account.

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card does not have such eligibility requirements. However, because it's a small business credit card , you may be asked to prove that you actually have a small business , even if it's just a sole proprietorship for your side hustle, in order to open the card. So be prepared to jump through a few hoops unless you can very clearly demonstrate that this card is for your business and you can verify your income.

You can't go wrong with either — or both — of these exceptionally popular Chase credit cards. The most important consideration should be your personal and business spending needs, and how you plan to utilize your credit card. 

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Ink Business Preferred frequently asked questions

The consumer-focused Sapphire Preferred Card offers fantastic travel insurance and bonus points on travel and restaurant spend, while the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card for small business owners has cellphone insurance and bonus points on office supplies and travel. 

Yes, both cards offer generous welcome bonuses for new cardholders who meet certain spending requirements within the first few months of opening the card. 

While both cards offer a suite of travel protections including trip cancellation/interruption insurance, the Sapphire Preferred Card comes out slightly ahead with some of the best protection in the industry. 

Yes, points earned from both theSapphire Preferred Card and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card can be transferred to more than a dozen airline and hotel partners through Chase Travel.

Both cards are excellent for international travelers, with no foreign transaction fees and a number of travel benefits. 

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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