Chase Ultimate Rewards points offer a wealth of opportunities for rewards, including travel, merchandise, gift cards, and cashback. The key to making the most of these points is understanding how to earn and redeem them efficiently. Here’s an updated guide for 2025 on how to gain and maximize Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Experienced Users
Intro offer
Additional 1.5% Cash Back
Annual Fee
$0.00
Recommended Credit
Additional 1.5% Cash Back
Understanding Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be earned through various Chase credit cards and provide flexibility when it comes to redeeming. These points can be used for travel, merchandise, gift cards, or cash back, but their value depends on how you redeem them. For example, points can be worth more when used for travel bookings or transferred to travel partners.
Best Chase Credit Cards for Earning Ultimate Rewards Points in 2025
The following cards offer some of the best earning opportunities for Chase Ultimate Rewards points in 2025:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Earning Potential: 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases, and 2x points on other travel-related expenses.
- Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Annual Fee: $95
- Best For: Those who want a good mix of bonus categories and low annual fees for travel-related rewards.
- Earning Potential: 10x points on hotel stays and car rentals, 5x points on air travel, and 3x points on dining and travel purchases.
- Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Annual Fee: $550
- Best For: Frequent travelers who want to earn premium rewards and receive extra travel benefits.
- Earning Potential: 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% on everything else.
- Bonus: $250 after spending $500 in the first 3 months.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Best For: Those who want simple, straightforward rewards without an annual fee.
- Earning Potential: 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter (activation required), 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.
- Bonus: $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Best For: Those who want to earn extra rewards in rotating categories without paying an annual fee.
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
- Earning Potential: 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent on office supplies and internet/phone services annually, 2% on gas and restaurant purchases, and 1% on everything else.
- Bonus: $500 after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Best For: Small business owners looking to earn substantial cash back on business-related expenses.
Maximizing Your Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
To get the most out of your Ultimate Rewards points, consider the following strategies:
- Meet the Welcome Bonus Requirements
Many Chase cards offer generous welcome bonuses after meeting a minimum spending threshold. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, which can be redeemed for $750 toward travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal.
- Maximize Bonus Categories
Certain cards offer bonus points on specific spending categories. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers 10x points on hotel stays and car rentals, and 5x points on air travel. Knowing which categories earn you the most points can accelerate your rewards.
- Pool Your Points
Chase allows you to combine points from multiple Chase Ultimate Rewards cards. This means that you can pool all your points into one account, increasing your point balance for valuable redemptions like travel bookings or transfers to travel partners.
- Use the Chase Travel Portal
Booking travel through the Chase Travel Portal can provide enhanced value for your points, especially for premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, where points are worth 1.5 cents each when redeemed for travel. This can significantly stretch the value of your points.
- Transfer Points to Travel Partners
Chase has an impressive list of airline and hotel transfer partners, including popular brands like United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Marriott, and Hyatt. Transferring points to these partners can often provide even greater value, especially when booking premium flights or luxury hotel stays.
Additional Tips for Earning and Redeeming Points
- Keep an Eye on Promotions: Chase regularly runs special promotions that increase rewards rates or add extra benefits. Be sure to check for limited-time offers that can help you maximize your rewards.
- Track Spending Categories: Some Chase cards have rotating categories or specific spending limits for bonus points, so it's important to monitor your spending and ensure you hit the required thresholds for maximum rewards.
- Pay Your Balance in Full: To avoid paying interest on your purchases, always pay your credit card balance in full each month. This way, you can continue earning rewards without incurring extra charges.
By strategically selecting the right Chase credit cards and understanding the best ways to earn and redeem points, you can maximize the value of your Chase Ultimate Rewards. Whether you want to book travel, shop, or get cash back, these points can significantly enhance your financial flexibility and allow you to enjoy more experiences.
The Chase Quadfecta!
Chase, has some of the best overall mix of credit cards for the average person. That is, you may earn a lot of perks from many cards while spending just a reasonable yearly charge each year.
