Have you ever felt like you’re just collecting a random assortment of points without a real plan?
You know your Chase card is valuable, but you’re not sure if you’re truly making the most of it. In the world of credit card rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards® are considered a “blue-chip” currency—they are flexible, valuable, and your key to unlocking incredible travel.
The problem is, with multiple cards and varying rules, the system can seem complex. How do you know which card to use for which purchase? How do the pros rack up hundreds of thousands of points so quickly?
This is your master plan. I’m going to demystify the entire program and break down every single way you can earn these valuable points, from your first card to building a sophisticated multi-card strategy.
This guide is for anyone who wants to move beyond simply collecting points to strategically accumulating them. We’ll cover the card families, the bonus categories, and the lesser-known tricks that will turn your account into a point-earning powerhouse.
Why Are Ultimate Rewards So Valuable?
The power of Ultimate Rewards points is their flexibility. Unlike a co-branded airline mile that can only be used with one airline, a Chase point gives you multiple, powerful options.
You can redeem them for simple cash back, book travel directly through the Chase portal (often with a 25-50% bonus), or—the key to luxury travel—transfer them to a host of high-value airline and hotel partners. This versatility is what makes them so coveted.
The Three Pillars of Earning: The Chase Card Families
The core of any earning strategy is using the right card for the right purchase. Chase’s cards are designed to work together as a team.
1. The Sapphire Cards (Preferred & Reserve)
These are the premium travel cards and the engine of the whole system. You must hold one of these to unlock the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners.
- Best for: Dining, travel, and online groceries.
- How they earn: They offer strong multipliers (typically 2x-3x) on a broad range of travel and dining purchases.
2. The Ink Business Cards (Preferred, Cash, & Unlimited)
These are some of the most powerful small business cards on the market. Even as a freelancer or sole proprietor, you can often qualify.
- Best for: Common business expenses.
- How they earn: The Ink Business Cash® is a legend, offering a massive 5x points on internet, cable, and phone services, and at office supply stores. The Ink Business Preferred® offers 3x on shipping, advertising, and travel.
3. The Freedom Cards (Flex & Unlimited)
These are the no-annual-fee workhorses that are perfect for everyday spending. While they are marketed as “cash back” cards, the rewards they earn can be converted to full Ultimate Rewards points if you also hold a Sapphire card.
- Best for: Everyday, non-bonus category spending and rotating categories.
- How they earn: The Freedom Unlimited® offers a solid 1.5x points on every purchase, while the Freedom Flex℠ offers 5x points on rotating quarterly categories.
Liam’s Insight: My Chase strategy revolves around one question: “Which of my cards will give me more than 1.5x on this purchase?” If the answer is my Sapphire for dining (3x) or my Ink card for my internet bill (5x), I use it. If not, I default to my Freedom Unlimited for a guaranteed 1.5x. This simple rule ensures I’m always earning more than the baseline and never leaving points on the table.
Beyond the Card Swipe: 4 More Ways to Accelerate Your Earnings
- Welcome Bonuses: This is, without a doubt, the single fastest way to accumulate a huge number of points. Strategically applying for a new card to earn a bonus of 60,000, 75,000, or even 100,000 points is the foundation of any serious rewards plan.
- The Chase Shopping Portal: Before you buy anything online, log in to your Ultimate Rewards account and look for the “Shop through Chase” portal. By clicking through their link to a retailer (like Nike, Apple, or The Home Depot), you can earn extra bonus points on top of the points you already earn from the card.
- Chase Offers: In your Chase app or online account, there is a section for “Chase Offers.” These are targeted, opt-in deals that give you extra cash back or points for spending at specific merchants. Always scroll through and add offers for places you already shop.
- Refer-a-Friend: Chase has a generous referral program. If you have a card, you can generate a unique referral link. If a friend or family member applies and is approved through your link, you receive a substantial point bonus.
Putting It All Together: The “Chase Trifecta”
The ultimate earning strategy is to combine cards from these families. The most popular combination, the “Chase Trifecta,” involves holding:
- A Sapphire Card for travel/dining and to unlock transfers.
- A Freedom Card for rotating categories or as a flat-rate earner.
- An Ink Business Card for its powerful 5x categories.
By using the right card for every purchase, you ensure you are always earning at a multiplied rate, supercharging your balance.
Ready to Start Your Chase Strategy?
The world of Ultimate Rewards is deep, but getting started is simple. Begin with one foundational card that matches your spending—like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® for dining and travel, or the Chase Freedom Unlimited® for everyday simplicity. Master that, and you’ll be well on your way to earning points like a pro.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Chase 5/24 Rule?
This is Chase’s most important application rule. Generally, if you have opened five or more personal credit cards from any bank in the last 24 months, your application for a new Chase card will be denied. This is why it’s critical to prioritize Chase cards if you’re new to rewards.
Can I combine points from my different Chase cards?
Yes! This is the key to the whole system. In your Ultimate Rewards account, you can instantly combine points from all your Chase cards into your Sapphire account, where they become transferable to travel partners.
Can I earn valuable Ultimate Rewards points without an annual fee?
Yes. The Freedom Flex℠ and Freedom Unlimited® are powerful no-annual-fee cards. However, to get the absolute maximum value by transferring them to airlines and hotels, you must also hold an annual-fee card like the Sapphire Preferred®, Sapphire Reserve®, or Ink Business Preferred®.
WalletAware shares education, not individualized financial advice. Always confirm current terms on the issuer’s site before applying.