The best credit cards for adding authorized users. CNN Underscored reviews financial products such as credit cards and bank accounts based on their overall value. Looking for a travel credit card? Thats an incredible return on your spending and the highest category bonus offered by any Ultimate Rewards card.

Chase not only partners with 11 airlines but also has the unique distinction of partnering with three of the most prominent hotel loyalty programs: IHG Rewards Club, Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt. Earn 10 points per dollar on Chase Dining purchases made through Ultimate Rewards program, 10 points per dollar on hotel stays and car rentals booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards. You should see booking options similar to if you were booking directly with Expedia itself. Here's an example for a rental in Nashville from November 512, 2021, booked with a Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card (redemptions are worth 1.5 cents per point): You'll be able to filter your search by capacity, car type, price per day, company, and car options (like air conditioning and automatic transmission). You can use your points to purchase gift cards from more than 150 brands, including retailers and restaurants. Remember that you can still earn miles and elite credits on flights, as tickets booked through the Chase travel portal are categorized as "paid" rather than as an award flight, since you're "paying" for them with points instead of cash. It works the same way for booking tours and other travel activities, so you could potentially enjoy a free or nearly free vacation solely on Chase points if you were to plan it all out properly. And earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases (not including Targetor Walmartpurchases) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year. Simply head over to the referral page and select the card to which you want to refer your friends. Updated $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3X points on dining, 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases.

All Rights Reserved. 3 points per dollar on dining at restaurants including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out. Simply book and pre-pay your reservation to earn 10 points per dollar spent. The Chase Freedom Unlimited earns cash back rewards that can also be converted to travel points with the right combination of cards. For instance, if you're using the Chase Sapphire Preferred to book through the Chase travel portal, points are worth 25% more (1.25 cents per point). Where you can get the most value from your Ultimate Rewards points is with transfer partners. The worst redemption value is using Shop with Amazon, which gives you just 0.75 cents per point. While the best redemption rates are usually realized when you transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio to hotel partner Hyatt, if you're not a huge fan of chain hotels or prefer boutiques or brands like Hilton, Choice Hotels, or Wyndham, it can be a good idea to book them through the travel portal. With the Sapphire Preferred, youre locking in a high sign-up bonus and great continued rewards with travel, wherein with the Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Flex youre able to use the cards various bonus categories to maximize your earnings. 100,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. But that may not always make sense for all card holders and its not your only option. Chase card holders can also redeem points for merchant gift cards at around 1 cent each. Once the results appear, you'll be able to narrow down your search with filters based on price, amenities, star ratings, guest ratings, property type, number of bedrooms, neighborhood and whether the hotel is LGBTQ, business or family friendly. If you want to use your points this way, theyre worth 1 cent each. But if you have the time and desire to maximize rewards, youll have plenty of opportunities with one of the programs travel credit cards. Heres an in-depth look at all the ways you can give your Ultimate Rewards account a boost. In most cases, points are worth the same. 4 Credit Cards That Will Get You First-Class Flights, Best Travel Credit Cards for July 2022: Find the Right Card for You, Best Airline Credit Cards for July 2022: Find the Right Card for You, The Ultimate Guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards. Chase makes it easy and lucrative to refer your friends for a credit card. A Warner Bros.

And if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, your points are worth 1.5 cents each with this redemption option..

Chase Ultimate Rewards isnt the only flexible rewards program out there, though. For example, some of the programs consumer cards were offering bonus rewards on Lyft spending through March 2022. There are a few pros and cons to consider when booking flights through the Chase travel portal. To access the Chase travel portal, you'll need to have a credit card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card, Ink Business Cash Credit Card, Chase Freedom Unlimited or Chase Freedom Flex. Unfortunately, this is the only redemption option that offers less than 1 cent per point in valueyoull get just 0.8 cents per point if you redeem this way. In addition, they offer extra value if you use your rewards to book travel through Chase. For comparison's sake, if you go to the American Airlines website and price out the same flight, you'd need 28,500 American miles. The best way to earn Ultimate Rewards points is with a Chase credit card. Transferable points programs allow customers to earn credit card points when using certain credit cards. Ultimately, every card holders goals for their points will be different, but its good that you have options with Ultimate Rewards. Whether you want cash back, travel rewards, gift cards, or other redemption options, it offers a lot of flexibility without skimping on value. By electing to redeem your points this way, you can get well over 2 cents per point in value. You won't have to worry about blackout dates or limited award availability, which makes it great if you're not flexible with dates and flight times. Earn 5 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase and 2 points per dollar on other travel purchases. 2022 Cable News Network. If your friend is approved for a card, youll earn bonus points. If you redeem your points through the Ultimate Rewards Travel portal, theyre worth 1.25 cents to 1.5 cents each, depending on which credit card you have.

Below, youll find the traditional cash back-earning cards in Chases portfolio. For example, World of Hyatt points are worth 2.22 cents each on average, according to Investopedia research.

You'll be able to search, filter, and sort by price, airline, departure time, arrival time, and departure airport. Chase currently offers up to 20,000 bonus points for Ultimate Rewards-earning credit cards.

As a result, points and miles open up the door for flying experiences that would otherwise be out of reach. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

In this case, you'd end up saving 11,914 miles by booking through the Chase travel portal instead of redeeming AA miles directly with the airline, which isn't a Chase partner. By combining the Chase cards you have in your wallet, you can maximize your earnings and ensure you continue to work your way toward your next redemption. Cash back (statement credit or direct deposit), gift cards, travel, experiences, purchases with Amazon.com and Apple, transfers to other rewards programs*, Points dont expire as long as your account is open and in good standing, You can pool points with another Ultimate Rewards card belonging to you or a member of your household, The Chase Sapphire cards and the Ink Business Preferred allow you to transfer points to 13 airline and hotel loyalty programs, Flexible redemption options High-value travel redemptions. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. However, the programs annual-fee carrying cards, including the Chase Sapphire cards and the Ink Business Unlimited, also allow you to transfer points to select airline and hotel loyalty rewards programs. Booking through the Chase travel portal can be a great use of your Ultimate Rewards points, but make sure to compare the rates against booking directly with an airline or hotel itself. Knowing where you spend most of your money can help you determine which card would be best for you. Best Rewards Credit Cards for July 2022: Find the Right Card for You. Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 3% back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services and on drugstore purchases; 1.5% back on all other purchases. For a seven-day rental, it would cost 31,756 points or $477 for the cheapest option.

For example, Delta Air Lines and Air France/KLM are both members of the SkyTeam alliance, meaning you can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Flying Blue and redeem for flights operated by Delta Air Lines. Points transfers can be one of the best ways to maximize your Chase Ultimate Rewards. Heres a breakdown: Every Ultimate Rewards credit card offers some kind of intro offer, which you can earn after youve met its purchase requirements. 1:14 PM EDT, Tue June 14, 2022. Through Dec. 31, 2022, select card holders are eligible for elevated redemption rates. From here, you'll be able to search for flights, hotels, Luxury Hotel & Resort collection properties, rental cars, things to do (vacation activities and tours), vacation rentals and cruises. But if you go through Chases shopping portal and the retailer is offering an extra 10 points per dollar, youll earn 1,150 points, giving you $11.50 in cash back. Keep in mind, though, that some events may be available only to customers with particular credit cards.

Are Travel Rewards Credit Cards Worth It? For this example, below, consider a round-trip flight from Washington, D.C. to Nashville with sample dates of November 512, 2021, booked through the travel portal with a Chase Sapphire Reserve card (redemptions are worth 1.5 cents per point): Results included an American Airlines flight from $248.80 or 16,586 points, as well as a few options through United. Cruises can also be booked as well, but you'll need to call. The next screen is your credit card's main dashboard, showing how many UR points you currently have, as well as any deals or bonus opportunities. Cardholders who link their Ultimate Rewards credit card to an Amazon.com account can use their points when they check out. The issuers credit cards are generally split into two categories, which consist of both personal and small-business cards: traditional Ultimate Rewards-earning cards and cash back cards. Normally, youd earn 150 points on the purchase, which is worth $1.50 in cash back. Andrew has led the US-based compliance efforts for some of the worlds largest and most prestigious banks and enjoys a reputation as a strong leader and subject matter expert. Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Personal finance is all about managing your personal budget and how best to invest your money to realize your goals. By transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to partner airlines, you unlock the ability to travel for next to nothing in most cases when redeeming points and miles, youll just have to pay the taxes and fees on a ticket. Generally speaking, if youre looking to get the most value out of your Chase Ultimate Rewards points, your worst option is when redeeming for a fixed value (for example, on purchases at Amazon). Airlines typically have extensive alliance networks, allowing you to redeem points for partner airlines through their respective programs. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. We earn a commission from affiliate partners on many offers, but not all offers on Select are from affiliate partners. Then you can transfer points earned with the Freedom Unlimited to your Sapphire card, which you can use to get more value out of your travel redemptions through Chase or through one of Chases airline or hotel partners.

You can redeem them for stays at all-inclusive resorts, international business-class tickets, domestic award flights and more. Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. The catch with using the Chase travel portal is you won't be able to shop for tickets on low-cost carriers like Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, or Allegiant Air you can search for flights on Delta, JetBlue, American, and United. Fly JetBlue Mint to London with your Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Chase: Sapphire Reserve. Heres a closer look at your options and how they work. You'll also be able to book flights on most international carriers. Earn 3x points on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in select categories each account anniversary year (shipping purchases, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines, internet, cable and phone services and travel); 1x points on all other purchases. For most cards, points are worth 1 cent each when booking travel. Ultimately, youll want to research which program will offer you the most in return, depending on what your travel plans are. Then youll see a menu at the top of the page with the redemption options for that card. Before adding someone to your account as an authorized user, do your research to see if it makes sense for you. But if you want maximum value across all of your redemption options, the Ultimate Rewards program is the best of the bunch. One of the more popular ways to maximize Ultimate Rewards points is to transfer them to one of the programs airline partners and use them to book international first- and business-class flights. Its the flexibility that makes having Chase Ultimate Rewards points so rewarding. But keep in mind that not all airline and hotel loyalty programs are equal.

If you have more than one Ultimate Rewards card, youll need to select the card you want to redeem points from.

All other purchases earn 1 point per dollar. Earn 3X points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases plus, 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025, Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. The points are relatively simple to earn from a wide range of credit cards, and the options for redeeming them are nearly endless. By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy. To maximize your rewards, it may make sense to apply for multiple Ultimate Rewards credit cards. For this reason, it's a good idea to ring up how much your hotel stay would cost in points through the portal as well as the hotel's website. Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of the most valuable travel rewards programs out there. Thats impressive, considering many travel-focused rewards programs offer reduced value if you want to use your points or miles to get cash back.

You'd end up saving 29,114 points per night by booking your stay through the travel portal. Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate and on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 3% back on dining including takeout and at drugstores; 1% back on all other purchases. The latter option will typically get you the most value, especially if you use them for luxury travel.

To reach the Chase travel portal, log into your Chase account, then click the arrow near the right side of the screen where it says the amount of your Chase UR points. When booked through the Marriott website, you'd have to redeem 380,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (which breaks down to 54,285 per night) for the same stay at JW Marriott Nashville. Adding an authorized user to your Chase card can help you earn even more rewards.

Cardholders can book flights, hotels, rental cars, activities, and cruises through the portal. Find out which cards CNN Underscored chose as ourbest travel credit cards of 2022. The Bottom Line on Chase Ultimate Rewards, How You Can Find the Right Rewards Credit Card. Also, because you can transfer your points between cards, having multiple Ultimate Rewards cards lets you earn bonus rewards across several spending categories and then maximize the value of those rewards by pooling them together. It's a pretty similar process if you want to book rental cars, tours and other travel activities through the Chase travel portal. If you were to book a seven-night stay at the Holiday Inn and Suites Nashville Downtown Convention Center, you'd need 41,714 IHG Rewards points per night, which means you'd save 19,648 points per night by booking through the portal. Simply choose your category, plug in your desired dates and details, and book with points, cash or some combination of the two. 3 points per dollar on select streaming services, online grocery purchases excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs. Doing so can also help you meet spending requirements in order to earn a sign-up bonus. To take advantage of this benefit, log into your Chase account and search more than 350 online retailers on the Ultimate Rewards platform. Finally, consider transferring your points to one of Chase's travel partners, especially if you're looking to book a luxury hotel or flight in business class. Click the merchant link provided by Chase and do your shopping as usual. Sapphire Reserve card holders get 1.5 cents per point on Airbnb, dining and select charity redemptions. "Travel Benefits.". Consider the taxes and fees you might have to pay if you were to transfer the points straight to one of Chase's travel partners versus booking directly through the portal, and to calculate and compare how many points and miles you'd earn by booking with either method. However, if youre willing to sacrifice the value of your points and instead want to save some cash, it could be a solid option. A certificate of deposit (CD) is a savings product that earns interest on a lump-sum deposit thats untouched for a predetermined period of time. Once you find the retailer youre searching for, click through to its website and make your online purchase as you normally would. As mentioned, there are also a number of other traditional cash back credit cards in the Chase portfolio that allow you to boost your earnings. Once youve earned the points comes the fun part: redeeming them!

Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. If you want to extract supreme value from them, you can do so by transferring to one of 14 airline and hotel partners for a seriously luxurious experience that would otherwise be out of budget. Otherwise, click "Travel" to enter the Chase travel portal. 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. The Chase Ultimate Rewards program offers several different redemption options, and most of them are worth at least 1 cent per point. Depending on how many Chase credit cards you have, you may be asked to choose which one you want to proceed with. For starters, youll double your earning power since you have another person charging their expenses to your card. Enter your name, ZIP code and the last four digits of your card. For example, if you redeem your points for cash back, theyll be worth 1 cent apiece no matter when you redeem. For this example, let's try looking for hotels in Downtown Nashville from November 512, 2021. For example, if you get one of the Sapphire credit cards, youll earn bonus rewards on travel and dining but nothing else. 2022 SELECT | All rights reserved. This is also where you can transfer points directly to one of Chase's 14 travel partners if you have a specific flight or hotel in mind. However, you, as the primary card holder, are responsible for paying off their charges each month. The Shop Through Chase shopping portal allows you to use your Ultimate Rewards credit card to earn up to 15 points per dollar on top of the rewards youre already earning with the card. For example, through Chase Pay Yourself Back, points are worth 1 cent each with a notable exception. If youre new to the world of travel rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards is a great place. For the traditional cash back cards, such as the Freedom Unlimited and the Freedom Flex, Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for 1 cent per point in value. You can request your cash back in the form of a statement credit or a deposit into your bank account. But if you're booking with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, points are worth 50% more (1.5 cents per point) the other no annual fee Chase cards each carry a redemption rate of 1 cent per point. 5 points per dollar on air travel booked through Ultimate Rewards. Earn 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Anniversary Hotel Credit; 3x points on dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, online grocery purchases and on select streaming services; 2x points on other travel purchases; 1x points on all other purchases. Earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Earn 10x points on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards after the first $300 spent on travel purchases annually and on Chase Dining purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 5x points on flights purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually; 3x points on other travel worldwide after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually and on other dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services; 1x points on all other purchases. But are you getting the best deal by doing this instead of transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR) points to travel partners and booking directly? However, fixed-value redemptions can be worthwhile in certain circumstances. While you can earn up to 10x Ultimate Rewards through Chase Dining if you have the Sapphire Reserve, you can also redeem points on restaurant bookings. Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Its worth noting that Chase occasionally runs transfer promotions for certain airlines and hotels. In this case, it comes down to your personal preferences.

A budget is an estimation of revenue and expenses over a specified future period of time and is usually compiled and re-evaluated on a periodic basis. But, in many cases, its better to pay out of pocket, earn 10x points and then save your points for a higher-value travel redemption. Each card has its own structure for how you can earn rewards on everyday spending. Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. With an impressive lineup of credit cards and valuable transfer partners to boot, Ultimate Rewards can help card holders unlock incredible travel opportunities from flights to hotels and everything in between. 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Andrew T. Schmidt is a compliance professional with 20 years experience in the financial services industry. Authorized users can build credit history when theyre added to your account.

Redeem your Ultimate Rewards points for a first-class flight in Singapore Suites.

Ultimately, how much Ultimate Rewards points are worth depends on how you elect to redeem them. Bonuses like these can increase the value of your points by enabling you to book sought-after award tickets for substantially less. So, at times, you can get more points in return than the standard transfer rate listed above.

The Chase Ultimate Rewards program is unusually rewarding, but not everyone can get approved for a card. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. The Chase Ultimate Rewards program was announced in 2009 when the bank launched its Sapphire credit cards, the Chase Sapphire and the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Much like Amex Membership Rewards points, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are so valuable because of how versatile they are. But where should you start? Cash back refers to a credit card that refunds a small percentage of money spent on purchases. Once youve checked out and completed your order, Chase will credit your account with the bonus rewards. Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. Marriott and IHG are usually more varied, so you may score a better deal by booking via the Chase travel portal instead of transferring points over. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back rewards on every purchase made for your business. You can redeem your rewards by logging into your Ultimate Rewards account. Cardholders may also want to consider American Express Membership Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards, both of which offer flexible redemptions, including transfer partners.

For example, lets say you have the Chase Freedom Unlimited card and make a $100 purchase. Heres what you may be able to earn as of October 2021, depending on which card you have. Are Credit Card Rewards Taxable Income by the IRS? And the Flying Blue program gives you 1.6 cents per mile on average. To finish booking your flight through the travel portal, select your route(s), review the details, choose how many points you'd like to use and complete your purchase. The easiest way to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points quickly is by taking advantage of the lucrative welcome bonuses offered by certain rewards cards: The card you're using to redeem UR points will also affect your point redemption value. This rule is widely known as the 5/24 rule. From time to time, Chase may run a promotion to encourage card users to spend more in certain categories or overall. That way, youll always get at least 1.5% back. Let's go over three options within the Chase travel portal, each booked with a Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card (redemptions are worth 1.5 cents per point): JW Marriott Nashville (Marriott), which is listed for 25,171 points per night; Holiday Inn and Suites Nashville DowntownConvention Center (IHG), which is listed for 22,066 points per night; and Thompson Nashville (Hyatt), which is listed at 24,610 points per night. The next time you shop online, simply log in to your Chase account, navigate to Ultimate Rewards and search for the merchant you want to shop with. Redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points is as simple as you want to make it. Content is created by CNN Underscoreds team of editors who work independently from the CNN newsroom. What Are Credit Card Points and Miles Worth? You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our, The Ultimate Guide to Amex Membership Rewards, Wells Fargo Introduces New Rewards Credit Card.