A beginner’s guide to Chase credit card rewards
Quick insights
- Many Chase rewards credit cards allow you to earn points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal.
- Cardmembers redeem points they earn through this rewards program for travel, gift cards, cash back and more.
- You may be able to transfer points to a hotel or airline loyalty program with eligible Chase credit cards at 1:1 ratio.
Credit card points can help pay for your passions, from traveling to dining to shopping. How do you earn points or cash back rewards with Chase credit cards? Chase Ultimate Rewards is the portal through which some Chase cardmembers earn and redeem points. With flexible redemption options, you may be able to use your points for hotel stays, airfare, merchandise and more.
Here’s what to know to maximize the value of your Chase Ultimate Rewards.
What are Chase Ultimate Rewards?
Chase Ultimate Rewards is the rewards program for many Chase-branded rewards credit cards. If you have an eligible Chase card, you may earn points on many of your everyday purchases.
Several Chase credit cards offer a rate of at least a single point per dollar spent, and some cards offer additional points through sign-up bonuses, certain rewards categories and other offers. Chase Ultimate Rewards points don’t expire as long as your credit card account remains open.
The rewards structure provides many ways to redeem credit card points, including for travel, gift cards, cash back, exclusive offers and more. You may be able to use points to make purchases with certain online retailers. The best way to use Chase points may vary based on your own preferences and expenses.
Earning rewards with Chase credit cards
You may earn rewards by using your Chase credit card to make eligible purchases. How to earn credit card points will depend on the reward structure. The rate at which you earn points per eligible dollar spent ranges from one to 10 points across Chase rewards credit cards.
How many points you earn will depend on which Chase credit card you use and the rewards categories. For example, travel rewards credit cards typically offer cardmembers the opportunity to earn more rewards on travel purchases.
Some credit cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards may allow you to convert any Chase cash back rewards you have into points. Additionally, select Chase credit cards come with the ability to pool points from multiple Chase credit cards.
Redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points
You may find you have several options for redeeming your Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Here are some ways to use them:
- Travel: Use your points to pay for your next getaway. (This article explains how to use Chase Ultimate Rewards for travel.)
- Gift cards: You may be able to use your points to purchase gift cards from over 175 brands.
- Cash back: Get a statement credit or a direct deposit when you redeem your points for cash.
- Apple purchases: Use points to pay for all or some of your purchases at the Apple® Ultimate Rewards Store.
- Amazon payment: Points may be used to pay for all or part of an Amazon.com purchase. If a retailer allows you to check out with PayPal, you may be able to use your points to make a purchase.
There may sometimes be Chase credit card offers or promotions that increase the redemption value of your points.
Transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points
Some select Chase credit cards allow you to transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to travel partners. With an eligible credit card, you may be able to transfer points to several leading hotel and airline loyalty programs at a 1:1 ratio.
The transfer value per point could vary depending on the Chase transfer partner. If you’re interested in maximizing the value of your points, you may want to compare the value of transferred points to directly using the points with Chase.
Within the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, look for the “Transfer to Travel Partners” section and follow the instructions to complete the transfer. It’s possible the transfer may happen immediately, but in some cases, it could take a few days to process.
In summary
Chase Ultimate Rewards is a rewards program that allows you to earn points with eligible Chase credit cards. You may be able to redeem your rewards for trips, merchandise, gift cards, cash back and more or transfer points to travel partners at a 1:1 ratio.
